The translation of the Hawvawd study? DUH! (Bring on the Fireworks!)

By John Kubicek

Seriously, I can not make this stuff up! While in the process of working on another blog story, "Occupied Nation ~ By Patrice Lewis," on Sunday morning, a subject came up on Fox & Friends Sunday that took me by surprise.  I had not heard about this before Sunday. Isn't it interesting that it came out right before the July 4th holiday weekend?  Surely, it was just ironic coincidence.   Here is that great segment from Fox & Friends:

From U.S. News, on June 30, 2011, "Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing" by Paul Bedard:

"The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century. Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats. According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party. Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans," write Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam.

How long did U.S. News hang on to this story before they published it? And we must also ask, was it held until a Thursday, just before a long holiday weekend, for a reason?  I realized right off the bat that the answer would be yes.  The best way to make sure a story doesn't get much coverage is to be putting it out just before a holiday weekend, and during the conclusion of the Casey Anderson trial!  Who in their right mind would want those Harvard professors to undergo a lot of well deserved ridicule for such a lame study of something that would only take common sense to figure out, leading to such an idiotic analysis of the survey results?  DUH!

The obvious facts are that seriously liberal Americans do not celebrate America's independence, and patriotism is a dirty word to them.  Therefor, it could be reasonably concluded that the two Hawvawd professors were only looking for a way to denigrate the part of the population that celebrates the Fourth of July with parades and fireworks.  That isn't even shocking news, is it?  DUH!

The most ironic part of this story is that those professors that are paid the big money for being so "smart" don't even get it!  Do they not realize that many of the people in the Democratic Party also celebrate on July 4? When those pinheads say, "How dare you Democrats be so patriotic?", this has to make the majority of the Democrats feel really happy to be categorized in such a derogatory way so that the liberal leadership could complain about the divisive activities during the Independence Day festivities! I would call it alienation on steroids.  DUH!

Here is my answer to the "Hawvawd" study! Are you ready for this?

~ The above video is from the finale to the fireworks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 4, 2011. ~

To the patriots throughout this country, from sea to shining sea, whether Democrats or Independents, welcome to the GOP!  If you got the chills running through your spine while watching the above video, I'll see you at the next Tea Party rally.  I'm just sayin'...

When Johnny Marries Moochie

The unintended consequences of state-approved same-gender marriage

By John Kubicek

(I would highly recommend parental guidance before you allow your children to read this column or see the following video.)

This news segment was the top of the news on Monday, April 27, 2009. I really didn't need to see this happening, and I was having a major problem with all the gagging that I was going through. I was beginning to wonder if I was coming down with the swine flu. But then I got to thinking what was really making me sick. The fact that the State of Iowa became a place that my new hero Carrie Prejean wouldn't approve of was nauseating enough. But then, they (the local media) had to go and rub it in my face. I doubt a baby's dirty diaper would have been worse..... Ooops, TMI.

In order to keep this from being an adult-rated video, I had to insert the picture of me and the love of my life - a female, of course - giving each other a smooch, in contrast to what the local TV station was broadcasting.

(Repeating my warning: Parental discretion is recommended before seeing the following video)



I must apologize to any same-gender couples. I am not trying to be intolerant. It just sort of seems that way... But, in trying to be tolerant, to accept diversity and alternative life-styles, I should be tolerant and give you the freedom to allow you to do your own thing.

And so, with that being said, I'm sure to get your support when I apply for a marriage license to marry the love of my life, my best friend, Moochie. I mean, if we're going to have equality here, why should there be any line drawn to what is acceptable?

I am sure you are aware that I'd only be one card-carrying member of PETA and ACLU attorney away from my dream of legitimizing my relationship and partnership with Moochie. According to the definition of marriage now the law in Iowa, it would only be fair for me to marry the girl that sleeps next to me when I go to bed. And of course, I'd also need to have a pass on the fact that she's only five and a half years old (about 39 in dog years).

