Monday, August 17, 2026

Lawsuit against Des Moines speed cameras awaits trial court decision

Maury v. City of Des Moines

In a class-action lawsuit that stretches back to 2017 and a trip to the Iowa Supreme Court, Polk County District Court is poised to issue its ruling following a long-awaited bench trial back in June, and tings don't look good for the city.
While a judge must make the final decision, Iowa law strongly favors the plaintiffs for several major reasons:

1. The Core Legal Violation is Already Settled

The biggest advantage for the plaintiffs is that the Iowa Supreme Court has already ruled that the City of Des Moines acted unlawfully. The Supreme Court explicitly stated that the city cannot use the tax offset program to collect traffic camera fines without first going to court and winning a formal judgment. Because of a legal rule called the "law-of-the-case," the city is completely blocked from arguing that its actions were legal. The city's "unjust enrichment"—taking and keeping money it had no legal right to—is already a settled fact.

2. The City’s Primary Defense is Weak Under Iowa Law

The city’s main hope to avoid paying refunds relies on the Voluntary Payment Doctrine (arguing that the plaintiffs chose to pay the fines to get their refunds quickly, so they cannot ask for the money back). However, this defense is incredibly weak under Iowa law for two reasons:
  • Iowa does not widely recognize it: The plaintiffs correctly point out that in the major Iowa case State ex rel. Miller v. Vertrue, Inc. (2013), the Iowa Supreme Court explicitly stated, "We have never recognized the voluntary payment doctrine and decline to do so now."
  • The "Duress" exception applies: Even in states that use the doctrine, it does not apply if a payment was made under duress (pressure or coercion). Freezing a citizen's entire state tax refund over a small, unproven traffic ticket is highly likely to be viewed by a judge as unlawful government coercion. The plaintiffs did not "give away" their money; they were forced to surrender a small portion to free the rest of their locked funds.

3. The City's "Unclean Hands" Defense Fails the Legal Standard

The city argued that the drivers have "unclean hands" because they were caught speeding by the cameras. This defense fails on multiple fronts:
  • No Proven Guilt: Under Iowa law, you are not legally guilty of a traffic infraction just because a camera took a picture; the city must prove it in court. The city never did this.
  • The Clock Has Run Out: In Iowa, the city only has one year to prosecute a traffic camera infraction. The city is years past its deadline and cannot legally try to prove the plaintiffs were speeding now.
  • Wrong Type of Misconduct: The "unclean hands" defense requires proof of serious, bad-faith fraud or inequitable behavior related to the lawsuit itself (like trying to trick the court). A simple, unproven speeding allegation does not meet this high standard.

4. The City Cannot Blame the State

The city's final defense is that the State of Iowa designed the stressful offset system, not the city. This argument is weak because while the state built the system, it was the City of Des Moines that chose to unlawfully feed the plaintiffs' names into that system.

Summary

The city is in the difficult position of trying to convince a local judge to adopt a defense ("voluntary payment") that the Iowa Supreme Court has historically rejected, all to justify a collection practice that the Supreme Court has already labeled illegal. Therefore, the plaintiffs sit in a much stronger legal position as they wait for the final verdict.
If you want, I can explain what the next steps are once the judge issues a ruling, or explain how the class action members will be notified if the plaintiffs win. Let me know what you would like to know!


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Iowa Supreme Court: Maury v. Des Mooines

On June 9, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that parts of the lawsuit could move forward, while officially throwing out other claims.

The case—officially titled Livingood v. City of Des Moines—centered on whether the city acted legally when collecting unpaid traffic camera fines by taking money directly from people's state tax refunds.

The Supreme Court split its decision into two main parts: [2]

What the Court Ruled in Favor of the City (Claims Dismissed)

The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court and dismissed the majority of the plaintiffs' complaints, deciding that the city's traffic camera system and collection methods were legal in these areas:

No Constitutional Violations: The court ruled that taking traffic fines from tax refunds did not violate anyone's constitutional right to due process.

