As I sit here in “war-torn” Portland, Oregon, there are no firebombs, no cars ablaze. Yes, there are a few folks peacefully picketing outside the ICE facility (one in a chicken suit) and an “emergency naked bike ride” is planned for next week.

Yes, Portland is weird. It revels in being weird. And true, in 2020 there were riots here when Portlanders were justifiably tired of blatant police brutality. It’s still not Utopia, but neither is it the “hell hole” described by our quickly declining president.

While protesters are literally knitting sweaters, Kristy Noem’s gestapo is showing its patriotism with random teargas attacks and pepper bombs. Oh, and knocking an 85-year-old Vietnam veteran and his wife to the pavement (https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/10/federal-agents-knock-down-elderly-couple-during-portland-protest.html). Noem’s lie, “They’re hiding what’s going on there!” is ridiculous. Truly, there is NOTHING going on except citizens peacefully protesting the horrific treatment of, not only “the worst of the worst,” but decent people who have literally left everything behind to build a new life in this country.

Sending troops to this city will cost taxpayers roughly $30 million. Sadly, if even half of that money was spent on community services and strengthening local police resources, our President would be an absolute hero.

As a native Iowan, it pains me to see how the values I was raised with have been perverted to manipulate good people into supporting this vicious clown show, wrapped in an American flag.