While trying to be tolerant, and watching the local news segment where I had to shut my eyes, cover my ears and loudly repeat, "la-la-la-la," I had to wonder what is next. How long before other relationships and life-styles are to be sanctioned and forced down our throats? What do we do if other cultures in our midst insist that they should be able to hook up with members of their own family? Will age limits for marriage, or consenting physical relationships, be the next to go?

Now, just how far will society go to draw new lines where we are expected to be tolerant? We're really going down a slippery slope where we may not be able to stop our momentum before we go over the cliff, into the abyss.

What I am now wondering, is how long will it be before Perez Hilton adds me to the public enemy list along with Carrie Prejean and Dr. James Dobson? Well, Perez is the least of my worries. It may soon be a case of being an enemy of the state, the way things are going, at least here in the swine flu... I mean.... the hog state (Way too much pork around here).

Related story:
Stay True to Your Beliefs

My 2008 Story of the Year - They Make 'em Good in Iowa!

By John Kubicek

There could have been many stories that would make it to the top of the list for TOP NEWS STORIES FOR 2008. In this case, I'm going to tell you about the top story that directly touched my life, in many ways. And this is a story that really needs to spread across the land. We are all facing a coming crisis that may still be beyond our imagination.

In 2008, and even carrying over from 2007, Iowa had experienced a very brutal winter. Across this great state, many Iowans fell on their knees and prayed, and we had the support of many people across this great land. We've had to endure many hardships.

Despite the great adversities of last winter, we persevered. Iowans are resilient, as are most of the people across this great nation.

Being that this is my "Top Story of 2008," I wanted to make this a good one. That is why for the next few minutes, I'll just let the following videos speak for me:

Maybe the reason for sharing this story today is that we are all facing our storms. We now need to decide where we want to go. In the last video, there was Ashton Kutcher, a good ol' Iowa native. He decided to do what he could to help in his home state. I respect that. Really, I greatly do respect that. They DO make 'm good in Iowa. Joining in the effort to help out Iowans was another Iowa native, Shawn Johnson, an Olympic gymnast.

And better yet, there are efforts going on that you will probably never see in the news. We'll continue to talk about those efforts in the future.

There is a point to remember here. Consider what had happened here in Iowa as an example. As we face further tribulations - personal or nationwide - let's remember that we can all be here for each other. Let's be September 12th people, folks.

The Uphill Road to Victory

By John Kubicek

While I believe it to be entirely possible for John and Sarah to win on November 4, it won't be easy. Despite the massive infusion of energy and enthusiasm into the John McCain campaign upon his brilliant decision to pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, there will be much work to do. And yes, to win, our side will actually have to break a sweat.

There seems to be no doubt in my mind that the other side would seem to be winning in the way of quantities of "supporters". That of course, would be what the main stream media wants us to believe. However, there is a big difference between those that say they support the Democrat candidate, and the actual number of people that will vote, let alone, take an active role in promoting their candidate. That alone will tend to negate the results of many polls.

For the Obama camp, they seemed to have all of the energy early in the process of the primaries and caucuses, and it was necessary to defeat Hillary Clinton. Whereas in John McCain's campaign, the energy did not arrive until he picked Sarah Palin for the other half of the GOP ticket.

It was while reflecting on the campaigns, and all of the work that is done to get them set up, that I had the revelation that the energy of the campaign would be directly related to the quantity and quality of the work involved in a political campaign. And while you may be thinking that it all comes down to how good the candidates do, and how well their campaign staff does their job, it is much more than that. It will be much more than the debates or ads or sound bites or news interviews. What I found out is how much goes on at "ground level" - the grass roots - and how it may make all the difference in the end.

When I went to the "Road to Victory '08" McCain-Palin rally in Cedar Rapids a couple days ago, I saw an extraordinary example of what it took to get everything done. From the people that had to get the venue set up, security arranged (including the help of the TSA), down to the volunteers that helped with parking, and arranging the vendors for shuttle transportation and everything else, it amounted to an enormous effort from many people.

