Enter this forum and post your rants, raves, observations and confessions.
Did you witness something newsworthy? Want to discuss a current news topic? Want to leave a note of thanks for someone? Have a bad restaurant experience? Get cut off in traffic? Rants and raves allowed, but please, keep it clean and respectful.
Please use this forum as a “community blotter” by leaving your observations, news tips, something interesting you heard or saw, you name it.
NEW: Enter the THINK TANK to express new viewpoints and alternative ways of thinking. Don’t like the topics in Whiner’s Den? Start a new topic here. Be creative, talk about world or local events, politics, social issues, review a movie, make a prediction.
Please keep your comments smart and civil and refrain from obscenities and threats. Any comment may be pulled at anytime! There’s nothing wrong with being positive, so give that a try!
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Me too! I was hoping that maybe Stillwater would move into the old Kriegers. They are going to be in Mason City but not at Kriegers…
After spending $3,000 for a stair glide for my husband, I tried to contact the snake we bought it from today and find out that he has baled and no longer is in business. Purchase was 3-5-12 and he KNEW he was done, but took advantage of retired citizens. If I could find him, I would wring his neck and another portion of his anatomy. I would like to list him, but won’t !!!
•IOWA
Director, MFCU
Iowa Dept. of Inspections and Appeals
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-6377
Not sure where you bought the item from, but here’s some advice for everyone! Don’t ever buy anything from the big sales at the fairgrounds, like when they have the big spa sales, or if they are charging you a fee to come into the sale. Especially stay away from the high dollar items, they take your money, sell you crap and you never see them again. You are always better off spending you money locally when purchasing high dollar items. As far as medical equipment, there are many places in Mason City that sell medical equipment and supplies that will stand behind everything they sell you. Sometimes you spend a bit more shopping local, but in the long run, it’s definitely worth it.
Stair glide was purchased in Mason City with a company that we had visited two years ago, so had no idea he would run out on us. Warrenty will be honored, but have to get service out of Waterloo where we will have to pay mileage to them to do any repairs
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:
1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put ‘PHOTO ID REQUIRED.’
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the ‘For’ line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards..
Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
6.. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here’s what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number.. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit..
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks..
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289 1-800-680 7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271 1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything.
If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.
thanks.
GREAT INFO!!! I printed this out and will place copies in all of my suitcases ! EXCELLENT INFO! Maybe even place one in the glove box as well.
Has anyone heard of people driving around at night and taking pictures of houses and the property surrounding the home. (cars, campers,garages)
No, not yet anyway, but now I will keep my eyes open. Thieves scoping out their next victims maybe??
If u scroll down, u’ll see that another young lady commented about an SUV that did that very thing a little over a week ago. I think her user name was Mal.
Today I saw something that really mad me angry. Two little girls were at Kum and Go buying pop and ice cream and using their mother’s food stamp card! I know these kids and I know the mother, who by the way can afford cigarettes. Unbelievable!!!
I was waiting to turn out of the parking lot like someone with good sense, and I edged my bumper a few inches further out of the driveway so I could see around the tall bushes to tell when traffic cleared, and your little punk ass came along and had the audacity to yell at me “GET out the road!” like I’m some kind of dog that you can scold. Nevermind the fact that you still had plenty of room to get by!–I seriously didn’t appreciate your tone. Let me tell you something, kid: just because we have a black president doesn’t mean that you have the right to conduct your punk ass like you own the world and show such utter disrespect for someone at least twice your age
Well, I am white and if your bumper was in the road causing me on my bike to swerve out to avoid you and in turn put me into harms way… I would yell at you also. I bet you also didn’t hag a turn single on either like the other 50% who don’t use them.
Black or white, doesn’t matter, fact is that some of the kids in this town are just downright rude.
Today I was third in line coming up to a stop sign and had to come to a full stop and wait while a bicyclist wove through traffic to keep from hitting him and watch as he had to put his hand on my car hood since he was trying to cross traffic and the truck coming the other way would have hit him if he had not. Most bicyclists DO NOT follow any laws and try to blame drivers. Black or White, you need to act responsible or pay the consequences if that means you get hit dodging through traffic,,,, get off the bike and walk!!!
They are not supposed to ride a bike on the sidewalk anyway. Note the WALK in sidewalk. The law says they must obey all traffic laws and ride in the street.
Larry I am shocked, just shocked. Sidewalk? You mean to tell me there are rules? I thought we just all went about doing what ever we wanted to in the name of free expression?
Maybe I need to reform myself. Beginning tomorrow, I will talk to my car, twist myself into knots, and the world will suddenly become a better place!
Hey observer-a little reformation certainly wouldn’t hurt. I get tired of these smart ass kids who think they know it all and most couldn’t find their way home without a ball of string. They disobey the rules and the law riding in and out of traffic and going through stop signs and then when they get his it is the drivers fault and the whole world comes down on him for hitting a kid. Bull crap-if they can be on the streets they should know enough to follow the rules. Where the hell are the parent’s,? Drinking beer in some bar while the little jerks run wild?
Sorry, but I have a small child and I don’t want him riding his bike in the road. I have taught him the rules and we ride in the road if he is with him or his father. When out riding his bike along, he rides on the sidewalk and is very considerate of people walking.
What in the world does having a black president have to do with this?
Peter, What and who gives you the right to tell anyone where they can and shouldn’t live. Last I checked a person, any person, can live anywhere they choose and can afford
Matt please answer a question. I have had a few error meswsages that say couldnt read the captcha code. does this have anything to do with certain words enclosed in the message. or what? I do not use caps in the code for one. also i pay attention and put the code on the proper line. since this has happened to me before, I double check the code. its usually when i have alot to say, and maybe shouldnt because of a bad attitude at the time. anyone else have this problem, thinking they typed it correct?
The only thing I can think of is that the captcha code requires the code to be typed in exact as shown. Sorry you have had a few issues with it, sometimes they are hard to read.
50 – I always type in MS Word first, then copy and paste (to try to avoid errors and to keep a record for myself in case of editing). I ran into the “wrong captcha” message for the first time today. I do find it strange that it deletes everything you had typed, I have never ran into a comment column that erases everything you have wrote do to a wrong captcha. This tells me it must be a setting like the “you are commenting too fast” I see once in a while.
I also find the irony that it happened to both you and I.
I compose off-line as well. However, I never hit the reply button until I am finished off-line. It appears the Captcha Code is time sensitive, meaning if one takes too long, you get the error even if you did properly type the code as displayed.
Matt, smart decision pulling the article.
Now will you do what is right and take responsibility for the mistake you made and apologize to the family properly on the front page of your site?
what the hell?????? I just posted in whiners den about a code error. and when i came back there were so many replys about the bully in manly. and now its gone????? Yes you did use a first name but I was assuming that this was copied word for word from the mother. and she accidentially used her name. If this is why you eliminated the article, will you repost it after editing any other personal info???
Parent wanted the information removed. I complied. The information was simply copied word for word. We will re-post if the parent allows it, until then I will honor her wishes and not re-publish. A lot of people are asking to read it.
Yes i think the article should have been removed because of personal information. however I was trying to praise NIT(in my responce that didnt make it) for not buckling under any pressure like other media does. This is why people want to read NIT. for the truth weather you like it or not. Please repost with personal information removed
50 miles: Appreciate your perspective. Each situation is a little different. While I agree, posting everything regardless and not buckling can be a guideline, I want to be sensitive to this family’s predicament. I do hope the information can come back so the public can see that this is happening in their own back yard. It was powerful information. Thanks again for your feedback.
Even if it was copy and paste, matt had an obligation to EDIT it before he published it. He agreed to publish it at the wishes of the parent to keep the students name confidential.
I do hope an edited version get reposted, I have some thoughts on the bully situation in schools today.
It may be a bad idea to republish it without contacting the family and apologizing and asking permission to republish the article edited.
I as a parent would probably not want it republished at this point.
bad timing with my posts. I totally understand the situation now. I do think this should be reposted after edited if the family will approve. I had gotten so upset and typed my feelings that maybe shouldnt have been posted. this type of problem happens all the time in different forms. It really gets my blood boiling. some of us maybe should count to 10 before we hit “post comment”. but dangit sometimes we need to get something off out chest.
50 – I am sure I would have enjoyed your comment.
I do however after Matts vocalization against the other media’s “Watching the Watchers”. He should be a better person and post an apology on the front page of NIT. Couldnt hurt, but it may put a bit of faith in the readers that he practices what he writes about.
