August 2007 Archives

The Illinois Campaign for Responsible Sex Education, a coalition of more than 90 groups advocating for comprehensive sex education, is calling for an end to federal funding for abstinence-only programs.

The federal government, through Title V, Section 510 and Community-Based Abstinence Education grants, has allocated the state of Illinois more than $7.5 million to provide abstinence-only-until-marriage programs to students, parents and community groups. That's the sixth-highest disbursement in the nation -- with only Texas ($17.3 million), Florida ($10.7 million), New York ($10.6 million), Georgia ($9.1 million) and Ohio ($7.8 million) receiving more in federal grant money.

"At a time when statistics prove 50 percent of new HIV infections occur in people under the age of 25, 40 percent of Illinois' new Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are among youth age 10 to 19 and nearly 19,000 births occur each year to girls aged 19 and younger, it is clear that teens need a more comprehensive approach to sex education," writes Jonathan Stacks, campaign manager for the coalition, on the group's website.

Comprehensive sex education is defined as an instruction program that includes abstinence as a proven method for preventing pregnancy, but goes beyond "Just Say No" to provide medically accurate information to help young people make healthful choices over time. Stacks says it is age-appropriate and covers everything from "good touching/bad touching" in elementary school to STD prevention and contraception in later grades.

The group has commissioned two studies that surveyed the landscape of sex education in Illinois. The first, conducted in December 2004, was a statewide survey of registered voters regarding their feelings about school-taught sex education programming. The study concluded that those polled supported comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate sex education.

Results from the second study, released in March 2005, found that while 93 percent of sex education teachers offered some component of sex education, two-thirds omit critical elements of responsible and comprehensive sex education. In addition 92 percent of the teachers said that their curriculum had a great deal or some influence on what topics are covered in the classroom.

After the second survey, the group embarked on a quest to review the state's existing curriculum used in sex education. The report, released in May, was the first in-depth assessment of what topics are being covered as well as curriculum standards.

“Astoundingly, the curricula ranking in the bottom-third are the only ones that are directly supported by federal tax dollars and two of which will be supported by a $1.2 million investment in Illinois state tax dollars currently in the governor’s budget," Starks said when the report was announced.

According to the study, the highest-ranked curricula in terms of taking a comprehensive approach to sex education are not supported by state or federal dollars and are in rare use throughout Illinois. In contrast, Project Reality’s curricula, developed in Illinois and receiving over $1 million per year in federal dollars and possibly $1.2 million from the Illinois state budget, ranked in the bottom-third out of the 17 curricula reviewed. These specific curricula, Game Plan and Navigator, are used in 34 percent of Illinois schools compared to Get Real About AIDS, which ranked third but is used in only 8 percent of schools.

A panel of experts was formed to review each curriculum to identify what topics they covered, how they covered them, and if the curriculum matched up to standards as outlined by the national medical and educational associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, World Health Organization, American Nurses Association and Institute of Medicine. Those rated low failed to meet the criteria. Those scoring high contained many of the elements the panel recommended that a quality, comprehensive sex education curriculum should contain.

Just before to the Illinois announcement in May, the Mathematica Policy Research Inc. released the results of a congressional-mandated evaluation over 10 years of government-funded abstinence-only programs. The evaluation found that abstinence-only programs had no impact on students’ age at first intercourse, number of sexual partners, or condom usage.

“Over the last decade, over $1.5 billion of federal and state tax dollars have been spent on abstinence-only-until marriage programs to see if this is the best way to spend taxpayer dollars on the education of our young people," said Stacks. "The results came in last week and the message is clear: the abstinence-only experiment has failed.”

National data compared with state data seem to indicate the group's study is on the mark. In 2005, 46 percent of female high school students and 48 percent of male high school students in the nation reported they'd had sexual intercourse. At that same time, 50 percent of female and 65 percent of male high school students in Illinois reported being sexually active. In addition, 19 percent of male high school students in Chicago reported having sexual intercourse before age 13. Nationally, only 9 percent of high school males reported the same. Just over a fourth -- 27 percent - of that same Chicago male population reported having four or more sexual partners. Only 9 percent of all male high school students reported the same nationally.

Nearly $2 million of the federal money for abstinence only programming in Illinois is a result of Title V, Section 510 grants. This money is distributed between 30 groups ranging from community-based organizations to county health departments to crisis pregnancy centers. The remainder of the federal disbursements are made through nine Community-Based Abstinence Education grants and one Adolescent Family Life Act grant.

CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage, one of the CBAE grantees, sponsors a program called "Wait 4 Your Mate," which trains speakers to deliver abstinence-only-until-marriage messages in DuPage County. On its website, the group advocates that pornography is similar to illegal drug use: "There have been a lot of studies done and personal testimonies of how pornography can be very detrimental to the health of the individual that looks at it. The reason is that pornography causes your brain to react in the same ways as your brain reacts to illegal drugs. Using pornography to experience a 'high' is very addicting. Eventually, looking at pornography can lead to lack of satisfaction in a real relationship, an eventual inability to be sexually stimulated without pornography, a more violent and dominant attitude towards women or men, and a greater likelihood of acting out in a sexually violent way."

While discussing masturbation on the website, the group states, "you cannot contract an STD from masturbating, nor can you become pregnant. However, very often masturbation is closely connected with the use of pornography which is not healthy. In addition, some teenagers find that masturbation becomes compulsive, which could be a problem."

The Illinois Campaign for Responsible Sex Education may get its wish for suspending funding when Congress returns next week. At that time federal lawmakers are expected to resume discussions on Section 510, which was given a three-month extension to Sept. 30. If authorization is not made, the program will end. Lawmakers also might decide to re-authorize the program as-is or revamp the strict guidelines that many consider as prohibitive of research-based sex education.

It seems that whenever religious belief wrangles with education or public policy, the battle takes places either in Missouri or its western neighbor Kansas. It should come as no surprise to learn then that Missouri made headlines this summer with the passage of House Bill 1055.

The bill, signed by Gov. Matt Blunt in early July, makes several modifications to the state's existing abortion laws and revises the state's sex education guidelines to bring them in line with federal guidelines. Further, the law prohibits public school districts and charter schools from allowing anyone affiliated with any organization that provides abortion services from "offering, sponsoring or furnishing course materials related to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases."

Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Jefferson City, Mo., describes the result of this bill as "havoc."

"I worked the entire session with six other senators to mitigate the havoc caused by this bill," she said at the time of the bill-signing. "In the end, the right-to-life gang put theocracy ahead of good public policy and women's health, and the majority was unwilling to compromise with us on any of the issues."

As the bill was introduced and debated, Mathematica Policy Research Inc. released its findings on the national impact of Title V, Section 510 abstinence education programs. Justus says she thought that would create more resistance to the change in Missouri law.

"Needless to say, by creating a climate of abstinence-only education in this state, the net effect will be more unintended pregnancies and only one abortion clinic left in the state," she said. "Anti-choice people cry victory, but we know from history that this will simply result in more abortions, but they will no longer be carried out in a safe and legal environment."

Before passage of the legislation, Missouri law required students be presented with "the latest medically factual information regarding both the possible side effects and health benefits of all forms of contraception, including the success and failure rates for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases." An opt-out is now also on the books and it states that sex education "shall present students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner consistent with the provisions of the federal abstinence education law."

This language, when combined with the banishment of entities providing abortion services, creates a monopoly. The only groups now allowed to teach sexual education in Missouri are those that subscribe to abstinence-only-until-marriage guidelines set forth in Title V, Section 510.

During the past fiscal year, Missouri received nearly $5 million in federal funds for abstinence education. Nearly $1 million administered by Missouri's health department is distributed among 16 contractors that include crisis pregnancy centers, county health departments, school districts and community centers. The remainder of the state's federal disbursements are granted through Community-Based Abstinence Education. The CBAE funds are shared by seven organizations. Each group is allowed to select its own curriculum so long as as the instructional content follows the federal guidelines.

Despite there being no sound scientific evidence linking abortion to subsequent mental health problems at least one of the CBAE grantees in Missouri uses the claim as part of its instruction. The Women's Clinic of Kansas City/LifeGuard Youth Development, a crisis pregnancy center purposefully constructed next door to an existing Planned Parenthood site, calls itself a "nonprofit medical clinic." On its website, the agency lists symptoms of "post-abortive stress syndrome" ranging from anxiety to low self-esteem to repeat abortions. Neither the American Psychological Association nor the American Psychiatric Association recognizes "post-abortion stress syndrome" as a legitimate medical condition.

Another grantee, LifeChoices of Joplin, also claims that an abortion causes negative feelings which, left untreated, "can progress into what is called Post-Abortion Syndrome." Further, the group provides a false link between abortion and breast cancer, stating, "abortion is the most preventable risk factor for breast cancer." In February 2003, the National Cancer Institute convened a group of 100 experts on pregnancy and breast cancer risk to review "existing population-based, clinical and animal studies on the relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk, including studies of induced and spontaneous abortion" and concluded that induced abortion is not linked to an increase in the risk of breast cancer.

The Future Leaders Outreach Network conducts an abstinence-only-until-marriage program called I CAN W.A.I.T. (Why Abstinence Is my Testimony) in schools, community groups and faith-based settings. The group publishes a magazine for youth that contains disparaging messages about condoms such as "With the popular slogan safe sex advocating condom use, STDs have increased at a phenomenal rate over the last 10 years."

Until Congress returns from its August recess and resumes debate of abstinence-only education funding, it is unknown if Missouri legislators will need to go back to the drawing board for HB 1055. Their law now calls for all state programs to fall in line with federal guidelines that are poised to expire Sept. 30. Congress could do nothing and allow the entire program to expire. It also could re-authorize the program with no significant changes. A third option -- and the one that most pundits believe likely -- is that the guidelines will be rewritten to a less-strict and more fact-based sex education policy.

Unlike other states that draw from several sources, Iowa has only one federal funding stream for abstinence education. Barring an act of Congress, that stream -- Title V, Section 510 -- is poised to dry up at the end of September.

"The program officially expired June 30," said Lindsay Miller, abstinence-education program coordinator for the Iowa Department of Public Health. "Congress came back about a week and a half later and approved a three-month extension. As of now, the program is set to expire once again on September 30."

Congress returns from its August recess on Tuesday, Sept. 4, and is expected to re-visit the funding issue for possible re-authorization.

"We receive our funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- specifically the Administration for Children and Families," she said. "We've received direction from them about three possible scenarios."

According to HHS, the program could be denied re-authorization, it could be re-authorized as-is, or could be revamped and then re-authorized under new, less-restrictive guidelines that could incorporate more comprehensive-based education without such a strict focus on abstinence until marriage.

"Everything is very unknown right now," Miller said. "Things can change very quickly, and we just don't know what might come once the discussion takes place."

