Thoughts at holiday time that are good for every day

Note: Christmas is often a good time for reflection. Please accept this entry as my gift to many of you. And I hope you know who you are!

By Jeff Orvis

Gratitude.

That may seem like a topic better suited for Thanksgiving, but as we have a little time around the Christmas and New Year holidays to reflect on what has happened to us in the ending year, it's a good time to take stock in some happenings and people that we all too often may take for granted.

When people sit down to write this sort of blog, there's always a danger that the reader may wonder why, if he or she is included, they are not higher in the order of thoughts. So as a sort of disclaimer, if you are mentioned, the order in which you appear has no bearing on how important you are to me. And if you think you should have been mentioned but aren't, remember the writer recently reached the official senior citizen status.

Senior citizen. When we were in our teens or twenties, we probably thought that designation was reserved for our grandparents. Few of us ever thought we would reach that age. We were too busy chasing grades, girls (or boys) and that first job. But I can tell you, from my limited experience so far, being a senior citizen ain't all bad. First of all, you've probably outlived all your teachers who would claim you can't use the word “ain't.” Then there's the ready-made excuse when you forget something that those things happen when you have over 60 years of memories to sort through!

So I can say I am grateful for being a senior citizen in fairly good health. Sure, there are some issues that I regularly visit with my medical professional about. But with God's help, I hope to be around for quite a few more years.

Of course I am grateful for my family. I have a police scanner playing all day here in the apartment and believe me, after hearing some of the calls our local law enforcement has to handle, having a family you love, am proud of and can count on is a true gift. My sister Missy and her husband, Richard, have been so supportive since Mom died and left me to be the executor of her estate and the years following. They have spent many of their married years living in bustling metropolises like Dallas, Shreveport and Jacksonville. They are probably still wondering why I chose to live in a town of just under 3,000 not once, but twice. But that's another part of this whole gratitude thing that I'll get to in a moment.

Two of Missy and Richard's closest friends are Lynn and Eric Johnson. I won't say I stole them as a second sister and brother, but they are proud Iowans! Lynn calls a few times each week just to check up on me. She is a big sports fan, although I'm still trying to convince her that the Cubs will be the next Chicago team in the World Series, not the White Sox. We had a mutual long distance celebration last winter when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Yes, she's turned me into a hockey fan!

Eric and their son, Aaron, spent a Saturday a couple of years ago moving me here from Davenport, for which I am super grateful. Their younger son, Ethan, is starting a career as a teacher in the Davenport Schools. Sorry Ethan, I was going to say an “exciting career,” and I realize it is for you. But I never was a fan of math when I was in school.

Getting back to other relatives for a moment, my niece and nephew are raising young families and that's exciting. Laura has found the love of her life and she and Kevin are raising her son, Warren, who has started school. Warren recently relinquished some of the honors as most photographed grandchild in the world when my nephew, Chris and his wife, Erin, welcomed Gavin into the world. Laura, Kevin and Warren live in Jacksonville and Chris, Erin and Gavin recently moved to the Dallas area. And yes, I am scouting from afar, watching the physical development and sports interests of both of my grandnephews to see if I should alert the Hawkeye basketball or football offices of the possible future recruits.

I think I've mentioned this before, but once again I am remembering to be grateful for the Belle Plaine family. When people ask me why I moved back here, even though I was entering the senior part of my life, part of it was economics. Part of it was apartment availability, but more important was knowing that many of my Facebook friends live here. It took less than an hour after I arrived back in town to be recognized and welcomed on Main Street.

I am also grateful for modern technology, specifically the internet and Facebook. I can sit here at the desktop or in my recliner with my Kindle and instantly be connected with friends and family from Florida to Texas, from Colorado to Vegas, from Washington State to Maine.

Through Facebook, I am grateful that I still have friends who tolerate my opinion. Even those who don't agree with me often present informed opinions of their own. I may not agree with them all the time, but at least they take the time to state their side.

As we prepare to dive head-first into 2016, there will be plenty of highs and lows for all of us. There always are. It's a presidential election year and by the time we are finished with our February caucuses in Iowa, we will be counting the days until the general election is behind us.

Maybe by the time we know who our next president will be, I will have unpacked the last of the boxes my move warriors moved for me. I may even clean out a bunch of stuff from my storage unit. Or maybe that resolution may have to wait until 2017!

Let's all hope and pray that when we stop to reflect on the events of 2016 this time next year, we will all have many things to be grateful for!

Moving no longer an easy task

Note: The following was written in the days immediately following my move. While awaiting the cable guy to transfer my service, I had no access to the internet, but access to the computer. This is the result of having a few days without communication with the outside world.

By Jeff Orvis

How many times have I moved in my just over 62 years on this earth? This is a question that I realize many people think about. If you grew up in a family where either or both parents were active military, you probably moved quite often. If you were successful in business and advanced up the corporate ladder, there were probably several moves in your life.

So what prompted this little trip down memory lane for me? I am in the latter stages of relocating to another address in this fair city. I say “latter stages” because although I have all my worldly possessions across town from where I was a scant six days ago, thanks to a small army of wonderful helpers, which I will talk about a little later, I am still on a treasure hunt for a few things hidden in poorly marked boxes and plastic totes. Where is that nearly open package of flour tortillas? I couldn't find my shampoo when I finally slowed down to try out my new shower. And I haven't looked for my laundry detergent yet and will probably need that in a few days.

What was moved and organized by a hearty band of volunteers is nothing short of a miracle. I wouldn't blame them if I asked them again for help in a move in the coming years if they were suddenly out of town. But the miracle came when I asked my aunt and uncle if they might drive over from western Illinois to help. I remembered that Donna, my aunt that is younger than I am, had been interested in seeing where I was living. Her ever-patient husband, Danny, is still young and healthy enough to try an adventure. Not only did he provide a lot of the muscle and transportation, I'm sure he is on a first-name basis with the clerks at Casey's, which supplied us with pizza for supper one night, as well as a couple of adult beverages and breakfast the next morning.