Ever notice he (Matt) only thanks people who compliment him?? Can’t even acknowledge any constructive criticism.
The writer of the letter is the parent of the bully. I think it was taken down so they don’t get sued by the school
“Watcher” What right do you have telling anyone when and how they should apologize for anything. You must really have an high opinion of yourself.
Jim O – No it wasn’t taken down to avoid getting sued, it was taken down because of poor editing and NIT leaving the child’s name in the article. Also a good reason why the parent won’t let Matt reposts it at this time. Hard to have anonymity when the trusted news source puts your name out there because of bad editing.
Echo – Nope not a high opinion of myself – my parents taught me to be accountable, and when I made a mistake to own up to it. It also make makes Matt to be a hypocrite by blasting other media for doing the same things. He wants to hold everyone else accountable – except himself.
Watcher, you seem angry about this story. Let me help you understand something. I do not edit what other people send me; especially if I cannot prove the validity of what was sent here. It is their story; why would I alter it in any way? The person you are referring to wanted to get their message published, I complied. They wanted it taken off, I complied, only because of their fear of reprisal. Why they typed in the first name of the child is beyond me. No last name was published.
I sympathize with the article. I was bullied as a child, similar to this child’s story. It was due to unaccountable people that these actions continued.
Want to make a change Matt? Do the right thing; stop being biased and unaccountable like the others. Place the facts on the table… all of them.
You are often as bad as the bullies in that article. If someone doesn’t see it your way you insult them and make it your personal mission to “bring em down” as some of your readers would say.
I have since overcome the damage bullies have done to me. I have set myself to fight a good fight, when i see inaccuracies or things left out of news stories i begin to type.
News should stir conversation; engage people to get educated and lead people to get involved. If it does not do these things then it is just a gossip filled fish wrapper that will be discarded and forgotten about.
I fully believe NIT is making a difference and could make a larger contribution to North Iowa… with some much needed accountability.
I appreciate your words and perspective… but when you call me a liar and question my motives, degrade my website, and go on the attack, be prepared to engage in a debate. I do not take that lightly; if the gauntlet is thrown down I will respond and you may not like how that goes. I put it on the line everyday here, using my real name, posting news and opinions, and I do not hide. I do the best I can. I’m sorry if from time to time you do not like how a story goes. You could let me know via email or phone call, but instead you come here under a fake name and disparage my work and attack me in a number of ways. I could easily argue that you are the bully, Watcher…
“but when you call me a liar and question my motives, degrade my website, and go on the attack”
Matt, never have I called you a liar, I have however questioned your editing (pre, present and post). You have even circumvented your comments to fall where you want them to (time posted shows that). I don’t need to question your motives; you make them very clear where your bias falls. 50%+ of what you post for news stories are negative in nature. I have never degraded your website, I have just questioned your editing and accountability. I have never attacked you personally, but yet you have me.
I have given you news leads in the past, under different names back then . But I have used Watcher as my exclusive name for over 6 months. I have often wondered if it is you posting under some of the many alias’s on here. To stop alias’s, make us ALL register to post (though I think that would be the end of this site). I even called you with a news tip once, got your voicemail, left a message and you took some good action on it. I stay behind my persona because the thoughts/information I bring to the stories have nothing to do with me personally. The thoughts/information could be conceived/found by anyone with a brain/computer. I try to comment on the obvious and disclose the known. Of all the stories I have commented on, only 2 have had any close degrees of separation to me personally, and that was still a stretch.
All I have been asking is for you to answer me/us one question… who are you accountable too? What I am asking is who mentors you, who do you run ideas by, who do you trust to motivate you and possibly if needed to give you wise advice to hold back when necessary?
As I said before and will say again. To quote myself. “I fully believe NIT is making a difference and could make a larger contribution to North Iowa… with some much needed accountability.”
why do people think it is ok to use someone else’s dumpster? dumpsters are not free, we pay for the service. every week i have people that dump their trash in my dumpster, and even dump items next to it. there have been times i couldn’t put my trash in the dumpster due to someone else filling it up with things like old cupboards, furniture, etc. i tried chaining and locxking it, but they cut the chain.
Steve,
If you can figure out who’s doing it (i.e. if they throw away mail or anything with their address on it) you can report it to the police and they will be asked to remove their trash or else ticketed for trespassing. We had a similar issue once with a dumpster we had rented..
Kudos to Dr. Lala! People with disabilities deserve to live in safe clean housing close to downtown. With their limited resources I cant think of any place better.
The transitional centers are close to downtown and you see those people sitting at the mall all day. I agree, people with these type of disabilities need to be housed where they have a yard, and plenty of room to accomodate them. Where like Peter said, they can prosper and grow and learn.
To the grounds people, Agent, and crews of Mesaba/Flagship, thanks for the good service to Mason City. We know you all don’t set prices, schedule, or a lot of the other things that got under our skin, but just a note of appreciation to you all.
Best of luck.
Here’s something that all parents of teenagers need to know about. There is a website called myyearbook.com. It’s a dating website for teens. I was concerned about some of the things I have heard about this site so I checked it out. As an adult I had no problem registering and accessing this site, which is quite scary, that means anyone, even a child predator can access this site.
There are some very disturbing, gross, horrible things that some kids have wrote on this site. And the bios they wrote themselves, which really makes me question what the heck is wrong with our society, and why kids think that this kind of stuff is appropriate.
As a parent, I am very upset that this site is allowed! If you have children, please check this site and get your child off of it for their own protection.
With everything kids are exposed to via movies, video games, and the general media, I’m not surprised they act the way they do. Way too much graphic violence for young minds to absorb to not cause some kind of damage.
there is nothing wrong with the site. its the people that go on the site. the teenagers that go on the site should know better then to write whatever it is they are writing. i go on myyearbook.com and have no problems with it. i just know what to write and what not to write. the parents need to monitor what their kids are putting on accounts like myb or face book or myspace or tagged. i may not have teenagers yet but my son is only 3 years away from being one. he will NOT have a computer in his room at 13 or even 18 unless he moves out on his own. we have ONE computer and its in the living room he gets on it UNDER My watchful eye, so i know what hes doing at all times what sites hes going to he has a TV in his room but he knows he can ONLY watch NICK or Cartoon Network and Disney other channels he is NOT allowed to watch when hes at my house i have digital cable set up ONLY in the living room if i am watching something i dont want my kids to watch i either tell them to go back and watch tv in my sons room or more times then i dont i change the channel. monitor your teenagers better dont let them have a computer in their rooms also make sure you know what is on their accounts like face book or myyearbook.
My point is that there aren’t enough parents like you darkside..and like me. Not enough parents monitoring what their child is up to. That’s been shown not only on the internet, but in public also. Vandalism is at an all time high in Mason City, bullying, fighting, kids jumping other kids at the parks, etc. I am one of the few that have usernames, passwords, and is completely aware of what goes on in my home with my child. I don’t care what anyone says, I feel this site is scary and a source for child predators.
myb needs to ban sex offenders just like face book does. all sites can be scary and unsafe i heard there are 25,000 hidden sex offenders on face book alone. more parents like you and me do need to get more involved with what their young kids are doing, mason city is talking about a curfew for anyone under 15 now. if they had a curfew a few years back maybe this one little boy would still be alive he was 9 years old crossed a street and was hit and killed around 9 or 10 o clock at night, why wasnt he home in bed at that hour
I too would like to see a curfew in Mason City. But I have few concerns. I can see the kids that have parents that are active in their lives, and know what they are doing, who they are with, and when they will be home will have no problem following these rules. But what about the other percent that are allowed to do what ever they want? Are we going to have to ask our law enforcement officers to be babysitters because the parents don’t know how to control their child? We do this I think the best way to nip this in the butt is to charge the kids. And don’t give fines to pay. Community Services!!!! Cleaning up Graffiti, cleaning out cigarette out post, raking or mowing of city property. That way it gives back to the Community instead of using tax payers money.
Another day trying to work and get around town with all the retirees driving under the speed limit and drifting around the road. Respect the working and drive the speed limit. Also is it just me or is it a requirement when your on government support to smoke and have tattoos.
I am one of those retired people who drive the speed limit. You are probably the one who tail gates me while I am driving the speed limit. A speed limit of 25mph means 25mph not the 35mph you think is ok just because you probably wounldn’t get stopped for driving that fast. We have every right to be on the road. Just the same as you. Difference is we obey the law. Oh ya, while I am at it “Also is it just me or is it a requirement when your on government support to smoke and have tattoos.” Your means ownership, you’re means you are. I guess us old retired people went to a different school than you did.
