My one life rule has been to always tell the truth. However, I find a culture storm of Opposite Days to be the norm where ever I look. Thanks DB, this might make it into a sermon one of these days. Some might say it already has...
And that language finds itself into headlines--headlines, which often use the more exciting or sensational language of advocates. Use of these pithy descriptions also find a home in social media. Now, with social media, too many Iowans get their news from headlines or online notifications--10 words or 5 seconds of reading text. Great work Dave
We are indeed living in Opposite Day hell, and it not only hurts my brain, it hurts my heart. Thank you, Dave, for perfectly expressing how so many of us feel.
Writing whether it be for a newspaper, magazine, radio or television requires a lot of skill. It is an art. Too often, I find stories on line and or the air which rely too much on "catch phrases". The story fails to inform as a result. Writers, authors, reporters, and editors (if there are still any around) cannot and should not use the "lack of time" excuse. The story needs to be told using accurate language and descriptions. In many instances, it seems to me that the basics of who, what, when, where, why, and how have been and are being ignored and lost. This is especially true in my opinion when too many adjectives are used, and the flowery language is NOT attributed.
A month after the Ames school district’s BLM week of action, in March 2021, the Republican members of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee called Ames public school leaders to task, questioning the district’s week of instruction and the motivation behind it. The superintendent [who resigned, effective at end of school year 2020-21], a school board member, and two curriculum-related administrators [the DEI Director resigned, effective at end of 2021-22] appeared. The district leaders prepared a 24-page “summary” of their planning, endorsements, polling, principles, etc. that proceeded the decision to hold the week.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) criticized one document available to teachers on the districts website. He said “it’s garbage” and “inaccurate” to teach kids that there are racist motivations behind some voting restrictions. “By having crap like this—the very equity that you’re trying to achieve—there’s being created a new inequity,” Kaufmann said. Kaufmann took offense saying he was not a “racist” because he was the floor manager for new, more restrictive voter laws.
I just wish more people would read this. How can that be done? Also, if it frustrates you who has some degree of ability to do something about the hypocrisy, think how it must be for so many of us. It’s frightening!
Great points. But I admit I still like "vouchers."
Language matters. You’ve done a great job using current examples in the Iowa legislature to show how much it matters.
Thank you for calling out their hypocrisy.
Good points about language and labels.
So if Trump is convicted of a felony he could hold office but he couldn’t vote! Iowa has a long road back to normalcy.
Thanks for the insights, Dave! So many examples of hypocrisy!
My one life rule has been to always tell the truth. However, I find a culture storm of Opposite Days to be the norm where ever I look. Thanks DB, this might make it into a sermon one of these days. Some might say it already has...
I hope journalists are reading this.
And that language finds itself into headlines--headlines, which often use the more exciting or sensational language of advocates. Use of these pithy descriptions also find a home in social media. Now, with social media, too many Iowans get their news from headlines or online notifications--10 words or 5 seconds of reading text. Great work Dave
We are indeed living in Opposite Day hell, and it not only hurts my brain, it hurts my heart. Thank you, Dave, for perfectly expressing how so many of us feel.
Writing whether it be for a newspaper, magazine, radio or television requires a lot of skill. It is an art. Too often, I find stories on line and or the air which rely too much on "catch phrases". The story fails to inform as a result. Writers, authors, reporters, and editors (if there are still any around) cannot and should not use the "lack of time" excuse. The story needs to be told using accurate language and descriptions. In many instances, it seems to me that the basics of who, what, when, where, why, and how have been and are being ignored and lost. This is especially true in my opinion when too many adjectives are used, and the flowery language is NOT attributed.
Another perceptive and enlightening story. Thank you Dave!
Dave:
I enjoy your articles very much. You provide great perspectives.
A month after the Ames school district’s BLM week of action, in March 2021, the Republican members of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee called Ames public school leaders to task, questioning the district’s week of instruction and the motivation behind it. The superintendent [who resigned, effective at end of school year 2020-21], a school board member, and two curriculum-related administrators [the DEI Director resigned, effective at end of 2021-22] appeared. The district leaders prepared a 24-page “summary” of their planning, endorsements, polling, principles, etc. that proceeded the decision to hold the week.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) criticized one document available to teachers on the districts website. He said “it’s garbage” and “inaccurate” to teach kids that there are racist motivations behind some voting restrictions. “By having crap like this—the very equity that you’re trying to achieve—there’s being created a new inequity,” Kaufmann said. Kaufmann took offense saying he was not a “racist” because he was the floor manager for new, more restrictive voter laws.
Thanks for your excellent news insights–– and for the shout-out, Dave!
I just wish more people would read this. How can that be done? Also, if it frustrates you who has some degree of ability to do something about the hypocrisy, think how it must be for so many of us. It’s frightening!