Knowing I would need some local help to supplement my relatives – I wasn't going to be much help in moving that living room and bedroom furniture, I got instant help from Rev. Charles Johnson. But when he showed up with his wonderful wife, Karen, I knew that she and my aunt, both recently retired teachers, would have a lot in common and would make quick work of packing and cleaning the kitchen in the old place. The last important volunteer was Bruce Gapstur, who was uncertain if he would be in town on Friday, but luckily he was. So I witnessed two work cyclones that day – Donna and Karen in the kitchen and bathroom area and Danny, Charles and Bruce in the rest of the apartment. I tried to help when I could, but I quickly realized that age and a tricky hip made my work more a person to answer the frequent question, “Where do you want this?” I love my computer and the internet, but I am a self-professed amateur when it comes to knowing how this thing works. Thankfully, I remembered my pastor, Steve Huebbel, knows a lot more about how this thing works than I do and he quickly figured out the tangled mess of cables and wires so I would have something to type on today.

When I had a moment to think back on the initial question that I posed at the start of this piece, I amazed myself. Trying to remember each place I had moved to from the time I took my first full time job in Independence to this weekend was like counting sheep when you try to sleep. I can remember what each apartment and house looked like, just don't ask me to remember the address of each place. Remember, I'm officially a senior citizen! Starting in 1977, I lived in seven places in Independence and this is the fourth residence in Belle Plaine. There were a couple of necessary moves to the Quad-Cities during those years. On the plus side of each of those moves, I've had great help from family and friends and usually settled in places where I didn't have to move appliances. But I do have a substantial record collection. The good news for my most recent mover warriors, a majority of those records remain in local storage, where they have been for several years!

In each of those moves, I have had wonderful and patient landlords and was never evicted. Most of the moves were an attempt to upgrade my surroundings, along with a couple of family considerations. My last apartment was really nice and I'm glad it already has a new tenant. I gave up a second bedroom and a garage for this move. But that apartment rent was based on fair market value, while since I reached that magical 62 year old birthday, I not only qualified for Social Security, but also senior housing with a welcome rent reduction.

Before I forget, I should also mention that my out-of-town helpers were very impressed with our local overnight accommodations. Jerilyn DeRaad and Jeff Brown have a wonderful downtown apartment they rent for overnight visitors. And once Donna and Danny got used to the trains roaring past just feet from their bed, they raved about their night stay.

What have I learned about this move so far? Besides the most important factor that God had a hand in giving me such wonderful helpers, I realize that I must be diligent in paring down my possessions. Sorry, Danny, I haven't decided to part with those VHS tapes I inherited from Mom and I promise one day I will have a workable machine to play them on. I am also learning to wean myself away from visual media, thankfully on a short-term basis. The cable guy couldn't come until today, meaning I was without TV and internet for nearly a week. WMT-radio is a poor substitution. I'm sick of Fox radio news and right-wing commentators. But WMT is also the local radio voice of the Chicago Bears. Fortunately, KDAT-FM is playing non-stop Christmas music, so in the coming few days I should be able to get in the proper spirit as I rest my tired muscles and continue the unpacking and arranging. One of the first things we did on Saturday was unpack, decorate and light my Christmas tree!

As I read what I have written so far, I realize most of it has been about me, along with some words of thanks to my great helpers. I pledge that my next entry with focus on other matters, perhaps the reason for the season!

From local notoriety to a teachable moment

By Jeff Orvis

For a few days, Belle Plaine was in the news, both locally and nationally. After last night, because of the action of the Belle Plaine Board of Education, our little town faded back from the limelight, which is probably a good thing.

At issue was the decision by school administrators to end the practice of firing off a 21-gun salute to close the annual Veterans' Day observance. For many years, local veterans groups have presented a school assembly, complete with a flag ceremony, usually a guest speaker and the salute, followed by the playing of “Taps.”

But this year, it was decided not to allow guns in the school, even if they were handled by veterans and were loaded with blank ammunition. I haven't met our superintendent, but I can only suppose that with the tragedies of mass killings in schools and movie theaters in this country, along with the mounting body count of children through gun violence, maybe it was thought a change was needed.

This decision set off a social media firestorm. Fueled by the seemingly unending resources of the National Rifle Association, an Iowa gun owners group promised a protest at this week's school board meeting. More important to local residents, this decision seemed like a slap in the face of our veterans, along with several young people from here currently serving in the armed forces.

Another factor in this is how well received this annual assembly has been. I can remember when I was in school, some kids were less than attentive at some assemblies and more than once the whole school was called on the carpet by our principal. I attended most of the Veterans' Day assemblies when I was at the newspaper and I was constantly surprised at how well behaved the junior and senior high school students were for this program. I suspect one of the main reasons for this behavior was the fact that most of the students know someone who is currently in the military or are the children of veterans.

While I don't yet know the school superintendent, I am friends with several members of the board of education. I am not surprised, based on reports I have seen, that the board was not swayed by the sudden media interest, but did take the time to hear statements from members of the capacity crowd at the meeting. In the end, the board voted to allow the custom to continue as in the past.

School officials should not be condemned for introducing this proposal. In this ever-growing gun crazy culture, maybe this was a good time to consider whether a change would be in order. But on the other hand, we are losing dozens, if not hundreds, of veterans of our wars from World War Two to the present, each day. Also, many American Legion and VFW chapters are having problems staying afloat.

To be certain, I am no war hawk. I am of an age where I could have been eligible for the Vietnam draft. I did not agree with our involvement in that conflict, especially as it was commanded by a corrupt federal government. Through educational and physical deferments, I never served in the military. But I recognize the need for our country to have a strong defense today. Before we became involved in what has been called America's longest war, a career in the military was also a good alternative for many young people.

We should honor those who have fought for us. The 21-gun salute is a fitting way to remind all of us what price so many paid for our freedom. Thanks to our school board members for their decision. And thanks to our superintendent for having the courage to start a dialogue on this topic. If nothing else, it should serve as a teachable moment for classes where history and current events are taught.

A brave look at religion and politics

By Jeff Orvis

They say the quickest way to start a fight is to begin a discussion on religion or politics. So while I often like to keep this blog light, if the discussion of either above topic bothers you, perhaps you should wait for the next entry.