A speed limit is exactly that, a LIMIT. It does not mean that a person HAS to drive that fast. The interstates have a limit of at least 65 mph. The minimum is 40 mph. So, people could drive 43 mph and completely piss you off, while still being within the law. So, people that don’t drive at exactly the posted speed LIMIT have every right to be going slower. And, I bet they don’t care that you are angered by it. Get over yourself, slow down, and take some time to enjoy life. Don’t be a fun sucker!
try driving 10mph in front of the town cop and see what happens. or the mayor or council person. your under the speed limit so you have the right to do whatever you want. right?? WRONG!!!! the safest speed is, when evryone would drive the same speed. whatever it is posted. this is the very reason that a multi vehicle accident happened west of webster city about a month ago. the VERY SAME REASON. the lead car slowed down way too slow, while everybody else was driving the speed limit. this 20 some vehicle accident all started with somebody driving way too slow. yes it was foggy, but you have to be a f**king idiot to think its safe to slow down that fast on a major highway. oh well, no harm done, cause you have the right to drive whatever speed you want. dont you…..BULLSHIT!!!!!!!
I am not aware of your car without doors. not being from MC. Do you drive a GM product?? Ill bet a mustang just blew your doors off…LOL anyway the VW thing which came out in 1974 had doors which could be taken off just like alot of CJ jeeps. as long as you have your seatbelts on, I see nothing wrong except “the man” excerting their force. Id also like to know more about why they dropped the slow speed case. and what was the code infraction they used? I will step out on a limb and say that we can agree, that the odd man out on the road, is the one that is most dangerous. weather is fast speed or slow speed. the same as blood flow. A slow or clogged artery will kill you just like a gushing one will. If not please explain
Peter: unless you just wanted this to go away, maybe you should have tried to talk the judge into having the Clear lake officer pay half of the court costs himself. since he was the one at fault for giving an unfounded ticket. filling our courts with unfounded cases. this would make officers think twice before puffing their chests without reason. and make (them) accountable. its just like my city council says. “let them prove us wrong in court” thats my cities answer when the city attorney told em that certain summonses will not hold up in court. this brings up another one of my pet peeves. I think that someone breaking the law to feed his family, or someone breaking the law because they honestly dont know better. should be punnished differently than a well educated person that actually knows better and deliberately breaks the law. such as a law officer, lawyer, judge, mayor, businessman, ect. Please everyone. give us your comments
I sure wish I could get a job. I am standing here holding two college degrees for Business Administration and Leadership that are practically worthless. I have limited prior experience because I spent most of my pre-college life working in manufacturing and I returned to college as a non-traditional student in 2006. Now I’m overqualified for most manufacturing positions and underqualified for most positions that would utilize my education because of my lack of experience. I was turned down for a job at McDonalds because they felt “I would continue looking for something better.” I want to work more than anything yet I spend my time depressed at home using my neighbor’s borrowed internet to apply to every single job opening I can find. I owe $53,000 in student loan debt on top of another $30,000 for general life expenses such as hospital bills and an automobile loan. Bankruptcy is the only option but unfortunately it won’t wipe out the student loan debt and I would have to re-affirm my automobile loan so I could keep my vehicle to drive back and forth to a job if I ever get one. There just isn’t enough money to live let alone pay an attorney to pursue a “fresh start”. I didn’t sign up for this.
Your story sound familiar, and exactly why so many people have had to relocate from areas like North Iowa.
Too many colleges/vo-techs push the Biz Admin degree is the answer. There are not enough office jobs in MC or North Iowa (or even the current potential) to cover that many Biz Admin positions.
I wish the best for you. People must vote wisely in the upcoming elections if we want to see things change.
Try making several resumes pointed at the jobs you are applying for. You can use words like some college and computer literate instead of busainess degree. I was in the same position and had a resume for sales, manufacturing, manufacturing management and home improvement. The purpose of a resume is to get you the interview, after that it is up to you to sell yourself. Point yourself in the right direction and only use the education that helps you get your foot in the door. It’s great you have all that education and it will pay for itself down the line but now you have to pay the bills so do what you have to do.
Hang in there and don’t give up, something will come along.
Anyone smell the stench coming from VI-COR’s new location in Industrial Park on Good Friday? YIKES ! Why does the City not enforce the zoning codes for that area ? Someone @ City Hall get an “Easter Bonus”… if you know what I mean ?
THEY ARE BURNING SOMETHING!
IT CANT BE HEALTHY!!
All last summer they were burning something in that building!! It smells like recycled pop cans and cardboard. They burn late at night and early morning and even when they dont burn, you can smell the odor hanging in the trees along the bike trail there!! It’s disgusting and I will take a different commuting route, especially in the mornings!
Columbine Student’s father 12 years later:
Guess our national leaders didn’t expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.
They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness… The following is a portion of the transcript:
“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
“The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart.
“In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA – because I don’t believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent.I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.
> Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
> Your words are empty air.
> You’ve stripped away our heritage,
> You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
> Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
> And precious children die
> You seek for answers everywhere,
> And ask the question “Why?”
> You regulate restrictive laws,
> Through legislative creed..
> And yet you fail to understand,
> That God is what we need!
“Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation’s history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine’s tragedy occurs — politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties… We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.”
“As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA — I give to you a sincere challenge…Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!”
”My daughter’s death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen again.”
Darrell Scott
Do what the media did not — let the nation hear this man’s speech. Please send this out to everyone you can. GOD BLESS
VERY WELL SAID AND SO TRUE. I was in Colorado when that happened and went to the school. Did I stop and pray for those families and friends and everyone involved YES I did. I have said many times we have taken God out of our schools and look what has become of them. Their is not a time when I have my grandsons and I take them to school that we do not pray before they get out of the van and it is on school grounds. I don’t care what people say or the laws say. I will always pray to keep not only my family safe but yours as well.
I have a God, I don’t need a gun! I will depend on his time, not mine.
”My daughter’s death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen again.” Problem is it happens again almost weekly. Time to start taking guns, legally and illegally obtained, off the streets. I know this can’t happen overnight, but time to start. To many good people are dying needless deaths because gun owners continue to make stupid decisions.
Why is it always “take the guns away”? If you make owning a gun a crime, only criminals will have guns. Do you think that the government can force all gun manufacturers to cease operations? What will our military use? Oh wait, you want our military to still be armed, just not the citizens, right? OK, so I revert you back to my first statement. The criminals will always find a way to get the guns they want, regardless of any laws that are put in the books. The criminals don’t care about the laws. I do agree that some gun owners do make bad decisions, but then again, so do some car owners… should also make cars illegal? You cannot punish an entire group of people based on the actions of a few. Some cell phone owners make the bad decision to text while driving. Should we completely ban the cell phone? You see where I’m going with this? Cars can be just as deadly as a gun. A cell phone in the hand of a distracted driver is just as deadly as a gun. It is NOT the object that is the problem, it is the person that makes the bad decision with that object.
Yes, I am a gun owner. Yes, I am a concealed carry permit holder. Yes, I DO carry a gun. Why? Because of the people out there that would choose to make bad decisions that could cost me or my family our lives. If you take away my 2nd amendment right to bare arms, you might just as well take away my 1st amendment right to free speech.
Cars, cell phones ect are not built for killing. That is the sole purpose of some guns. Those are the ones that need to banned. This new argument of cars, cell phones, ect killing people makes no sense at all in the gun debate. Unfortunatly way to many gun owners are making some very bad decisions that are costing innocent people to be killed or wounded and very seldom is there a responsible gun owner anywhere to be found when this happens. Keep your shotguns for hunting and ban the rest. I realize this can’t happen over night, but over the course of several years it will start saving lives.
Nice!!
I live by the hospital (right across from the ER) and some creeps in a 4 door, newer black chevy truck have driven by my house super slow three times. One of the times a woman leaned out of the window snapping a picture of the house. Back windows are all tinted. We tried to wait outside to see if they drove by again to get a picture of their license plate, and we informed the Mercy Security Guard driving around of the truck, but neither of us have seen it again. So anyone around the hospital just keep your eyes open!!!!
That.is.creepy. hope they leave you alone.
After reading the recent headlines about the US soldier who shot & killed Afghanistani civilians, I couldn’t help but notice an inconsistency. There is clamor to try this soldier quickly and execute him, never mind his having suffered a traumatic brain injury with PTSD while in his 4th tour of duty in the mid-east.
