Gomers: What's going wrong

By The Gazette Editorial Board

NO COURAGE: Since 1996, the non-partisan Project Vote Smart (www.votesmart.org) has tried to get state and national politicians to give straight answers to basic questions on major issues. Increasingly, they have avoided the “political courage test” as if it were the plague. Among Iowa's congressional delegation, only 4th District Rep. Tom Latham returned the questionnaire before Tuesday's election. Much blame lies with campaign consultants, who don't want their clients' test answers to be spun for gain by opponents. Tis sad when a public officer seeker isn't willing to take heat for a stand on the public's business.

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DRY AND DANGEROUS: Our dry, crisp, beautiful fall weather has created ideal conditions for raking all those leaves - but also brings a higher risk of fires that quickly flare. Two Iowans died while burning leaves in October.

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ART MUSEUM BUDGET HURT: The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is feeling the pinch of the recession, like many other non-profit organizations. One major effect has been a decline in its endowment fund of investments. Thus, museum officials did some belt tightening last week by chopping out public hours on weekday mornings. Fundraising efforts also are being expanded.