Let me start by stating that I am a professing Christian and very proud and grateful for that fact. God has gotten me through a lot over my life and I recognize he is with me every step of the way. But one of the gifts I think He has given me is tolerance. And unfortunately, I see less and less tolerance in this country each day.

Some people seem to think if we just let God in our schools, everything will be okay. Others are shocked when state and county governments won't allow the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed on the grounds of government buildings.

I believe in prayer. Lord knows, forgive the weak pun, that I have called upon him numerous times silently before taking a big test in school, as well as before building up the nerve to ask a particular girl to a dance. I also believe in the Ten Commandments and realize that as a sinner, I don't keep them each day. But that doesn't mean I don't try.

Our Sunday school teachers and clergy have done a great job of teaching us that belief in Christ is the only way to get to Heaven. My way or the highway and that highway is a one-way to a very unpleasant, very warm place.

It's been many years since I studied American history. But from what I remember, it seems that our ancestors, at least some of them, came to this country to escape a European country where there was only one religion. I have no doubt that the early settlers drew upon their faith to sustain them during those tough first years. But they did it without a federal government looking over their shoulders, telling them who and how to worship.

I have recently become aware of a term, Christian dominionism. My interpretation may be a bit off, but it seems to be the belief that this country is a Christian nation and the devout believers in this concept believe we will all be doomed if we don't allow prayer back in our public schools and the Ten Commandments in our courthouses and statehouses. Their belief is well meaning. If more people followed the teachings of Christ, this would be a more civilized and peaceful society.

But my question to these folks is, if we are a free society, where one of our cherished freedoms is to practice, or not practice, the religion of our choice, how is this a Christian nation? What about our friends and neighbors that have contributed so much to the growth of this country? Why isn't America just as much a Jewish nation, or Hindu nation or, perish the thought, an Islamic nation? Some of these religions have teachings I am vehemently opposed to, especially not admitting that women are equal and should not be treated with anything but respect.

Like it or not, and many of us don't, we have been catapulted into the 2016 presidential campaign. The latest fad of many of the current candidates, especially the Republicans, is to stand up in front of a group and say, “Vote for me, I'm a Christian!” I'm waiting for one of them, probably Trump, to slip and say that while speaking in a mosque or synagogue.

The point is, just as we have broken the color barrier in the White House and may soon break the gender barrier, there will come a time when we also break the bonds of believing that our president must be a Bible-carrying Protestant Christian. Other religions teach peace and compassion. The jury is still out on whether we will see any of these other folks in Heaven, but ultimately we don't have the final say in the matter.

The candidate that gets my vote will be the one who will indicate that they lean on a Superior Being for strength, but also one who freely admits that he, or she, wants to be the president of all Americans, regardless of what they do on Saturdays or Sundays.

The incredible continuing legacy of Jimmy Carter

By Jeff Orvis

Former President Jimmy Carter held a remarkable news conference earlier this morning. He had announced that he had cancer that had spread from his liver to other parts of his body. What was remarkable about this appearance was that he didn't rely on a spokesman or a doctor to explain the extent of his illness. He sat and answered questions from the local and national press for more than 30 minutes.

I sat and listened closely to this incredible man. For a guy who served just one term in the White House, he might be remembered as one of the most influential individuals of the 20^th and early 21^st century.

When we hear about some of the wonderful work his Carter Center has accomplished around the world, it might be easy to regret that we didn't elect him to a second term. After all, look what replaced him. But I think America may have done him a favor by releasing him from the Washington fish bowl. Leaving behind the world of spin doctors, image formers and hundreds, if not thousands of government types who had their own ideas on how things should be done, he returned to rural Georgia, where the next chapter of his life has been anything but quiet.

Of course, of immediate concern is his health status. He calmly explained how the cancer had spread to four areas of his brain and how he was to begin treatment later in the day. He said he was actually at peace with the diagnosis, recognizing what a wonderful life he'd had. Much of that peace has come from the support of family and many friends around the world, but also from his strong Christian faith. Many of us would naturally sit back and wait to die. President Carter is tackling this challenge head-on, despite living nearly 91 years.

Aside from the detailed description of his condition, he reminded us of many other facts and figures of his life that show why this man is a national and international treasure. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he served on a nuclear submarine. After his service, he returned home and farmed for 17 years. Later on, he served as governor of Georgia, then hit the national political spotlight which ultimately lead to the presidency.

Today, I learned that he and his wonderful wife, Rosalyn, have been married 69 years. They have 22 children and grandchildren. He was asked how this illness and his treatment might affect his work with the Carter Center. He said he still hopes he can make that trip back to Nepal to help Habitat for Humanity build homes. It would mark the 33rd time he has been in that country. Much of the work of the center also involves improving the health of the populations of 80 countries. At one time, he said, there were more than 3 million victims of polio. That number has dropped to 11 and Carter was able to list which countries still had victims.

All of this incredible work takes major funds. Carter indicated that the center has an endowment of just over $600 million. While he and his wife have decided to scale back their day to day work at the center, he said he would still be contacting big donors and being a consultant of the work still being done. And there's still that hope of a return to Nepal.

With more than 20 men and women seeking the presidency, it's easy to compare and contrast them, as well as those who went before them. I have lived during the terms of 11 men. Some have done great things, others have been a disappointment. We all have our opinion on who the good ones have been. After watching the Carter news conference, I noticed on my Facebook page that someone had called First Lady Michelle Obama a disappointment. It has also been suggested that President Obama should be in prison. Most of those suggestions come from folks who can't even spell their claims correctly. Somehow, I would trust a former Constitutional professor before most rural Iowans, myself included.

Way back in 1981, on the day that Carter left the presidency, our hostages were set free from more than a year of imprisonment in Iran. I'm still wondering if the timing of their release was not orchestrated by members of the incoming Reagan Administration to try to dampen the legacy of President Carter.

More than 30 years later, that legacy is secure, despite the best efforts of those long-forgotten naysayers. As we continue to listen to that growing list of candidates, we should ask ourselves which ones have the ability to display not only great judgment, but also compassion and the vision to know that this is a great, big wonderful world and there are billions of fellow residents who deserve the right to live happy and healthy lives. That is what Jimmy Carter learned many years ago.

