Is football (or basketball or baseball) officiating really that bad? Or is it because instant replay has exposed mistakes that have existed all along but never seen?

All these decisions are seen at bang-bang speed and it is impossible to get them right all the time, as replays have shown.

Of course, the games could add more officiating personnel. Just what sport needs – a field or court cluttered with additional people to get the call wrong.

Chill out.

Is the college loan program the most evil thing to ever happen to students wanting an education?

While the purpose was originally pure, student debt has morphed into an excuse for colleges to charge more for everything: tuition, books, fees, meatloaf in the cafeteria. Everything.

And, while we are on the subject, how about requiring professors to actually teach classes instead of turning them over to graduate assistants while their mentors are fulfilling the institution’s requirement to “publish or perish.” In other words, have them teach instead of enhancing the institution’s reputation in order to raise more money from suitably impressed donors.

When “a la carte” becomes a universal pricing practice instead of a restaurant option, it raises the cost of nearly everything in kind of a hidden inflation factor.

“Doc fees?” Why is necessary paperwork now not part of the deal? Airline charge for pillows, blankets, CARRY-ON BAGS when they were all part of the ticket price a few years ago? Even reliable and consumer friendly Southwest Airlines has a way to up the ante on their flights by offering an extra-charge option to check in early for a better spot in the boarding line.

What is next? An extra charge for knives and forks when you eat out?

In a lighter vein …

Two blondes are walking down the street.

One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up.

She opens it, looks in the mirror and says, “Hmm, this person looks familiar.”

The second blonde says, ‘Here, let me see!’ So, the first blonde hands her the compact.

The second blonde looks in the mirror and says, “You dummy, it’s me!”

A blonde was bragging about her knowledge of state capitals.

She proudly says, “Go ahead, ask me, … I know ’em all.”

A friend says, “OK, what’s the capital of Wisconsin?”

The blonde replies,”Oh, that’s easy … it’s W.”

Two blondes were sipping their Starbucks when a truck went past loaded up with rolls of sod.

“I’m going to do that when I win the lottery,” announced #1 Blonde.

“Do what?” asked #2 Blonde

“Send my lawn out to be mowed.”

I hope my blonde daughters will forgive me.

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Rick Deines resides in Marshalltown.