Tom Becka

The Purple Dot

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 01/27/2025 - 6:00am

Nebraska really is a study in paradox. We are a red state with high taxes. We are a rural state with a thriving metropolitan area. We want to stop the brain drain and encourage people to move here while advertising that we’re not for everybody.

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Sleep Tight. Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite.

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 01/21/2025 - 6:00am

Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

There’s a good chance your parents said that to you as they tucked you into bed at night. Parents have been saying that to their children since the phrase was coined in the 17th century.

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When Things Heat Up, Where Do We Make Cuts?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 01/20/2025 - 6:00am

Could the tragedy of the devastating fires in Los Angeles be a glimpse into what the future may hold?

A lot has been said and political opponents have pounced on the news that Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass cut almost eighteen million dollars from the fire department’s budget.

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Stateman or Politician? That Is The Equestrian

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 01/10/2025 - 6:00am

Governor Pillen is back in the Governor’s Mansion slowly healing from the terrible spill he took on his horse shortly before Christmas. He has recently done a series of media interviews to show that he is OK and getting back to work.

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With Rights Come Responsibilities

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 01/07/2025 - 6:00am

I am a very big supporter of the First Amendment. Free speech is one of the qualities that make America great, and every American has a right to free speech.

But with rights come responsibilities. Too many people seem to forget that.

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Change Looks A Lot Different Now

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 01/03/2025 - 6:00am

I first heard the name Jimmy Carter at an Allman Brothers concert at the old Omaha Civic Auditorium.

The band played for a while, then went backstage to take a break. Just before they came out for their second set, one of Jimmy Carter’s sons, I believe it was Chip, came on the stage to talk about his dad and to ask any Iowa residents in the crowd to show up for him at the Iowa Caucus.

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Looking to 2025

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 6:00am

We are now in the heart of the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, the Winter Solstice, or nothing at all, things will slow down a bit for the next week or so. For many people this time of year is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of 2024 and look forward to what lies ahead.

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Democracy Dies In Darkness

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 6:00am

Journalism is under attack. Not only from extremists on either side who only want to get their news from sources that reconfirm their already preconceived ideas but also from the corporations that own the major news operations and keep cutting back on their resources.

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What Is Woke?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 6:00am

I love words. I have made my living with words, both spoken and written. Words are a powerful thing. Words have meanings and they can be used to build or destroy. But there is one word I’m tired of hearing. In part because it’s really being overused, and in part because I’m not sure that I know, or for that matter, the people who use the word know for sure just what it means. The word is….

Woke.

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Let’s Focus On The Important Stuff

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 12/17/2024 - 6:00am

Governor Pillen has put out a press release stating his goals for the upcoming legislative session.

And while some are very worthy like finding a way to lower property taxes and creating a better way to fund our schools, I have to wonder if other ideas on his agenda are really the biggest problems the state is facing.