He will be a tough act to follow.

Iowa sends some quality players to the NFL again

By Jeff Orvis

Okay sports fans. Our long, dreary wait is almost over! The scanning of the TV dial for coverage of the combine, draft, reruns of last year, etc. is about to come to an end. The NFL begins its ultimate trek to the 50^th Super Bowl with the first preseason game a week from now in Canton, OH.

Aside from my total allegiance to the Chicago Bears, when I am watching a game with other teams involved, I try to scan the team rosters to find players who played their college ball in the state of Iowa. As the teams began opening their preseason camps, they published their 90-man rosters, showing who would be vying for spots on the regular season roster. The preseason rosters include the player's position, years pro and the college he attended. So for the past several years, I have poured over these rosters, in an attempt to answer the age-old question, “What ever happened to...?”

Each year, Iowa and Iowa State square off on the football field and for the week leading into the big game, there's a civil war waged in our fair state. I want to see all of our state teams do well, but I freely admit that my main loyalties lie with the Hawkeyes. I don't hate Iowa State, I just know which has historically been the dominant college program in our state and I like to go with a winner. How's that for firing the first volley across the bow?

But if you are visiting your favorite watering hole and a debate begins on which program is the better one, consider this: There are 52 players on preseason pro rosters who played college ball in our state. Thirty-nine are former Hawkeyes. Eight are from Iowa State, four are from Norther Iowa and one is from Coe. If you measure a program's success by the way the coaching staff prepares young men for a possible pro career, Iowa wins, hands down. Of course, if you want to see a team with the best potential for national recognition in the postseason, check out the guys at UNI.

The 52 players with Iowa ties attempting to earn a paycheck in the NFL this season are on 25 teams. Baltimore and Atlanta lead the way with four players each. There are 16 rookies listed. The gray beards with Iowa ties are Atlanta's Jonathan Babineaux, in his 11^th season and Minnesota's Chad Greenway, entering his tenth year. Both played at Iowa.

This state turns out a quality crop of linemen each year. The list this year includes 15 offensive linemen, seven tight ends and nine defensive linemen. There are also eight linebackers, three running backs, one quarterback, one wide receiver, six defensive backs and one kicker.

This is the time of year when dreams are made and dreams are shattered. If a team has 90 men in camp this week, by the opening of the regular season in September, more than 35 of those players will be looking for another profession. Multiply that by the number of teams in the league and you get some idea just how tough it is to make a pro career.

Historically, this state has provided some quality players who have had lengthy NFL careers. Heck, there are probably enough former pros in the Aplington-Parkersburg area alone to have an alumni group!

Here's hoping most of this year's group will cash those nice pro checks for several years to come!

The week that was

By Jeff Orvis

What a week we just experienced! Who would have thought when we began the week that by the end, our Supreme Court would have the courage to affirm what many of us already understood as the right thing to do, not once, but twice. Then our president represented all of us, whether we like it or not, in mourning the deaths of nine folks who were in a Bible study when they were gunned down by a young segregationist.

Such important events. So much to comment on. So many views and I already know that some of my friends will not share my opinion, but that's what makes this country great.

I don't pretend to understand all of the ramifications of the Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act. But it would seem that it at least partly affirms what has been in effect since the passage of what even the President now fondly calls “Obamacare.”

I believe that basic health care is a right, not a privilege. If you want a plastic surgeon to try to take a few years off your face, you should pay for it. If you are the victim of a fire and that surgeon works to restore your appearance to something similar to what you had before your accident, you should get that care, whether you can afford it or not. If you get cancer and you are facing drug costs of $100,000 a year to extend your life, you should have it.

Most of the rest of the modern world knows this. Why don't we? While this may be an over simplification, don't you think if we didn't have all those commercials and print ads touting every drug under the sun, prices would go down? If there were reasonable limits to malpractice awards for those drug companies and health care professionals, wouldn't there be less money needed in the system? If training for those health care workers was free and malpractice insurance was paid for, their salary structures could come down to a more reasonable level.

And of course, if we were all issued a health card by the government, the complicated, bloated health insurance industry would just fade away.

I've already written enough to make a lot of folks mad and just maybe more than a few of you are nodding your head in agreement. But time to move on to my next topic of the week.

When the Court ruled in favor of gay marriage, the reaction was immediate and loud. Some devout believers mourned the ruling. Some candidates who unfortunately use religion as a prop for their campaign were the most vocal, while they were secretly smiling because they now had more ammunition to gain campaign contributions and support.

When I heard the news, when the shock subsided, I was very happy. I should say here that I am a lifelong heterosexual. Some of my best friends and were and are female. But I also have some friends who choose a different lifestyle. Putting aside the Biblical questions for a moment, I recognize that they find most comfort with members of their own sex. Not for a moment do I question their devotion to their partners.

Amid the hundreds of people who instantly appeared on the steps of the Supreme Court to celebrate the ruling, a couple of moments made me tear up a bit. One of the men who sued the state of Ohio to allow his name to be placed on his partner's death certificate as his immediate next of kin, held up a picture of his departed partner and tried to explain what this ruling met to him. The other emotional moment came when an all-male chorus broke into a splendid spontaneous rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” It was their way of saying they were still proud to be Americans.

The ruling which seems to say we can no longer discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation brought to mind another time in our history. There was a time when women were not allowed to vote. There was also a time when people of different races were considered second class citizens in parts of this country. The Court's ruling blasted another stumbling block toward equality.

The other major event in this country this past week was a gathering of more than 5,000 mourners in South Carolina for the funeral of a young pastor. The funeral was attended by the president and vice president and their wives, along with several members of congress and other officials.

The President delivered a very moving eulogy, capped by his singing of “Amazing Grace.” It was a fitting tribute to the victim and his family and hopefully a comfort to a stricken community, state and nation. It also delivered a message to those misinformed folks who still maintain that our president is a Muslim. How many Muslims do you know that can sing that old spiritual with such emotion?

While President Obama may have been the first president to sing while speaking at a funeral, he is not our first Mourner in Chief. Unfortunately, wars and other tragedies have forced our presidents of both parties to be our spokesmen. We may not agree with their politics, those that I have observed over the years have represented us well.

