Mike Flood

In today's Public Pulse, readers weigh in on Brett Lindstom's entry into the governor's race, Rep. Mike Flood's approach toward President Donald Trump, and Millard South's role in the Husker football pipeline.

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Lindstrom, Walz should join forces

As former Republican Brett Lindstrom launches a nonpartisan campaign for Nebraska governor, he says he does not want to be a spoiler candidate but instead wants to offer a pragmatic choice for the people of Nebraska.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Lynne Walz would also offer a moderate, pragmatic voice, having previously served in the Unicameral from a moderate-to-conservative district. She also has not yet chosen a running mate.

If unseating incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen is the ultimate goal, it would be detrimental to have two similar candidates in the race against him, stealing votes from each other. In the end, both would serve as spoilers to each other, even if they have the best intentions.

These two candidates have a unique opportunity if they were to combine forces and would offer a ticket with much wider appeal across political parties, generational divides and gender. Lynne Walz should ask Brett Lindstrom to be her running mate, and Lindstrom should accept.

Ed Schweikert, Omaha

Why won't Rep. Mike Flood criticize Trump?

To Rep. Mike Flood: While reading your op-ed in The World-Herald and after attending your Bellevue town hall, I don't understand why you did not call out President Donald Trump for not signing the ROAD to Housing Act into law.

I agree with your points and feel this legislation is needed. Why would you not denounce the president for his lack of support? I understand he is upset the SAVE America Act has not been passed, but is that the kind of leadership you will follow?

If so, I will not be able to vote for you in November, as I have done in all past elections in which you have participated. I prefer a representative who works for his constituents and not his party boss.

Joe Foral, Bellevue

Millard South roster moves unfair to longtime players

Millard South and the Husker football programs should be ashamed. Bringing in a hotshot quarterback and receiver to play their senior years, starting them ahead of kids who probably devoted their entire high school careers to showing up for practice, hitting the weight room and doing everything they were told in hopes of stepping in and taking over a position they rightfully earned, only to see it disappear in front of them.

It's bad enough what is happening in college sports. There is no rhyme or reason why this should happen in high school.

Rod Jenkins, Plattsmouth, Neb.

Osborn not responsible for Platner's wrongdoing

Clutch my pearls! Outrage, scandal, oh my!

The World-Herald published three stories this week, two on the front page and a third on the front page of the Midlands section, about Dan Osborn's alleged ties to a Maine Senate candidate, Graham Platner, who has since withdrawn. An unnamed former Osborn staffer accused Osborn of having ties to Platner, implying Osborn is somehow responsible for Platner's actions.

GOP women are outraged, accusing Osborn of all kinds of wrongdoing related to Platner, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

Ironically, during the same news cycle, it was reported that President Donald Trump was ordered to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement stemming from a 2023 civil verdict in which a jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. Where is the GOP outrage over that? Where are the demands from GOP women?

Sen. Pete Ricketts, as we know, likes to spend money to get his way in Nebraska politics, so Nebraskans should get ready for all kinds of mudslinging. Sen. Ricketts says voters need education to make good voting decisions. I am wondering what he thinks of Article I of the Constitution, which grants Congress the sole power to declare war and appropriate the funds to pay for it.

The United States is bombing Iran. Is that not war? It has been reported that the conflict has cost an estimated $132 billion. I am curious why Sen. Ricketts is running for reelection when he does not seem interested in upholding Congress' responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution.

Well, I suppose it's because senators have superior healthcare coverage.

World-Herald, why isn't that on the front page?

Marcia Anderson, Omaha

What the 'good old days' were really like

People often talk about the "good old days." They seldom mention the good old nights, with trips to the outhouse during a blizzard. And by the way, it was a rare pioneer who could even afford an outhouse.

Bryce Matthews, a WWI veteran, was my neighbor. After that war, he took a job working for Crete Mills as a salesman for pancake flour.

In those days before the Interstate Highway System, traveling a hundred miles or so was serious business. He explained that when salespeople wanted to travel to the western parts of Nebraska, they would form a convoy of six or more cars because it was common to have mechanical problems, often solved by local blacksmiths along the route, or become stuck in the muddy road. He reported that between Lincoln and Grand Island, there were six gates across the road that needed to be opened and closed.

My father, who grew up six miles southeast of Corning, Iowa, told me that Highway 34, the "old Bluegrass Highway," was a corduroy road consisting of logs laid side by side. Bumpy, but passable.