President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, who was convicted on federal gun and drug charges, has some folks up in arms. In many ways, those emotions are justifiable. When president elect Donald Trump inevitably pardons the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, more folks will be up in arms. In many ways, those emotions will also be justifiable. Meanwhile, these are not the first controversial pardons, and they likely won’t be the last.
President George Washington issued the first presidential pardons, dismissing charges against two men charged with treason for their involvement in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.
President Andrew Johnson granted a full pardon and amnesty to all former Confederates on Christmas Day in 1868.
President Richard Nixon pardoned Jimmy Hoffa, the head of the Teamsters union, for jury tampering and pension fund fraud.
President Gerald Ford pardoned President Nixon for all federal crimes Nixon committed or may have committed or taken part in while he was president.
President Jimmy Carter pardoned approximately 200,000 Vietnam War draft resisters.
President George H.W. Bush pardoned the convictions of six Reagan administration officials for their roles in the Iran-Contra affair.
President Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich, a billionaire who had been indicted for evading $48 million of taxes and making illegal deals with Iran.
President Barack Obama commuted the remaining prison term of Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst convicted of leaking military information to WikiLeaks.
President Donald Trump pardoned Steve Bannon, his former White House chief strategist who awaited trial on federal charges related to defrauding donors.
But pardoning family members? President Abraham Lincoln pardoned his sister-in-law, Emilie Todd Helm. President Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton. And President Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
There are likely some important reasons why presidents should be able to issue pardons, but coming from someone who refuses to grease the political skids, they seem to be gifted today as payback for past favors from loyalists. As such, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives, and the pardoning process begs to be eliminated. Disagree? I would like to be convinced. Send me a note and tell me why.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
See Shane Goodman's past columns here. |
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FROM KCCI: New Jersey semi-truck driver in custody after leading 75-mile chase on Interstate 80 in Iowa. DES MOINES, Iowa — A semi-truck driver from New Jersey is in a Des Moines hospital Tuesday, with charges pending against him, after he led authorities on a 75-mile chase on Interstate 80. ...READ MORE
FROM WHO-TV: Most popular pet names of 2024 revealed. (NEXSTAR) – So long, Max. There’s a new top dog (name). The longtime favorite has been bumped down the list of most popular pet names again in 2024, according to pet sitting site Rover. The No. 1 male dog name is Charlie for the second year in a row. Male cats, on the other hand, are most likely to be named Milo. For girls – dogs and cats alike – the top pick this year was Luna. ...READ MORE
FROM WOI: Forbes taps Caitlin Clark for 30 Under 30 list. Clark was the sole representative of the WNBA on the sports list. ...READ MORE |
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Clear Mortgage meteorology
A windy day is ahead, followed by colder weather on Thursday. We warm up again for the weekend.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Read the latest CITYVIEW | | | FEATURE STORY
On the prowl
By Cyote Williams
The Iowa Wolves are back on the prowl heading into the 2024-2025 season. Last year was met with some unfortunate injuries, requiring several key players to get called up to Minnesota. This season, the Iowa Wolves received major help to fill out the roster and investment in a new downtown office for the team’s brass.
Last season
For the Iowa Wolves, last season did not shake out as well as they would have liked in terms of wins and losses. The team went 7-27 in the regular season with some frustrating losses in the process. Sixteen of those losses were by fewer than 10 points. Head Coach Ernest Scott was at the helm for the first time in his career and saw how the team could build off the success they had and turn those L's into W's.
... | | | READ MORE |
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Woebegone Wednesday
Salmonella's biggest hour. Cheapism reported that McDonald's current problem with tainted onions has beaten out Chipotle's 2015-18 salmonella problem to become the most costly food poisoning breakout of all time. McD's forked out $100 million, just in new advertising, to win back customers.
Napa's identity crisis? This prediction comes from Washington Post. "Napa Valley vintners wonder if Cabernet Sauvignon will be sustainable in the long term. Meanwhile, hybrid grapes gain favor in other parts of the country because they require fewer chemical treatments than European vinifera varieties. Some of these are new varieties developed to be hardy in severe winter conditions." The Post also predicted that varietals such as Chablis will be finding new preferred appellations as climates change and ideal conditions generally move north — like from Champagne to England, or from Napa Valley to Willamette Valley.
Bargains today
• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston). They are offering $25 credits on $100 of holiday gift certificates.
• Barntown's (9500 S.E. University Ave., West Des Moines) Wednesday specials are a pound of chicken tenders with fries and two sauces for $11.99, plus $13 core pitchers of beer.
• Wednesday is Biryani Festival at Chowrastha (5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines). Buy two and a third is free.
• Wednesdays bring steak night to Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines). Steaks are cooked to order with salad, potato and bread, $14.99.
• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $11.50 on Wednesday.
• Kids eat free with every paying adult on Wednesdays at Chuck’s (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines).
• Rangemasters Training Center (10520 Hickman Road, Clive) has a Wednesday ladies day special of $13 per person for live firing range and one target. $10 handgun rentals or BYOG.
• Basic Bird (2607 Beaver Ave.) offers $1 chicken wings on Wednesdays.
• It's cavatelli night at Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) served with garlic bread for $10.
• Bordanaro's (6108 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday-Thursday only special on carryout pizza. They start at $6.50 for a 10-inch cheese pie. Each ingredient added is an extra charge, but this pretty much adds up to half-price pies.
