Not just NFL’s problem

THUMBS DOWN: The nation has been outraged all this past week over Ray Rice and the NFL’s wimpy reaction to him punching out his fiance in an Atlantic City casino elevator last February. Videos of Rice dragging her out of the elevator elicited a two-game suspension this summer, but the release of the video of him throwing the punch led to an indefinite suspension for Rice and termination of his contract from the Ravens.

There is much debate about what the NFL?knew about the case and when, and whether the NFL has been too tolerant of domestic violence. But this is not just an NFL?problem, it is a national one. There are far too many “domestics” listed on every city’s police log, including the New Ulm Police Department. There are far too many women being assaulted by husbands or boyfriends or exes. Far too many of these cases escalate to murder. Far too many women feel isolated and helpless to do anything about it.

It’s a shame it has taken explicit videos of Ray Rice and the woman who is now his wife to stir this national discussion, but now that it is here, we hope it will result in some meaningful action, not just for the NFL, but for society in general.

Congrats, Bob Apitz

THUMBS UP: Bob Apitz, coordinator of the Brown County Heartland Express public transit service, was honored this week by the Minnesota Public Transit Association. Apitz received the association’s Distinguished Career Award on Tuesday at the MPTA’s annual conference awards seminar.

Apitz certainly deserves the honor. He was responsible for the creation of the Heartland Express service 20 years ago and has helped build it into the valuable agency it is today.

Congratulations, Bob, on a well deserved award.

Go play today

THUMBS UP: The New Ulm Day of Play is going on today at the New Ulm Civic Center. It’s an opportunity for families to get out, get active and get some good ideas about leading an active, healthy lifestyle.

We hope lots of families will take advantage of the Day, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is organized by Martin Luther College, in partnership with Hearts Beat Back: Heart of New Ulm, New Ulm Medical Center, and New Ulm Park and Rec.