Political Bullshit, Trade Ghosts & Tariff Tornadoes: This Week in American Mayhem
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In this week’s national political coverage, several writers spotlight the urgency of civic engagement, the erosion of public discourse, and the looming influence of high-profile figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Art Cullen reminds readers that voters can halt Trump’s trajectory in the 2026 midterms, while Michael Judge brings in a spectral warning from Herbert Hoover on the perils of global trade wars. Dennis Goldford sharpens the focus, arguing it’s not lies but “political bullshit” that’s corroding democracy. Meanwhile, Barry Piatt delivers a double dose of pragmatic advice from D.C. on how to break through the political noise and get Congress to listen.
Iowa’s political scene is equally roiling. Dave Price explores the tensions between Iowa House and Senate Republicans and what that might mean for legislative priorities, particularly agriculture and trade. Ed Tibbetts, Rekha Basu, and Laura Belin continue to track Iowa AG Brenna Bird’s controversial push for a sheriff’s loyalty oath and her ongoing lawsuits, which are drawing fire from civil liberties advocates. Zachary Oren Smith takes a more irreverent tone in Cornhole Champions, mixing county-level politics with commentary on Whirlpool layoffs and Trump’s tariffs, all served with a can of beer and a bag toss. From Robert Leonard’s powerful reflections on civil rights to Todd Dorman’s reminders of pre-vaccine disease horrors, the message is clear: The past still shapes the present.
Together, these pieces paint a picture of a democracy being tested—from Washington, D.C., to county boardrooms in Iowa. Writers urge vigilance, courage, and participation, whether it’s through casting a ballot, calling your representative, or standing up for a local sheriff on Facebook. The stakes are high, the voices diverse, and the call to action unmistakable: democracy is not a spectator sport.
This week’s collection is packed with punch:
Barry Piatt checks in from D.C. with a political pulse check. Dennis Goldford warns that lies aren't our biggest problem, and Ed Tibbetts reports from a rally with real energy. Letters from Iowans raise urgent questions—yes, even about Elon Musk—and Michael Judge channels President Hoover from the great beyond.
Chuck Offenburger pays tribute to an Iowa trailblazer, and Kyle Munson explores why Gen X might just be the most tech-savvy of us all.
For a change of pace:
David Thoreson shares Arctic sailing tales, Dartanyan Brown brings jazz to the page, and Cheryl Tevis reflects on the healing power of live music. Nicole Baart reminds us that joy is radical, and Suzanna de Baca liberates the soul—four haikus at a time.
And don’t miss Julie Gammack’s front-row view as Christie Vilsack commands the USS Iowa into action, proving that even submarines can have a heartland connection.
National Politics
Art Cullen
Take heart: Voters can stop Trump in his tracks in the 2026 midterms, Art Cullen reminds the fretful.
Read it here
Barry Piatt
Barry Piatt, writing from Washington, DC, shares tips on how to get heard by your congressional representatives in his column, “Barry Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains.”
Read it here
Barry Piatt
(Yes, again!) Another entry from DC political observer Barry Piatt with his signature column on getting through to Congress.
Read it here
Dennis Goldford
Political lies are the lesser of our contemporary problems; it's the political bullshit that undermines public discourse.
Read it here
Ed Tibbetts
The Hands Off rally in Davenport drew hundreds of people on Saturday. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi writes he hasn't seen this kind of passion in a non-election year event in a long time.
Read it here
Letters from Iowans
David R. Russell asks in Letters From Iowans: Who will stop Elon Musk and Donald Trump?
Read it here
Michael Judge
This is a warning from President Herbert Hoover from the great beyond to President Donald Trump on the dangers of a global trade war.
Read it here
Randy Evans
Canada is one of the US’s oldest friends, and it is unacceptable for our president to threaten and bully our neighbor like he has. Friends don’t treat each other that way.
Read it here
Iowa Politics
Dave Price
Why did the Iowa House, Senate, and Republicans not see eye-to-eye on a bill to give a weedkiller company extra protection against lawsuits? Iowa Down Ballot podcast looks at that plus the tariff response... and with a special guest this week!
Listen or read
Dave Price
Dave Price looks for the good in two bad things that happened to his family over the past and also wants to know how patient Iowans will be with President Trump's trade war.
Read it here
Ed Tibbetts
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is demanding a loyalty oath from a county sheriff in Iowa. But as Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi writes, for people who care about the Constitution and the humane treatment of immigrants, it's too much to ask.