  • Not an Illegal Tax: The automated traffic fines were not considered an unconstitutional or illegal property tax.

  • Statute of Limitations: The court decided that the one-year deadline to bring a municipal infraction to court did not apply here, because the city was doing out-of-court collection rather than starting a new lawsuit.

What the Court Ruled in Favor of the Plaintiffs (Claims Reopened)

The Supreme Court found that the local judge made a mistake by completely throwing out the case. They revived two major legal arguments and sent them back to the local court for a trial:

  • State Law Preemption: The court allowed the plaintiffs to argue that the city's collection method was "preempted" (overruled) by Iowa Code section 364.22, which usually requires a city to get a formal court judgment before taking someone's money.

  • Unjust Enrichment: The court reopened the claim that the city was unfairly holding onto money it had no legal right to collect.

Because the Supreme Court revived these specific points, the case was "remanded" (sent back) to the local Polk County court, which ultimately led to the full trial in June 2026.

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Summary of Maury v. City of Des Moines

Phase 1: The Initial Lawsuit (2017)

  • February 2017: Attorney James Craig Larew filed the original petition against the City of Des Moines for declaratory judgment and damages.
  • Spring 2017: The plaintiffs asked for a temporary stop (injunction) against certain city actions, but Judge Arthur Gamble denied the request.
  • Late 2017: The plaintiffs changed and updated their formal complaint multiple times by filing amended petitions.

Phase 2: Discovery and the Long Pause (2018–2023)

  • Early 2018: Both sides began "discovery," which is the process of exchanging evidence, paperwork, and answering questions.
  • August 2018: Judge Gamble ordered a total pause (stay) on the case. The local court decided to wait until the Iowa Supreme Court finished deciding other related cases.
  • November 2019: After more than a year of waiting, the pause was lifted by Judge David Matthew Porter so the case could move forward.

Phase 3: The First Summary Judgment and Appeal (2020–2023)

  • Early 2020: Both sides asked the judge to rule on the case early without a trial by filing motions for summary judgment.
  • November 2021: Judge Scott Rosenberg ruled entirely in favor of the City of Des Moines, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims.
  • March 2022: The plaintiffs officially appealed this decision to a higher court.
  • July 2023: The Iowa Supreme Court issued an opinion that "affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded" the case. This meant parts of the case were officially sent back to the local county court to be looked at again.

Phase 4: Class Certification and The Trial (2023–2026)

  • July 2024: Judge Paul Scott approved the plaintiffs' request for "class certification". This legally turned the lawsuit into a class action representing a whole group of affected people.
  • Early 2025: Many individuals officially chose to opt out and exclude themselves from the group lawsuit.
  • June 2026: A full two-day bench trial was held before Judge Patrick Smith, leading to the current wait for a final verdict.

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Maury v. City of Des Moines status

1. The Trial Has Taken Place

A non-jury bench trial was held over two days on June 8 and June 9, 2026, before Judge Patrick Smith. Both sides presented their evidence, and multiple items were officially marked as court exhibits.

2. Post-Trial Briefs Have Been Submitted

Following the trial, the defense (City of Des Moines) asked the court for permission to submit written arguments. Judge Smith granted the request and set a deadline of July 1, 2026.

  • On July 1, 2026, the plaintiffs' attorney (James Craig Larew) filed the Plaintiffs' Post-Trial Brief.
  • On the same day, the defense attorney (Luke Michael DeSmet) filed the Defendant's Post-Trial Brief.

3. Current Standing

As of the latest date on the printout (August 17, 2026), no new orders or final judgments have been entered since the briefs were submitted. The case is fully submitted, meaning the judge is currently reviewing all the trial evidence and post-trial arguments to write the final ruling.
If you want, I can help you summarize the history of the case leading up to the trial, or explain what specific laws and exhibits (like the Des Moines Municipal Code or Iowa Code) were brought up during the June trial. Let me know how you would like to proceed!



