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Milkshake does describe the look of Midwest water, but it’s too positive. How about “Siltshake” instead? —S.M.

Gov. Reynolds signs confusing new abortion restrictions into law with a lie (July 17)

Prior to 24 weeks gestation, the brain of a fetus is so primitive it has not even achieved the first glimmer of consciousness because the nerve fibers connecting the thalamus to the cerebral cortex required for consciousness have not even started to be created. It thinks nothing, thinks no thoughts, feels nothing, feels no pain, knows nothing, is nothing. It doesn’t even know it exists. It truly is just a mindless clump of primitive cells slowly taking human form. It is far more cruel to force a young woman to stay pregnant against her will at the barrel of a government gun than it is to abort something that is so primitive that it doesn’t even know it exists. They are destroying an actual conscious, sentient human life economically, mentally/emotionally, and/or physically for an unconscious, non-sentient clump of cells that prior to 24 weeks gestation does not even know it exists. There is nothing noble about their cause. It’s cruel, sick and twisted. Here’s something else to think about. All of the animals humans eat have more highly developed nervous systems, brains, and consciousness than any 2nd trimester fetus, and yet… The “right to life” doesn’t include using someone else’s body to sustain that life. If it did, I could demand you give me your kidney if I would otherwise die of kidney disease. Nobody has the right to use your body against your will. Embryos and fetuses are not special exceptions. —Carol

G.

Her law would further victimize rape and incest victims. —Dorma G.

Kim Reynolds is a legitimate hate monger. But this also seems performative, much like Trump used to do. Placating her base, distracting and angering her opponents, ultimately for her own self image and gain. —Belinda B.

As ‘Oppenheimer’ drops, local cinemas focus in on nuclear films, Iowa’s atomic history (July 18)

Thank you to Lee [Sailor] and FilmScene for the showing of Threads.” A film I’d never heard of until this series, that I will never, ever forget. It definitely made my viewing of Oppenheimer last night even more intense.

—Wendy D.

Essay: RAGBRAI’s one-note music lineup is an insult to riders (July 19)

Have you looked at the demographics of the riders? Not a lot of overlap with attendees at recent Lizzo/ Harry Styles/ Doja Cat concerts… —David H.

Part of me wants to hold RAGBRAI accountable, (because absolutely yes to all of this)… the other part wonders if POC would WANT to perform or even feel safe with how racist and republican the state is getting. —Heidi A.

Who actually participates in the bike rides? Mostly white men. So what bands are they going to be attracted to? The ones that are going to be there. Sure, organize more diversity. But when people of color participate in the ride, that’ll be something to talk about. —Jarod W.

Seems to me bands wouldn’t exactly be clamoring to come to Iowa in July and play for people who largely aren’t there for them.

—Dina A.S.

Yes but the KFMH of my youth can not in any way be held responsible for such a county fair lineup. —Joel K.

I see ads for concerts and if I want to see the band, I go. I don’t tell anyone who wants to go that they are wrong about doing so. They could have booked a bunch of other bands that didn’t have a mass appeal, such as Dream Theater or Animals as Leaders or W.A.S.P. or Beartooth or Shinedown but they went with different choices. I will say that introducing any of those bands to a totally different audience would be awesome, to me, but I don’t know if anyone else would think so! By the way, Bush was awesome in 2015 - Gavin walking up the aisle and highfiving me was something I won’t forget. This article strikes me like someone going to the Super Bowl and being upset that it’s not a ping pong game. —Paul H.

They are catering to their highest demographic which are privileged white men. Why is anyone surprised. RAGBRAI is a week-long exercise in white entitlement trashing the entire state as they go pretending to be environmentalists.

Jennifer A.