Under Section 510, Iowa received $318,198 this fiscal year. The state Health Department keeps a small portion for statewide implementation and grants the remainder to eight local programs and to the University of Iowa for program evaluation. The local programs primarily conduct school-based programming. This curriculum instruction varies between one-time, large assembly events and programs that stretch over several weeks. Local programs also conduct media campaigns and parent outreach.

Legislation signed by the governor in spring calls for all human growth and development education taught in schools to be research-based. This new mandate, Miller says, will not affect local groups teaching abstinence-only education in Iowa as a part of Section 510.

"One of the last lines of House File 611 states that the bill shall in no way prohibit schools from teaching abstinence only education," she said. "So, it does not affect them. All of the curriculum that we use in our program, we assure that it is medically accurate and research-based. All of our contractors have to sign an assurance form stating that all the information they present is medically accurate and research-based. We also approve all of the curriculum that our contractors use."

When a local program wants to switch curriculum, Miller says the contractor has submit an "A through H Adherence Curriculum Summary Table." (See insert below for the A through H federal guidelines.)

Abstinence only education is defined in Section 510 as an educational or motivational program which:

1. Has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
2. Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
3. Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
4. Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
5. Teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
6. Teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;
7. Teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
8. Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.

"They have to list out very specifically how each component of the curriculum adheres to the guidelines," she said. "That must be submitted, reviewed and approved before any new curriculum can be implemented. So, we assure that all the curriculum our grantees are using is medically accurate and research-based."

Rhonda Chittenden, executive director of FutureNet, an Iowa-based group working to ensure all service providers in Iowa use science-based practices in teen pregnancy, parenting and sexual health education programs, said adherence to the guidelines may not be enough.

"We do believe it would be really difficult to adhere to that eight-point definition and the new state legislation at the same time," she said. "There are some conflicts in the really value-based points that are set out in that abstinence only legislation. It would be a real challenge for programs to be able to fulfill both of those mandates at the same time.

"We believe that young people deserve to have medically accurate information that is verified by the weight of peer-reviewed research. That hasn't been the case in many abstinence-only programs. If the standards were changed to adhere to that, it would make us real happy."

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States reviewed several pieces of curricula used by the Iowa contractors and found reliance on messages of fear and/or shame.

A portion of their report reads, "SIECUS reviewed two of the curricula produced by Choosing the Best, Inc.—Choosing the Best LIFE (for high school students) and Choosing the Best Path (for middle school students). These reviews found that the curricula name numerous negative consequences of premarital sexuality activity and suggest that teens should feel guilty, embarrassed, and ashamed of sexual behavior. For example, Choosing the Best LIFE states that 'relationships often lower the self-respect of both partners—one feeling used, the other feeling like the user. Emotional pain can cause a downward spiral leading to intense feelings of lack of worthlessness (sic).' Choosing the Best PATH says, 'Sexual activity also can lead to the trashing of a person’s reputation, resulting in the loss of friends.'"

While Iowa is currently one of the few states grappling with meshing federal and state mandates, it is not alone in the waiting game for Section 510 funding. The federal dollars are distributed using a formula that contrasts the number of low-income children in the state to the total number in the nation. Iowa ranks low on that scale but states like Illinois that have higher low-income populations stand to lose nearly $2 million for their abstinence-education programs. Kansas and Nebraska have awards similar to Iowa's, but Missouri stands to lose nearly $1 million.

Iowa undergraduate students Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan were married in Des Moines this morning during an extremely brief window of opportunity to become Iowa's first legal same-sex union.

According to a report from the Associated Press, a dozen gay and lesbian couples were at the Polk County Recorder's Office when it opened this morning. Roughly 20 couples succeeded in applying for marriage licenses before Polk Judge Robert Hanson stayed his ruling from yesterday that Iowa's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act violated constitutional rights of due process and equal protection. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

A marriage license approval in Iowa typically takes three days. Fritz and McQuillan were able skip the waiting period by paying a fee and presenting a signed waiver. This morning, Rev. Mark Stringer declared the couple legally married in a ceremony on the minister's front lawn in Des Moines.

Although some have referred to the judge's ruling as a "moral victory for equal rights," not all Iowans agree.

"No judge can overrule God," Brad Cranston, pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church in Burlington told The Hawk Eye. "It's a clash of morality and legality."

Mona Shaw has an excellent post about the same-sex ruling on the Iowa City Press-Citizen site. I've pulled two paragraphs below, but the entire piece is well worth your time.

... Marriage laws matter in this mix. They matter because until we, as a people, regard the love and commitment between two members of the same sex as equal to and as worthy as that same commitment between two members of the opposite sex, we're bigots whether the ascription offends us or not. Either you believe we deserve equal treatment under the law, or you don't. For that matter either you stand for love and understanding, or you stand for hate and fear. Either you stand for peace and compassion, or you stand for war and cruelty.

It's time to admit now, that over the years I've become weary of those who seem to believe not being homophobic (or racist, etc.) is evidence of their superior character or largesse. (I'm speaking to everyone who's ever thought or said, "I don't have to support those people.") Caring and supporting equality for any oppressed class of people should not be qualifiers for compliments or praise; they are fundamental requirements for being a decent human being. ...

This is one of those moments where I wish I was eloquent. Instead, I'm going to reduce myself to Stone Cold Steve Austin (without the shaved head, of course) and scream, "Hell Yeah!"

Today, Judge Robert Hanson affirmed what most Iowans have known for some time: Any adult lucky enough to find love should not be stripped of the opportunity to enjoy, honor and cherish. In short, Iowa's previous ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. If you are seeking more technical information, I highly suggest you skip over to Chase's detailed post on Iowa Independent.

In the coming days or weeks I've no doubt this decision will be sent to a higher court for further review. That possible happening, however, should in no way take away the celebrations of tonight. Our family looks forward to making room for your family around what should have never been an exclusive table.

Early detection is key when it comes to fighting cancer. That's the message U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wanted to share at the LiveStrong Presidential Forum in Cedar Rapids. It's a message he knows personally.

"Barbara and I are firm believers in early detection and annual exams," he told forum participants on Tuesday. "This is because, a matter of fact, it saved her life."

The senator's wife, Barbara Grassley, was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago.

"We're lucky," he said. "Because of early detection and her 'can't lose' attitude, she's a survivor."

In his remarks, Grassley highlighted both his own initiatives and his party's, saying he was "exceptionally proud" of his work on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, which provides screenings to low-income, uninsured and under-served women.

"But all of what I've said -- whether it is President [Richard] Nixon or ongoing funding since then or legislation I've sponsored -- that's in the past," he said. "Today isn't about what we've done. Today is about what we do in the future to gain further ground and win this battle."

He added that the past has taught us that "a cure isn't going to be easy," but promised that we can all play a role in the interim to control the disease.

"There are challenges and there are hurdles every step of the way," he said. "But we can all do something to help -- every one of us. We can get the message out. It's very important to talk to your doctor -- to encourage your mom, your dad, your kids, your friends, your neighbor to get tested."

In closing, Grassley complimented international cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong for the role he is playing in bring awareness to cancer.

"Lance, your response to cancer is an inspiration to cancer victims as well as those who want to help fight the disease," he said. "By working together on cancer research, by working together for more funding, more medical breakthroughs will make treatment a sure thing to follow."

Grassley also read some of his wife's writings from their 20th wedding anniversary.

"Twenty years and counting," she wrote. "I take each day as it comes -- just thankful that I can put both feet on the floor and go about my daily routine. I enjoy my children, grandchildren and the 'greats' too. I encourage other cancer patients and survivors whenever I can and I'm so thankful for all the blessings that I have been given."

Iowa native Grassley has served Iowa in the United States Senate for more then 30 years. Barbara Grassley is a professional staff member at Chambers, Conlon and Hartwell, where she has been employed since 1987.

By the time presidential candidate Bill Richardson arrived for one of his patent job interviews at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, the roughly 100 chairs had been filled and overflow spectators stood beside walls and in the back of the room.

Though some questions were posed at the Tuesday night event about Iraq and foreign policy, most dealt with domestic issues including the AIDS crisis, access to medicine and reproductive health.

Des Moines area resident Kaytee Riek started off the the question-and-answer period by asking about trade agreements and their impact on low-income nations.

"This question has to do with something that frustrates me to death about the current administration," she said. "In our trade policy we actually hurt access to medicines. The World Trade Organization gives poor countries the right to override patents of pharmaceuticals in America, but when we sign trade agreements with them, we take that right away from the country. This ensures the price of medicine is not going to fall. People with AIDS, heart disease and asthma can't access the medicines they need because of the trade agreement. Is that something you are going to change?"

Richardson, the Democratic governor of New Mexico, listed his short answer as "yes," and jokingly added that he was going to give Riek a position in his administration.

"You make a lot of sense," he said. "You're right. The regulatory agencies in this country -- whether it's the FDA or OSHA -- in many cases this administration has put industry people there. They should be consumers. They should be people that protect Americans and protect consumers."

When it comes to pharmaceutical issues such access to vaccinations and generic drugs, he added, government needs to learn to be bipartisan.

"When it comes to pharmaceutical companies and companies that are involved in medicinal issues, I would find ways to make them part of our foreign assistance bill," he said. "Many private foundations are doing a lot of good work in getting drug companies and pharmaceutical companies to donate vaccines. I would make that a part of the government policy."

Following the meeting, Riek said she was happy yet concerned about Richardson's answer to her question.

"I'm a part of a group -- Iowa for AIDS Action," she said. "Yes, I'm happy with it, although I'm worried that maybe he didn't fully understand the question I was asking. But he said, 'I agree with everything you just said.' That's heartening, but I think we need to get out there and educate more."

The subject of AIDS was directly addressed in at least two more questions from the audience.

"As a nation we've been unable to bring down the number of new HIV infections," a woman said. "In fact, President Bush's administration has failed to achieve a national goal of cutting that number in half and there is no new research. Will you, as president, make sure the U.S. Centers for Disease Control budget has the necessary resources?"

Another woman, recently returned from Tanzania, wanted to know how a Richardson administration would combat the generation of breadwinners in that nation and across Africa who have died of AIDS.

"I won't agree to every figure, but I do agree with the premise of what you're saying," Richardson said when responding to the first question. "We've got to have a more effective strategy of out-reach and education when it comes to AIDS."

Richardson also pledged to make his vice president the head of the AIDS commission before explaining that additional measures were needed.

"What we need is tougher strategies than what you mentioned -- besides outreach, education and funding," he said. "We have to be more innovative. We have to promote the use of condoms. We've got to have needle exchanges. We've got to be aggressive in our strategies and devote more to AIDS research."

While pointing to individuals in African leadership who have created barriers to AIDS treatments in their nations, Richardson also said U.S. diplomats play a big role.

"A lot of this is politics, but it is also people," he said. "Who we appoint to do these things is a big decision. I would have a big focus in our programs for AIDS prevention, especially in Africa."

