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Unholy alliance

Looking back over time, it becomes apparent that two man-made and inherently perverse Euro-American systems have long worked together to dominate and maintain control over populations. The first, Christianity, a spiritual belief system originally designed by males to keep power at the top one required blind belief, conversion by any means, and unending growth (more power to the top). This design also conveniently assigned to true believers the resources of this planet to be used and destroyed at will. (Jesus’ teachings getting lost somewhere in the power shuffle.) The second is ...

Breakdown in communication

When I was 60 years old I got a computer. That was 28 years ago and I have not become a learned user. I am very good at turning it on and off. There are many technical things one can do to prevent others from stealing or deleting your material. I just plod along in absent-minded hope that no one will ever want my creations. There have been occasions where I had to have help getting reconnected to my machine. There are many apps available for just about any help you may need. On Jul 19, 2024 the world experienced a universal shut-down of technical equipment. It wasn’t a partial failure, ...

Therapeutic recreation cuts at IVH

As a retired Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) from the Iowa Veterans Home, I was saddened and shocked to hear that the Recreation Department was being cut. I would like to share some of the visions of Mr. Jack Dack, former Commandant for many years, when he included a Therapeutic Recreation Department at the Iowa Veterans Home. The importance of having college educated Therapeutic Recreation (TR) on each unit provided a positive impact to the residents physical and mental health. Extending them opportunities for their minds to become engaged, to get them up and moving and ...

IVH cutting TRS will see decline in admissions and resident well-being

As a former TRS at the IVH from October 2015-May 2017, I can confidently say that the team (who remains mostly the same) is not only beyond exceptional, but absolutely necessary to residents’ physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Chaplains and TRS keep these residents engaged and hopeful with engaging activities and outings to keep life normal and thriving. It is a shame that it has come to these drastic changes of limited outings without providing the care and options for all to participate. A major draw to the IVH is the array of activities for veterans to do. It’s not just ...

Support professional staff at IVH

I am a retired Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) from the Iowa Veterans Home. The news of the administration decimating the recreation department is absolutely heartbreaking. The reduction of Rec Therapists to activities assistance is comparable to reducing RNs and LPNs to Certified Nurses’ Aides. Although their jobs are all important, the skills and education needed for the jobs are different. Ms. Bermudez, the Licensed Nursing Home administrator, has made some economic decisions that have not benefited the staff and residents of the Iowa Veterans home. An administrator must ...

In response to Rep. Feenstra

I am responding to Senator Randy Feenstra’s article that appeared on the editorial page of the Times Republican newspaper, “Giving Our Troops the Resources They Deserve.” Ever since World War II we have had one war, one right after the other. We have a record amount of over 800 billion dollars that is being spent on these never ending wars.Where is Randy Feenstra in giving all Americans health care? Where is Randy Feenstra helping Americans living in Poverty? Where was Randy Feenstra in 2022 when military contractors made 280 billion dollars off of these never ending wars? Randy ...