Muscatine

  Work has been crazy - life @ home even busier.  I signed on tonight, hoping to read "words of wisdom" from my neighbors.  Instead I read political put-downs - STUFF I can watch on TV!  THE ELECTION IS OVER - right, wrong or indifferent - others are making decisions!!!  What has happened to this site? 

  We live in Muscatine, Iowa - for God's sake!  This site is called - UHHHH.... MUSCATINE DISCUSSIONS?????  WTH?  What the HELL????? 

  I used to be able to read & respond to others that had a LOCAL OR PERSONAL issue????  THAT OPINION MATTERED TO ME.  I gave my own opinions, feelings & suggestions.  I was shot down sometimes, agreed with sometimes - but there was real discussion.  There were others that were here that believed in our town & cared about the issues facing Muscatine?  Many of you have taken over this site to state your opinion on a national level!  Hey...There is a time & place for that - but for GOD'S SAKE - enough is enough - YAWN!  boring!  How can we help our town & make a difference? 

  I want to learn about & get to know what Muscatine is about; what my neighbors think & feel about local issues.  I would love for people that are thinking about visiting or moving to Muscatine to get a feel for what we are about.  THIS SITE is NOT representative of the wonderful people that live here - or the positive things that are going on here.  We are so lucky to live in Muscatine - don't take it for granted. 

Yabut they started it. Kiddin', Lol. You're right but the new jail addition has been hashed out on the journal site. Walmart's parking lot is finished but, who cares? It ain't snowed yet so we can't crab about snow removal. Nothing much going on. People are just plain burnt out, too busy or pissed off.

But TLou, the nice thing about this site is that we can read, respond to, or start topics of discussion at will.  The last topic I posted here dealt with the inability of the federal government to provide health care, and it got 40 responses, both positive and negative. Apparently it wasn't "boring" 40 times.   It's a national topic, but also one that has huge impact here in our little river town and, I daresay, in your life as well. 

Please....feel free to begin a discussion.  Make it local.  I've commented many times here on Muscatine issues.....the schools, law enforcement, our local businesses, etc.  Go for it. 

  OK NIGEL,  I take your challenge.  Do you really think that the opionions in Muscatine are going to make a difference with health care reform?  I suppose that it could if everyone called or e-mailed representatives.  I guess that "maybe" their voices could be heard, "on a national level"... but it would take a whole lot of opposition. E-mail representative; state your opinion - nationally - go for it.  It may make a difference.  It may not. 

  Your voice is one of millions - trillions - does that make you feel satisfied?

  You live in Muscatine & have a respected voice on this board.  How can you help the citizens of your own town, Muscatine, Iowa...now?  Politics are everywhere.  Everyone has their own agenda.  Pay attention to what is happening locally, make your opinion count.  Listen to & fight the injustice that is occuring in the town that you choose to live. 

  Read our paper!  Child abuse/ sexual abuse/ drugs & gangs are issues that face our law enforcement daily.  How do we fight it?  There are some that are trying to get rid of the gang graffiti.  THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

  There are many people that are trying to show that our town is a beautiful place to visit & to raise a family.  Let's get on board with them & show what a beautiful town we have.  Tom Meeker got that boat & has remodeled much of the downtown area. 

      Economy is bad - I get it.  I have to wonder if - "what if there were positive feedback - the wonderful things our town has to offer", - were on this board?  There are many people in our town that loved Jeff's store.  He had so many educational toys... he was a favorite of the families that home-schooled & others. 

  We have no Mall to speak of.  Why is that?    Take a walk in their halls & see buckets to catch the water that falls when it rains.  They spent money on a "sign" - that was important - "I guess"!  YEAH - If I were a big chain wanting to come to your town - yeah...I would trust you!  (In your dreams)!  

  WHERE IS YOUR ANGER & SENSE OF RIGHTOUSNESS WHEN THIS HAPPENS?  Here... in the town that you live in?  Why throw Jeff under the bus?               Why don't you support the people who are trying to bring Muscatine alive with the downtown area?  The mall owners have shown us that they don't care - they have a "tax-write off"... 

   The graffiti issue is a whole different ballgame.  Everytime I see gang graffiti - I want to stop & get rid of it & put a positive image there. 

  There are issues that need our attenion  nationally- we may or may not make a difference.  In a town of 30,000?... we can make an ABSOLUTE difference; we can all be proud of our town & raise children that feel safe, protected & loved.    

  I am priveleged to see our River from the window where I work.  I ADORE the fact that I can see the children screaming, yelling & having a great time in the fountain.  I love hearing them laugh, yell & scream.  We live in a small town, Muscatine, Iowa.  Our children have the right to be themselves in a place that we, (as a community), deems safe. 

Let's talk about that, Nigel - I have presented you with many scenarios.  Nationally you might make a difference.  Locally - you could be a powerhouse.