We are in the last 18 months of this administration. This week showed that President Obama has a chance at a positive legacy. But that can only happen if the opposition will abandon its smokescreens regarding gay marriage and affordable health care and concentrate on dealing with the real problems we still face.

Some thoughts on Facebook posts

By Jeff Orvis

One of the gifts my parents left with me is the ability to see both sides of most issues. Another is the gift of optimism, what I like to call “The Glass is Half Full” outlook. These gifts served me well when I was in the news game. They have also helped when presidential election season comes around, which, unfortunately, has become a full-time thing.

I am fortunate to have many friends on Facebook. Quite a few of them don't share my political beliefs, some do. Sometimes I have been surprised at someone who finally comes forward to unveil a political belief that I never imagined they would have.

What has alarmed me recently is the venomous tone some who post on Facebook use when commenting on political figures. Sometimes they cite sources they are sure are truthful, while it shouldn't take more than an elementary education to realize its propaganda, not fact. Fox News comes to mind immediately. My remote finger skips right past that channel on my TV, because I truly believe that much of what they say is right wing junk. To be fair, I also realize that the apparent goal of MSNBC is to counter the Fox plague by going too far in the other direction. I don't spend much time on that channel either.

Getting back to Facebook for a moment, some of the posts look like they have been pulled off the front covers of such stellar pillars of the printed word as the National Enquirer and The Globe. One of the most recent posts indicate that First Lady Michelle Obama is about to be charged with treason. Another indicates that President Obama is the worst president we've ever had. Other posts long for the days of the second Bush administration, evidently posted by those with very short memories or those who still believe we should be fighting in the Middle East.

One post says Laura Bush was a classy first lady. I don't doubt that. She knew how to smile and stay in the background, raising her family. She is a stark contrast to our current first lady. Michelle Obama is not only very intelligent, a woman of the 21^st century, but she is serious about serving her country in partnership with her husband.

Remembering my mom's belief that there's usually more than one side to most stories, I respect some of those who don't agree with me. They are the ones who are undoubtedly more intelligent than I am and state their beliefs well.

Those opposed to my beliefs that make me sad and can even scare me are those who don't even try to contradict my beliefs with solid arguments. They're easy to spot. They're the ones who quite often misspell some of their posts. I suspect these folks went running for the nearest computer the night President Obama was elected. Had we elected a white man with the last name of Smith or Jones, you probably would not have heard from some of these people.

Remember what I said, I respect some people who don't agree with my political leanings. They are the kind of people I hope and pray are elected, if there is a changing of the guard in 2016. But as you begin to listen to the dozens of candidates over the next few months, please try to stay informed. Listen to the ones who, if they don't think the country is going in the right direction, will put forth ways to make things better, more prosperous and peaceful for all of us.

Maybe we will realize that President Obama was not the greatest president ever. But while history is the best judge, it's clear we've had worse. And don't expect to see his wife led out of the White House in handcuffs any time soon, despite what American News or Fox may tell you.

Prescription drug companies, are you listening?

By Jeff Orvis

In the past, I've commented on how corporations are cutting quantities of products, most notably in the grocery stores, in an apparent sneaky attempt to boost profits at the expense of consumers. When was the last time you were able to buy a one-pound can of coffee, apart from those trendy natural food places? Major brands have been cutting the number of ounces in their least expensive sizes for a number of years now.

There seems to be more water in a can of vegetables, more liquid in soup cans and even air bubbles in toothpaste tubes.

I realize companies are in it to make money. But what about integrity? Is this any way to reward customer loyalty?

My near constant companion these days is TV. It's the first thing I turn on when I walk in the door after being gone. I may not pay constant attention to what's on, but I've learned how to multitask with a baseball or hockey game on.

I have become a bit amazed at the number of ads for prescription drugs on shows at any time of the day or night. We've all heard horror stories about the high price of some prescription drugs. Big Pharma will try to tell you that those increasing costs are due to the costs of research of new medications. But I would bet we would all be amazed if suddenly these companies were forced to open their financials to public inspection. What do you think it costs to produce a thirty second TV ad on the nightly network news? Then how much does it cost to buy the commercial time?

What is especially appalling is how you will see an ad for gastrointestinal distress, for example and after spending 15 seconds extolling the qualities of the product, complete with a happy couple frolicking in a meadow on a picnic, you hear a voice telling you that certain people might die if they take this stuff, or at the very least, you will quit breathing or your nose will fall off. Of course, the companies were undoubtedly advised to say these disclaimers in their ads to avoid nasty lawsuits in the event that something goes horribly wrong.

What I've noticed is even as they are running through the possible side effects of their product, you still see the couples frolicking in the meadow, or paddling in a canoe or moms baking cookies with their kids. That way, the visual effect will make you want to use that drug and make you forget the warnings that are playing in the background.

I think somebody ought to make these companies hire actors to simulate the possible side effects of their drugs, while these warnings are being read. The first time a drug company has to portray certain bodily functions or show a person's nose turning black and falling off, the TV networks would have to decline to sell them air time.

At the end of these ads, you are urged to ask your doctor if this miracle drug is right for you. With the dwindling number of general practice physicians, they often have little time to explain what is wrong with you, let alone explain to some woman why a product to improve erectile function is probably not right for her. I've asked doctors if there is any good reason for their patients to suggest a drug they have seen advertised. The doctors usually shake their heads and roll their eyes.

The point is we are not doctors. We may know that we are not feeling well, but if you trust your doctor, wouldn't it make more sense spending his or her valuable time briefly explaining how you are feeling, then let the examination commence? Drug companies are trying to put pressure on doctors, through their patients, to sell drugs. If the TV and print ads suddenly disappeared and the drug companies went back to giving doctors free pens, an occasional meal or maybe even a vacation, I'll bet the cost of prescription drugs would plummet. The companies could also use part of their savings on some of that expensive research, giving their investors a dividend and bribing a congressman or two.

A little bit about a lot of sports

By Jeff Orvis

Anyone who has known me for any length of time will not be surprised with my admission that sports has and still does play a very important part of my life. As I begin my retirement adventure and realize I will have to watch my budget, I know that one of the last things I will be cutting is cable TV and internet access. As long as I have a roof over my head, a warm place to lay my head, batteries in my TV remote and my Kindle close by to keep track of my friends, I'm content.