John and Royce Feltenberger moved to Iowa from Louisiana just weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. While the couple is making their home in this state now and intend to stay here, they still worry about family and friends in and around New Orleans. They wanted to know what Richardson would do to correct the continuing problems in the area.

"That national disaster and its aftermath was one of the saddest chapters in our nation's history," said Richardson. "The administration's response to Katrina was pathetic. I would put the Federal Emergency Management Agency directly under the president again and, of course, hire a competent person to run it. Probably the most important thing I would do -- because there have been rumors of certain areas with certain political ties gaining assistance before others without those ties -- is to make sure no politics are involved."

John Feltenberger said he appreciated the governor's remarks.

"We are here now," he said after the event. "This is our home and we are happy. But what happened there was wrong and it hasn't been fixed. There are people still suffering. This issue is personal and important to us, and I would have liked to have heard him discuss it first."

The subject remains emotional for the couple, who quickly exited the room after our brief interview.

Richardson returns to Iowa on Monday, Sept. 3. Exact details of that trip have not yet been made available. Iowans interested in learning more about Iowa for AIDS Action, should stay tuned for an upcoming article about the organization or email Riek.

A 19-year-old Riverside man went missing Sunday evening after his car was apparently involved in a single vehicle incident. On Tuesday, Washington County law enforcement issued a call for help in locating Phillip Charles Kron after there had been no initial success. Later that same evening, Kron's body was found roughly a mile from his abandoned vehicle.

This morning the Cedar Rapids Gazette quotes Kron's grandmother as saying the death was "self-inflicted." There is no official word from the Washington County Medical Examiner who was scheduled to conduct an autopsy. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar also renews his belief that no foul play is suspected.

The Kalona News is reporting that Kron's vehicle was "on its top" and that several beer cans were located near it. The first report of the abandoned car came at roughly 7 p.m. on Sunday night, listing the vehicle north of Riverside on "1101 Naples/Tulip Ave." Kron's father was contacted and the car subsequently towed away from the scene.

The following day the father, Charles Kron, made contact with law enforcement with news that no one had seen his son. Kron had also missed classes at Kirkwood Community College. The first informal search was conducted Monday evening and concentrated on roadside areas where a witness had reported seeing him walking after the accident.

Kron was a 2006 graduate of Mid-Prairie High School where, according to the Gazette, he was very involved in agriculture and FFA. He was a member of the 224th Engineer Battalion, Iowa National Guard.

Many good things came about as a result of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LiveStrong Presidential Cancer Forum in Iowa. Discussions on cancer research funding and how government can play a role in America's quality of life came to the forefront. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the forum for those who advocate for reproductive health, however, was the injection of the human papillomavirus vaccination into the national conversation.

Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by human papillomavirus, a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains. The disease is spread by genital contact. All types of HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which do not have serious consequences. Roughly 10 out of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to development of cervical cancer.

In June 2006, the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by HPV was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine protects against four HPV types, which altogether cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. The vaccine was subsequently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. The vaccine is given through a series of three shots during a six-month period.

While there is no doubt the vaccination could save the lives of girls if it is provided before they become sexually active, social conservatives have argued that immunizing teens could encourage sexual activity and provide a false sense of protection against other STDs.

"I think we can reassure [those who worry about promiscuity] that there isn't a cause-effect relationship," said Dr. John Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, following the conclusion of the LiveStrong forum held in Cedar Rapids this week. "To put it in another way, the threat of getting cancer has not prevented people from engaging in sexual activity. More importantly, we've found that if you want people to take up an effective measure, you don't ram it down their throat. You provide it and educate people."

The six presidential candidates who attended the forum -- both Republicans and Democrats -- agreed with Seffrin that it is better to continue to educate the public in lieu of creating a mandate for the vaccination.

"While I don't think you can force people to take any type of treatment like that, I think you certainly should make it a covered [by insurance] treatment," said Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. "It has a great potential to virtually eliminate cervical cancer among women so it would be a dramatic improvement if people did it. I'm always hesitant when the government decides it knows more than a mom or dad for their teenage girl. I think that's overstepping the role of government."

Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, added that polio and small pox have been nearly eliminated because of government-mandated vaccinations.

"It certainly makes sense to receive the HPV vaccine," he said. "More importantly, it makes sense to make sure that it is covered under insurance policies."

The other Republican contender who appeared at the forum, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, was the only candidate to be questioned about use of the vaccine by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who joined cycling champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong as co-host.

"Should we require vaccinations for cervical cancer among school girls?" asked Matthews.

"I don't think so," said Brownback.

Matthews followed up, "You just made the point that early detection equals early action. So why do you demur on this thing?"

"You have a number of people who are hesitant about this at this point in time," said Brownback. "I want to watch it for a little bit. I think it is great that we have this vaccine that prevents the HPV -- the human papillomavirus. I think it is excellent. I think if people want to take advantage of that, they should. But for us to step out at this point in time and require that at a federal government level ... I'm hesitant about doing that at this point in time. I am, however, delighted we have this available because HPV has spread broadly in the population. It is the lead cause of cervical cancer and here's a way we can head it off in a lot of places."

Brownback added that he views the differences of opinion on the vaccination and the debate on the perceived risks and known benefits as a cultural divide between the two political parties.

"I want this vaccine available to people," he said after leaving the stage. "I want it easily accessible and available and cheap so that people can have access to it. I'm just not ready to have the government mandate and/or require it."

Remarkably, this issue may be one of the few in which both Democrats and Republicans can find common ground.

Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina said on stage that he would like to see preventive health care mandated by the federal government. In a press meeting following his appearance, I asked if the Democratic candidate's stance included the HPV vaccination.

"You're too deep in the weeds for me," Edwards said. "What I was talking about out there was yearly check-ups and other generalized things that relate to physical health."

In a follow-up email, his campaign stated, "Senator Edwards believes that it is promising and parents should discuss it with their children's doctors, but it should not be mandatory yet. Conservatives are wrong to argue that the use of the HPV vaccine will increase teen sexual activity. There is no evidence this is true. However, we should also resist the rush by drug manufacturers to make this vaccine mandatory. We need more experience with the drug to ensure it's safe and to promote public acceptance before we mandate this costly step. States like Utah, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Washington have provided voluntary free vaccines and/or educational materials with great success."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, is the only candidate in the presidential race who advocates a single-payer universal health insurance system. As a part of that system, the HPV vaccination would be fully covered for all parents who elected to have their daughters protected.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson were the only candidates who did not make themselves available to the press following their public remarks at the forum. Their campaigns, however, did respond to requests on their stances on the HPV vaccine.

In New Mexico, Richardson took steps to increase access to the HPV vaccine by increasing funding to the state's Department of Health to provide the vaccine on a voluntary basis. He also required all insurance companies to cover the vaccine. According to his campaign, this would also be his policy if elected president.

Clinton's campaign provided text from a November 2005 statement in which their candidate called on the head of the U.S. Health and Human Service Department to ensure decisions about the vaccination were based on science and not on ideology or politics.

"Safe and effective vaccines save lives; there is no evidence that they promote or discourage sexual activity," she wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt.

Seffrin says the American Cancer Society remains very excited about the HPV vaccine.

"In October we'll be having a medal of honor ceremony where two scientists -- both involved with the development of this vaccine -- will be honored," he said. "What's important here is that will allow us first-hand knowledge that we can eradicate cervical cancer mortality in the world. It's another example that if we want to bring diseases like cancer under control, we need to go through prevention. We not only think it works, we support people taking advantage of it as soon as they can and making it affordable to people on a world-wide basis."

Some of these have already been used in copy I've written about the Lance Armstrong Foundation's cancer forum in Cedar Rapids this week. Most of them, however, will probably not be included in copy. So, for those interested, here are some photos from the forum.

In addition to the speakers listed above, Gov. Chet Culver, Rep. Dave Loebsack and Cedar Rapids City Councilman Brian Fagan also addressed the participants. Unfortunately, my photos of those gentlemen didn't turn out well.

Earlier today, the Washington County Sheriff's Office asked the public for help in located a 19-year-old Riverside man who had been missing since Sunday night.

Law enforcement is reporting the body of Phillip Kron was discovered not far from the location of his vehicle in northeast Washington County. Kron had been a member of the Iowa National Guard. KWWL is reporting that an autopsy has been scheduled, but no foul play is suspected.

There's been speculation, but today all rumor has been put to rest. International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger will announce tomorrow that the Fire Fighters Union has endorsed Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd in his bid for the White House.

There is no over-playing the boon this is for the Dodd campaign, which seems to be gaining traction in Iowa and New Hampshire. The firefighters were instrumental in Sen. John Kerry's success in 2004 and there's no reason to suspect the well-respected men and women who make up that union will not add a huge boost to the Dodd campaign in terms of both community activism and respect.

This news, when combined with higher polling numbers for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and added Iowa endorsements for Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, should give the top three pause. Those previously known as the "second tier" candidates continue to gain ground in the state, often at the expense of the "top tier" candidates, who continue to see their poll numbers drop.

A recent AARP poll found their membership likely to change candidate preferences between now and caucus night, even if they had previously committed to a candidate. Among potential Democratic participants in the caucuse, more than seven in ten said they are very likely (31 percent) or somewhat likely (46 percent) to change their candidate preference between now and caucus night. It could very well be, then, that as Iowans learn more about and meet Biden, Dodd and Richardson, the nation will begin to view a changing picture in Iowa polling.

The Sheriff's Department in Washington County is actively investigating the disappearance of Phillip Charles Kron, 19, of Riverside. Kron was last scene prior to a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night in the northeast section of the county.

Kron, pictured here, is a white male and stands six feet, two inches tall. His weight is estimated at 170 pounds and he has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing his military uniform -- a tan t-shirt, camouflage plants and brown combat boots. He also has a tattoo of a cross on his left shoulder.

Officials are concerned about Kron's welfare. Any information should be directed to the Washington County Sheriff's Department, 319.653.2107, or to 1-800-TIPS-492.

Gov. Bill Richardson not only pointed to his successes in New Mexico while discussing cancer at the LiveStrong Presidential Forum in Cedar Rapids, but called past, broken promises on to the carpet.

"Richard Nixon, in 1971, declared a war on cancer," he said. "We're not doing too well in that war. This president wants a surge in the war on Iraq. I want a surge in the war on cancer."

Citing how the entire national budget for cancer research is roughly spent during a two-week period in Iraq, Richardson described current budget priorities "pathetic."

"I'm going to talk to you about not only what I would do as president," he said, "but what I've done as a governor."

During the course of his opening remarks, Richardson pointed to increases in stem cell research, removal of junk foods from schools, requiring physical education for students, providing children with healthy breakfasts and implementing comprehensive smoking bans as a few of his successes in New Mexico. Following his public appearance, Richardson stated that, as president, he would continue steps he began in New Mexico to increase access to the human papillomavirus vaccine.