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Monday, August 3, 2026

The living wage should be the floor, not the ceiling

The true cost of doing business includes paying workers enough to survive, and the true cost of a meal includes paying for the labor required to prepare and serve it. Ultimately, it emphasizes that a healthy society relies on a fair, equitable balance where no one is exploited.
  • Business Viability: A business model that depends on poverty-level wages is fundamentally broken. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated when establishing early labor standards, Businesses must treat employee compensation as a core operating expense rather than an area to cut corners.
  • Consumer Responsibility: Eating out is a premium service rather than a basic right. When patrons complain about menu prices, they are often objecting to the real cost of human labor. If a customer is unwilling or unable to cover the actual cost of having someone prepare and serve their food, dining at home is the more realistic alternative.
  • Equitable Balance: An economically healthy community requires balance. For a society to thrive, employers must pay fairly, and consumers must pay the true value of the goods and services they enjoy. When businesses underpay their workers, society bears the burden through social services and public assistance, essentially subsidizing the businesses' low prices.
For deeper perspectives on the ethics of business compensation, you can explore the ongoing discussions on platforms like Reddit's WorkReform. [3]


AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses

 

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Saturday, August 1, 2026

Promising recent cancer research

The most promising recent cancer research results have emerged in pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, blood cancers (like AML), and mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) solid tumors. Driven by advancements in targeted therapies, novel small-molecule pills, and personalized mRNA vaccines, oncology has seen a major paradigm shift. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Top Clinical Breakthroughs by Cancer Type


  • Pancreatic Cancer: Long considered one of the hardest malignancies to treat, it has seen "unprecedented" breakthroughs. At major 2026 medical conferences, researchers announced that a new daily pill (such as daraxonrasib developed by Revolution Medicines) doubled the survival time for patients with aggressive, metastatic forms of the disease, cutting the risk of death by 60% compared to standard chemotherapy. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  • Breast Cancer: In HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the landmark Destiny Breast09 clinical trial demonstrated massive success. Shifting to a first-line therapy combination of Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) plus pertuzumab extended progression-free survival to 40 months (compared to 27 months for previous standard treatments), drastically improving outcomes. Additionally, novel oral estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) like giredestrant are showing immense promise for ER-positive variations. [11, 12, 13, 14]
  • Blood Cancers (AML & Multiple Myeloma): Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) therapeutics have advanced rapidly with the clinical introduction of menin inhibitors, which successfully target specific genetic drivers in roughly 40% of AML cases. Furthermore, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are pioneering protein degraders—drugs that explicitly destroy the proteins causing cancer growth rather than just blocking them. Next-generation CAR T-cell therapies are also moving earlier into multiple myeloma treatment pipelines. [1]
  • MMRd (Mismatch Repair-Deficient) Cancers: Clinical trials at institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering have confirmed that solid tumors (such as colorectal and uterine cancers) carrying the MMRd mutation react phenomenally well to standalone immunotherapy. Using immunotherapy alone has completely cleared tumors in select cohorts, maintaining a high quality of life without the need for surgery or toxic chemotherapy. [2, 15, 16]
  • Melonoma & Lung Cancer: Personalized neoantigen mRNA vaccines are entering advanced testing phases. When paired with standard checkpoint inhibitors, these custom-tailored vaccines are substantially driving up recurrence-free survival rates by training the patient's immune system to attack lingering micro-metastases. [3, 17, 18, 19]

Emerging Tech Reshaping All Diagnostics

Beyond specific organ types, two overarching technologies are changing survival outlooks broadly:

  • Liquid Biopsies & Early Interception: Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests are transitioning from laboratories to clinical settings. For instance, blood protein signatures are now being validated to accurately predict lung cancer up to five years before a tumor forms.
  • AI-Driven Diagnostics: Artificial intelligence is being integrated heavily into oncology registries. New AI models are being used to predict how a patient will respond to immunotherapy via routine blood tests and catch up to 25% of missed diagnoses in early imaging scans. [12, 20, 21, 22, 23]

If you are researching a specific diagnosis, tell me:

  • The exact type and stage of the cancer
  • Any specific mutations identified (e.g., HER2, KRAS, MMRd)

I can provide more detailed information on relevant clinical trials or newly approved drugs.

