Letter to the Editor: "Decorah allows Nordic Fest Parade to launch Republican campaign of mud slinging"

The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Jim Dale of Decorah:

"It is a sad experience for me when something of poor taste and a negative slur is given expression, but it is even more depressing when it comes at a moment that destroys an otherwise positive event. I had such a feeling at the end of the Nordic Fest Parade last Saturday morning. It had been a super parade, on a beautiful day, with marvelous floats, bands and spirit, in a marvelous tradition. Then the last float came rolling past to finish the parade in a statement of political smut.
 
I had worked with several previous parades and knew Nordic Fest had strict rules rejecting political campaigning. Only public office holders could ride in convertibles, challengers could not advertise, Parties could have positive floats but no attacks were allowed, etc. But here at the end of the parade was a bold, flimsy float with a crude, snide attack on the Democratic Party's nominee for president, Hillary Clinton. I was more than embarrassed. I was angry that it had been allowed into the Nordic Fest parade, I was ashamed for Decorah.

Then almost the next vehicle wrapping up the parade was a 4-wheeler carrying the very person who had been introduced the night before as the parade committee chair, city councilman Gary Rustad. Knowing him as a friend and person of authority, I ran to him. But even before I could register my complaint that this float was both in violation of Nordic Fest rules and in extremely poor taste, he said to me, "Yes, I agree with you." He knew it was wrong to be there. He alibied that he didn't know who had approved it. And though he had the authority to stop it, he seemed immobilized to do anything. He definitely did not "miss it." If Gary Rustad told Mr. Answer person that he "missed it," he lied to you.  All floats are required to register in advance. If a float had no approval sheet, that alone should have removed it.

I was sitting at the very spot where the parade began, the corner of Montgomery and Water streets. The offending float was less than one block into the parade and could easily have been stopped. Why didn't Gary Rustad do so if he knew it was breaking the rules and would reflect badly on Nordic Fest and Decorah? He chose to let it go anyway. I called Rustad on Saturday afternoon when I was calmer and more rational. His wife said he would call back. I have yet to hear from him. Perhaps we still need to hear an honest apology from him. More likely we need a resignation.

"What will happen," I thought, "if some Cedar Rapids Gazette reporter or KWWL cameraman catches this?" I could see the embarrassing headlines—"Decorah allows its Nordic Fest Parade to launch the Republican campaign of mudslinging."

Truthfully, the two major political parties had tasteful, respectful, positive, floats earlier in the parade. There is no need to punish those who act respectfully and appropriately. They were promoting the best values of the US democratic system. And it may be that this float was entered by some rogue Republican and not endorsed by the party. (Though I confess that I did see a similar slur on the table in their booth at the Winneshiek County Fair and their national convention in Cleveland reeked with such expressions.) Still it seems to me this is precisely why so many people have become skeptical about government and politics. You see, the problem is bigger than one lousy float in our small town celebration. The issue is political smut and negative campaigning. I could be philosophical about it and say if the Republicans or Democrats want their convention to be name calling, mud throwing slug fests, so what? But don't spoil my ethnic celebrations of the positive value in American diversity. Yet certain of our citizens seem hell bent on dragging our public life into the gutter. They consider this smut as funny or clever. And some even begin to think it is truth.  God have mercy!

I'm trying hard to not succumb to accusing all Republicans. Some of my most respected friends are of such persuasion. I must admit, however, this has been a most strange primary season, watching the Republicans seemingly trying to select a candidate who is most skilled in demeaning and smearing opponents. I can understand why some are fleeing their beloved party. There are of course some who will alibi "Well, the Democrats do it too." (As if that somehow justifies everyone doing it.)

But now I am ashamed of the Nordic Fest for letting it happen. It certainly is time we improved our respect for one another and our work at becoming worthy of mutual respect. I call on all Republicans and Democrats and all others to repudiate this kind of campaigning.  As Americans we can surely do better this year.