News from the road

Ben Kieffer: "Did your experience there (Baghdad) change your feelings about the question this country has been debating for years, whether we should be there or not?"

Bob Konrardy: "I've been a registered Republican ever since I was a freshman at Loras. I was a member of their Republican Club. Voted straight Republican ticket all my life. I'm now a registered Democrat.

"Does that answer it? I will not vote for McCain."


I often pick up the local paper wherever I go, or listen to the radio, usually the local NPR affiliate. Occasionally I get stuff I'd like to share and often forget to.

Hopefully these links still work for a bit but I'd like to pass along some stories I thought relevant.

First off, from the Minneapolis StarTribune, a story on how the rise in crop prices is endangered the prairie lands that have just recently been reclaimed. It's a shame how what is good for some can be a detriment to the whole.

From Iowa Public Radio, an interview with Bob Konrardy, a Vietnam vet who got to visit his old unit, which recently deployed in Iraq. He compares what he knows of both conflicts. Not the best interviewer and Mr. Konrardy takes his time telling the tale, but it suited me fine as I drove from Des Moines to Moline that day. Here is a direct link to the audio, and I've got the podcast downloaded in case they take down the interview. Just let me know.