 

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Monday, July 20, 2026

Day one nutritional menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, per USDA RDA guidelines

Here is a balanced, one-day menu designed to meet general daily nutritional recommendations (approximately 2,000 calories, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber). [1, 2, 3]

Breakfast: Nutrient-Packed Scrambled Oats
  • The Meal: 2 scrambled eggs, $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of cooked oatmeal made with low-fat milk, topped with 1 tbsp of chia seeds and $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of mixed berries.
  • Why it works: Provides a solid mix of protein from the eggs, complex carbohydrates for steady energy, and omega-3 fatty acids. [4, 5, 6, 7]
Lunch: Mediterranean Grain & Salmon Bowl
  • The Meal: 4 oz of grilled salmon served over 1 cup of cooked quinoa, accompanied by a large mixed greens salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and 1 tbsp of olive oil and lemon dressing.
  • Why it works: Packed with lean protein, heart-healthy omega-3s, and essential vitamins from the fresh vegetables. [8, 9, 10]
Dinner: Lean Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • The Meal: 2 bell peppers stuffed with 4 oz of lean ground turkey (or plant-based alternative), $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of brown rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and spices. Serve with a side of steamed broccoli.
  • Why it works: An excellent balance of fiber, lean protein, and micronutrients like Vitamin C and iron. [11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Daily Snacks (Optional)
  • 1 medium apple with 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter.
  • $\frac{1}{4}$ cup of raw almonds. [16, 17]


 

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Brief History of WHO Radio

WHO Radio began broadcasting from Des Moines, Iowa, on April 10, 1924, on a frequency of 570 kHz with 500 watts of power. The station was originally established by the Bankers Life Company under president George Kuhns. Kuhns cleverly chose the call letters because listeners searching the radio dial would constantly ask, "Who is it?".

Key Milestones and Power Increases

  • Power increased to 5,000 watts in 1925.
  • Joined NBC network in September 1927.
  • FRC ordered frequency sharing with WOC Davenport.
  • Alternated daytime and nighttime weekly broadcast shifts.

The Central Broadcasting Era

Bankers Life exited broadcasting in 1930. They sold the station to Central Broadcasting Company. The new owners were led by B.J. Palmer.
The station successfully synchronized as WOC-WHO. However, an audio dead-zone plagued the midpoint region. To resolve this issue, a massive upgrade began.
On April 22, 1933, a 50,000-watt transmitter debuted. It launched from a new site in Mitchellville, Iowa. This established WHO as a powerful clear-channel station. WOC personnel subsequently relocated to Des Moines. Among them was young sportscaster Ronald Reagan.

Frequency Adjustments and Engineering Feats

  • In 1934, installed a 532-foot diamond Blaw-Knox tower.
  • Shifted to the iconic 1040 kHz frequency in 1941.
  • Alignment followed the North American Radio Agreement.
  • Replaced the original transmitter with Westinghouse gear in 1950.
  • Erected a massive, groundbreaking 780-foot Franklin tower.

Programming and Cultural Impact

WHO pioneered agricultural reporting with its dedicated farm department. Its popular "Iowa Barn Dance Frolic" drew over a million live fans. The station expanded into new frontiers by launching WHO-FM in 1948. It expanded further into television with the arrival of WHO-TV. Through decades of public service and high-power broadcasting, it earned its reputation as the "Voice of the Middle West."
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Sunday, July 12, 2026

What's bugging me: Healthcare vs medical services

The average American will spend roughly $320,000 on healthcare over their adult lifetime, which requires dedicating about $8,000 to $10,000 working hours just to cover these expenses. Yet, when actually seeking care, patients spend hours navigating waiting rooms and endless paperwork to receive an average of only 20 minutes with a doctor.