"Access was increased by providing additional funding to the New Mexico Department of Health, which provided the vaccine on a voluntary basis," he said.

Additionally, in Richardson's state, all insurance companies are required to cover the costs associated with the vaccine, the first developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in women.

"[As president] I would focus on an America that is fully committed to bio-medical research," he told forum participants."... the American people need to have an president who is on their side."

In order to find money for what he views as essential research, Richardson says he'd use a multi-faceted approach.

"Nobody asks how much we've spent on the war in Iraq," he said. "That's $450 million dollars that could go to domestic needs -- health care, education and cancer research. I would also make sure that pharmaceutical companies negotiate for lower prices on prescription drugs. I would mandate cost controls on insurance companies that would say 85 percent of your activity has to direct care. Although I get booed when I say this, I would mandate a Constitutional amendment to balance the budget."

Corporate welfare, a line-item veto and tying Congressional salary increases to progress on reducing the deficit were also on Richardson's short list of ways he would find money to pay for additional cancer research.

Richardson says the war on cancer should be renewed; however, only if we have competent leadership.

"It should be a war that is not just more research funds, but a war that involves presidential leadership -- a war that says lets end the bureaucracy," he said. "We need to have a cancer czar or a cabinet-level leader that will lead that fight. That's the bully pulpit of the president."

Richardson remains in Iowa over the next few days and returns to Cedar Rapids Tuesday night for one of his patent job interviews at Coe College.

Why would a national organization with national name recognition choose to hold its first presidential forum in Iowa?

"This forum is clearly another example of why the Iowa caucuses are so important," Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan said following Monday's event. "Not only do organizers understand that presidential candidates are in our state, but it is a reflection on the fact that if the Iowa people are supporting an event, the candidates know it is something they should also be supporting."

"Is there really any other place in America where you could get 2,700 people, a former governor, the current governor, at least one Iowa congressman and four Democratic presidential candidates to come together on a Monday morning to talk about cancer?" asked participant Ellen Jeffers.

Gov. Chet Culver and United States Rep. Dave Loebsack set out the importance of the event and Iowa's role in raising the national conversation.

"We hear your call to action," said Loebsack in his remarks that began the forum. "As we look toward the 2008 elections, I know I will be be looking for a president that is willing to answer that call. Our next president will be confronted with many issues of concern to the American people and fighting this disease should be at the top of the list."

Culver continued along the same thread when he came to the podium.

"I believe there is no better place in the country to hold this forum than Iowa," he said. "As the candidates know, and because of our first-in-the-nation presidential caucus, here in Iowa we are accustomed to asking thoughtful and often very challenging questions. A note to the candidates: We have come to expect honest, direct and straight-forward answers."

Lance Armstrong says that, at the end of the day, the success of any single-issue forum will come down to candidate priorities.

"I personally thought [the forum] was amazing," he said following the event. "We had a lot of very significant candidates here and they discussed the issue we wanted them to discuss -- not the issue I wanted them to discuss, but the issue that millions of people in this country wanted them to discuss -- a devastating illness called cancer.

"As we know in this country, there are a lot of topics that we could discuss and debate. This just comes down to an issue of priorities. When we look at the war, I'm sure a lot of candidates would like to show up and discuss that -- the war is debatable. This issue isn't debatable. We are glad that we had the participation that we did and we're glad that the content was what it was."

When looking toward tomorrow, however, when the forum will continue with the Republican contenders for the White House, Armstrong says he primarily feels disappointed at the lack of participation.

"Let me first say that I think Mike Huckabee is a rising star on that side," he said. "But I've said this before and there's no reason not to say it again -- it's a disappointment that two cancer survivors on the Republican side -- Mayor [Rudy] Giuliani and Sen. [John] McCain -- will not be attending. That being said, I understand that they have other commitments."

The forum continues tomorrow in Cedar Rapids with Republican candidates Huckabee and Sen. Sam Brownback.

Women in Iowa and across the United States came together Sunday to celebrate both 87 years of women's suffrage and current day female accomplishments. Three Linn County women were recognized for years of hard work in the community and region on behalf of women and girls.

"I was honored with this [award]," said former Iowa television journalist Amy Johnson Boyle while serving as emcee of the event. "I only bring that up because it was one of the most meaningful evenings and honors that I received in my life. To be recognized by women in the community for what you do for women in the community... well, to me, there's nothing better than that. The three women who are going to be honored here tonight should feel very, very proud."

The three honored in Linn County as Women of the Year came from diverse fields and backgrounds. Each, however, found a way to advance the plight of women in Iowa.

Kathleen J. Hall

Hall is a retired Cedar Rapids preschool teacher. Retirement, however, has not slowed her down. She continues to volunteer by teaching adults at the Lincoln Learning Center and the Katheryn McAuley Center. She was instrumental in organizing a tutoring program for African refugee children. She also serves as a resource for the community's home school population. She also volunteers for People's Church, Women for Peace Iowa, One Thousand Grandmothers and Indian Creek Nature Center.

"As a teacher, you have the children for such a short time -- such a little bit of their lives -- that to make a real difference you need to go into their homes and work with their families," Hall said in her acceptance speech. "So, I began a home visit program, taking learning materials and modeling how to use them, and I spent an awful lot of time listening. I met some wonderful young women who were struggling. They wanted above all else to give their children every possible opportunity. I learned there first-hand that, in order to improve children's lives, you need to support women and to increase their opportunities."

Hall said that volunteering and working as an advocate for women and various community groups has changed her life.

"I've become a lot more political. I've been involved with Women for Peace for a long time, which not only empowers women but it works on real women's issues. Peace seems to me to be the ultimate women's issue. It is our children who are being trained to kill and sent off to kill or be killed."

Her remarks ended with a quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing that scares you every day."

"That's my challenge to you," she said. "Do one thing that scares you everyday because the second thing won't scare you quite as much. I can guarantee you that you will grow and that in almost every situation you will get back so much more than you gave."

Kristi Thomson

Thomson manages St. Luke's Breast and Bone Health and has been part of the women's health field for 30 years. She is a co-chair of Oncology on Campus, a fundraiser for Iowa Breast Cancer Action Foundation, and has served as president of that organization's board. She has provided educational programs for the public and professional organizations, volunteering up to 500 hours a year. Through both her professional and volunteer efforts, she has mentored and educated a population that is 99 percent female.

"I believe that all of my passion and my compassion throughout my career is largely due to my family," she said. "My mom and dad taught me a tremendous work ethic. Although my dad died about five years ago from cancer, he definitely taught me passion and compassion. You never saw him walk down the street without having a smile or giving someone a hug. That has emanated throughout my career."

Thomson believes her life is blessed because of her career and the opportunities she has to help others.

"Whatever I can do to promote health and well-being for women and whatever I can do to help promote the education of those around me is what I'll do throughout the rest of my career," she said. "I really feel blessed and that's such a nice thing for anyone to be able to say. There's not a day that I dread going to work -- never has been, never will be."

She added that if the time did come when she no longer wanted to go to work, she'd "walk the other direction." At the end of the day, however, she says it is her family and co-workers that keep her focused and happy while she helps others.

"I look forward to serving the entire community for some time," she said. "Even after I retire, I'll still serve."

Ruth E. White

White is also a former educator, having served the Cedar Rapids Community School District for more than 30 years. While there she also served as the academic adviser for minority students and as human relations facilitator for staff. She began two programs -- the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success and the Toward Advance Placement program -- both of which continue to serve minority populations in the Cedar Rapids area. Following her retirement, White served as administrator of the Commission on the Status of African Americans and as director of the Iowa Department of Human Rights. She is currently a consultant for the Iowa Accountability Project.

Sarah Harris, a former student of White, wrote in a letter of recommendation for the award: "I was lucky to receive the gift of a role model who reflected my experience. She encouraged but also demanded that I always did my best and she made learning exciting. She was a huge inspiration for me, always believing in me and continuing to do so in my adulthood."

"Many of the accomplishments that I am credited with are just what one does when one is in the educational realm," said White, who has a Ph.D. " I believe that education is one of the noblest callings and also one of the most underrated callings. The influences that I have on students over the past 30 years may or may not have changed their lives, but, as an educator, that's just what we do. It's not anything we think is worthy of special recognition."

White added that if there is one thing within her career that has stood out from that of other educators, it has been her focus on minority students.

"As we know -- and as you can tell by looking around this room -- the number of people of color in this community is small," she said. "I believe that has an impact on the ability and willingness of many young people of color to learn. ... When I saw young people of color floundering I realized that it might have been because they had no strong, positive role models around them."

She said that belief was the spark for the creation of both the targeted educational programs.

"There is a theme in my career," she said. "It has to do with minority advancement and minority achievement and that's what led me to accept the governor's invitation to come to Des Moines after I retired. I was called away from Des Moines because I was needed to help care for my grandson. So, I'm back in the community, still doing things that impact women and minority people -- just on a more local level."

Another former recipient of the award, former Cedar Rapids Mayor and Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President Lee Clancey, told those in attendance that women had come a long way, but not quite far enough to completely shatter the glass ceiling.

"Thirty-six years ago, as women we were struggling with glass ceilings and artificial barriers to employment and advancement," she said. "There was concern with the needs of working women because it was found that a woman's greatest handicap was a lack of adequate role models for success. In the research I did for this talk, unfortunately, I consistently found things have not dramatically changed in the last 36 years."

Politics, in particular, is an area, she says, in which women have not made enough advancement.

"As much as women have accomplished in other endeavors," she said, "[politics] is still one area in which women have, unfortunately, a long way to go. This is a profession that impacts each and every one of us on a daily basis that is full of opportunities and is wide open to women. As you are probably aware, women are surging into almost every profession available in American life. ... Politics is one of the last holdouts for women achieving success -- along with major corporate board rooms."

Clancey says much of this can be chalked up to gender stereotyping, but that the lack of women in the public conversation is not good for society.

"I believe that women have the potential to be the kind of leaders who will shift paradigms, encourage and mentor others and celebrate diversity," she said. "It's long past time for equal representation with women at the political table, in corporate American board rooms and in leadership positions at all levels. Not only are women wanted to run the nation, they are desperately needed to run it in order to bring important issues to the forefront."

On Aug. 26, 1920, women's right to vote was affirmed with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Since 1971, this anniversary has been celebrated by Congressional Resolution as Women's Equality Day. The Linn County celebration, just as those throughout the nation, recognizes both the historic anniversary and women's continuing efforts toward full equality.

This week's earworm: Pink, Dear Mr. President

Ben Smith at the Politico was the first I saw with a report about the happenings at the DNC's rules and bylaws committee. It seems that Florida has 30 days to fix itself or the DNC says its delegates will not be recognized. No sanctions were threatened against candidates who travel to or campaign in the state. Iowa blogger John Deeth has more info on his blog.

Now Florida Dems are threatening to sue the DNC, saying they've been disenfranchised.