Yet the Muslim, Major Hasan, who shot up Fort Hood, TX while screaming ‘allah akbar,’ still hasn’t stood trial. And the military is still debating whether he was insane, even with the clear evidence regarding his motive: slay as many infidels as possible.
So, we have a soldier in a war zone who cracks, and the authorities clamor that he must be tried and executed immediately.
But we have a Muslim psychiatrist who is stateside in a nice comfy office all day and who murders 13, wounds 29 of our own guys, and the same authorities argue the poor lad suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome from listening to real soldiers who had actual battle experience.
Two and a half years later, they still haven’t tried that case!
This is a true story. It happened three weeks ago somewhere in California. The gas pump should have totaled @ $68.00 (and change). When the receipt was printed, and she checked it was $ 77.00 (and change).
She got mad, went inside the store, asked for a calculator and let them do the math. They refunded her. she told them that if they cheat, they had better make it right. Normally, her husband would skip printing the receipt. Not her
We saw on the news the other night that this is
happening everywhere.
Brian pumped exactly one gallon of gas. The price did not match the cost of one gallon. It was higher.. He went inside and complained, got a refund.
There is also a number on each pump that you can call and complain.
This is a true story, so read it carefully.
I stopped at a BP gas station in GA. My truck’s gas gauge was on 1/4 of a tank. I use the mid-grade, which was priced at $3.71 per gallon. When my tank is at this point, it takes somewhere around 14 gallons to fill it up.
When the pump showed 14 gallons had been pumped, I began to slow it down. Then, to my surprise, it went to 15, then 16. I even looked under my truck to see if it was being spilled. It was not.
Then it showed 17 gallons on the pump. It stopped at 18 gallons. This was very strange to me, since my truck has only an 18 gallon tank. I went on my way a little confused, then on the evening news I heard a report that 1 out of 4 gas stations had calibrated their pumps to show more gas had been pumped than a person actually got.
Here is how to check a pump to see if you are getting the right amount:
Whichever grade you are using, put EXACTLY 10 GALLONS in your tank, then look at the dollar amount. If the dollar amount is not EXACTLY 10 times the price of the fuel you have chosen, then the pumps are rigged.
In my case, as I said, the mid-grade was $3.71 9/10 per gallon; my dollar amount for 10 gallons should have been $37.19. I wish I had checked the pump. It doesn’t matter where you pump gas please check the 10 gallon price. If you do find a station that is cheating, contact the state Agriculture Department, and direct your comments to the Commissioner the info is on the gas pumps.
This HAS happened in Mason City when i worked at Coastal Mart (the first time before they both closed) i had several customers complain about that so i checked myself and sure enough they were off by like 1.5% that’s $1.50 for every $100 pumped they were getting in addition to the price posted. I mentioned it to my supervisor and i promptly got fired…so yes be aware this can happen ANY WHERE.
About 2 weeks ago a customer walked into the bakery with a part of the globe. She said “I bet you are dissappointed…you only recieved honorable mention”. I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about. So she explained and showed me the Globes Readers Choice section. The first thing I asked her was “did you vote?” her answer was no. Everybody I have asked since has said no. I asked a rep. from the globe how do you vote, they were going to check and let me know. I have no quarell with the fact that I lost especially with Hy-vee. We must have been judged on quantity and not quality that certainly means I will loose every year.
So I turn to you ex globe employees. Please note I am not being sarcastic I really do want to know. Who votes, how do you vote, when do you vote, and really what are you judged on? I bust my butt on quality I wouldn’t mind a bit more than honorable mention and a fair chance.
It goes by how much advertising you buy there.
That’s really sad. Sorry you were subjected to this skewed BS contest. You are not the first business to suffer from this.
The winners are selected by the general public. The Globe puts the ballot in their paper and also on line. Anyone can vote. You have not been in business very long so you should be proud of Honorable Mention. It has nothing to do with buying ads in the Globe. As more people try your bakery and enjoy the delicious food, the more apt they will be to vote for you next time.
Cupcake – Well said and a good point, I was thinking about posting the same thought.
Bumbleberry – Congrats!! Be thankful, it was still free advertising for a fairly new business. The question/statement you made here could be quickly misconstrued to be sour grapes.
Cupcake: They should have just told me that. It would have been nice if they had just said somewhere in the article that these are results from a survey we posted…
Thank you for your answer, I will definately be watching next year.
Watcher: No sour grapes, I made that clear in the beginning of my quest for information. Perhaps you’ve not met me yet, sour grapes aren’t on my menu. I’m pretty happy go lucky just wanted to understand the rules so I can play the game. Next year!
i never heard of anyone voting in that “contest” if you can call it that. i think NIT should investigate whats really behind it.
Just think that long john silver got “best of the best sea food”. A year or so ago.
Bumbleberry,
there are “no rules to learn so you can play next year”. As watcher pointed out there is a ballot in the paper and online that readers submit their choice in lots of different categories. It is all by vote. As watcher mentions you should be thrilled that you were an honorable mention for the short time you have been in business. you also have to remember that this is north iowa and as someone else commented, Long john silvers took home best seafood. Translated what i’m saying is that some people wouldn’t know quality if it hit them in the face. As a business owner and winner of this, I find it hard to beleive your Globe rep didn’t have answers for this, they sell advertising around this. Are you sure you talked to your globe advertising rep about this.
I’m sure it’s quite the democratic process, kind of like when skipper leaves important information out of his stories to protect his cronies. The “contest” is a massive joke on the hard working businesses around here. One “winner” crowned “the best” uh huh sure. Why dont the globe disclose how many votes were submitted in each category. How about some “transparency” here. Looks real skewed. To vote you have to have a newspaper. Right there you have eliminated 99% of everyone around here since no one reads it!!
Being a business who won 2 years and finished 2nd for 2 years, I can tell you it’s not about how much you spend with them, BUT the daily voting. When it was a “one and done” voting system, I won. When it was “vote everyday” system, heck, that was a hassle for most people. I wish they’d go back to vote once and be done with it. But, if you finished 2nd place, you actually finished as “North Iowa’s #1 INDEPENDENTLY OWNED Bakery”… and that’s something to hang your hat on. Keep up the good work!!
Hope Springs Eternal!
The grass is green,
the sprouting ivy,
oh how I wish,
I was at the Friendly Confines!
Via Twitter: We cannot ignore the facts on #Iran. Iran remains committed to continuing towards a nuclear path, despite sanctions.
MEDIACOM SERVICE SUCKS
AMEN!!!
FOR SURE !!!!!!!!!!!!! They need more competition. Can’t wait until our contract expires…..we are out of there !
Try Direct TV. All of my neighbors have switced to it and I have been a customer for 4 years and really like it. I just got fed up with Media Com. raising the rates and not givind anything more for the money.
found out that something was bad on the lines a block from me. part of the problem was the workers checking and unpluging the lines to patch, and then today replace some equipment.
i had dish network at one time. since i have alot of trees around the house, the leaves interfere with reception and so does the weather and rain. not good, unacceptable. I remember that i had the dish installed in the winter when there were no leaves. when summer came I only had a fraction of the channels available. dish network also said that it had been to long since installation and I would have to pay for any more services. they were wrote off after that year was over.
Is it legal to live in the building that houses your business?
That’s a great question. It should be. It used to be that an artisan or craftsman such as a woodworker, watchmaker, or tailor would live in the backroom of their shoppe, or up above it. I really miss those days, and would like to see a return to them. Please be an advocate for this if you are wanting to live in the place of your business. Paying for a house plus a shop space is part of the reason why people cannot start their own businesses. The overhead makes it unattainable.
This is possible but you may run into some zoning restrictions. I think you have to go to the city for that and possibly get part of your house zoned as a business. Next, you will need to look into tax laws, as a buziness you would want to deduct that portion of your house as an expense but I think there is a limit, like a certain percent of the square footage or whatever that you can classify as a business. I looked into it once, but it’s been a long time ago. I know it can be done but there may be a little red tape to cross.
that all depends on the zoning laws in your town. in my town a person can have his buisness in a residential zoning area (house),as long as they do not use more than 1/4 of the main floor. also the signage outside cannot be larger than a certain size. cant remember but its small
There is no restriction as far as I know, to live in your own business even if it is zoned commercial.
Zoning is key. In most successful communities, businesses are tightly restricted in R1 zones. Storage of business equipment is prohibited. Overnight parking of Commercial vehicles of any sort are prohibited in R1. Businesses that have customer traffic are prohibited in R1. There are also noise restrictions and parking issues.