Unlike some of the so-called “experts” I see on ESPN and other sports networks, I was never a star athlete. The extent of my participation included one season on the high school tennis team and another season on the high school golf squad. But even if I quickly realized I didn't want to spend Friday nights knocking heads in the fall on the football field or if I also realized I would never dunk a basketball (quit laughing, readers!), I maintained a strong interest in sports via working as a manager for the high school football, basketball and track teams.

I admire folks who spend years as devoted fans of specific sports, sometimes at the expense of much interest in other sports. As May approaches, we will once again discover that some people live and breathe horse racing. We are currently in the midst of college lacrosse season, drawing at least a few thousand spectators to some of their games. Those are two sports which interest me only slightly.

So I started thinking about what I like or dislike about my favorite sports. For what it's worth, here are my thoughts on some of them.

Baseball – If you think you could ever become interested in major league baseball, I prescribe a trip to Wrigley Field on a sunny, June day. Along with Fenway Park in Boston, it might be the last of what I call a “baseball cathedral.” Even with the many changes the park is undergoing, the ivy will soon be green on the outfield walls and the grass is already in midseason form. The players are young and hungry for a winning team.Third baseman Kris Bryant, one of the newest members of the Cubs, is a joy to watch as he plays the game with not only natural skill, but plenty of enthusiasm, respect and awe.

Football – In just a few days, the NFL will be hosting the annual draft of collegiate talent. Speculation on which team will draft which player has been running rampant for months, which should please the owners and commissioner, as the NFL is one of the biggest businesses going in this country. It still amazes me that on any given Saturday in the fall, there are undoubtedly millions of us in the stands at college games across the country. Several of the stadiums of the major teams seat 100,000 and are sold out far in advance. College game day is one of the best days of the week in the fall, whether you are tailgating in a stadium parking lot or making sure your refrigerator is well stocked for a full day of viewing on television.

 

Basketball – I really like watching college basketball. It was easy to watch this past season, as all three of the Iowa major universities had super seasons. In fact, two of the three women's teams also had exciting seasons. A lot of people like to watch the NBA. I haven't been very interested since Michael Jordan and his teammates retired. The pros, who play in excess of 82 games a year, just don't show much enthusiasm as their younger counterparts. Of course, they are paid to display what would be considered spectacular plays on the college level and do it each night.

 

Hockey – I am still not a big fan, although I am trying to be. It's hard for me to follow the fast moving little figures gliding on the ice on TV. In fact, I believe the best thing that has happened in recent years in making the sport more popular is instant replay and HD TV. Some commentators can spend hours each day discussing the play of certain players. The only thing I know so far is if a goalie lets the puck get by him very often, he's not having a good day. I really admire the abilities of good hockey players. I never could ice skate (again, quit laughing, readers!). The game moves fast and in recent years, there has been more good skating and stick handling and fewer silly fights in the game. And perhaps the best two singers of the National Anthem in sports are Wayne Mesmer for the Cubs and the guy who sings at Chicago Stadium.

Horse racing – With the Triple Crown about to begin with the running of the Kentucky Derby, my brief interest in this sport is piqued again. Great race horses and their jockeys are incredible athletes and I appreciate their abilities. Perhaps one of the best sports songs I've heard was sung by the late Dan Fogelberg. His “Run for the Roses” should be played all day on the radio on Saturday race day.

Auto racing – I've started watching NASCAR more often in recent years. I especially like to watch action on the super speedways, while I'm not really a fan of 43 cars racing 500 times around an asphalt half-mile track. You can't follow who's in the lead. Too many cars going too fast on a track more suitable for half the number of cars on a dirt surface at a county fair on Saturday night. The Indy car season will come into prominence later next month with the Indianapolis 500. Those cars aren't much bigger than some go-carts, but they go frighteningly fast. As with NASCAR, drivers and their crews must know much more than how to turn left. Many crews have engineers on their staff to make their cars go faster.

Golf - There was a time in my life when I could play 18 holes in 85 degree heat, walking the course. That was several decades ago. Then for several years, I attended the Quad-City Open, which became the Ed McMahon QC Open, then the Hardee's Open and most recently, the John Deere Classic. As a member of the press in those early years, I got to interview Tom Watson when he was a little known pro from Kansas City. I followed Fuzzy Zoeller and Lee Trevino around the course during a practice round. I even shook hands with the late, great Ed McMahon, as jolly in person as he was for years on the Tonight Show. Fast forward several decades and though the body will no longer allow me to tramp around the green meadows, I still appreciate the game. Televised golf is a good thing to watch while you are also doing a jigsaw puzzle on your Kindle or reading the Sunday paper. Again, instant replay is a godsend.

Soccer – It's supposedly the most popular sport in the world, mainly because it is played in many other countries besides the U.S. Any given weekend, you can tune into a European match, where up to 100,000 folks are maintaining a roar throughout the match. I'm convinced that enough beer and wine are consumed at those matches to float a small yacht. Soccer is another pasttime that is best watched while you are also doing something else. Don't worry, the announcer will scream “GOAL!!!” when something interesting happens. Trouble is, you might not hear that scream more than once or twice in a two hour telecast.

Of course, these are just a few of the sports in the world. Every four years, many of us become fans of snow skiing, figure skating, speed skating, track and field and numerous other sports at the Olympics. I think I'll save discussion on these and other sports for another time. Right now, the Blackhawks and the Predators are playing in a Stanley Cup playoff game out in the livingroom. I think it's time to go see if the Hawks can keep going on their bid for another Cup.

Fearless prediction time

By Jeff Orvis

Tradition is a great thing. There are a lot of traditions in the world of sports, but maybe none so anticipated as Selection Sunday leading up to the NCAA Men's basketball championship. This past Sunday seemed like an eternity as I waited for the announcement of the 68 teams that made the tournament field. After church, there were a couple of conference championship games, some NASCAR and even a little golf to fill the time until 5 p.m.

