Waterloo and Cedar Falls speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Feb. 27, 2026
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Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Courier.
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Last month, a 12-year-old boy was brought to a Lincoln hospital, severely malnourished and showing signs of torture. Three people have been arrested.
Public records show that this boy attended public schools before his guardian told the court that he was being homeschooled. In reality, the boy was locked in a room for months, with a bucket for a toilet. Food and medical care were withheld. He became too weak to walk. This tragedy could not have happened if he had attended a school where teachers would have seen him.
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What attributes does it take to be the leader of the fee world? According to AI, some of them are honesty, empathy, inclusiveness, principled decision-making and servant leadership. President Trump, you are lacking on all of these, and because of that, you are not currently leading in that capacity. If you want to be the leader of the free world, please start acting like it. I'd love nothing more than for you to leave office with that title because you earned it. Stop lying. If you can't because you are a pathological liar, please get some help. Stop being churlish. Stop using your office to punish people that you don't like or disagree with you.
Some other thoughts.
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Recently, the governor decided to introduce a political, religion-based club into our public high schools. To better understand the basis of Turning Point USA, it might be useful to review some quotations from its founder, Charlie Kirk (unless otherwise noted, quotes are from "The Charlie Kirk Show"):
"I can't stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that — it does a lot of damage." Oct. 12, 2022
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President Trump has invited Americans on May 17 to the National Mall to “rededicate America to God." If that call is sincere, it demands more than symbolism. It demands repentance, accountability and truth.
Faith is not a backdrop for power. It is a standard by which power is judged.
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Over the decades of involvement in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice, the Rev. Jesse Jackson challenged America to establish just and humane priorities. In the mid-80s he secured the release of a captured Navy lieutenant from Syria, helped secure the release of Cuban-American prisoners in '87, and was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq in the 90s. An early leader in advocating for a national health care program, he also actively supported labor organizing, and I think he should also be remembered for making apartheid a matter for the national conscience, but for any/all causes he supported, his progressive agenda helped to inspire millions, including certain unnamed sixth graders.
Peace!
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This is the year to rid our state of these millionaires in Congress. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat, it's time to get our country back. Our representatives are only providing lip service and nothing else. Fischer, Flood, Ricketts and Smith. All voted for the "Big Beautiful Bill," and it did nothing for farmers, ranchers and those who needed help for medical care. They only want to lower taxes, but it is only for the top 1%. We have no rule of law or a Constitution being upheld since 2025, and our U.S. Supreme Court is spineless to counter Trump. After Trump spoke at the last NATO conference in Switzerland, we may not have a NATO anymore. He insulted each and every one of our allies, including Canada.
Our governor needs to go also, another millionaire. Since he has been in office our state is over $400 million in budget deficit. Trump says he's "great," as he has made deep tax cuts in Nebraska. Must be for Pillen only. Wake up and vote.
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With each passing day Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers give Nebraskans more reason to want them out of office. The list of their authoritarian, partisan pursuits to dismantle the principles of democracy metastasizes into our daily lives. These two individuals are working to impress the power in the Oval Office. They have ignored the advice of state business leaders on sales taxes, supported a tariff policy that brings in foreign beef, ignored the voters on school vouchers and slow-walked access to medical marijuana. Here are two recent issues of concern:
Issue No. 1 is the collaboration of the governor’s office with Turning Point USA. TPUSA is not a nonpartisan organization. For the governor to suggest that it should be found on school campuses across Nebraska is suggestive of how authoritarian youth groups were built from the ground up pre-WW2. ACLU, Common Cause or other “woke” organizations should be at each high school, too.
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Not vigorously denouncing publicly recent abusive, unlawful and even murderous actions by felon Trump’s masked ICE thugs still engaged in their reign of terror, most congressional Republicans have, by omission, politically gone wrong so egregiously as to warrant impeachment.
Such politicians — complicit cowards, mostly — will have to take their chances at future ballot boxes. But, for now, they clearly owe all Americans an apology, beginning by stepping up as legislators and reining in racist felon Trump and his servile Cabinet secretaries’ unlawful, divisive, stupid, and inhumane policies before mayhem increases.