In short, residents main concerns is property values. Anything that lowers a property’s value, is not in the best interest of the community.
Except a bar. You have to have SPECIAL permission to live in the same premises as a bar. For example, upstairs from a bar is fine, but if you lived with an ajoining door or back room, then you have to go to the state to apply for a permit.
I would love to say thank you to Officer Andrew Albright for that generous seat belt ticket in which I was wearing? And also thank you for lying in court about it. I guess when you are a State Patrol you are never wrong. If the state needed the money that bad I would have donated it. I hope that anybody that read’s this and has been pulled over by this officer for no reason at all will contact the Iowa State Patrols Office and file a official complaint.
yo matt, when r ya gonna update the winnebago county jail inmates!?
A fair may annually conduct a fair event to further interest in
agriculture and to encourage the improvement of agricultural
commodities and products, livestock, articles of domestic industry,
implements, and other mechanical devices. It may offer and award
such premiums as will induce general competition.
In addition to the powers granted in this chapter, a fair shall
have the powers of a corporation not for pecuniary profit under the
laws of this state and those powers enumerated in its articles of
incorporation, such powers to be exercised before and after the
holding of a fair event.
No salary or compensation of any kind shall be paid to the
president, vice president, treasurer, or to a director of the fair
for such duties. However, the president, vice president, treasurer,
or a director of the fair may be reimbursed for actual expenses
incurred by carrying out duties under this chapter or chapter 173,
including, but not limited to attending the convention provided under
section 173.2. A person claiming expenses under this paragraph shall
be reimbursed to the same extent that a state employee is entitled to
be reimbursed for expenses.
Great point Mr. L! Something to think about!
Here’s a thought for you older people. We will stand on anyones lawn we want. It is our youth, we will spend it any way we want.
No one makes ANYONE drink or smoke.
Does being smart as you are hurt at all?
Peter, just because someone jumps off the end of a cliff, does not mean others should. Playing the game of monkey see, monkey do, should be a huge red flag for parents, unless they have their heads buried in the sand.
Those who partook in that game, decades later, still play it (and lead their children the in the same fashion). Those that did not (outside of mere experimentation), lead normal productive lives today.
My observation has been, they became leaders in their communities, or in business. They are not boozers or drugheads. They don’t drive around town in loud obnoxious vehicles. They keep nice homes and yards (meaning they do not force the city to clean up every time they mow their lawn). They make contributions to the community. They work with and support their local police to keep where they live safe.
The people who played games, are just the opposite. They curse the local police. They never have time or anything for the community. At every blink of the eye, they try to skirt laws if they think no one is looking. Drug use, womanizing, and boozing to excess is ok with them (they feel it adds to the value of their community). They don’t care if what they do offends the sensibilities of anyone else.
Sound familiar?
Peter, why the paranioia?
Nothing in mine of the 3rd @ 6:44 was pointed towards a single person, but segments of society.
Matt and Peter: a word of advice. read a text book on debating. basicly this is what you are trying to do. get people to understand and believe in your point of view. It will basicly tell you, that if you loose your cool or call names you have LOST THE DEBATE. before you get all defensive…..think about it. and then someday you can achieve master status.
its still LOL day for me
I’ll make a deal, 50 miles. I will read a text book on debating after you pass 5th grade english and spelling. Deal? Still LOL’ing?
i have never confessed to being a good speller. and the fact that I dont punctuate like I should really doesnt make a tinkers damn to me. because you still know what im talking about. its kinda like the guy that runs a machine at a factory. anyone who knows what im talking about, knows you operate a machine. at least im not axing a question.
Matt: i cannot speak for watcher but i think his comment and mine should have been under rants and raves. my comments were not actually about reporting on the funeral. they were in responce to watchers comments about the way NIT has been operating lately. there is no way in hell you can say that nobody is talking about the way you are operating, and dont like the changes. Im not talking about your compitition,former employers, mayor,whoever. Im talking about people who would like to read this forum. your supporters. yet another example of what watcher, myself and others are talking about. example: there is no reason for calling the two of us names (nameless rabble)for not using our real name. I have stated before that nobody knows me anyway. and i have my own reasons for not using my name or the town I live in at this time. myself and many others have let you know what we think, so you can be conscious of the way you operate this site. in hopes to better it, and be more creditable. If you “do not find my advice usefull whatsoever” as you stated. then why the hell did you break up the whiners den into more pages like “I” suggested, and why did you triple the amount of recent comments like “I” suggested. you just shot yourself in the foot on that one. I do like this site and wish more people had the guts to put one together. I am also the type of guy that will, and has, told the city council, and also wrote in the local paper that “my town is a who you know who you blow town”. I WILL tell you the way I see it without holding back.
50 miles, I’m glad you are here, so don’t take this wrong. The mere fact that you have blogged countless times here on NIT is proof of the spell NIT has over you. This is NIT’s victory. You have made it happen by spending your time here, along with the tens of thousands of other unique visitors drawn here each month. I do appreciate a spirited debate and commend you for engaging me on this issue. Thanks again for supporting NIT.
you are correct on that one. And I never ever said i didnt like this site. just that the people who represent this site need to be more professional
50 – I am fully in agreement with what you wrote. Our comments on the other thread could have fit that story also, about how media handles themselves.
It Just was ironic that on that thread Matt tells us to take a hike, on this thread he thanks you, and on the thread above this one he again attacks. This is the pattern I think we both have been bringing to you matt to look at.
I have never attacked Matt or anyone else in a personal way on this site. If I start, as 50 later wrote, the debate has been lost. The loss of a healthy debate takes away from the power of the debate/story, it robs it of credibility and people begin to turn a blind eye to it with the thought “oh here we go again” Everyone has room to learn in this world, sometimes through books, sometimes through advice and yes often through experiences, good and bad.
I have often thought of writing commentary columns for this site, but I would want to do it under a pen name to start. Not that I have anything to hide in my life anymore, just that people may be surprised to hear it coming from me.
Did anyone else see the kimt commercail for the weather newscasters. It takes three of those morons to tell us what the weather will be. The bald guy said this last weekend was going to be record highs and it was cooooooold saturday. ROFL!!!
I don’t think anyone pays attention to them anymore. You can “google” the weather in 5 seconds. Why “wait till later” to see the weather forecast unless you are 82 years old and a shut-in?
Was anyone else as disappointed in the Sunday GLOB Gazette. What a damn joke. All the problems and news in the world today and what are the first three pages about. Stuff that should be in the social section. I can’t believe I pay for this rag and I wouldn’t except my wife likes to see the advertisement.
Some of the Articles are boring to read.
question of the day. should op..ed stories by Mr children be under watercooler or rants and raves?
maybe he should have is own page.
Both… the more the better!
An op-ed is an op-ed. And they are open for anyone who wishes to put pen to paper. That Mr. Children takes the time to write most of them, does not mean he needs his own venue.
Same way with a local genius who continually blows about marijuana needing to be legalized, loud motorcycles and nearly anything else under the sun.
Dang, I didn’t win the lottery! I bought 10 tickets and only had 3 of the numbers TOTAL on all 10 tickets. Talk about no luck at all.
I have lived in the Clear Lake and Mason City area all my life. I don’t ever remember the wind as constant and strong as it is now. Am I just remembering wrong?
I think it always has been and we just didn’t notice. Drive around to some of the rural areas and that’s why you will see all the wind turbines.
The war on right versus wrong should also be stopped because it might appear to some to be a failure? Who makes that call?
Society as a whole has said, we don’t want drugs, and the right to own a gun is Constitutional. While a single citizen may not think either or is a failure, it is Society which makes the final decision. That almost sounds like a comment Peter Logios would make.
“Observer why hath thou summoned up thy name?” [sic]
The arguements has been well documented in the pages of the NIT archives between you and I on this subject (whereupon Peter plays keeper of morals for all of us).
Gun Control is a failure like the Drug war.
Gun control has fsiled like the drug war.
The Globe has hit an all time LOW!!!! I can’t believe they had a picture on their website from Gretchen Crook’s funeral!!! And with a short story saying to come back and read more! It is absolutely awful what happened to her and now how the family has to deal with the grief of losing their loved one….but to write a story from the funeral? The Globe has truly shown they have absolutely no class at all.
Kimt had a tent set up outside the church. Leave the people alone!!!
Not to mention a picture of the child. So did the TV stations. Vicious, vicious people.
