Essential Estrogen

Here's your earworm: Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn to fly.
I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky.
I'll make a wish...
Take a chance...
Make a change...
And breakaway.

In other news, blogger Jill Stanek picked up the second post from my Helen Thomas interview from its cross-post location on RH Reality Check. It's a bit of a ramble, but, from what I was able to determine, Stanek thinks quality of life refers to one's caregiver. I guess, when you look full spectrum, that's a small portion. The much larger slices, however, have to do with terminal and chronic disease, opportunities for personal advancement and so-forth. Stanek also seems to be trying to connect a lack of doctors focused on geriatric medicine to abortion. Frankly, I didn't realize scientists had identified that gene.

Finally, Stanek also seems to believe that anyone who believes families should make their own choices should not be granted end-of-life care. On this point, Adrian Monck joined the conversation, "I don't care which side of the line you want to come down on regarding abortion, but peddling threats dressed up as commentary seems to me to rub the line right out."

You might want to have a look at the new blog Virginia Patriot. It's written by former Gov. Jim Gilmore.

Bret Hayworth blogs over at the Sioux City Journal on the possibility of Ron Wieck or David Johnson taking over the position of Senate Minority Leader. I'm guessing those might be two of the people Mary Lundby, the current minority leader, was talking about when she told me, "Some of them are darn glad I'm leaving."

The Tancredo '08 blog tell us "immigration is just this hot" while offering some photographs of the congressman's visit to Iowa Falls. Frankly, I have to wonder if Tancredo "faced question after question on immigration" because it is "this hot" or because that's really the only thing he's known for.

Kent at Bowulf Network Admin Blog discusses his experience on the Bix 7 in Davenport. The seven-mile race had over 15,000 participants!

Iowa Votes 2008, operated by WHO, did a small experiment. They took six undecided voters -- two Democrats, two Republicans, two independents (3 women and 3 men) -- and gave them a statement from each candidate. The written statements were not marked with the candidates' names. The participants each came from a different Iowa city.

The written statements contained the candidates' answer to one question: "What do you think will happen when U.S. troops are withdrawn from Iraq, and what is your strategy to deal with what happens afterward?"

At the end, the candidate worst for wear is Tom Tancredo. The one on top was Duncan Hunter.

Those who are concerned about the Supreme Court and what seems to be an organized and expanding attack on human rights should read and remember Mitt Romney's words that he will only appoint strict constructionist judges.

There's another new read for Iowans: Mike Palecek, a novelist, has started Is this Heaven? on blogspot. He and I share a very different writing style, so don't be expecting my type of blather when you visit.

Nicholas Beaudrot of Electoral Math made a guest post (at least I think it was a guest post) at Ezra Klein discussing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's words on July 10 in Iowa about pulling out of Iraq. He notes that the end of her speech gives more insight into her plans which include leaving troops behind. In this case, most of the comments are just as thoughtful as the post.

*Yawn* Bill Steigerwald of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review interviews David Yepsen about (what else?) how long he's be covering Iowa politics and why all us corn-lovers don't necessary do what the talking heads dictate.

A fellow by the name of Lonnie Berger has appointed himself as Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback's prayer coordinator, according to the LA Times blog. Berger has launched a website dubbed Pray for Brownback. In speaking with the Times he said, "When Christians vote, our values move forward in the culture war. When Christians stay hoe, the enemy wins." He asks in email reminders that supporters pray "that God would supernaturally activate the Christians in Iowa to pray and go to the straw poll to vote for Sam."

I'm all for grassroots and, quite frankly, I don't have too many bad things to say about Brownback or his campaign. I do wonder, however, how God is receiving these requests for him to intercede in an Iowa GOP fundraiser that only holds meaning in the presidential race due to the fact of August being a slow news month.

You know, I also wonder how any news organization can take the results of such a straw poll, votes sold at a cost of $35 a pop, with anything other than a passing interest. Instead of being a first taste of the views of Iowans, the straw poll is a first glimpse of big money in action. Whoo-Pee.

And, in closing, a news story that's sure to have everyone looking to the heavens: Large chunks of ice fell from the sky last Thursday in Dubuque, smashing through a homeowner's roof and destroying trees.