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I regard it as most inappropriate that Gov. Pillen is using the power of his position to push an effort to insert a religious ideology into our public schools in partnership with Turning Point USA. This is a clear violation of the principle of church and state. Additionally, such official support for Turning Point turns those who do not profess Christianity into second-class citizens by definition, along with those of us who profess faith in Christ but do not understand the meaning of Christ in the same way as Pillen and the supporters of Turning Point.
Christians have a traditional horror of idolatry. This imposition of a certain religious point of view upon our public institutions is such an idolatry. This is especially toxic as the effort is accompanied by threats against anyone who might be seen as blocking this program of Turning Point. One can only wonder what sorts of criticism might make people subject to retribution. Imagine the possibilities!
- Updated
Pam Bondi’s judicial hearing wasn’t just evasive — it was a full-blown disappearing act, where facts, accountability and basic human decency vanished into thin air. Every time a tough question came up, she dodged it like it was radioactive. And the most disturbing part wasn’t the dodging itself, but what she was dodging about.
Some people have pointed out that Bondi has a long, uncomfortable history of downplaying or deflecting questions related to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein — real people whose lives were shattered while powerful adults looked the other way. During the hearing, when the topic surfaced, the air got thick with rehearsed lines and selective amnesia. It was as if the victims were an inconvenience rather than human beings who deserved justice.
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This is in response to the article in the Feb. 18 Journal Star with the headline "Man charged with assault at high school ICE walkout." When you sensationalize a situation, what is the expected outcome and what is being taught?
My first questions are for the schools that have allowed students to leave class and join in a protest. When I attended school and there was a field trip or an event to attend, it had to be sanctioned by the school as something that would represent not only the student but the school. Is attending a protest against a federal enforcement agency representing the school properly?
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Is there is no limit to how despicable Donald Trump will sink. Nor his supporters accept.
I asked Google; “Could a government official asking personal favor such as naming a building after him for funding a project be a crime?” It answered:
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As a longtime Nebraska voter and community advocate, I am increasingly concerned by the gap between political rhetoric and actual governance.
We elect our leaders to represent us, to study complex issues, to debate in good faith, and to protect democratic norms. Instead, too often we see silence, partisanship or ideological gestures in place of serious leadership.
- Updated
On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump in an attempted self-coup, endangering the lives of our lawmakers in the building who were doing their legislative jobs as required by our constitution.
According to the bipartisan House-Select Committee that investigated, this never-before attempted insurrection in our country was the culmination of a plan by Trump to overturn the election.
- Updated
The Nebraska governor recently used a term, which I and many others would not use, to describe a group of people he disagrees with politically. The term also describes a population of people with developing disabilities. Per usual, his team tried their best to downplay his use of the term. Sadly, they failed. Now, we see he wants to bring a Christian group, TPUSA into our public schools. Is it not the Republicans who scream about indoctrination? I would request that our state continue to support and follow the separation of church and state. This clearly isn't being done, since the governor is promoting religion into our public schools.
William Roby-Tubach, Lincoln
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Recent reporting about the Epstein files raises questions that deserve consistent public scrutiny. Documents indicate that Melania Trump is mentioned in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s circle, including references in which Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly called her “Sweet Pea,” and she referred to Maxwell as “G.” An FBI 302 report also states that Epstein introduced Melania to Donald Trump.
At the same time, Hillary Clinton — who is not identified in those files — is being subpoenaed before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
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The current governor of Nebraska was required to take an oath before he became governor. One of the oaths was to follow the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which deals with religion. It goes like this: "Congress shall pass no law regarding the establishment of religion (Establishment Clause) or the free exercise thereof (Free Exercise Clause)."
This governor has decided that all Nebraska high schools should have access to the Christian religion. Not any other religion.
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I don't understand what all the grief is about Gov. Pillen's awarding of the $2.5 million dollar no-bid contract to lobbyist Julie Bushell. It's obvious from all of Nebraska's recent brain drain that somebody had to be tapped to write some grant applications. Not just anyone has the know-how or can-do attitude to bring in federal grants, and I highly doubt we could have found someone willing to do it remotely for less than $208,000 a month. I am pretty sure most grant writers in the state work for far more than that each month. Furthermore, as a fellow who enjoys a cocktail or two before brunch, I support our governor's recommendations to award taxpayer money to pals he's traveled with previously. Wouldn't we all like to support our good friends if given the opportunity? This whole controversy stinks of libtards who don't know what it's like to have friends. Luckily, our esteemed governor will always have a friend (and an open seat at the bar) in me.