What happened today at JAMS my son said police search the school and had dogs? He said something about a planned school shooting?? Why NO STORY!!!!!!
There were about 4 police cars when they were dismissing the kids, and they were searching lockers and bags. There was a threat in one of the bathrooms from what I heard. This is getting terrible. They need to find out who’s doing this stuff and press charges on the kid and the parents. Maybe if the parents have charges pressed on them, they’ll get off their butts and do their job and be a PARENT!!!! And what’s even sadder is there are alot of really good kids in the school but of course there are some bad ones too. And it seems like the bad kids have bad parents.
Why blame parents kids have no respect these days.
i was told bomb scare
“The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are out numbered by the people that vote for a living.” Thomas Sowell
Meaningful gun laws. Ha! NRA would not need to exist if the liberals weren’t trying to take our guns. All gun restrictions do is keep law abiding citizens from obtaining and keeping guns legally. The criminals will still have guns. Having the right to carry by law abidding citizens is critical to keeping balance in our culture. Criminals need to know that at any time or place, if they pull out an illegal weapon for a sinister purpose they might just get a dose of their own medicine. I know many don’t agree but think about it. A bully is a bully is a bully, even on the play ground. The only way they stop picking on peple is if there is a teacher there to stop themor someone fights back. Then they are usually cowards. Same for a grown up bully and criminal. If police are around great…..but police resources are stretched so thin. We need citizens to keep their eyes and ears open and their guns close, oiled, loaded and concealed.
A famous person once said…”Put a gun in the hands of every adult and we would have no crime”…think about it…it is true. Anyone know who said this?
Sounds like something that was on the bathroom wall at a NRA convention.
I was in local bar just the other night and was approached by someone asking if I wanted to buy a 9mm for $100. Just thought that was wee bit odd…and interesting.
Did you report it to the police? You should have. Can’t hardly wait til them thar gun fights a start hapnen
I’m just trying to opt out of this whiners blog..
I,m wondering how many more innocent people have to be shot or killed by guns before our representatives and senators will stand up to the NRA and say enough already and pass some meaningful gun legislation. When is the last time you heard or read about a gun saving someone from a criminal attack?
prolly happens everyday! just dont hear about it……
I doubt that very much. If that were true the NRA and all the gun lovers would be all over it!!!
Dave-if you were a criminal and were going to strong arm rob someone and found out they had a gun on them and were ready to use it, would you continue your attack. I doubt it and there would be no record of your common sense but the deterent was there anyway. I lived in West Texas for some time and the strong arms and muggings were non-existant because everyone carried a gun and everyone knew it. Very few ever got shot either. Look at the strong arms going on in Minneapolis right now. It wouldn’t happen if honest people were carrying. Now wake up.
You gonna outlaw cars then too. There 100 times more guns outer there than cars and more people are killed or injured in car crashes than by guns. It all comes down to responsible ownership and education. By the way check out NRA’s magazine they have numerous stories every month about citizens protecting themselves with firearms.
You must not listen to much news. Didn’t you hear about the young mother of an infant who had just lost her husband to cancer? She had to shoot an intruder who meant to do them harm. It’s a darn good thing she had a gun and knew how to use it. Here, read it for yourself. http://abcnews.go.com/US/okla-woman-shoots-kills-intruder911-operators-shoot/story?id=15285605
I’m coming to Mason City in a few weeks to visit a friend, and I’m a vegetarian (no meat or seafood, dairy products ok) and I was wondering if there are any vegetarian restaurants in town. Lacking that, any good places to eat where I can get something vegetarian? Thanks!
I highly recommend the Northwestern Steakhouse. They have great salads.
Frank’s Garden Cafe, Wok-N-Roll and Papa’s has a great Veggie Menu!!
Ralph’s Garden Cafe across from Park Inn
Ruby Tuesday’s has a salad bar and also a guacamole appetizer plate with chips that is awesome.
Italian Garden has veggie dishes on their menu. The Lantern has veggie stuff too. I imagine all of the chinese restuarants in town can do something for you.
I make a veggie wrap, we have a different salad every week that we serve with fresh hot dinner rolls and buttermilk brownie. I serve an egg salad on fresh baked white, wheat, rye or sour dough. Come in and remind me you were on NIT and I will custom make a salad for you.
And people say there is nothing to do in Mason City. Heck you could spend three weeks eating your way around town, and still have time to spare for chores and long walks. That sounds like fun to me.
Matt, a quick thank you for advertising for me. It’s nice to have some one walk in that has not been to our bakery before and tell us they seen the add on NIT. I know you put a lot of work into NIT and wanted to thank you for what you do for us. Frank and Roxie
Best darned carmel rolls anywhere! It’s too easy to become addicted they are that good. ☺
You folks do a very nice job.
Roxie and Frank, you are most welcome. I will stop in and see you folks soon 🙂
The frosting on the cupcakes….YUMMMM
Every thing there. YUMMMM!!!
Just drove by MC Bus Systems and saw police cuffed younger guy. Anybody know what happened?
2 baby Eagle’s have hatched in Decorah !!!!! AMAZING watching the parent feed them this morning !
It was awesome wasn’t it? It looked like dad brought some kind of bird to the nest for feeding time.
did i just hear Mit Romney correct on the “tonight show” with Jay lenno. It sounded to me like he said it was ok not to tax buisnesses that ship jobs out of the country.
Are you trying to start a rumor, or do you have a link for this? You know there are alot of people who believe everything they read on the internet. Or mabey thats your intent.
i dont have the link to the tonight show from that night. he did say, what I said, and he also said that people who had insurance but lost it, should be able to get insurance without any problems with their pre existing symptoms. HOWEVER… those who could not afford insurance in the past, are shit out of luck. and do not deserve insurance under his rule. “SOL” is MY term not his.
You, most likely, heard that right.
I’ll start it off. I had a GREAT meal at OLIVES on south Monroe.I also had a GREAT time listening to music and playing shuffle puck at Tailgaters.Indoor golf in the winter is a really fun time. There are fun things to do if you look for them in Mason City.
Haven’t been there yet, thanks for the feedback, will check it out.
Hey Matt ,you have a whiners den,which is appropriate for NIT, but why don’t you have a optimists den for things that are positive in Mason City?
It says at the top that positive comments are welcomed… I appreciate your positive comment.
An Arab enters a taxi…
Once he is seated he asks the cab driver to turn off the radio because he must not hear music as decreed by his religion and, in the time of the prophet, there was no music, especially Western music which is music of the infidel’s and certainly no radio…
So the cab driver politely switches off the radio, stops the cab and opens the back door.
The Arab asks him: “What are you doing man?”
The cabby answers: “In the time of the prophet there were no taxis. So get out and wait for a camel.”
dam straight, kick his butt out of that cab, haha! all the way back to the pershan gulf!
Does anyone know if the Iowa courts have voted to ban cameras on on roadways or not, if so could you please email me craig.servantez@gmail.com thanks
The traffic camera ban did not advance in this legislative session.
You need to stay in your own country,go away!
This is just my opinion when it comes to things we are seeing in the news today not only in North Iowa, but around the country.
First of all, violence on TV, movies,video games, even on the news. Sometimes national news is more graphic than any movie. I have always been against violent video games, and the promotion of violent video games. Small children are easily influenced and letting them play games where they are killing others is just wrong. Be a parent and tell your kids no to the violent things that can influence them.
Another problem, medicating our kids. Teen agers should never be put on anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, or any of that kind of stuff. They are dealing with hormones, growing pains, etc. The last thing they need is to be heavily medicated.
Medications in that age children can have very adverse effects.
I’m not saying that’s the problems with what’s happened around here lately, but it is some of the problems with today’s youth. Just saying….and just my opinion.
I would agree with you there.
They medicate the kids because the teachers can’t or won’t handle them and the parents just won’t be bothered. They put my son on that crap once and I took him off it. He made it just fine and wasn’t doped up all the time.
I agree that in a great number of cases, children are over medicated. With that being said….HOWEVER some children truly need the medicine. Don’t judge until you’ve met the child!!
Matt, why do I get a blast of sound for a second every time I load NIT’s home page? It’s annoying.
It is from the Decorah Eagle’s streaming video during page load up on the ‘front page’.
The folks who are getting the free stuff, don’t like the folks who are paying for the free stuff, because the folks who are paying for the free stuff can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff.
The folks who are paying for the free stuff want the free stuff to stop, and the folks who are getting the free stuff want even more free stuff on top of the free stuff they are already getting!