In past years, fans of teams in Iowa had to wait to see if their teams qualified for the tourney. This year, it was a bit easier, since all teams had such special seasons, we knew they would all be included. The only suspense came in trying to guess where, when and who they would play in the first round.

Iowa State will kick off the action of local interest when the Cyclones play the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Thursday at 11:40 a.m. That game will be on TruTV, one of four networks carrying the tournament. The Cyclones play at Louisville, which should enable a lot of their incredible fan base to make the road trip. I am first and foremost a Hawkeye fan, but I have to admit that the best fans in the state, by far are the Iowa State fans. When CBS was broadcasting the Big 12 Tourney finals last week from Kansas City, Brent Musberger had one of the best lines I've heard all season when he observed, “The City of Ames is on its feet in Kansas City!” A friend who travels to Kansas City each year for the tournament observed that Interstate 35 should have been renamed Iowa State 35 on the day after the tournament.

Our other two state teams will be playing in Seattle. Northern Iowa, a darkhorse for a Final Four spot, will face Wyoming on Friday at 12:40 p.m. The game will be on TNT. Then at 6:20 p.m., Iowa faces Davidson, also on TNT. Winners from Thursday games will play their second round games on Saturday and the Friday winners play on Sunday.

In a strange twist, if both Iowa and Iowa State win their first two games, they will face each other next week. Don't ask me to explain this. For some unknown reason, the first round games in the South Region will be played in Charlotte, Portland, Louisville and Seattle. First round games in the East Region will be played in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Charlotte and Seattle.

Although it's fun to download brackets and make guesses on who will be the eventual winner, it has been several years since I've had the courage of entering any bracket pools. When I lived in Independence, I would join a community pool, conducted by the former city clerk. By the end of the first weekend, he would stop by my office and thank me for “my donation,” his not-so-subtle hint that I had made enough wrong choices to be well out of the running for the contest.

So while I no longer make the mistake of wagering, it's still fun to guess who might be playing in early April in Indianapolis. Rather than risk making a wrong pick, or the danger of an early upset, I've decided to predict only the first two rounds of the tourney in this writing.

The selection committee appears to have made some safe choices for the top four seeds in the field, as Kentucky, Wisconsin, Villanova and Duke should easily advance to the second round. Iowa, Iowa State and UNI should also be around for weekend play. But out of the first 32 games, there's usually at least one surprise. Based on no scientific reasoning but simply instinct, I am predicting Valparaiso over fourth seed Maryland and Texas over sixth seed Butler.

If our three local teams make it into the second round, I am hoping and predicting that all three will make it into the Sweet 16. That would mean UNI would probably have to upset Louisville and favored Iowa State would have to get by probable SMU. Iowa's advancement would be the biggest news of the second round, as they would no doubt have to beat second seed Gonzaga, which is entering the tourney with a super 32-2 record.

On Monday, the NCAA Women's Championship bracket was announced, which will mean a busy Friday. Iowa State will face Dayton at 11 a.m., followed by Iowa against American at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be on ESPN 2. With the aforementioned UNI and Iowa men's first round games, that means four games with local importance on Friday.

This is an exciting time of the year for those of us who still believe there is some worth in collegiate athletics. As you search the internet for brackets and schedules, keep in mind that most of them list Eastern Time Zone starting times.

I leave you with one true confession: I am glad I live by myself, because it might be a bit embarrassing to see an almost senior citizen get teary-eyed after the final horn of the championship game, as CBS plays “One Shining Moment” as the network shows a collage of highlights of the tourney.

Enjoy the next three weeks. Then we can quickly turn our attention to the Masters Golf Tourney and the Cubs' bid for a World Series appearance.

Belle Plaine is state tourney bound!

By Jeff Orvis

In a couple of days, the Belle Plaine boys' basketball team will begin a journey never seen in this town before. Being a relative newcomer to this city, I don't know how long we've had a high school here. I'm sure someone will be able to tell me. But in the several genrations there has been a high school in this town, there has never been a state boys basketball qualifier.

When I first heard this, I couldn't believe it. Belle Plaine has a proud athletic tradition. Of course, when folks think about sports and Belle Plaine, for many years it was the wrestling program that took centerstage. Heck, they even started penciling in a day off from school to coincide with the first round of the state wrestling tourney because there were often so many local qualifiers, there would have been a lot of empty classrooms if they had held school that day.

Other sports have had their moments of state glory over the years, including track, volleyball, football, golf, etc. But never a state tournament qualifier in basketball, despite some great players and coaches of the past.

So that makes this year even more special. The Plainsmen enter the tournament as the fourth seed, with an awesome 24-1 record. When they clinched the tourney berth, their reaction made the social media, for its understated celebration. It would have been understandable if the kids had swarmed the court and piled on each other in total jubilation. But while there were plenty of back slaps and high-fives, the team soon trotted off the court to the locker room. It was almost as, to a man, they were saying, “Okay, what's next?”

It would be totally understable if the team walked onto the court at Wells Fargo in Des Moines Monday afternoon, just happy to be there. But because of how they fought to establish this super record, including several exciting come-from-behind performances, it should surprise no one if they play several games in Des Moines.

I've been to the state tournament to cover teams in the past. I was telling someone that I remembered covering the Independence team one year when they advanced to the consolation game on Saturday. I also remembered covering the Independence St. John's team another time. I remembered two years, but in checking state records, I actually covered those teams a total of five times, three for the Mustangs and twice for the Eagles. I have an excuse for forgetting about those other three years. The last tourney I covered was 25 years ago!

My high school, Pleasant Valley, didn't qualify for state while I was there. But the Spartans have been there three times prior to this season, first in 1988, when they finished fourth, then in 2001 and in 2006, when they finished second. PV is back in the tourney field again, facing Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the first round. GO PV!!!

This year's Class 1A field is a strong one. The top seed, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, is 25-0. The second seed, Danville, is also undefeated. In fact, in other years, Danville was such a formidable opponent that it successfully petitioned the state association to allow it to play up a class in the tournament.

Earlham is the first round opponent for the Plainsmen. It enters the week with a 23-2 record and it is also a first-time state tourney qualifier.