Yes, just having this one rally here in Cedar Rapids took a lot of effort. And to think, they are doing this stuff every day! That takes a massive amount of work to be able to manage all the logistics and services needed to pull off these campaign events. The effort is directly related to the passion derived from the candidate's ability to motivate their troops.

What brought me to understand the huge amount of effort by so many people was when I went on a mission to cover this event in this blog, with video included. Not to mention the technical difficulties with software in order to produce a video from the rally, I also went through some great physical adversities, such as standing for more than three hours, holding a camera above my head to take pictures and videos, walking a couple miles back to my car, a good sunburn on my scalp during that walk, etc. etc., it was hard work. I gained a lot of respect for my fellow columnists, journalists, bloggers; people that cover these things on a daily basis.

As an example, let me tell you, I spent a few days just to put this one video together:

In getting a blog and a video about the rally produced, I had many challenges. It took me three days since the rally. But yet, there are people that can get it all done in .... what, about three hours? Three minutes? Of course, in my case, it's just me trying to put all of this together this weekend. Other news distribution outlets have hundreds, if not thousands, of people involved. And then, I've seen individual bloggers that have the equipment needed (like a laptop with a wireless internet connection), and can actually get out their blogs and photos in must minutes, even while at the event; almost in real-time.

While I digress, you may be asking yourself what it has to do with this election, with the McCain-Palin rally I went out to cover on Thursday. I had to ask myself that, so don't feel bad, but I have the answer. I now know, or at least understand, the amount of effort it takes - whether it is in arranging a political rally, or just being one of the bloggers out here. And the key word is, "EFFORT".

The key to Victory in '08 for either side of the aisle, or anyone else that is in the fray, will depend on effort. And that vital ingredient - "EFFORT" - is totally dependent on the amount of energy that the campaigns can generate. Whether it is the candidate, their campaign managers, local volunteers, or even the bloggers such as myself here in Iowa, when you come right down to it, the whole process rests on which side is the most energized. That is going to be the only way to get uphill on the road to victory.

A Fourth that I'll always remember

Just one year ago, I had the opportunity to spend some special times with special friends. A year ago, times were good. It may be much different on this Independence Day celebration. Because of the Flood of 2008, there won't be the annual celebration in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thankfully, though, I will have this video to help me to reflect on what is so great about the meaning of Freedom.



Earlier today, I had even more enlightenment about the Independence that we celebrate every year. My good friend Alexander had written a great piece, called "The Greatest Freedom" and it helped me to understand much more about what Freedom is all about.

July 4, 2007: A Fourth I'll always remember! Although, maybe this will be a year I'll remember even more.

Have a wonderful Independence Day, a.k.a. 4th of July. Stay free!

In Biblical Proportions, Part II

By John Kubicek

It all came down on me while driving home from work this morning. It hit me on the side of the head. It slapped me in the face. It made tears stream down my face.

Of course, I'm talking about what happened here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just a week ago. Lives had been ripped apart. Hopes and dreams were vaporized in just a matter of days, if not hours.

But, what was really ripping me apart was much more than getting a first hand glimpse of the aftermath of the carnage suffered in Cedar Rapids just a week ago. You see, not only did I have a quick glimpse of the piles of debris lined up along the streets, but I also saw, while going on with life in the last few days, that people are pulling together.

Keep in mind, it wasn't until yesterday (June 19) that President Bush finally got to visit our area of the country. And before I continue, let me allow you to see it for yourselves:

I can assure you, right off the bat, that the President's visit had nothing to do with the hope and unity that I've seen over the last week! In fact, while of course people will need all the assistance that they can get, it was much more than that. In the video you saw above, it was about the government helping us out, and about the losses that we've suffered. But what I want to say today differs greatly. It is about us helping each other out, and about what we will gain from this experience!

One of the Presidential candidates this year has been spouting change, unity, and hope. All good things, except, when we really look closer, we already have it. Yes, there has been drastic changes in people's lives around this area. For many, things will never be the same. But, while that was happening, I found out something else. There has been a lot of unity in this community. People have been helping each other out, in what ever way we can. For some it was filling sandbags, and for others, providing moral encouragement, shelter, food, what ever it takes.

