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A perfect pain in the rear

Local Columns

Okay, I’m a senior citizen now and I’m mature enough to admit to my faults. My jaws crack noisily when I eat apples and I snarf down popcorn too quickly. I bore my family by repeating jokes and personal anecdotes and my Dutch stubbornness and German temper sometimes get in the way of human harmony. I preach “sermons” worthy of Billy Sunday when I get disgusted with someone or something and I have been known to have been too frugal. This list, unfortunately, goes on. The stain of original sin did not pass me by. One fault I have difficulty admitting, however, is the fault of ...

The Daily Freeman-Journal and Kendall Young Library are hosting two candidate forums

Local Columns

The Daily Freeman-Journal and Kendall Young Library are partnering to host two candidate forums relevant to the upcoming Webster City School Board and City Council of Webster City elections. These forums will take place at Kendall Young Library. The school board forum will be on Monday, October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. The City Council of Webster City forum will be on Tuesday, October 28, 6 to 8 p.m. Moderating these events is Bill Shea, editor of The Messenger, Fort Dodge. The forums will follow the following format: First, each candidate will be allowed time to address the ...

The big plate glass window where it all started

Local Columns

Did you have a childhood experience that precipitated your eventual adult career? I did. I remember the experience vividly. My family had moved from the farm into a two-bedroom apartment on the main street of Ellsworth in early February 1953. I had just turned five and enjoyed playing with the other children who lived in the downtown area. There was Jackie whose parents ran the drug store, Larry whose father worked at the produce and several other kids, including Marla, whose parents ran the weekly newspaper. One day that spring I found myself standing in front of the Ellsworth ...

I used to be more exciting

Local Columns

On a recent Saturday night my wife went to bed around 8 p.m. and I planned on retiring for the evening around 10 p.m. We kissed each other goodnight and I was about to head for my recliner to watch a few more YouTube videos when I was struck by a sobering thought. “I was a lot more exciting on Saturday nights 60 years ago,” I told Julie. “What are you talking about?” she asked. So I began to explain. It was a busier than normal Saturday for us. In the morning I tagged along to a craft sale at a little country Methodist church not too far from our home. I went along ...

With a little help from AI

Local Columns

It is no secret that AI has captured the imagination of most of us. It has, in particular, captured the imagination of the media. The gist of the media’s wonder is: How can we use AI? Well, in the interest of answering that question, I launched an experiment. I asked AI what we can do about draconian politics. Here’s how AI would replace me as a commentator. You might want to note that even the subhead above was generated by AI. Below, AI’s words are in quotes. “In recent years, the term ‘draconian’ has been used frequently to describe policies and political ...

Where has all the wisdom gone, long time passing?

Letters to Editor

To the editor: Where has all the wisdom gone, long time passing? One difference between Trump and myself is I believe this quote and he doesn’t. “Government is instituted for the common good, for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people and not for the profit, honor or private interest of any one man, family or class of man.” John Adams, second president of the United States. Another pretty smart guy, Albert Einstein, said, “The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance,” and Trump has both. And for a third quote, “If you want to ...