I've had the privilege of seeing quite a few state qualifiers over the years of standing at the end of the court with a camera in hand. There's a different feel, a different temperment of state-caliber teams. The feeling spills over to the fan base, where the town buzz over a successful season erupts into a loud roar once the fans descend on Des Moines.

It's an exciting time for Belle Plaine. All of us are proud of what you have accomplished and wish the players, coaches, parents and fans a fun week ahead.

GO PLAINSMEN!!!

My thoughts on our tax system

By Jeff Orvis

Ever had the thought that if you could just stop time for an instant and fix things, life would be better? If you had the power to stop killing, find a cure for deadly diseases or perhaps go back in time and say some things to people who have come and gone from your life, things would be better.

Each year at this time, I think these things whenever I hear an ad on the radio for income tax preparation or see an interview with a tax consultant on what to do to ease a person's tax burden.There are even some misguided individuals who advocate the end of the Internal Revenue Service completely.

I'm a proud, card-carrying liberal. Many of us have been typecast as being in favor of taxes, as long as it's others who pay them. We are also supposed to be in favor of attorneys and accompanying lawsuits, as long as they are working for us. So I guess I don't exactly fit the mold of what others believe liberals are all about.

I am in favor of taxation and for more than 35 years, I paid my share of state and federal taxes while in the workforce. But even as I mailed off my tax returns and then anxiously watched the return mail for the next couple of months for that expected tax refund, I wondered what it would be like if I was rich enough to hire lawyers and accountants to shield a lot of my wealth from the government. Unfortunately, over the years, folks who thought the way I did were elected to state and national office, where it seems every year, they spend much of their time trying to decide not only how to spend the tax money collected, but how to cut taxes for some at the expense of others.

So I wonder what would happen if for just one moment, we could stop time and start all over with how we pay for the necessary services our government must provide. Yes, I am talking about a flat tax with no deductions. Anyone in the workforce making a minimum amount of money would pay the same percentage for taxes. There would be no deductions for medical expenses, mortgage payments, business losses, etc. If you made $500 in a week, the government would get the first cut. If you owned a store and you sold widgets, whatever those are, whatever profit you earned on the sale would be taxed the same as a factory worker, school teacher or corporate president. Although many members of Congress would like to dispute this, I'll bet if we suddenly had this system, we would all be amazed at what percentage we would all pay.

Many of us have had the dream of winning a big prize in a lottery or other such contest, with the thought that finally we might be able to help our less fortunate friends or relatives. But as I understand the current tax system, you are limited to how much you can give someone else before the government will come collecting an additional tax. If you pay the same percentage as if it was earned income when you first won the prize, isn't requiring an additional payment when you make a gift to someone double taxation?

Although I've made my case for equal taxation, there are two groups that come to mind that I would exempt from paying. Anyone on active duty in the armed forces should not have to pay income taxes. And anyone in retirement should also be exempt from income tax. Social Security payments should not be taxed. And anyone who has invested some of their money they have earned while working should not have any interest earnings taxed.

I realize that strict simplification of the tax system might cut into the profits of thousands of attorneys and accountants. We still need those people. I have had a couple of occasions to have contact with attorneys in the past few years and have been served well. And if I ever won the lottery, I would want to hire a good accountant to help me spend my winnings wisely. But I would still know that my winnings would be taxed fairly, without anyone trying to find ways to shield any of my winnings from government.

I am also not in favor of abolising the IRS. The agency would be drastically cut if the tax code was whittled down to a page or two. But there would still be need for a strong enforcement branch to make this theory work.

So I guess that's my “If I ruled the world” thought for today. Sometime I will entertain you on thoughts on what it would be like if I had the power to stop violence. But those theories are still a work in progress.

NFL Draft is big business

By Jeff Orvis

It's hard to believe that nearly a week has gone by since the Super Bowl. What started way back in August with the Hall of Fame preseason game ended on the first day of February. It was an okay game that wasn't decided until the final minute. While I was hoping Seattle would win, I wasn't totally dismayed with the win by the Patriots.

So now it would seem that we are left with six months before the start of the next football season. For hardcore NFL fans, there will be some hope in early May when Chicago hosts the NFL Draft. After those three days of determining well-paid human bondage, fans will have plenty to talk about before training camp.

Thanks to plenty of promotion by the league and wall-to-wall coverage by both ESPN and the NFL Network, the draft has turned into a real happening. City officials in Chicago are learning a little more each day just how big this event is. And amid reports of demands by the league on city officials, I hope they aren't sorry they won the right to host it.

Radio City Music Hall in New York has been the home of the draft for the past several years. But the league decided to give other cities a shot at hosting it and Chicago won this time around. According to a report this week in the Chicago Tribune, the draft isn't just a little TV show with a few hundred spectators. It is an event that will tie up a portion of the downtown for up to three weeks, complete with technical improvements to the old theater that will house the event to the tune of $100,000-$125,000, a pledge of police escorts for various league and team officials and draft prospects and the assurance that hundreds of hotel rooms will be available during the period.

The league is very protective of its brand. You are perhaps aware that there are strict rules about the use of the term “Super Bowl.” News accounts can refer to the championship game in this way, but supermarkets selling party foods for that day have to call it “the big game,” or something similar unless they pay royalties to the league. The NFL is also dictating what businesses can be open near the site of the draft and what products can be sold in view of the TV cameras covering the event. They had better be NFL-licensed products or the businesses can expect a visit from lawyers.

City officials are hoping that the exposure will be good for Chicago, that some youngster watching the draft from Belle Plaine, Iowa will convince his parents that the family needs to vacation in the Windy City. It is estimated the whole event, which will also include some sort of fan fair, concerts, etc., could cost up to $4 million. While the league and a Chicago organizing committee will pay part of the tab, the city could be liable for a good chunk of it. So there better be a few hundred thousand prospective vacationers impressed with what they see.

I am a big football fan. I hope my Bears can rebound and be a viable, championship-caliber team in a couple of years. But the league is facing plenty of problems, from poor behavior of some of its players, to the question of the long term effects of concussions on former players, to the lack of a pro team in Los Angeles and on and on. I just hope the league isn't using the draft as a smokescreen to make fans forget about these problems, for even a few days.