Christine Hawes
“Basic ethical principle that is equally good for everyone” is focus of two-parter
Please partake of the information in this two-part attempt to close out The Real MainStream‘s commentary and analysis on the topics covered below! It’s been a tough conversation, but one focused (as the “Careless Whispers” blog states) on “a basic ethical principle that is equally good for everyone, including you.” Links provided: “Iowa City, Put Down Those Pitchforks:” Original Jan. 9 editorial Also, for broader context about The Real MainStream, here are links to other +
“Kindness Queers,” “queerantine kits” brighten LGBTQIA youths’ lives during pandemic
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — When Anna Peters and her business partner at the Art Coop began to think about how the pandemic might affect LGBTQIA children, +
Social justice pioneer Kesho Scott resumes outreach to small Iowa communities
CEDAR RAPIDS — It’s been eight months since George Floyd’s death triggered nationwide historic protests against racial injustice and police brutality. But the work of +

DAILY PROGRESSIVE UPDATE: Fri., Jan. 15, 2021

Key News Links

For victims of sexual exploitation, the expungement of criminal records can be a matter of survival, writes The Gender Policy Report. Read more about how this change can affect a survivor’s life. (Image by Voices of the Broken, Flickr)

The makers of Beyond Sausage are stepping forth with Zero Egg, a vegan substitute for the breakfast staple. VegNews shares the news here. (Image by Lolame from Pixabay )

46438132055 9fd48ee73d c — *U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)*

More details on the real danger posed during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection are now being shared by U.S. Rep. Alexandria-Cortez, who says she had a direct personal confrontation during the insurrection about which she is sharing only a few details, reports NBC News. (Image by nrkbeta, Flickr )

Find more national news links on the Feeds page.

Events: Best Bets

Beadazzled Face Shield new Beadology Iowa

Here’s your chance to bring a little bling to your coronavirus protection! Check out Beadology Iowa’s Beadazzled Face Shield class here, coming up Friday .

Carbondale, Ill, kicks off recognition of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, with its “MLK Love Train” Saturday. Check it out here.

See the Calendar page for all upcoming events

Commentary & Analysis

Christine Hawes
EDITORIAL: Iowa City, let go of your witch hunt ways
I love how the universe works. Just the other day, over the holidays, I took the time to watch “Richard Jewell.” It’s a movie about the over-zealous, low-self-esteem, naive 30-ish guy whose unusual personal views left him the perfect target to be accused of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing from which he actually saved scores of people. Jewell was manipulated by law enforcement and mistreated by the media; the very cops he idolized and cared +
Poignant live performance from ’90s dream pop Fishmans re-emerges
In spite of such a difficult COVID-consumed year for all of us, the universe gave us unexpected gifts along the way. Some are bright and +
“I am not special:” a healthy 20-something Iowan’s tale of fighting COVID-19 (COLUMN)
ANKENY, IA — I am not special. Actually, I’m like a lot of people today: a healthy 20- to 30-something with no significant past medical +

Lighter Fare

Becca Hathaway
Pet Wellness and patient health go hand in hand at The Project of the Quad Cities
QUAD CITIES — The pandemic has reminded us that having a pet can be important for one’s mental and physical health. It has also revealed that the financial burden of pet ownership is harder for many. The Project of the Quad Cities is tackling this challenge with a fundraising campaign for its Pet Wellness Program. This nonprofit organization, which advocates for health equity and provides health services to people living with HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases, +
Author and comic artist Huda Fahmy confronts Islamophobia with humor, wit
Life in America can be challenging when you wear a hijab. Huda Fahmy shares her experiences as an obviously Muslim woman in America with humor +
Fairfield artist strives to honor all creative efforts
FAIRFIELD, IA — “Art is the first brush stroke on a blank canvas.” This all-encompassing nod to the value of all creativity is a key +