Throughout the history of the United States, people have expressed their support of their government, or their opposition to its decisions and actions, with passion and vigor. It's the American way.
The feedback I have received from good people like Diane tells me many of us are weary of the "my way or the highway" approach to issues and problems. We long for candidates and leaders who recognize the need for compromise -- and to reach these compromises with respect and civility.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of 2 newspapers in coal mining country and I had questions. “Come up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary said. Quite the contrast with Iowa government these days.
Great column. Randy. I especially like the reference to Governor Ray’s daily meeting with the statehouse press corps. Truth is the governor learned as much from the reporters as they did from him. That daily session was fielding questions from smart men and women whose job it was to find out was happening in Bob Ray’s government often being the first source even before Iowa’s chief executive knew about it. Often he was able to get on top of a problem before it became a very negative issue.
Excellent point, Richard. It also made the governor quite skilled at the back and forth dialogue, what to say and how to say it, without sounding like he was reciting memorized talking points.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of two newspapers in coal mining country, and I had questions. “Come on up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary told me. Quite the contrast with media/government relations in Iowa, these days.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of two newspapers in coal mining country, and I had questions. “Come on up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary told me. Quite the contrast with media/government relations in Iowa, these days.
Huzzah, hallelujah, and hooray for sharing this beautifully written tribute to decency, principled leadership, and patriotic participatory democracy. Somewhere, Thomas Paine and others are smiling.
Note: Nice reference to the man on Pennsylvania Avenue and woman on Terrace Hill. Because, in the end, party affiliation and individual politicians matter less than our collective history.
The feedback I have received from good people like Diane tells me many of us are weary of the "my way or the highway" approach to issues and problems. We long for candidates and leaders who recognize the need for compromise -- and to reach these compromises with respect and civility.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of 2 newspapers in coal mining country and I had questions. “Come up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary said. Quite the contrast with Iowa government these days.
Great column. Randy. I especially like the reference to Governor Ray’s daily meeting with the statehouse press corps. Truth is the governor learned as much from the reporters as they did from him. That daily session was fielding questions from smart men and women whose job it was to find out was happening in Bob Ray’s government often being the first source even before Iowa’s chief executive knew about it. Often he was able to get on top of a problem before it became a very negative issue.
Excellent point, Richard. It also made the governor quite skilled at the back and forth dialogue, what to say and how to say it, without sounding like he was reciting memorized talking points.
Amen, brother. Readers, this is why I donate proceeds from my column to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, headed by Randy.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of two newspapers in coal mining country, and I had questions. “Come on up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary told me. Quite the contrast with media/government relations in Iowa, these days.
I still remember calling Governor Ray’s press secretary back in the early 1970s. Ray was interested in revitalizing Iowa coal mining. I was editor of two newspapers in coal mining country, and I had questions. “Come on up to the Governor’s press conference tomorrow and ask him directly,” the press secretary told me. Quite the contrast with media/government relations in Iowa, these days.
Huzzah, hallelujah, and hooray for sharing this beautifully written tribute to decency, principled leadership, and patriotic participatory democracy. Somewhere, Thomas Paine and others are smiling.
Context matters. Beautiful reminder.
Note: Nice reference to the man on Pennsylvania Avenue and woman on Terrace Hill. Because, in the end, party affiliation and individual politicians matter less than our collective history.
“Jefferson’s idea of freedom of the press wasn’t to have a bunch of political eunuchs running around.”
—I.F. Stone, interview with this reporter for a class project at Iowa State, 1979.
Randy.. again you portray our need to have civil meaningful dialogue with compromise as a common objective. Thank you .
Picturing that car ride, tho. 😑
Nice job, Ed! Hope to get a new blog written soon. Just got back from my sister’s funeral in Mlps. Catching up with you on Substack.