Rick Deschaine, Lincoln
More like this...
Last month, a 12-year-old boy was brought to a Lincoln hospital, severely malnourished and showing signs of torture. Three people have been arrested.
Public records show that this boy attended public schools before his guardian told the court that he was being homeschooled. In reality, the boy was locked in a room for months, with a bucket for a toilet. Food and medical care were withheld. He became too weak to walk. This tragedy could not have happened if he had attended a school where teachers would have seen him.
What attributes does it take to be the leader of the fee world? According to AI, some of them are honesty, empathy, inclusiveness, principled decision-making and servant leadership. President Trump, you are lacking on all of these, and because of that, you are not currently leading in that capacity. If you want to be the leader of the free world, please start acting like it. I'd love nothing more than for you to leave office with that title because you earned it. Stop lying. If you can't because you are a pathological liar, please get some help. Stop being churlish. Stop using your office to punish people that you don't like or disagree with you.
Some other thoughts.
Recently, the governor decided to introduce a political, religion-based club into our public high schools. To better understand the basis of Turning Point USA, it might be useful to review some quotations from its founder, Charlie Kirk (unless otherwise noted, quotes are from "The Charlie Kirk Show"):
"I can't stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that — it does a lot of damage." Oct. 12, 2022
President Trump has invited Americans on May 17 to the National Mall to “rededicate America to God." If that call is sincere, it demands more than symbolism. It demands repentance, accountability and truth.
Faith is not a backdrop for power. It is a standard by which power is judged.
Over the decades of involvement in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice, the Rev. Jesse Jackson challenged America to establish just and humane priorities. In the mid-80s he secured the release of a captured Navy lieutenant from Syria, helped secure the release of Cuban-American prisoners in '87, and was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq in the 90s. An early leader in advocating for a national health care program, he also actively supported labor organizing, and I think he should also be remembered for making apartheid a matter for the national conscience, but for any/all causes he supported, his progressive agenda helped to inspire millions, including certain unnamed sixth graders.
Peace!
This is the year to rid our state of these millionaires in Congress. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat, it's time to get our country back. Our representatives are only providing lip service and nothing else. Fischer, Flood, Ricketts and Smith. All voted for the "Big Beautiful Bill," and it did nothing for farmers, ranchers and those who needed help for medical care. They only want to lower taxes, but it is only for the top 1%. We have no rule of law or a Constitution being upheld since 2025, and our U.S. Supreme Court is spineless to counter Trump. After Trump spoke at the last NATO conference in Switzerland, we may not have a NATO anymore. He insulted each and every one of our allies, including Canada.
Our governor needs to go also, another millionaire. Since he has been in office our state is over $400 million in budget deficit. Trump says he's "great," as he has made deep tax cuts in Nebraska. Must be for Pillen only. Wake up and vote.
With each passing day Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers give Nebraskans more reason to want them out of office. The list of their authoritarian, partisan pursuits to dismantle the principles of democracy metastasizes into our daily lives. These two individuals are working to impress the power in the Oval Office. They have ignored the advice of state business leaders on sales taxes, supported a tariff policy that brings in foreign beef, ignored the voters on school vouchers and slow-walked access to medical marijuana. Here are two recent issues of concern:
Issue No. 1 is the collaboration of the governor’s office with Turning Point USA. TPUSA is not a nonpartisan organization. For the governor to suggest that it should be found on school campuses across Nebraska is suggestive of how authoritarian youth groups were built from the ground up pre-WW2. ACLU, Common Cause or other “woke” organizations should be at each high school, too.
Not vigorously denouncing publicly recent abusive, unlawful and even murderous actions by felon Trump’s masked ICE thugs still engaged in their reign of terror, most congressional Republicans have, by omission, politically gone wrong so egregiously as to warrant impeachment.
Such politicians — complicit cowards, mostly — will have to take their chances at future ballot boxes. But, for now, they clearly owe all Americans an apology, beginning by stepping up as legislators and reining in racist felon Trump and his servile Cabinet secretaries’ unlawful, divisive, stupid, and inhumane policies before mayhem increases.
I regard it as most inappropriate that Gov. Pillen is using the power of his position to push an effort to insert a religious ideology into our public schools in partnership with Turning Point USA. This is a clear violation of the principle of church and state. Additionally, such official support for Turning Point turns those who do not profess Christianity into second-class citizens by definition, along with those of us who profess faith in Christ but do not understand the meaning of Christ in the same way as Pillen and the supporters of Turning Point.