There are many in blogdom attempting to spin this has Florida thumbing its nose at Iowa and New Hampshire. The truth is, Florida Democrats were taken for a ride by their Republican counterparts. Even if one wants to point to what that state's GOP has done, you'd think America as a whole would have had enough of "Bring It On" political maneuvering by now.

Taking a quick waltz around Iowa blogdom... quick because I've committed that today will be a cleaning day at my house and because I'm attending a Women's Equality Day dinner tonight.

• Bleeding Heartland gets on the Obamanation about their scheduling. While I'll agree with the post, I also don't expect to see Obama put out there in Iowa against the other candidates... too risky for him. He'll attend the DNC-sanction events and let the others pass him by unless he's flying solo.
• Century of the Common Iowan picks up the news from the New York Times that states who vote primarily for Democrats have a lower divorce rate. I tend to believe local economies have more to do with the actual divorces than party preference. That being said, local economies tend to be controlled by the folks elected to office who are, in most of those instances, Republican. I guess what goes around, comes around.
• Cyclone Conservatives has an interview with a fellow by the name of Jerry Johnson. It seems Mr. Johnson is a candidate for president on the GOP ticket. Who knew?
• Red Hog Diary has a post about political hate speech, picking up the Mitt Romney photo we noted several weeks ago and providing many examples of how politics has gone astray.
• Mainstream Iowan notes the passing of the University of Iowa from the top ten list of party schools. It has yet to be determined if this is good or bad for enrollment.
• Last Saturday, The Real Sporer professed love for Newt. Nice argument in favor of the politician, but I can't go there.

Presidential forums... Monday and Tuesday I'll be reporting on the LiveStrong Presidential Forum. Democrats are scheduled for Monday and Republicans on Tuesday. I think MSNBC might be either streaming this online or on television.

Five candidates -- Hillary Rodham Clinton, Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich -- have confirmed they'll take part in a discussion of domestic issues before the Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Monday and Tuesday at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club in Orlando, Florida. This event will be streamed live from the IAM site, streaming provided by ustream.tv

Today is Women's Equality Day... a day set in motion by then New York Rep. Bella Abzug. Below is the text of the resolution from 1971:

Whereas, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and

Whereas, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and

Whereas, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and

Whereas, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,

Now, Let It Therefore Be Resolved, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.

Dear readers, please find some time today to celebrate a strong woman in your life and take note of the ways our society is better because of the voices of women.

Iowa's first statewide anti-choice group is among 86 such organizations that have committed to opposing all forms of contraception.

Iowans for LIFE (Life Is For Everyone) has joined a coalition of anti-choice groups under the umbrella of the American Life League and, by joining, has signed a document in opposition to not only abortion but all contraceptives and in vitro fertilization.

... Human life is a miraculous gift from God. Moreover, it is the crowning gift to the loving union of man and woman. When barriers are put in place to block the gift of life and when the gift of life is controlled through science and technology, children easily become viewed as commodities, or material "things," instead of gifts. Respect for human life is impossible without respect for conjugal union. Contraceptive acts and reproductive technologies that manipulate or replace conjugal union are a rejection of the gift of life - and most often include the foreseen deaths of tiny children.

Abortion will never end as long as society approves the use of contraception. The practice of contraception means children are unwanted and provides the rationalization for abortion. It is a violation of human dignity to promote or accept the use of contraception.

Artificial methods of reproduction (in vitro fertilization, "test tube" babies), likewise, are immoral because they involve the laboratory production and destruction of children. This is the same mentality that is used to rationalize destructive human embryo research, human cloning and the sacrifice of tiny children for research. It is a violation of human dignity to promote or accept the use of such technologies because they seek to manipulate and destroy the gift of life. ...

Coalition members who have also agreed to the document range from the California Right to Life Committee to the New York City Catholic Resource for the Unborn Child.

As if that news isn't chilling enough, recent statements and actions by Republican presidential hopefuls seem to have been geared to give voice for their approval.

Christina Page wrote an article in the Baltimore Sun and a post on Huffington Post documenting what she describes as "the quiet campaign against birth control." The players are Iowa Republican front-runner Mitt Romney, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo.

She reports that Romney, while addressing the National Right to Life committee, said, "I fought to define life as beginning at contraception rather than at the time of implantation." This, she says, sends a clear signal to the advocacy groups that the politician is willing to oppose the birth control pill and other contraceptives.

These words also mark a profound change of position. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney ordered Catholic hospitals to administer emergency contraception to women who claimed they had been raped.

Brownback has stated at Iowa events that he believes life "begins and should be protected from the moment of conception."

As advocates for family planning look back a year ago to approval of over-the-counter emergency contraception, they should not forget what was said in opposition. At that time Brownback stated his disappointment with President George Bush for allowing access to Plan B.

"I am saddened at any step that increases the number of abortions and increases the loss of life," he said to writer Amanda Carpenter of Human Events Publishing. "It is reckless to allow an overdose of a prescription drug to be offered over the counter."

Tancredo went one step further: "The morning-after pill cheapens human life, and simply uses a woman's body to dispose of the child instead of a doctor. It also puts them in harm's way by making it more accessible, when studies have yet to be completed on its effect on young women."

As Belle Taylor-McGhee of Pharmacy Access Partnership points out it does little good to attempt correction of the scientifically proven errors in both politicians' statements. "Women's reproductive health," she writes, "continues to be mired in politics rather than addressed with responsible public policy solutions."

Presidential nominations aren't the only thing at stake in Iowa. This political season, just as those in years before, Iowa is a battleground for something many feel is more important: the national conversation.

Every four years, issue groups pushing everything from poverty awareness to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" plant themselves near the state's corn and soybean fields with the hope of drawing national attention and steering national conversations to their cause. While the convergence of such groups is nothing new to Iowa residents and has been impacting policy for years, this particular contest has produced a nearly overwhelming crop of such groups, many of them focusing directly or indirectly on health care.

None of the groups with a health care focus thus far has stated an explicit mission for reproductive health. By that same token, none has excluded it. Outside of the traditional organizations with an eye on this segment of health care (i.e., Planned Parenthood, Iowa Family Planning Council, National Organization for Women), those working to push health care as a national priority in Iowa aren't willing to risk the controversy which so often follows discussions of reproductive health issues.

The importance of these groups, then, isn't that they are already involved in the fight for reproductive health, but that they are poised to influence the outcome of upcoming battles. Many presidential candidates already have health care plans on the table that will be discussed in-depth in the coming weeks. It is important to note, however, that the candidates did not personally sit down and write out a health care plan. Such documents came from weeks, months and possibly years of planning with the very groups now hard at work in Iowa, driving policy changes that will affect every American.

Iowa for Health Care

The most active and predominant group with a focus on health care is Iowa for Health Care, a project of the Service Employees International Union. In March the group released the results of a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners of likely primary and caucus voters in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada. In those states, both Democratic and Republican voters overwhelmingly agreed there was a need for fundamental and not piecemeal reform of the health care system. Ninety percent of Democratic voters and 77 percent of Republican voters agreed that "businesses, government and individuals all have a responsibility to help pay for health care."

"Iowa's voters consistently place health care among their top issues," said Sarah Swisher, director Iowa for Health Care, when the poll was released. "Rising health care costs are continuing to hit Iowans where it hurts."

As a part of its campaign to keep health care at the forefront of the national conversation, the SEIU launched Walk A Day In My Shoes to encourage presidential hopefuls not only to court voters, but to gain first-hand knowledge of individual circumstances. All of the Democratic candidates have met with individual SEIU members to discuss their plans for America's future and listen to how those plans could affect individuals working today. None of the Republican contenders have agreed to participate.

Better Health Care Together

One of the broader coalitions pushing for health care reform is Better Health Care Together. The coalition, which calls for reform by 2012, has created some strange bedfellows. Members of the coalition are AT&T, the Center for American Progress, the Committee for Economic Development, Manpower, Kelly Services, Intel, General Mills, Maersk Inc., SEIU, Wal-Mart, Qwest Communications, R.R. Donnelley, the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy, Communications Workers of America and Embarq Corp.

"The U.S. health care system delivers below international norms at high cost, and consumers and industry suffer the consequences," said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett while discussing his company's affiliation with the coalition. "The simple principles and the diverse champions [that are a part of the coalition] will create a framework to develop workable approaches to the problems."

Divided We Fail

A newcomer on the scene in Iowa this year is Divided We Fail. An arm of the American Association of Retired Persons, this organization has a two-pronged focus of health care and long-term financial security. The elephant-donkey hybrid used as the group's logo is fast becoming a recognized symbol in Iowa for nonpartisan reform.

Since one in five Iowans receives Social Security, and since health care expenditures have grown by nearly 8 percent each year since 1980, the group has found traction with Iowa caucus goers from both parties. Currently, 12 percent of Iowa's population does not have health care.

Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, diabetes and heart disease as well as the policies that affect long-term care and prevention, are the target of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. The organization is a coalition of many existing agencies, labor groups and businesses such as the Men's Health Network, Epilepsy Foundation, American Academy of Nursing, Milkin Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of the USA and National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists.

The Iowa advisory board includes Iowa for Health Care's Swisher, former Iowa House Minority Leader Dick Meyers, former Gov. Tom Vilsac, former Gov. Terry Branstad, Community Health Charities President Jim Swanstrom, Greater Des Moines Partnership Chairman Jim Cownie and Des Moines Area Religious Council Executive Director Forrest Harms. As the board membership would suggest, partnering organizations are just as diverse and range from the American Cancer Society of Iowa to local churches.

The organization aims to offer a united voice to promote health and wellness, reduce health disparities, eliminate bureaucracy, enhance health information and increase access to health care, including preventative care.

"Our goal is to restructure and re-frame the debate on health care reform," Ken Thorpe, executive director of the partnership told American Medical News in June. "Most people are not aware of the key role played by chronic disease in driving up health care costs."

Thorpe, a health policy adviser to the Clinton administration, says chronic disease accounts for 75 percent of the nation's health care spending.

On The Fringe

Many other organizations and groups are currently in Iowa pushing agendas that are not associated directly with health care but will nonetheless impact policy if they are successful:

Iowans for Sensible Priorities wants to see the government reduce Pentagon spending and reroute those monies into programs like education, health care and job training. In particular, the group wants $60 billion currently spent on Cold War-era weapons systems to be eliminated in favor of social programs.

Iowans for Tax Relief is interested in how taxes are spent. Although the group primarily targets state issues and spending, its level of activity and presence in the state provides the group opportunity for larger spheres of influence.

ED in '08 is a pseudo-newcomer to Iowa, this one targeting education. The program is a revamp of a different push -- STAND UP -- that was launched in 2006. It is an arm of Strong American Schools, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation have provided funding.

