Tom Becka

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.

Read more about With Rights Come Responsibilities

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.

Read more about Change Looks A Lot Different Now

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.

Read more about Looking to 2025

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.

Read more about Democracy Dies In Darkness

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.

Read more about What Is Woke?

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.

Read more about Let’s Focus On The Important Stuff

The People Want Medical Marijuana

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 12/16/2024 - 6:00am

Now I’m not a lawyer. But I’m not an idiot either. I can read the ruling that District Court Judge Susan Strong wrote when she threw out the case against the medical marijuana petitioners and know that the opponents of medical marijuana should quietly go away and acknowledge that the people and the courts have spoken.

I wonder if their egos and political careers will let them just ride quietly into the sunset.

Read more about The People Want Medical Marijuana

Only Time Will Tell If Democracy Can Survive

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 07/22/2024 - 7:00am

I was in the second grade when the school’s principal came over the PA system and announced that President Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas. I have a vivid memory of Mrs. Cusak slamming her glasses on the desk as she ran out of the room crying.

Read more about Only Time Will Tell If Democracy Can Survive

Lead Us Not Into Temptation...

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 6:00am

Dear Nebraska Legislators,

I know you’re thinking about it but DON’T DO IT! I have no doubt some of you are looking at what Louisiana and Oklahoma have done and you’re thinking “Maybe we should demand they put the Ten Commandments in our public schools as well. DON’T! Just DON’T!

Read more about Lead Us Not Into Temptation...

We Are On The Edge Of Our Seats With Our Popcorn, What Happens Next?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 07/09/2024 - 6:00am

I keep hoping that I’ll wake up to find that this was nothing more than a bad dream.

Or maybe that it was the plot of a poorly written Netflix series that involved a likeable but befuddled old president, and his challenger, a convicted felon. A felon who was a reality TV star is more likely to lie to you than tell the truth.