Gomers: What's going wrong

CANE CAPER? Clyde Davis of Cedar Rapids is partially paralyzed and uses a cane. According to authorities, the cane he brought into the federal courthouse as he accompanied his nephew on June 11 had an 18-inch blade inside the base. Security's X-ray machine caught it, and he was arrested. Davis said he forgot about the hidden blade and had no malicious intent. If that's the case, then the potential penalties of two years in prison and a $6,250 for the weapons charge he faces seem excessive. A reduced or deferred sentence would be a more appropriate reminder about being more careful in public places.

lll

SO WET, AGAIN: Heading into the weekend, the Cedar Rapids area was hoping to avoid yet another deluge. We've been soaked with nearly twice the average June rainfall of about 4.5 inches so far, and other areas of Iowa have had even more. It's all a soggy reminder of 2008 and the fact that neither the city nor the state is anywhere close to putting in place enough protection and watershed mitigation practices to guard against another major flood threat. Yes, it's a long process at best but we can't afford to let this issue languish for lack of political will. Meanwhile, we'll pray for a dry week and great Fourth of July weekend weather.