Iowa Global Warming Campaign has been extremely active with the presidential candidates and the general public thus far. This is especially true in the eastern portion of the state. Founding members include the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa RENEW, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the League of Conservation Voters, the National Wildlife Federation, the National Audubon Society and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Iowa Christian Alliance (formerly the Christian Coalition of Iowa) represents Christians and "advocates Christian values" at all levels of government while also training and informing constituents for political action. The group also acts as a watchdog for what it deems "anti-Christian bigotry."

Working Families Vote 2008 is a project of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations. The aim is to inform working men and women on issues that would be of importance in their lives -- health care being one of many.

One Iowa focuses on awareness of a wide variety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues such as marriage equality, safe schools and military issues.

One Vote '08 has targeted several global problems, most of which connect to poverty. Their goals include fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; preventing death from poverty; providing primary education for children who have no access; improving impoverish living conditions; and reducing/ending world hunger.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has issued the following statement:

"I strongly support the important and traditional role that Iowa and New Hampshire have played in the presidential nominating process for decades -- and they will play the same role this time. My campaign will - as all presidential campaigns should -- respect Iowa's special place as the nation's first caucus, and New Hampshire's place as the first primary."

Other candidate statements regarding the upcoming DNC meeting to discuss the calendar and possible sanctions against states who have moved or are considering a move outside of the contest window are located here and here.

Iowans for Hillary will host 19 events in the state this weekend in conjunction with Women's Equality Day and the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Women's Equality Day, instituted by the late Bella Abzug in 1971, commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the United States full voting rights. It is regretful that I can no longer pick up the phone and ask Abzug, who was known for bucking against the beltway and abruptly fired from the National Advisory Committee on Women by Pres. Jimmy Carter for criticizing his economic policies, how she feels about the Clinton campaign utilizing Women's Equality Day as a campaign event. Since the phone number to the afterlife is not readily available, we must rely on her previous statements for insight:

"Just imagine for a moment what life in this country might have been if women had been properly represented in Congress. Would a Congress where women in all their diversity were represented tolerate the countless laws now on the books that discriminate against women in all phases of their lives? Would a Congress with adequate representation of women have allowed this country to reach the 1970s without a national health care system? Would it have permitted this country to rank fourteenth in infant mortality among the developed nations of the world? Would it have allowed the situation we now have in which thousands of kids grow up without decent care because their working mothers have no place to leave them? Would such a Congress condone the continued butchering of young girls and mothers in amateur abortion mills? Would it allow fraudulent packaging and cheating of consumers in supermarkets, department stores and other retail outlets? Would it consent to the perverted sense of priorities that has dominated our government for decades, where billions have been appropriated for war while our human needs as a people have been neglected?"

Abzug speaking as member of the U.S. House of Representatives

"This Women's Equality Day effort not only commemorates women finally being ensured the right to vote, but also celebrates the women who have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes," said Clinton in a prepared statement. "When I meet young women across the country, I am encouraged by their enthusiasm and am reminded that we need to continue the fight to protect and defend women's rights."

Saturday, Aug. 25

Members of the Iowans for Hillary Women's Leadership Council will gather at 10:30 a.m. at the Iowa State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in Des Moines, to attend the Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony and reception.

Sunday, Aug. 26

Dolores Huerta, longtime labor and civil rights leader and co-founding of the United Farm Workers Union, will attend house parties in Sioux City, Mason City and Charles City.

Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy will attend a veterans' meeting in Davenport, the Dubuque Women's Equality Day celebration, the Cedar County Democrats Annual Music Fest and another Equality Day event in Linn County.

Bonnie Campbell and Marti Anderson will attend events in Adel, Atlantic, Harlan and Council Bluffs.

Dr. Andy McGuire will attend events in Fairfield, Ottumwa and Knoxville.

McGuire will be joined by former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack at the Women for a Stronger America celebration in Des Moines at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

For more information, visit Clinton's campaign site.

In a Des Moines Register column former United States Congressman Dave Nagle has issued a blistering assessment of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' comments to the Associated Press and takes a few swipes at Iowa politicos while he's at it.

Yesterday John Edwards, the man who Iowa created in 2004, who New Hampshire allowed to survive and South Carolina bestowed victory upon, turned on his friends for a political opportunity he sees in Michigan. Edwards declined to honor Iowa and New Hampshire’s first in the nation status. ...

But here is what is really scary; Edwards’ principle advisers in Iowa are Rob Tully and Roxanne Conlin. Guess who is advising Iowa this Saturday at the DNC Rules and By-Laws Committee meeting, which will attempt to finally resolve this conflict between Iowa, New Hampshire and states like Florida and Michigan? Well, that really wasn’t a hard question.

But we should not be surprised. After all, it was two of Clinton’s top advisers, Governor Tom Vilsack and Jerry Crawford who first created this problem.

The harsh criticism comes as little surprise to those who have been following the calendar chaos created by the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Subcommittee last year. Since that time Nagle, who is also a former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, has issued three memos, two of which were recently highlighted and discussed in the New Hampshire Concord Monitor.

The first memo, dated March 8, concentrated primarily on the history of the Iowa caucus and was sent to Gov. Chet Culver and the state's other top elected officials. Although officially titled "Iowa Caucus 101" it has since been unofficially dubbed "The Manifesto." Just 10 days ago the second memo, titled "What's Next?" was issued following public comments from Culver about the nomination calendar. Today, the third memo -- Manifesto III -- was circulated.

Nagle has issued the memos based on his own experience with fighting for Iowa's first in the nation status. In the 1980s, when he served as chair, both Iowa and New Hampshire moved to avoid conflict with Vermont contests. Both were pressured to move back to their assigned dates and both refused. That year the DNC sued Iowa in Federal District Court in an attempt to keep the state from moving. The DNC lost.

One thing Iowa has always had as a blessing has been its good relationship with New Hampshire, says Nagle. He fears that due to votes made by Iowa representatives to the DNC, that relationship is now in peril. Three votes were taken to determine the order of the states that would be allowed to conduct contests outside of the official window, he explained in a previous conversation.

"While it is true that on the final vote Iowa sided with New Hampshire, it is also true that we stabbed our friends in the back during those first two votes," he said.

All of this, combined with the current dilemma of loyalists of certain campaigns taking an advisory role for the state at the DNC subcommittee meeting on Saturday, Nagle says, should give us all pause and concern about Iowa's ability -- and desire -- to maintain its first in the nation status.

Yesterday when Edwards was quoted by the Associated Press, his campaign was contacted for clarification. Dan Leistikow, Iowa communications director for the campaign, wrote in response, "As you know, Sen. Edwards strongly supports Iowa's first in the nation caucuses. He's been running a very aggressive campaign in Iowa and that's definitely not going to change. Something else that won't change is the importance of Iowa -- which will have the first contest in the nation and will give the winner tremendous momentum. That's why we're continuing to expand and build on our operation here."

In addition Democratic candidates Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson have made statements indicating the importance for Iowa and New Hampshire to lead the nomination process. To date the only Democratic candidates who have not weighed in on the discussion are Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

A total of $425,700 will be distributed by Iowa's Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board to increase access to E-85 and biodiesel in the state.

Gov. Chet Culver announced 18 new awards by the board to help 16 Iowa retailers to install pumps for E-85 ethanol and biodiesel fuel, terminals installing biodiesel blending equipment and tank wagons with dedicated compartments for E-85 and biodiesel for farm delivery.

"Iowa is America's biofuels leader, producing more ethanol and biodiesel than any other state," Culver said in a prepared statement. "Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for Iowa families to use renewable fuels for consumers, promote Iowa's renewable energy economy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil."

The 18 projects approved at the RFIB meeting are:

• Kum & Go, LLC -- Adel
• Agriland FS, Inc. -- Afton
• Aplington Feed & Grain -- Aplington
• Cobb Oil Company -- Brighton
• Farm Service Company -- Council Bluffs (two awards)
• SilverEdge Cooperative -- Edgewood
• Houseman Oil Co., Inc. -- Estherville
• 218 Fuel Express -- Floyd
• Fredericksburg Farmers Coop -- Fredericksburg
• AgVantage FS, Inc. -- Hazelton (two awards)
• Five Star Coop -- New Hampton
• Sully Cooperative Exchange -- New Sharon
• Agriland FS, Inc. -- Orient
• Wessels Oil Co. -- Palmer
• Carterville Elevator Inc. -- Rockwell
• Sully Cooperative Exchange -- Sully

"These awards to expand access to E-85 and biodiesel demonstrate our state's commitment to a greater use of renewable energy," said Department of Economic Development Director Mike Tramontina.

Over a three-year period, $13 million in financial incentives will be allocated by the RFIB to expand consumer access to renewable fuels. Since July 2006, more than $2.6 million has been awarded. Owners and operators of retail motor fuel sites or biodiesel terminals should submit applications for the awards to the Department of Economic Development. The board will meet again on Nov. 20 to consider new applications.

Just received this statement directly from Sen. Chris Dodd in relation to Iowa's importance as first in the nation:

“I disagree with those candidates who would say that they are ‘running a national campaign’ and accept the political maneuvering to preempt Iowa’s time-tested and important role in the process of choosing which candidate would make the strongest nominee and strongest President.

“Such a strategy only reinforces the role of big money and big rally sound bites and strikes another blow at the very heart of what makes the Iowa Caucuses so important -- this year more than ever. The next President is going to inherit the most complicated set of circumstances in a generation and must not only be ready to lead from day one but also have demonstrated a proven ability to bring people together and get things done. Making that important decision about who is best qualified to do that must be done in small settings where voters get the chance to ask the important and direct questions of each of us. That is what happens in the living rooms, schools, and farms of Iowa, and it should remain that way.

“In this year where the media focus seems to be on celebrity and sound bites, it is more important that ever that Iowa remains the first in the nation caucuses.”

Within the statement, which arrived by email just a few moments ago, the words "who would say that they are 'running a national campaign'" are hot-linked to an Associated Press article.

Two more Democratic presidential campaigns have issued statements about the possible Michigan jump to Jan. 15, 2008 and their belief that Iowa should lead the nomination process.

"Gov. Bill Richardson believes Iowa should remain first in the primary calendar," said Iowa Communications Director Tom Reynolds. "Iowans understand the responsibility that comes with their position and take it very seriously. They carefully scrutinize the candidates and their policies to make informed choices. The retail politics that take place in Iowa are a valuable part of the electoral process."

Sen. Chris Dodd's campaign agrees Iowa should maintain its role as first in the nation.

"Voters and caucus-goers in Iowa are not impressed by celebrity or campaign war chests," said Taylor West, Iowa press secretary for Chris Dodd for President. "Instead, they evaluate candidates face-to-face, asking tough questions to determine who would make the strongest nominee and the strongest president. Given the stakes in this election, the thorough examination of candidates by voters in the early states plays a crucial role in the process, and it's one that we believe should continue."

The statements follow one made by Sen. Joe Biden at the end of a weeklong tour of the state.

"Powerful interests are trying to change the Democratic nomination for president into a game of Monopoly, replacing the retail politics of Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire with a process in which the only credential necessary to be president is to be the wealthiest candidate," he said.