Christians have a traditional horror of idolatry. This imposition of a certain religious point of view upon our public institutions is such an idolatry. This is especially toxic as the effort is accompanied by threats against anyone who might be seen as blocking this program of Turning Point. One can only wonder what sorts of criticism might make people subject to retribution. Imagine the possibilities!
Pam Bondi’s judicial hearing wasn’t just evasive — it was a full-blown disappearing act, where facts, accountability and basic human decency vanished into thin air. Every time a tough question came up, she dodged it like it was radioactive. And the most disturbing part wasn’t the dodging itself, but what she was dodging about.
Some people have pointed out that Bondi has a long, uncomfortable history of downplaying or deflecting questions related to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein — real people whose lives were shattered while powerful adults looked the other way. During the hearing, when the topic surfaced, the air got thick with rehearsed lines and selective amnesia. It was as if the victims were an inconvenience rather than human beings who deserved justice.
This is in response to the article in the Feb. 18 Journal Star with the headline "Man charged with assault at high school ICE walkout." When you sensationalize a situation, what is the expected outcome and what is being taught?
My first questions are for the schools that have allowed students to leave class and join in a protest. When I attended school and there was a field trip or an event to attend, it had to be sanctioned by the school as something that would represent not only the student but the school. Is attending a protest against a federal enforcement agency representing the school properly?
Is there is no limit to how despicable Donald Trump will sink. Nor his supporters accept.
I asked Google; “Could a government official asking personal favor such as naming a building after him for funding a project be a crime?” It answered:
As a longtime Nebraska voter and community advocate, I am increasingly concerned by the gap between political rhetoric and actual governance.
We elect our leaders to represent us, to study complex issues, to debate in good faith, and to protect democratic norms. Instead, too often we see silence, partisanship or ideological gestures in place of serious leadership.
On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump in an attempted self-coup, endangering the lives of our lawmakers in the building who were doing their legislative jobs as required by our constitution.
According to the bipartisan House-Select Committee that investigated, this never-before attempted insurrection in our country was the culmination of a plan by Trump to overturn the election.
The Nebraska governor recently used a term, which I and many others would not use, to describe a group of people he disagrees with politically. The term also describes a population of people with developing disabilities. Per usual, his team tried their best to downplay his use of the term. Sadly, they failed. Now, we see he wants to bring a Christian group, TPUSA into our public schools. Is it not the Republicans who scream about indoctrination? I would request that our state continue to support and follow the separation of church and state. This clearly isn't being done, since the governor is promoting religion into our public schools.
William Roby-Tubach, Lincoln
Recent reporting about the Epstein files raises questions that deserve consistent public scrutiny. Documents indicate that Melania Trump is mentioned in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s circle, including references in which Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly called her “Sweet Pea,” and she referred to Maxwell as “G.” An FBI 302 report also states that Epstein introduced Melania to Donald Trump.
At the same time, Hillary Clinton — who is not identified in those files — is being subpoenaed before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
The current governor of Nebraska was required to take an oath before he became governor. One of the oaths was to follow the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which deals with religion. It goes like this: "Congress shall pass no law regarding the establishment of religion (Establishment Clause) or the free exercise thereof (Free Exercise Clause)."
This governor has decided that all Nebraska high schools should have access to the Christian religion. Not any other religion.
I don't understand what all the grief is about Gov. Pillen's awarding of the $2.5 million dollar no-bid contract to lobbyist Julie Bushell. It's obvious from all of Nebraska's recent brain drain that somebody had to be tapped to write some grant applications. Not just anyone has the know-how or can-do attitude to bring in federal grants, and I highly doubt we could have found someone willing to do it remotely for less than $208,000 a month. I am pretty sure most grant writers in the state work for far more than that each month. Furthermore, as a fellow who enjoys a cocktail or two before brunch, I support our governor's recommendations to award taxpayer money to pals he's traveled with previously. Wouldn't we all like to support our good friends if given the opportunity? This whole controversy stinks of libtards who don't know what it's like to have friends. Luckily, our esteemed governor will always have a friend (and an open seat at the bar) in me.
Rick Deschaine, Lincoln