Now… The people who are forcing the people who pay for the free stuff have told the people who are RECEIVING the free stuff, that the people who are PAYING for the free stuff, are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.
So… The people who are GETTING the free stuff have been convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the free stuff by the people who are forcing some people to pay for their free stuff, and giving them the free stuff in the first place.
We have let the free stuff giving, go on for so long that there are now more people getting free stuff than paying for the free stuff!
Now understand this. All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250 years after being founded. The reason? The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.
The United States officially became a Republic in 1776, 235 years ago. The number of people now getting free stuff outnumber the people paying for the free stuff. We have one chance to change that. In 2012. Failure to change that spells the end of the United States as we know it.
ELECTION 2012 IS COMING
A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!
could you tell me again…”whos on first base?”
for once I agree with you 100%. As in the movie “When Harry met Sally”, I will have what she’s having!!!!!
@ SALLY JO…DAMN RIGHT ! There are way too many free loaders in this country ( & illegals sucking off the system, too) and that is exactly what the Liberal machine wants, as those free loaders vote them into office. I would vote for “Sally Jo” in November 2012 🙂
….JUST SAY ‘NO’ TO SOCIALISM !
Sally Jo..seems I read this word for word in a email yesterday…you didn’t write this, you copied it…better make that known
What convinced me this is nonsense is saying that “The number of people now getting free stuff outnumber the people paying for the free stuff.”
While entitlements are quite high, they do not exceed those who pay in. Flawed theory.
Observer, I just read that in 2009, 49.5% of Americans paid NO income tax. By now, I’m sure that figure is over 50%. So that means that less than half of us are footing the bill for the majority of Americans. I draw social security, but I still pay income tax and I’m sure there are plenty of other Americans who also do, so that probably puts the percentage even higher.
Katie:
While many do not pay income tax, might it be due to their income levels and deductions? This does not mean those same people are a liability on the system, it just means that under the law, they do not have to pay income tax. And how many of that number are head of households versus young people, students, ect? How many contribute in other ways (sales, use, SSI, State, City)?
It is a lousy way to gauge revenue as a whole, and takes no account into the whole financial picture of the country (unemployment).
Earlier today, I was asked by a friend if I had heard any RUMORS pertaining to the possibility of a serial rapist in the area…a man breaking into homes of females & sexually assaulting them. Has anyone heard anything like this?
To “Observer”- I bet you chose that name because you’re one of those creepy old farts who stare through the blinds and stick your f**king nose in everyone’s business with the phone in your hand waiting to call the police on anything. You have keep your eyes on us “kids” to make sure we’re behaving ourselfs. Mind your own business and go f**k yourself!
Well Haily, the name of Observer is far more than you perceive. It is lifetime of observing society, what works, and what does not. No mention of being an expert, or perfect.
I use the term of ‘kids’ to delineate those young folks who behave within the norms, and those who do not.
One of the concepts of being a community, is watching out for others. Back when we had a parent always at home, there were a lot more eyes in our neighborhoods. And as a result, there was less errant or miscreant behavior. It was more prevalent in communities that were thriving and successful (i.e. people cared more about where they live).
A great example is the language you use kid.
Observer, she won’t understand a word you said because her vocabulary doesn’t extend beyond the words in “Dick and Jane” with swear words.
It’s pretty sad ordinarily, but a girl using such language in public? I recall girls who spoke like that when I was young, were the type you would have never brought home to meet the parents. If you associated with them at all (reputation was everything).
What really gets my blood boiling is when a woman tries to pin a child on a man with out a DNA test. When the man confronts her doing a DNA test she refuses to do it. She says she would rather go to jail then have her child’s DNA taken. Then she goes around town saying the man is the father of her child making him look bad to his friends and family. Also what gets my blood boiling lately is people causing major problems for other people. Grow up and leave people alone that are NOT causing problems for you. If you are unhappy with your life do something about it but don’t make others a living hell. Don’t threaten to have their babies taken from them when in fact you have had your own kids taken from you due to the fact you have not taken care of them this goes out to a lot of women. If you don’t have your children cause of something you did that is your own fault don’t go after a mother or father that are good parents and are not doing anything wrong don’t threaten to turn them in to CPS or any other agency to make sure they lose their kids.
I agree darksideprincess, however you forgot to mention about the women(whores?)that need to take a bunch of guys to court for a DNA test. what does that say about the woman? and is it really fair to that one poor guy who has good swimmers? its not “all his fault”.
as for people who cant mind their own buisness. AMEN to that. I have my own reasons for that one. I say “you stay in your yard and Ill stay on mine”. If you dont like noise then dont move next to a factory, if you dont like dirt on your yard, then dont move next to an open field. whatever it may be. when you own the property, you can do with it what you want. untill then.. mind your own fkg buisness.
oh ya i for got the whores. this chick im referring to is a whore from what ive been told she has 4 kids with four different guys. she doesnt know who the father is of maybe two or three of them, i may not be perfect my kids have different dads but i was in long term relationships with the fathers when i had my babies. im talking over two years or more. and also my kids really werent planned i was on birth control but lets face it im fertile myrtle the one child im talking about the most is not very old she cheated on a man and she says hes the father but he wont accept the child with out a dna test. he now has a son that he KNOWS is his. his girl doesnt cheat or lie shes perfect from what i hear. and i know im right when a lot of people cant mind their own business. they need to worry about their own babies that they have. and not other babies that they are not related to in anyway. also what gets me in having more and more babies to get more foodstamps and not working at all. i cant work wish i could work but i love being a stay at home mommy. i get food stamps for my son and myself but i cant work this woman can and she has i think five kids now and hasnt work in the whole 7 or 8 years ive known her.
What’s up to every one, the contents existing at this web site are actually amazing for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
You silly people. I don’t own a gun. Number two, I can read a miscreant a long ways off, even in the dark. If you ain’t causing problems, will never bat an eye. But given a verifiable reason, and I will not hesitate to drop the dime.
And I was wearing a hooded sweatshirt before most of you were born. Means nothing.
Lastly, by all means come down and create a noise problem in our community. Rest assured, after I am done collecting enough video evidence, I will also drop the dime. I never miss court dates.
You can violate the rights of others for just so long. And your loud music is a violation of our right to peace and quiet. There are more of us, than there are you, so get over it.
One more thought Mr. 144db. Anything over 85db can and does bring about hearing loss. In a court of law, guess who becomes the loser? I am not talking criminal charges sir. You still think you have the right to violate other peoples lives without good and reasonable cause? Better check the case histories first.
You’re an idiot…the human threshold of pain is 120 db…that’s when your brain numbs the nerves in your ears to prevent hearing loss. 85 db is the level produced by a running lawnmower…know what the hell your talking about before you try to sound smart dumbass.
Actually “offender” you may be close but no quite spot on. Anyway 85db is not that loud here are some examples… 85db- train whistle at 500′ (inside car)…level of sustained exposure resulting in hearing loss 90-95db…a hand drill produces 98db. And I’m pretty sure “observer” someone who would put something that loud would probably understand more on the subject of sound and noise levels and what the results can be with over exposure. So don’t argue with someone who common sense would tell you knows more on the subjbect than you. “Offender” , if he wants to talk about rights then I would say your exercising your right to express yourself through music. So keep doing what you do.
I will refer you to the CDC, which is based in part on OSHA law: “Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.”
I never mentioned pain, that is your interjection.
Read this table from the CDC…..
Sound Loudness (dB)
·Gunshot (peak level) 140 to 170
·Jet takeoff 140
·Rock concert, chain saw 110 to 120
·Diesel locomotive, stereo headphones 100
·Motorcycle, lawnmower 90
·OSHA level for hearing conservation program
85* (8-hour time-weighted average)
·Conversation 60
·Quiet room 50
·Whisper 30 to 40
John, his rights to play his music end when it endangers others. And if he plays it at 144db, which is as loud as a jet engine, it endangers the hearing of others.
Rock concert lawsuit, awarded $40,000 in 2010.
Loud music lawsuit, awarded $55,000 in 1997, granted on appeals.
There are many more cases. Including those which the High Courts have found while music is protected, the state has a duty to protect citizens from risk of impairment (see OSHA, local laws).
have any of you taken the readings next to a major highway or any of the local factories? construction work or street work? if the law applies to music then it must apply to anything that would cause hearing loss.