Biden went on to call upon all "fellow Democratic candidates to reaffirm their support for the retail role of Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire."

The statements come mere days before the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee meets in Washington, D.C. to debate whether primary and caucus dates in a number of states meet the rules that same committee set last year.

Representatives of the Iowa Democratic Party will take part in the meeting and, it appears, they will have several Democratic candidates standing in their corner.

~~~UPDATE, 5:54 p.m.~~~

Gov. Bill Richardson's campaign has just now released the following statement directly from the candidate:

"This continuing game of 'primary leapfrog' is not constructive and threatens to disrupt the entire process," said Governor Richardson. "I respect and support Iowa's and New Hampshire's rightful places as the first caucuses and first primary, respectively, in the nation, and I call on my fellow Democratic candidates to do the same. We'll deal with the remainder of the calendar when the dust settles."

Richardson further added that he is concerned the scramble for early dates will negatively impact the Nevada caucuses scheduled for Jan. 19.

"The Nevada Caucuses for the first time give the West a critical voice in the selection of the President," he said. "This diversity is essential to ensure that Western values and issues and the concerns of minorities are directly addressed during the campaign."

~~~UPDATE, 7:10 p.m.~~~

After reading former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' remarks to the Associated Press, I contacted his Iowa Communications Director Dan Leistikow for clarification.

Leistikow emailed the following response:

"As you know, Senator Edwards strongly supports Iowa's first in the nation caucuses. He's been running a very aggressive campaign in Iowa and that's definitely not going to change. Something else that won't change is the importance of Iowa -- which will have the first contest in the nation and will give the winner tremendous momentum. That's why we're continuing to expand and build on our operation here."

Neurologist Selden Spencer is continuing his quest to represent Iowa in the United States House of Representatives by launching a new interactive web site.

"A large part of any campaign these days is internet presence," Spencer said in a letter to supporters. "Our new site is fun and vibrant, with tools for you to use in helping us to send a new voice to Washington to represent Iowa's fourth district."

The site, which was previously limited to primarily blog postings, now has a calendar of events, a photo gallery, Spencer's public appearance schedule, a volunteer form and accepts online contributions. Those interested in certain policy issues are now able to contact the candidate directly via the site.

Spencer lives in Huxley while practicing medicine in Ames. He launched an unsuccessful bid against Republican Tom Latham in 2006, garnering 43 percent of the vote.

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate peaked for the year at 3.9 percent in July, as hiring cooled considerably. The July jobless rate was up from 3.8 percent in June, and up from 3.7 percent a year ago.

“There are some indications that the job market may be easing up slightly, but the fundamentals still remain quite solid,” Elisabeth Buck, Iowa Workforce Development director, said in a prepared statement. “The latest economic news is consistent with earlier reports that job growth will be slower through the rest of the year.”

Nationally the unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in July, up from 4.5 percent in June. There were 92,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy, which is less than the 135,000 jobs that economists had predicted. The increased national unemployment rate, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is a result of a decline in construction, manufacturing and retail jobs. Construction jobs fell by 12,000 in July, retail jobs by 1,000 and manufacturing jobs by 2,000.

July’s jobless rate in Iowa was the highest since March 2006, when it was also 3.9 percent. The latest figure is the highest rate since January 2006, when unemployment was reported at 4 percent.

The total number of working Iowans decreased by 2,600 to 1,596,400 in July. Total employment for the state stood at 1,604,800 in July 2006.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Nonfarm employment in Iowa dropped to 1,521,400 in July -- 1,900 fewer than the all-time record of 1,523,300 posted for June. Large job cuts of 2,100 in trade and transportation, 1,500 in government and 700 in professional and business services were largely responsible for the subdued employment picture. Partially offsetting the general downward trend this month was a gain of 1,900 jobs in education and health services, along with smaller increases in several other industries.

Compared with July 2006, nonfarm employment is 19,600 higher, led by gains of 5,500 in education and health services. Other sectors that added substantial numbers of workers over the year were leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, trade and transportation, construction and finance.

Data for August will be released in late September.

Before departing Iowa after a weeklong stay, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden today issued the following statement regarding the attempt by Michigan to circumvent the primary calendar and move its date to Jan. 15, 2008:

“Powerful interests are trying to change the Democratic nomination for President into a game of Monopoly, replacing the retail politics of Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire with a process in which the only credential necessary to be President is to be the wealthiest candidate.

"Under the current calendar, voters can regularly meet candidates in their homes, town halls and diners. This provides an almost one on one opportunity to hold candidates accountable for their ideas and records for solving the most pressing issues facing this country. The communities of Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire provide a diverse array of voters and a level playing field for candidates to compete in, as a lead up to the larger states which will decide who the next Democratic nominee will be for President.

"I call upon all of my fellow Democratic candidates to reaffirm their support for the retail role Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire and publicly ask their supporters, such as Democratic Senate Leader Mark Schauer, and Governor Granholm to oppose any attempts to break the Democratic National Committee’s “calendar window” as Republicans did in Florida on behalf of Mitt Romney.”

Representatives from the Iowa Democratic Party will be in attendance at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee's Rules Committee this weekend to determine if sanctions should be taken against states who have refused to follow the calendar which was set last year -- and also if such sanctions will be adequate to curtail the eruption of calendar chaos.

On Saturday citizens from across Iowa will gather at the Polk County Convention Center for the Shaping America's Youth Iowa Citizens' Summit on childhood obesity. The event is directed by AmericaSpeaks. The meeting is coordinated locally in conjunction with Iowas Fit for Life and the Partnership for Better Health.

Participants will discuss how individuals representing different spheres of influence in children's lives can take action to improve childhood nutrition and increase physical activity.

The Iowa Citizens’ Summit will be the fifth of such meetings across the U.S. that seek grassroots, community input into the development of a community-based plan of action. Meetings have also been held in Memphis (January 2006), Dallas (April 2006), Philadelphia (April 2007) and Chicago (May 2007).

The summit begins at 9:30 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. Participants, volunteers and facilitators are being actively recruited. To register or for more information, visit Shaping America's Youth, send an email, or phone 1-800-SAY-9221.

(Editor's Note: I will be attending a different event on Saturday and will be unable to cover the Summit. If one of our readers attends and would like to provide coverage after the fact, please let me know.)

“Support the Troops – End the War.” This message has been spread across Iowa in recent months on yard signs and bumper stickers by the Iraq Summer campaign, ICAN’s ally in calling for an end to the war in Iraq.

A series of actions and events have been planned for this weekend and will culminate on Tuesday, Aug. 28, with "Take A Stand" rallies in Ames and Pocahontas. To sign up or for more information contact ICAN Political Director Amy Logsdon by email or by phone, 319.354.8116, or contact Iraq Summer State Director Sue Dinsdale, at 515.480.3240.

Yellow Ribbon Day
Saturday, Aug. 25, Des Moines -- Wear a yellow shirt and be a part of the "human yellow ribbon' on the steps of the Capitol. Photographs of the event will be sent to legislators with the message, "Support Our Troops -- End the War."

Stake Outs/Vigils
Saturday, Aug. 25, Fort Dodge -- 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at City Square, 424 Central Ave. There will be a barbeque from 4 to 6 p.m. with a "sign the sign" the event with a walk to Rep. Tom Latham's office to deliver comments.
Saturday, Aug. 25, Davenport -- from 6 p.m. on Saturday to noon on Sunday at the Federal Building, 131 West 3rd St., and Kaiserslautern Park across the street. Most of the action is scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 p.m. although the "slumber party" will go all night.
Sunday, Aug. 26, Clear Lake -- from 10 a.m. to noon at Latham's office, 812 Hwy 18 E; noon to 9 p.m. at Clear Lake City Park, 2730 S. Lakeview Dr. There will be a "Fishing for the Truth" rally at the park from noon to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 26, Cedar Rapids -- from noon on Sunday to noon on Monday at the Federal Building, 101 1st St. SE. A "summer nights" vacation party will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 27, Ames -- from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Latham's office, 1421 S Bell Ave., Suite 108A; from 4 to 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial, located on the northeast corner of 5th and Grad Ave. There will be a "Care Package for the Troops Drive" from 4 to 6 p.m. so that participants can donate items to be mailed to U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
Sunday, Aug. 27, Waterloo -- noon to 6 p.m. at the Federal Building, 531 Commercial St. There will be a "Care Package for the Troops Drive" from 4 to 6 p.m. so that participants can donate items to be mailed to U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Take a Stand Town Hall Meetings
Tuesday, Aug. 28, Pocahontas -- Pocahontas County Courthouse, 300 NW 7th St., beginning at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 28, Ames -- Iowa State University, Memorial Union Pioneer Room, 2229 Lincoln Way, beginning at 6 p.m.

The town hall meetings and vigils are a part of a nation-wide organizing drive to demand that members of Congress and the Senate take a stand with the vast majority of Americans who want a safe and responsible redeployment of American forces from Iraq.

This is going to be a weekend people look back on as key when they discuss the 2008 election, says Cedar Rapids attorney Dave O'Brien.

"In campaigns sometimes you see a convergence of events that bring about real change," said O'Brien, who has known Biden for 20 years and long ago signed on as a supporter. "This weekend is going to be one of those weekends for Joe Biden."

O'Brien points to Biden's new ad in Iowa dubbed "Cathedral" and to the senator's performance in Sunday's debate as reasons why this is the case. The ad, which focuses on Biden's plan to end the war in Iraq so that U.S. forces don't have to return to that region, is the campaign's first to run in the state.

"It seemed most of the debate focused on his plan for Iraq," he said. "People are starting to see that this is a guy who has the experience to be president. When this election in placed in the history books, this weekend will be seen as a turning point."

Biden was in Cedar Rapids Monday night for a house party at the home of Tom and Nan Riley. Well over 100 people flowed off the cobblestone patio and into the adjoining porch and yard.

One of those in attendance was Rep. Dick Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, who openly endorsed Biden in late June. Taylor helped with the 1950 Hungnam Evacuation from Korea and says that Christmas Eve experience in the theater of war showed him what happens when troops pull out of an area.

"One of the main reasons I support Joe Biden is because of his expertise in foreign affairs," he said. "Servicemen are very patriotic and we need to back them 100 percent -- that's what Joe Biden is about. He understands that our soldiers don't have what they need over in Iraq and that's why he supported the funding."

Tonight was one of the few campaign stops in Iowa where Biden was not asked about being the only presidential contender to vote for a measure to fund the troops in Iraq. He was, however, asked about his strategy to win the Democratic nomination.

"I've kind of gone about this backwards," Biden said. "I spent a year before getting into this race deciding what I would do as president and not nearly enough time on how I would get elected as president. I know that sounds ridiculous. Twenty-five years ago when I thought about this, I thought about how not what."

