Essential Estrogen

Former Sen. Max Cleland from Georgia will keynote tonight at the Hawkeye Labor 26th Annual Awards Banquet.

The event was originally slated to have Sen. John Kerry as the keynote speaker; however, unforeseen circumstances have prompted the change.

Social hour is from 6 to 7 p.m. with the dinner and program running from 7 to 9 p.m. There will also be musical entertainment provided by union musicians and a cash bar.

Tickets are only being sold in advance (no tickets available at the door). Cost is $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight. Call Hawkeye Labor Council, 396-8461, for more ticket information.

Cleland served in the Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4, 1968.

He served from 1971 to 1975 in the Georgia Senate and became an advocate for veterans. Under Pres. Jimmy Carter, Cleland served as administrator of the Veterans Administration. He also served as the Georgia Secretary of State for many years.

Cleland was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 (when Sam Nunn retired). He was defeated in his bid for a second term by Rep. Saxby Chambliss. In what this author deems one of the most unsavory acts perpetrated by the Republican Party, voters were influenced by Chambliss ads which featured Cleland's likeness on the same screen as Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and question the decorated veteran's commitment to our nation. The ads were so hideous that they were later pulled from the airwaves but only after prominent politicians, including current GOP Presidential hopeful John McCain, protested them.

Originally, Cleland was appointed to the 9/11 Commission but resigned quickly, citing the Bush Administration's stonwalling and blocking of access to key documents and witnesses.

If there was any way possible for me to attend this event, I'd be there tonight. Sadly, I cannot. Having seen Cleland previously, however, I can assure you this is $20 well spent.

If you are a woman planning to attend the event and would like to guest blog, please send an email.