The young people that have music turned so high will pay the price when they grow, for they will have to wear hearing aids to here their childern ask them a for a small favor. learn the hard way ..I..did
Why couldn’t the phone, remote control, and calculator companies get their acts together and all put the same number order on their products? It would sure make things simpler for those of us who run calculators!
I heard a man was surrounded by mutiple sheriff’s and police at casey’s in Garner… A witness said it looked like a scene from “DEA”. Undercover officers, unmarked units, the man was swarmed from every angle and taken into custody. Does anyone have any info as to why or what it was all about?
What in the world is the deal with all the police out tonight?
There are way too many kids out there causing trouble and driving insanely. Loud music, especially the kid from Worth County driving his black Hummer. It is loud enough to be a violation of OSHA rules for noise exposure.
The city needs more people on patrol, especially a traffic detail in the downtown area.
I think it is alot more than just kids out causing trouble. There are alot of places on the north end that are known for violence and alot of known drug houses. Maybe the police department is just getting tired of stupid people. They get called to the bars up there every Friday and Saturday night anyways so might as well just patrol it a little more that usual.
I wish I knew what neighborhood “observer” lived in cuz I would drive the 30 miles just to drive past his house with my stereo cranked to piss them off…I hate people who have nothing better to do than call in people for loud music or whatever else they seem to complain about. I’ve had a “noise violation” before for shaking pictures off of walls from over 200ft away…all the ticket made me do was buy another speaker to really piss off the dick who reported me.
Honestly I was proud of the attention I was given and felt it to be somewhat of an achievement to produce a noise level of 144 db (level equal to a 767 jet engine) from a single speaker. Simply put, if the music’s too loud, you’re too old! Deal with it! Build a bridge, get over it, and find something else to bitch about!
Hope any kids dont wear a black hoody around “observer’s” house…people with the attitude like theirs of “kid’s always cause trouble” are likely to shoot em for no f**kin reason!
To Offender! Sorry, but you’re booming stereo is a violation to everyone who doesn’t want to listen to it! I am sick and tired of being next to a car that’s booming at a stop light, tired of my walls shaking everytime you idiots drive down my street! Cedar Rapids has a noise ordinance that if it can be heard outside of the vehicle the owner is issued a citation, that’s the way it should be here. Have some respect for other citizens that don’t want to listen to that crap! And just wondering, is you car a POS? Seems to be the way most of the time, you spend a ton of money on a crappy stereo system and put it in a pile of a car!
the black hummer belongs to B.Riendl, he works at the tire store but not the ones that his dad owns. His grandfather was a police officer in MC back in the day. I bet he’d be proud of him (not)!
dont be haten on my music
Seems like more than that. I’ve never seen so much law enforcement out & about. Witnessed several pullovers in a short period of time.
Maybe they are just trying to make the statement that they’re stepping up their game to make the city safer. MAYBE…
I live on the north side of town. I was at Monroe park with my children tonight. Saw the sherriff pull someone over for not having their head lights on. Guess it was a glitch in the wiring. Cause the sherriff was helping the lady plus they were laughing a few minutes later after they got the lights on.
Peggy Senzarino wrote a story in the GG about no dogs allowed at the Lake. This is not true she comes over here all the time trying to dig up dirt.Maybe she should worry more about all the crap happening Mason City.
Are you for real? That story was about not allowing a hot dog peddler in town.
Katie please read what I wrote again. I wasn’t talking about dogs with 4 legs.
she was pissed cuz they kicked her wide load as* off the beach for scaring the fishes
Then why did you say it’s not true? They did not grant the peddler’s permit to the hot dog vendor.
Peggy…wow, she’s quite the journalist isn’t she? I wonder if she’s ever actually written a “real” news story. It seems her whole day consists of being at the court house hanging out and writing two sentence articles about some stupid magistrate case and fishing around the public records to see who’s getting divorced, bankrupt, etc. Typical Globe reporters.
whats goint on with the 12th street overpass I see someone had a work zone set up.
The approach is bad … they are have to repair it
Will this be the contractors responsibility the overpass is not that old
Fish neighborhood stormwater ponds. Most have fish, access & no algae or vegetation now. Use small bobber hook or jig with worm or wax worm.
It looks like i may have to eat my own words. I thought this site was a place for people to freely comment without being censured. (as long as it was proper)I have been seeing alot of comments deleted. even more than the three stories that had been talked about a few days ago. Also it seems funny to me that certain stories dont get anything deleted at all. which is it?? I have only been watching for about a month or two, so I do not know any track record. However i have seen a drop in comments in the past few weeks. and also see some people have stopped all together. like I said, maybe I was wrong, I guess the only people here that have the right to their own opinion are Matt and Peter.
Sad, what has kept me Watching and commenting on this site is quickly disappearing. Makes me wonder what happened to that initial goal to bring the whole uncensored story to light. Matt, care to clarify who you loyalties are to, the people or your own agenda? This is a fair question even if it sounds a bit harsh.
Matt: whats the chance of getting double or triple the amount of recent posts on the right side of the page.
I will look into that. It’s easy to do.
I’d like to see a cardboard recycling dumpster open for those of us that work long hours. The one on 3rd St. NE is the only one I know of, and there is no way my work schedule could ever allow me to use it on the hours they have. Are there others I don’t know about? (I have undoubtedly been seen multiple times on their cameras)
I have a question to all those who know the answer. a number of years ago (3-5?) a body was found along a river or creek bank while the land was being developed. does anyone remember who this person was, and how long had this person been missing? how they died ect.
evelyn miller
this was a man that was found not a little girl. found near water while developing land for a new house I think
Was it James Perkins? He disappeared in 1995 and his remains were later found on a farm at the edge of some water.
thanks for the info. i think thats the date and name i was looking for.
Tax-increment financing permits some cities in Iowa to export as much as half or more of their property-tax liability to nonresidents.
Today the House voted to repeal ObamaCare’s rationing board, marking the 26th vote we’ve taken to fully repeal, defund, or dismantle portions of ObamaCare. Next week the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on what Democrats call the cornerstone of the health care law: the individual mandate. The American people want the law repealed, and we won’t stop until it is.
You are right on. We won’t stop till it is.
REPEAL OBAMACARE ( aka Barry Soetoro )! We need limits on malpractic lawsuits, drug fees, and the Federal Government needs to balance the reimbursement for Medicare/Medicaid patients to health care providers in the state of IOWA – as it is the lowest reimbursed state in the nation ! Several states receive triple the reimbursement for same services provided, but Iowa receives so much less – how is that fair? The quality of healthcare provided in IOWA will continue to diminish as IOWA will not be able to recruit some of the best doctors/nurses simply because they have to pay 30% less in wages because of this unfair practice ! What have Harkin & Grassley done to improve this mess – NOTHING!!!!!
REPEAL OBAMACARE !!!!
Matt et. al:
Just because one does not post his or her real name, is there a lack of credibility. There are those who, out of necessity, choose to remain annonymous. True, if one were to examine writing styles, and choice of vocabulary, could deduce who the person is, if they had any familiarity with them on a personal basis.
Some here, actually come to think of it quite a few, are quite consistant with their comments and opinions. Others, while they comment, oft times are destructive in nature (cursing, unreasonable or unsubstantiated attacks). We readers may not see the uniformity, however as Webmaster, you have access to IP’s of those who place comments (I have two).
One might say, going by a moniker instead of a real name, there is something to hide, or, they want to play both sides of the court. Speaking for myself, there is no way I would submit in public who I am, but in private, there is no issue at all. In either case, the content and opinions held are the same in person, as they are in this venue.
I would love to know how you have access to everyone’s IP address if you are not part of NIT. Is your name Tim McGee?
Only the Webmaster, Matt has access. I am just a mere person with no significance.
I agree also observer, however i just wanted to chime in and let everyone know that “I also have two”. two feet, two arms, two eyes, two ears, I am a man. LOL. but i am not two faced. with me you definately know where I stand. I forgot long ago that “you can catch more flies with honey” and i have burned way too many bridges. but then again im honest and will tell you the truth as I see it, even if you dont like it
Just heard that a mini-van is on interstate 35 headed north in the southbound lane! worth county – 1015 am
Decorah Eagle watch: WOW what a treat! Today is the firt time I’ve seen 2 Eagles at the nest! What a treat. Amazing ! The person/persons operating the camera do a great job, rotating the lens to view both Eagle’s, and the country side near the nest. Fabulous !
I love watching the eagles too! I believe the eggs are due to start hatching any day. It’s amazing to see these beautiful birds up close and personal. A great learning tool.