Author Archives: Paul Deaton

Book Review: Demystifying Shariah

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Paul Deaton

We moved to the Southeast side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1985 to be closer to my work. My daily commute was still long and it took me past a number of churches and the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids. … Continue reading →

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IDP Picks Erin Davison-Rippey as Executive Director

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Paul Deaton

DES MOINES, Iowa – Erin Davison-Rippey will serve as the Iowa Democratic Party’s Executive Director, working closely with Chairman Ross Wilburn, party leaders, and volunteers across the state to build the party’s infrastructure for long-term progressive wins across Iowa. “Growing … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Our Time Is Now

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Paul Deaton

If one needs a palate cleansing after the bitter taste of the Trump years, Stacey Abrams’ Our Time is Now is just the book to read. I didn’t know what to expect going in. I knew of her close Georgia … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Hidden History Of American Oligarchy

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Paul Deaton

In The Hidden History of American Oligarchy: Reclaiming Our Democracy from the Ruling Class, Thom Hartmann recounts three periods of increased hegemony of oligarchs in American society. He posits that with the inauguration of Joe Biden as president on Jan. … Continue reading →

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An Epistemological Crisis

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Paul Deaton

It’s no secret there is an epistemological crisis undermining the authority of knowledge. It may be the most significant problem to grow out of the Reagan administration. That the discussion of creationism versus evolution returned during the 1980s was only … Continue reading →

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When Fools Rush In

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Paul Deaton

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” was written by Alexander Pope in An Essay on Criticism in 1711. I’m no angel yet it’s time to let the dust settle from the disastrous general election before devising schemes to … Continue reading →

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History of the U.S. Supreme Court since the 1930s

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Paul Deaton

Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American daily newsletter gained wide popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. In her Oct. 23 issue she outlines the history of Republican efforts to rescind a certain interpretation of the 14th Amendment in a style … Continue reading →

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Joni Ernst: Lying Liar Of The Liardom

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Paul Deaton

Tonight at 7 p.m. Democrat Theresa Greenfield debates her Republican opponent, the incumbent, junior U.S. Senator from Iowa. Greenfield is expected to be well-prepared for the face off on Iowa Press. She will lay out her plans to make health … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Hidden History Of Monopolies

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Paul Deaton

In The Hidden History of Monopolies: How Big Business Destroyed the American Dream, Thom Hartmann takes the reader from the founders’ fight against the monopoly of the British East India Company to the borking of the country by President Donald … Continue reading →

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Carding Wool With Joni Ernst

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Paul Deaton

Every farm kid knows you should card wool before spinning it into yarn. Joni Ernst’s campaign has spun some yarns about Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield and it’s clear they didn’t get things straightened out beforehand. They don’t intend … Continue reading →

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