Read it here
Laura Belin
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed a federal court ruling blocking Iowa's school book ban (again), Attorney General Brenna Bird lawsuit against the Winneshiek County sheriff, Iowa Congressional reaction to Signalgate, and lots of legislative news on "KHOI's Capitol Week."
Read it here
Laura Belin
Bernie Sanders' campaign has a staffer on the ground in Iowa. Laura Belin talked to Evan Burger about the work he's doing (no, it's not related to the 2028 caucuses!).
Visit her Substack
Robert Leonard
A chance encounter brought back some formative memories. Bob Leonard wrote: "My Mom Marilynn Leonard and Iowa Civil Rights Pioneer Edna Griffin; One more story of our rich and diverse history Republican leaders will want suppressed..."
Read it here
Rekha Basu
What does it say when the governor, attorney general, and legislative majority go after a county sheriff for a Facebook post against requiring him to do ICE detainers?
Read it here
Todd Dorman
We get hoodwinked by vaccine nonsense because we don't remember how scary the illnesses were before shots were available.
Read it here
Zachary Oren Smith
In this episode of Cornhole Champions, host Zachary Oren Smith explores Iowa AG Brenna Bird's controversial lawsuit against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx over a Facebook post. Plus, discussion of Whirlpool's massive Amana layoffs, county supervisor districts, and Trump's tariff impacts on Iowa farmers. Crack a beer. Toss some bags.
Read it here
Business
Rick Jost
A tariff tornado is coming for your roof, your fridge, and your paycheck—and it all starts with a screw.
Read it here
Rick Jost
From chess prodigy to ice cream innovator to renewable energy pioneer, TJ Paskach’s journey proves that Iowa’s best and brightest don’t always leave—and in fact, they’re helping lead the charge into a cleaner, greener future.
Read it here
Around Iowa
Chuck Offenburger
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger shares stories about highly-regarded former Iowa legislator Helen Miller and her new memoir, which he says is "a beautiful freedom story."
Read it here
Entertainment & Travel
David Thoreson
Who does National Geographic call when their Arctic sailing expedition is stuck in the ice? Of course, you call Iowa sailor David Thoreson to pack it up and assist the expedition.
Read it here
Law and Justice
Lynn Hicks
It's Crime Victims' Rights Week. Do we care? Then what's the best way to address the lasting physical, emotional, and financial trauma that survivors face?
Read it here
Music
Cheryl Tevis
In her column this week, Cheryl Tevis shares how two takeaways from a local concert, showcasing a hometown-girl-makes-good and an accomplished arranger and composer of choral and orchestral music who once lived in Des Moines offer us renewal and healing in these fraught times.
Read it here
Personal Growth & Professional Development
Nicole Baart
“Joy is radical, countercultural, strange. It surprises people and transforms impossible situations... It’s an act of insurrection—rebellious and infectious—that ensures no matter how bleak things become, we carry a flame that cannot be quenched.”
Read it here
Poetry
Dartanyan L. Brown
It's JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH. Author and bassist Dartanyan Brown shares his 2005 collaboration with California poet laureate Al Young.
Read it here
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a poem, "4 Haikus of Liberation," written in response to this week's coverage of Liberation Day.
Read it here
Political Comedy
Romen Borsellino
"A Democratic Congresswoman said something offensive about a disabled Governor. In another life, I might have been up in arms."
Read it here
Sports
Daniel P. Finney
Eephus looks like a baseball movie, but the game is just a stage dressing for deep and meaningful exploration about growing old.
Read it here
Kurtis Meyer
Forty-plus years ago, a guy from New York tried to buy this columnist's favorite baseball team. Whatever happened to that guy? It’s all revealed in Kurt’s ramble.
Read it here
Technology
Kyle Munson
Which generation is best at tech? Kyle Munson argues that Gen X has the healthiest, most holistic approach to the increasingly digital world.
Read it here
The Iowa Angle
Arnold Garson
They wore matching veils, married on the same day, and built empires in print—until ambition and ego tore their bond apart.
Read it here
Julie Gammack
Join Christie Vilsack live from Connecticut as she proudly commissions the USS Iowa—the Navy’s newest stealth submarine and the first fast-attack sub built for a co-ed crew—with 600 Iowans, chocolate chip cookies, and Early May seeds.
Read it here
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Where was the Iowa Democratic Party yesterday? I looked at their Facebook page and webpage and you’d never know there were any protests going on.