Ed Thomas

America Needs More Than Just ‘Thoughts And Prayers’

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Our leaders like to remind us, and the rest of the world, too, that the United States is the most powerful nation on Earth. Yet, the events of the past week are a reminder that the U.S. appears to be incapable of dealing effectively with some events that occur in this country. When news flashed around the globe that a United States congressman had been gunned down by a sniper at a community baseball field outside of Washington, D.C., the first thing many commentators and members of Congress said were along the lines of, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Congressman Steve Scalise.”

Randy Evans
STRAY THOUGHTS
Randy Evans is the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. He is a former editorial page editor and assistant managing editor of The Des Moines Register. Visit the Iowa Freedom of Information Council website at: http://ifoic.org/

It wasn’t long before the finger-pointing began.

Carol Spaziani

Iowans fall Through Gaps in Splintered Mental Health System

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Underfunded, understaffed and riddled with gaps, Iowa’s mental health system is broken. Such is the dismal assessment of advocates, state and county officials and families who have sought care.

Counties and state institutions have faced limited funding for years, and legislators are now beginning to draft plans to overhaul the system.