So, if there was ever hope.... This is IT! Yes, I had tears in my eyes on the way home from work today. It was for both the people that suffered, and for the realization of all the good that I saw people do for each other! Not one iota of any of it had anything to do with a "Presidential Visit" to this area. Not that I minded the President coming, it was probably a good thing, to maybe give a few more people a little more assurance that things will work out.

But, the true positive perspective I had on the journey home today was overwhelming. While we will find much sorrow in our lives, it really is also up to us to find ways to make the bad things in life become the catalysts to better things in our lives.

For many of us, it may have been just finding the Faith that we may not have had for awhile.

For many of us, it may have been seeing that there are people out there that really care about us, and that isn't meaning the government officials, but neighbors, parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, or our church families.

For many of us, it may have been just knowing that God was helping us to get through this nightmare. It may have been the realization of how important the Lord Jesus Christ is in our lives!

While we have each other, and God, we really won't ever lose! That's the change, unity and hope that I'm talking about! In Biblical Proportions!

Related stories:

In Biblical Proportions

In Biblical Proportions

By John Kubicek


Live, from Ground Zero in the News today.....

The doom and gloom abounds. Everyone here in Cedar Rapids has been affected in someway through this terrific tsunami of tragedy. Everywhere you look, there is water, including some in my very own basement floor from a window that could no longer hold back the deluge.

The only thing getting me through the moment, and that's having a chance of seeing some of the Cubs-Braves game. I'd be in bed long ago, but my electricity had gone out. And then I heard they closed the Interstate, the only way over the Cedar River.... And then I heard it was open.... And then I tried to call my daughter, only to go directly to her voicemail..... (Don't worry, she is okay!)

Isn't is strange what I saw I had in my Profile? I say I am from "Iowa (....or is this Heaven)". Welll, right now, many people in Iowa want to say, "Is this Hell?" Tornadoes of gargantuan strength (Parkersburg, F-5, the Boy Scout camp tornado that killed 4 campers in Western Iowa), horrible floods... Oh, how good it is that we aren't in the terrible throes of Winter we just went through..... (/sarcasm).

What I wrote above would be how the lame stream media would handle this story. But there is a much better story that needs to come out.

If there was EVER a time..... A GREAT time, for me to have begun posting that 40 Days of Purpose series, it was now. Not because I want any glory - I don't - because it really does all belong to the Lord... But, 40 Days? Like the 40 Days of Rain for Noah and his clan? Like the 40 Days Jesus spent here after His Resurrection before He went into the clouds?

It wasn't an accident, it wasn't coincidence that I had started sending out the 40 Days of Purpose series... maybe it was just to help me keep my sanity. But now, I realize a much bigger purpose, something that I had never thought could happen.

There may have been a time when I first started writing this today, that I may have told you what a massive repurcussion this would have on America. I could see the ripple effects, knowing that crops have been impacted, not just here in Iowa, but all over the Midwest. We all know that is happening.

But then, while waiting for youtube.com to get the above video uploaded, I had a revelation. On WMT radio, there was an interview with a representative to the Iowa State legislature, I heard something very positive. It was about how people here in Cedar Rapids have done such a fantastic job of pulling together and cooperating. There have been no deaths, Praise the Lord, so far. That is the good news. Yet, we know, what we'll be facing in this historic tragedy in the aftermath, there are affects this will have throughout all of the economy of Cedar Rapids, and ripple through Iowa, and probably the nation.

But as New York City pulled out of the aftermath of 9/11, Cedar Rapids will pull out of the Flood of 2008. It will take time, and a lot of people are going to have very difficult times. And as the hope and care for each other rippled out of NYC and the Pentagon area in 2001, it is my prayer that the hope and perseverence and the resilience of the good old Cedar Rapidians will ripple out of this area, to touch the nation. We will see.