Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“At one point in my travels, I had over 600 hats (Hats off, Dec. 3, 2024). Many were ball caps or truckers caps. Do I wear a hat for dress? Rarely anymore due to Arizona ability to sear human flesh in moments. For a person of mature years with the hairline south of desired, it's imperative to cover the dome most of the year — even in the swimming pool on the lazy afternoons. And, of course, in the winter months spent back in my Iowa days, warmth was the goal and donning a Chapeau was smart decision, although not a smart look. My father used to have some unique covers from the Irish crushable to the French and Scottish Tams. He was a huge fan of Stetsons. I sent him one home from a notable shop in Odessa, Texas, but his favorite was the Russian fur hat I bartered in Sydney, Nova Scotia, which involved some of his favorite beverage — Scotch — in the transaction.” - Rex

You should wear that Russian fur hat in the swimming pool! - Shane

“Shane, great column this morning (Pardons, Dec. 4, 2024). While I think the pardon has its place, I agree it should be used in a more limited capacity. We would do our prison system a great favor by pardoning many who are incarcerated for frivolous and minor offenses and are not a danger to society. Perhaps, the terms of these pardons need to be revised but not eliminated. Keep up the good work!” - Pete

Revised but not eliminated sounds good, but that gray area seems to become the problem. - Shane

“From square one, I thought anyone who didn't think Biden would pardon his son was kidding themselves (Pardons, Dec. 4, 2024). The breadth of the pardon is the irritant for me. ALL crimes he might have committed? As for your proposal to eliminate such pardons, are we going to essentially rewrite 200-plus years of history? Why start now? By and large, the presidential pardons, good or bad, mostly covered politically related or motivated crimes. I don't excuse the crimes, but there are a lot of better political reforms we should be trying to clean up. Let's get the money out of politics in the first place. How do all of these elected officials become millionaires so quickly after election to Congress? Term limits on Congress. Find a better system for presidential transitions than thousands of appointments. Doing nothing is not the answer, but I would start somewhere other than politically motivated pardons. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it!” - Chuck

Baby steps, Chuck. Baby steps. - Shane

“Good morning, Shane. I doubt I can convince such a thoughtful mind as yours, but I can try explain my opinion (Pardons, Dec. 4, 2024). From the confederate soldiers to the Jan. 6 participants, there were actions of their ‘opponents’ (the North and the Congressional leadership) that escalated these incidents beyond peaceful. Simplified, and as always, the powerful send the less powerful to do their bidding, to be wounded or die. The powerful have one further tool to protect their allies from the laws we all must live by — the pardon. Additionally, they can protect themselves by pardoning the witness to their own crimes. Pardons are further proof of the two-tiered justice system we have which alone is reason it should not exist. Of course, you can argue that there may be cases of miscarriage of justice, perhaps Daniel Penny, that you could use to argue in support of pardons, so that's why I respect your opinion that pardons should exist. I hate when I try to make a case and convince myself you're right.” - John

Bingo. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

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.

DES MOINES FORGOTTEN
Buried alive

By Kristian Day

I have very few fears in this world. My vertigo kicks in when I am inside a tall building and looking down (or looking up, for that matter). I also have a fear of being buried alive. In movies where there is a black screen and someone strikes a lighter or match to unveil that they are inside a box that is 6 feet under, I lose it. Most people remember the scene in “Kill Bill Vol. 2” when Uma Thurman wakes up and must punch her way out. The 1988 Dutch thriller, “The Vanishing,” directed by George Sluizer, depicts a man obsessed with his girlfriend’s disappearance who won’t rest until he knows what happened to her. He volunteers to drink a drugged cup of coffee with the promise that, when he wakes up, he will know. He wakes up inside of a coffin with only a lighter.

. ...

Meet Angela Upp
Positive impact for students, families and staff

By Rachel Harrington

As behavior interventionist at Valley High School, Angela Upp plays a pivotal role in supporting the building’s multi-tiered support systems (MTSS) with an emphasis on positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS). Dedicated to creating and implementing effective systems, she strives to make a positive difference for students and staff.

“I serve as one of the first responders at Valley, especially for behavior-related needs,” Upp explains. “I collaborate with the counseling and administration teams, the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 teams, and support teacher PLCs when needed. I partner with teachers to develop solutions that address student needs.”  ...

These celebrities were born on this date: Taylor Swift, Maddox Batson, Maverick Baker, Jamie Foxx, Maisy Stella, Tom DeLonge, Steve Buscemi, Ted Nugent, Randy Owen, Dick Van Dyke

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle: I’m starting to make a robot that has really high words per minute count.
He’s a pro-to-type.

Today's riddle: What do you call a Magician who's lost his magic?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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