IntenseDebate - turkno

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Agreement for furlough... · 0 replies · +2 points

Exactly. I'm wondering why it was up to the State Peace Officer's Council to remedy a terrible situation they had no hand in creating? There are long term cost saving/revenue generating measures that can and should be taken; an added $5 on each vehicle registration that goes directly to the DPS (3 million cars in Iowa at $5 per car), increased scheduled fines for traffic violations, etc... But those things won't be done because this is a political goat rope and reelection is all that matters, right, Chester?

16 years ago @ KCRG - Ottumwa Police Officer... · 2 replies · 0 points

they do it to me too

16 years ago @ KCRG - I.C. Police: Shots Fir... · 0 replies · +1 points

Two things have to happen ASAP for the City to be able to get a handle on this problem. First, STOP advertising Section 8 housing availability in Iowa City in cities such as Chicago.

Second, fully staff the police department. Right now, the ICPD is short several officers. They run at bare minimum most nights and are barely able to keep their heads above water dealing with what they are called to. There are precious few nights were officers can be proactive and patrol problem areas such as the one where this shooting happened.

As another facet to my second point, the City needs to stop tying up valuable manpower doing things like towing cars off private property and devote that time and effort into solving problems like the rising violence. The ICPD Chief went to the City Administration and proposed just that, only to be denied by his boss.

The City's priorities are all wrong, and this is what we all have to deal with as a result. Until the citizens of Iowa City elect City Council members with half a brain, this will continue to deteriorate.

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Iowa City police unabl... · 0 replies · +3 points

Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Decision not immiment ... · 0 replies · +3 points

By industry standards, Coach Ferentz is a good coach getting good pay. However, it's the industry that's messed up. How do we allow coaches to be paid at least six figures, if not more, yet teachers, nurses, paramedics, cops, and firefighters, who are arguably MUCH more important in society than a football coach, be making significantly less? Does anyone really believe the work that coaches such as Ferentz do is that much more important than an ER nurse? Or the paramedic that scrapes you off the highway and gives you top notch emergency medical care to keep you alive until you can get to that underpaid ER nurse?

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Hearings open up marij... · 0 replies · +1 points

I agree. My mother survived cancer, chemo, and radiation without marijuana. It's a horribly painful experience. I don't disagree that marijuana could be used in certain medical situations. I also think a lesser criminal offense should be instituted for small amounts of personal use possession in first time offenders and drug courts should be instituted state wide. The state could potentially make a lot of money in taxes, etc, of marijuana sold for medicinal purposes. Believe it or not, there is a middle ground between opposing sides in this issue, but it'll take compromise to get there. So, I really don't see it happening any time soon.

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Hearings open up marij... · 0 replies · +2 points

I agree. A lot of first time small amount offenders can benefit from a Drug Court. There is also one in Johnson County and it seems to work well. I believe Scott County has one as well.

16 years ago @ KCRG - Iowa Deputy\'s Shotgun... · 0 replies · +1 points

It appears the Deputy was on patrol duty. The shotgun is stored in a particular location and manner for a reason - so it is easily accessible to the Deputy and other officers if it is needed in a hurry. Not really "common sensical" to have a trigger lock on and need the shotgun in a big hurry.

If it had been stored as is most likely required by County policy, there is no way it could've been fired, even if the kid was repeatedly pulling the trigger.

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Hearings open up marij... · 2 replies · +1 points

It doesn't matter what I "believe", but it does matter what I have seen with my own two eyes. I never said that serious traffic crashes occur more often with marijuana impaired drivers as those with alcohol impaired drivers. In Iowa, that is not the case. However, marijuana does run a close second to alcohol in that category, and the mixing of marijuana and alcohol seems to be another popular way of causing significant damage to yourself or others on the road.

I do know, for a fact, that marijuana impairs a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, just the same as a nearly endless list of other substances, legal or illegal, that people put into their bodies.

However, we are off point. These hearings aren't to determine whether or not marijuana impairs drivers' abilities. That's been scientifically established as fact. The legislators need to pull the stick out of their collective rear and see the opportunity that is passing them by. People are involved in serious crashes under the influence of prescription medications like Ambien all the time. The State government should take the opportunity to make a little money in these lean times and tax all medicinal marijuana sales, just like California does.

16 years ago @ GazetteOnline.com - Hearings open up marij... · 1 reply · +1 points

There are other medications that reduce pain.

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