• Waterfront stores have a special "oysters night" tonight from 4 p.m.
• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on Coho salmon fillets $5.99/pound and 16/20 count raw shrimp for $4.99/pound through Tuesday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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The 2024 results ...
CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Best Local Landscaper
1. Premier Landscape
2. Landmatters
3. Ted Lare Design + Build
The 2025 Best Of Des Moines Poll is now closed. Results will be published in the February 2025 issue of CITYVIEW. |
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Mainframe Studios First Friday
This First Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m., is Mainframe Studios’ Ceramics Invitational. This special exhibition will celebrate the talent of local and regional ceramic artists, showcasing a diverse range of functional and sculptural works. Free admission and a great opportunity to browse an incredible array of artists' studios for gifts.
Temple Theatre – Des Moines Performing Arts. “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End.” Dec. 3-21.
Des Moines Playhouse. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Dec. 6-22.
Tallgrass Theatre Company. “A-Sisters Holiday Cabaret.” Dec. 6-8.
Award-winning children's author makes appearance at Forest Avenue Library Though Dec. 12: Author and illustrator Don Tate returns to his hometown to share time about his books. Beaverdale Books will be at his Thursday, Dec. 12 event from 6:30-8 p.m. to sell his critically acclaimed books celebrating lesser-known black figures in history for children to learn about. After discussing his books and answering questions, Don will welcome the chance to sign and personalize books.
Auditions a-plenty
• Ankeny Community Theatre. “Harvey.” Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
•Vagrant Fear Theatre. “To Hell and Back.” Dec. 8, 6 p.m. at Kirkendall Public Library, Ankeny. Vagrant Fear is gearing up for another play in February. Paid gig. Horror/love combo. New script.
• Tallgrass Theatre Company. “Ripcord.” Monday, Dec. 9, and Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$399,000 1112 56th St. West Des Moines, IA 50266
Spacious 4-bedroom, 2-story home backing to Jaycee Park in West Des Moines. This beautiful home offers abundant space to live, relax and entertain. The kitchen features updated quartz countertops and appliances, ample cabinetry, and pantry for your convenience. Upstairs, each generously sized bedroom boasts large closets and the convenience of a second-floor laundry...
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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| SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 709 34TH ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-08-23
SALE PRICE: $709,800
SELLER: RALPH U L RIECK JR TRUST
BUYER: THE BEST CONSTRUCTION LLC
ACRES: 0.652
SQUARE FEET: 5,853 |
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Featured in the current
issue of Indianola Living magazine | | | Cleveland named student-athlete of the year
Former IHS graduate was a standout at Simpson College
By Darren Tromblay
Former Indianola High School and Simpson College track and field standout Max Cleveland was named the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA)/Chi Alpha Sigma Male Region IX Student-Athlete of the Year recently, capping off an incredible collegiate career for the Storm.
Cleveland was named All-American three times during his career at Simpson, and was also a five-time all-region and six-time all-conference honoree. He earned First Team All-American honors at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 110-meter hurdles and Second Team All-American honors in the indoor 60-meter hurdles and outdoor 110-meter hurdles in 2024. He graduated with two school records (indoor 300 meters, indoor 60 hurdles) and was a four-time national qualifier. | | | READ MORE |
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FROM ESPN: Alabama Crimson Tide land at No. 11 in the CFP's rankings ... READ MORE
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: First Two College Football Bowl Game Matchups Announced ... READ MORE
FROM Yahoo Sports: NBA Cup 2024: Here's what's at stake on the final day of group play, plus every clinch scenario ... READ MORE |
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1917: Psychiatrist reports on the phenomenon of shell shock. Well-known psychiatrist W.H. Rivers presents his report The Repression of War Experience, based on his work at the Craiglockhart War Hospital for Neurasthenic Officers, to the Royal School of Medicine, on this day in 1917. Craiglockhart, near Edinburgh, was one of the most famous hospitals used to treat soldiers who suffered from psychological traumas as a result of their service on the battlefield. … READ MORE
1991: Hostage Terry Anderson freed in Lebanon. On December 4, 1991, Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity. As chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, Anderson covered the long-running civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). On March 16, 1985, he was kidnapped on a west Beirut street while leaving a tennis court. His captors took him to the southern suburbs of the city, where he was held prisoner in an underground dungeon for the next six-and-a-half years. … READ MORE
1997: NBA suspends Latrell Sprewell for attacking coach. On December 4, 1997, the National Basketball Association (NBA) suspends Latrell Sprewell, three-time All Star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, for one year after he attacked Warriors’ coach P.J. Carlesimo. During practice on December 1, Sprewell had a verbal confrontation with Carlesimo when the coach told him to “put a little mustard” on a pass. When Carlesimo approached him, Sprewell grabbed the coach around the neck and began choking him, until he was pulled away by several other players and team officials. … READ MORE
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Jay-Z, Jin, JellyRoll, Tyra Banks, Orlando Brown, Layton Greene, Marisa Tomei, Jeff Bridges, Fred Armisen, Nafessa Williams, Joe Thomas, Andre Roberson, Blake Snell, Shannon Briggs
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to the last riddle: What is Elton John’s new song about a miniature reindeer? TINY DANCER OR TINY PRANCER! - Shane Goodman, Lori Bluml, Gail Tomlinson, Judy Anderson, Rex Post.
Today's riddle: What do you call a bear with three ears?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona or Bondurant Living magazines, contact:
Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com
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