This staggering imbalance—trading thousands of hours of your life for mere minutes of care—constitutes a profound moral indictment of our system. While it may not fit the tidy framework of courtroom litigation, the American people have a profound, legitimate cause of action against a society that commodifies a basic human right.

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Crude oil policy initiative to return to the people their entitled ROI

Don't tell me that there's no way in which crude oil -- an American natural resource -- cannot be valuated and credited back to the people! Take the sold-for price, deduct the verified cost of taking it out of the ground, and return the balance to the public coffers.
 
This policy transforms publicly owned natural resources into a direct economic dividend for citizens. By claiming the net profits from crude oil extraction, the state ensures that the wealth generated by American natural resources benefits the public rather than exclusively private corporate interests.

The Core Mechanism
  • Asset Valuation: Calculate the total market value of all crude oil extracted from public lands and waters over a fiscal year using the U.S. Energy Information Administration pricing data.
  • Cost Deduction: Subtract the audited, verified extraction and operational costs incurred by private operators.
  • Direct Dividend: Return the remaining net balance directly to the public through a universal, yearly state dividend (similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund model).
Key Arguments & Justifications
  • Right of Ownership: Crude oil is an American natural resource. Its underlying value belongs to the people, not just the corporations extracting it.
  • Economic Equity: Provides a steady stream of income directly to citizens to combat inflation and rising costs of living.
  • Corporate Accountability: Ensures operators deduct only strictly verified and audited costs, eliminating unchecked corporate profiteering at the expense of public wealth.
  • Future Security: Establishes a permanent trust fund to continue payouts even after fossil fuel reserves are depleted.
Economic Formula

The dividend payout per citizen is calculated as follows:$\text{Dividend} = \frac{\text{Total Sold-for Price} - \text{Verified Extraction Costs}}{\text{Total Number of Eligible Citizens}}$

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Wednesday, July 1, 2026

How datacenters are eating American prosperity

 

Server farms are "eating" American prosperity by extracting finite local resources—like land, water, and grid capacity—while offering few permanent jobs in return. This AI-driven data center boom drives up consumer utility bills, deepens environmental and health crises, and permanently removes highly fertile agricultural land from the economy. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

1. Extractive Resource Drain

Data centers function much like traditional strip mines: they demand immense upfront construction labor but leave behind heavily automated buildings that provide as few as 50 to 100 permanent jobs per massive facility. Despite this low local labor impact, these facilities demand:
  • Enormous Energy Consumption: U.S. data centers currently consume roughly 176 TWh annually, accounting for about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity. This is expected to triple as early as 2030.
  • Water Scarcity: To cool servers and maintain evaporation, massive data warehouses require millions of gallons of water daily. Over 40% of the nation's planned and existing server farms are located in areas facing high or extremely high water scarcity. [12, 13]
2. Spiking Consumer Utility Bills

To feed the colossal power demands of the artificial intelligence revolution, utility companies are forced to upgrade transmission infrastructure. The costs of these overbuilt, underutilized, or hastily constructed grid upgrades are often passed directly onto residents and small businesses. [4, 14]

3. Squeezing Agricultural Land

The servers powering the internet require vast, flat, and affordable land. Consequently, corporate developers are out-bidding local farmers for prime agricultural real estate. This permanent conversion of farmland removes crucial acreage from the domestic food supply, ultimately affecting community food security and resilience. [2, 15]

4. Public Health and Environmental Externalities

Because the current power grid cannot handle data center surges, utilities are often forced to delay the retirement of coal plants or ramp up natural gas generation. This reliance on fossil fuels degrades air quality. Economists at institutions like the Ohio River Valley Institute note that the resulting air pollution and public health impacts cost the U.S. economy billions annually. [6, 7, 14, 16]



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Lawsuit against Des Moines speed cameras awaits trial court decision

Maury v. City of Des Moines In a class-action lawsuit that stretches back to 2017 and a trip to the Iowa Supreme Court, Polk County District...