Biden says he knows who he would ask to be in his cabinet, what he wants to accomplish and what his first initiatives would be as president, but he hasn't put enough time into planning his organization here and elsewhere. Despite all of that, however, he says that Iowans should be sure to read the fine print on the polls.

"If you look at the polling data then you'll see that only 8 percent of you in this state have made up your mind who you are going to caucus for," he said. "That's what the Des Moines Register poll said."

Biden told the audience there was a similar situation with the University of New Hampshire poll.

"Toward the end the respondents were asked if they really had any preference in this race at this point," he said. "Forty-eight percent of the people in New Hampshire answered 'no' after being forced to pick somebody. They they were asked, 'Of the person you've picked, are you only leaning toward that person or are you sure?' Forty-two percent said, 'I'm only leaning.' Only 8 percent of the voters in the state of New Hampshire said they have a definite choice."

While this is hopeful, Biden said it does not mean that he will win -- but he does intend to make a few waves in the coming week.

"What it means is that if I can continue I think you're gonna see by September that we will have more members of the Iowa House of Representatives endorsing me than anyone else running for president -- including Hillary [Clinton] and Barack [Obama]," he said. "I think you are going to see that we are slowly, gradually, but substanially building a real, live organization out here."

Biden will leave for his ninth trip to the green zone in Iraq next week. Campaign staff would not confirm if the new endorsements from Iowa legislators would be announced before that trip.

The State Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy of a Perry man who was fatally wounded last week and has ruled the death a suicide.

On Thursday, Aug. 16, officers responded to a civilian report that Mark Allen Holcomb, 52, was considering self-harm. Three members of the Perry police force -- Officers Pat Jans, Jerome Hill and Josh Sparks -- were joined by Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy Tom Peterson at Holcomb Body Shop in Perry. Holcomb was believed to be on the premises.

According to witnesses on the scene, Holcomb drew a weapon and shot himself. It was also reported Officer Jans fired a shot. Jans was subsequently placed on leave, pending further investigation.

The medical examiner was scheduled to complete the autopsy on Friday and today Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation released a report stating the autopsy revealed "Holcomb died of a gunshot wound to the head." The death was classified as a suicide. The bullet fired by Jans grazed Holcomb, but did not contribute to his death.

Jans remains on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.

In as much as members of the press were waiting for that "uh-oh" moment from the Democratic contenders this morning during the debate at Drake University in Des Moines, participants in the audience were simply expecting more of the same.

"We've watched most of the debates," said John Edwards supporter Theresa Navin of Winterset. "We've also seen most of the candidates as they've traveled through our community. They all have a good message."

Her husband, Pat, a member of Teamsters Local 90, agreed with his wife and added, "This is probably going to be a repeat of what we've already heard."

Brad Hudson of Ankeny came into the debate undecided and is interested to know if anything will be said to change his mind. "I'm with the teachers' association, so I really want to hear about education. I want to know about No Child Left Behind and hear the details of what the candidates plan to do to make it work."

Fourth grade teacher Linda Melson of Council Bluffs is also undecided and interested in hearing the candidates discuss education. "More than anything, I just want them to discuss education -- just talk about it," she said. "There really hasn't been a great deal of discussion so far on education."

Drake University political science professor Rachel Caufield said she expected to see more division and wedges self-placed by the candidates.

"I'm expecting to see the front runners try to position themselves," she said. "I also expect to see the 'second tier' candidates -- that is, [Chris] Dodd, [Joe] Biden and [Bill] Richardson -- try to break through to the next level."

All those interviewed received at least a portion of what they'd wanted and expected -- although, at the end of the program, no one had an epiphany or change of heart.

"I like [Dennis] Kucinich even more after seeing him today," said Theresa Navin. "All of the people on the stage need someone like him to keep them on their toes."

Nonetheless, she was quick to add, "But Edwards is still my number one."

Although Pat Navin said he'd like to see the field narrowed, he wasn't ready to take the plunge himself.

"They are all very good," he said. "But my opinion hasn't changed based on what I saw and heard here this morning."

Melson thinks she may have some idea of where she's going, but she's not positive.

"I was really pleased that we finally got to have a conversation about education," she said. "And... there were some things that were said that are helping me to get a clearer picture."

While also pleased to hear the questions regarding education, Hudson still maintained a foggy picture.

"On the merit pay question, I think this most had good ideas, but I thought [Barack] Obama was fumbling," he said. "All of American wants great teachers. Who would get to decide who gets the great teachers and who gets the average teachers?"

Caufield, who was also undecided prior to the event, said she didn't have any major breakthroughs based on what she saw.

"I think Edwards and Obama did what they needed to do," she said. "They should be very proud of their performance."

Des Moines Register political journalist David Yepsen, who helped moderate the event, said he was pleased with the debate.

"The most remarkable thing I heard was that we finally got to get into some of these issues that hadn't already been discussed -- like education," he said. "We went with the merit pay question because instead of No Child Left Behind because there are some real differences there... so that we could hear some differences."

Promises to re-establish America's reputation in the world and to uplift Iowa's middle class were nearly as prevalent as ears of warm, buttery corn in Clinton today at Rep. Polly Butka's Corn Boil. In fact, if it hadn't been for the signs being waved by candidate supporters as their favorite spoke at Alliant Energy Field, it might have been difficult to distinguish which of the four visiting Democratic candidates were speaking from home plate.

"I've been to many of these events," said new Cedar County resident Cheryl Larson, who reluctantly admits to being undecided. "I keep hoping to hear something new -- something that will distinguish one of them from the pack. When you boil it all down, they all stand in pretty much the same spot. I don't want to see them attacking each other, but I am looking for something to draw me to one candidate over another."

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden continued his quest to both explain his vote to continue Iraq funding and to separate his beliefs from those of his opponents.

"The truth is that when we voted several months ago on dealing with whether we were going to fund the troops another six months -- the truth is I was the only Democrat to vote for it," he said. "I know a lot of you are angry. Every other Democratic candidate running for president was among the 14 'no' votes. I was told that voting to fund the troops could cost me the election here in Iowa. But, ladies and gentlemen, the truth is as long as there is a single American troop in Iraq... we have a sacred obligation to protect them."

Gary Bowen traveled across the Mississippi River for the sole purpose of attending the event and hearing Biden speak.

"I'm not sure if I heard everything I wanted to hear," he said. "I wanted to come and see him in person -- never have seen any of them before today -- because you so rarely hear of a politician's son going to war. When I heard that his son was told he'd ship out next year, I had to come. I respect that and I respect what he did with the funding. I could see myself making the same decision, because I wouldn't play politics with our soldiers."

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards again attempted to distance himself from New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton by calling on those in the audience to demand candidates separate themselves from special interest money.

"We need to make it absolutely clear that the Democratic Party is party of the people, not the party of Washington insiders," Edwards said. "We can do that starting today if we, the Democratic presidential candidates and the Democratic Party, will never take a dime from Washington lobbyists. We are not representing them. All of us need to do this to send a clear, absolutely unmistakable signal to America about who we are and what it is that we represent. We don't need just rhetoric, we need change -- real change."

The war in Iraq held a prominent place in remarks by all the candidates.

"I don't know about you, but I think the last election was a mandate from the American people," he said. "It was a mandate for change. It was a mandate for the Congress to hold this president's feet to the fire and end this war in Iraq. It was a mandate that said, 'If you submit a bill to the president for funding of the troops, it must have a timetable for withdrawal.' If Bush vetoes it, they must send another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. If he vetoes it, they should send another one. They should stand their ground and force this president to end this war because he will never do it unless we make him do it."

Clinton, joined on home plate by former Gov. Tom Vilsack and former First Lady Christie Vilsack, was also adamant that the war must end, although she did provide a qualifier to withdrawal.

"As much work as we need to do here at home, we have a big set of challenges around the world," she said. "There are so many problems in our country that have been made worse by this president and his vice-president. I'm prepared to take those on because I know how important it is to start day one reversing the damage that George Bush and Dick Cheney have done to our country around the world. We will start by bringing our troops home from Iraq as soon as we responsibly can."

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd agrees the Bush administration has caused harm to the nation.

"We all understand what great damage the Bush administration has done to our nation," he said. "Let's bring our troops home from Iraq. We all know the harm that war has caused to our nation. And, frankly, we can't wait more than another year until January 2009. Democrats need to stand up now in the United States Senate and House of Representatives."

While all the candidates had at least a line or two in their remarks to discuss international trade and local labor concerns, Dodd was the only speaker to directly address recent problems with imported products.

"How about the president maybe standing up and suspending the food, the toys and the toothpaste coming from China?" he said. "What is it doing for our families and our children to tolerate those kinds of trade policies? Allowing that is not standing up for America."

The candidates resumes were on display for those in attendance. Edwards highlighted his work in the courtroom to prove he had the fortitude to stand up against "rich corporations." Dodd pointed to his work on behalf of women and children including the authoring of the Family Leave Act and his continued work to pass a version that provides paid leave. Biden highlighted his experience with foreign policy and his long-standing belief that the American people deserve to hear the truth, even when it isn't what they want to hear. Clinton focused on her experience as First Lady and how that "up close and personal" look at the executive branch had firmly prepared her to fulfill the office.

"You don't have to be against anybody," Clinton said. "I just want you to be for me. I know how hard this job is. I've seen it up close and personal. I understand that it is the hardest job in the world, but I feel full prepared and ready to do this job."

Each of the candidates appearing at the corn boil were also scheduled to appear this evening at the Workers for a Better Iowa program in Cedar Rapids. While there might have been a few moments of overlap between when one candidate arrived at Butka's event and another left -- for instance, Dodd and Edwards met briefly outside the event and shook hands -- most of the time candidate paths did not cross.

The candidates will remain in Iowa tonight and are scheduled to participate in the ABC-TV/Iowa Democratic Party debate early tomorrow morning in Des Moines.

Following a very active session of the Iowa Legislature, school districts across the state are working to implement new mandates and take advantage of new opportunities -- all the while not missing a beat in welcoming students to another year of school.

The Iowa Department of Education tracked 231 items of interest during the 2007 legislative session. When the gavel hit for the last time, only 27 of those went to the desk of Gov. Chet Culver. Each of the 27 affects Iowa schools, students, staff or administrators. Three, in particular, have had far-reaching affects throughout the state either by bill content or media coverage.

HF 611 -- Research-Based Health Curriculum

The Committee on Education first introduced House File 611 in late February, although it would not be sent to Culver for signing until late April. Floor managers were Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, and Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City.

The bill makes changes to sections 256 and 279 of the Iowa Code and calls upon all school districts to provide "age-appropriate and research-based" curriculum in the area of human growth and development that is "free of racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender biases."

The Iowa Department of Education is charged with development of examples and resources that the school districts will compare their existing programs against. According to a source within the Department of Education, there is currently a staff vacancy which must be filled before the guidelines can be developed.

"At this time -- without having the new guidelines -- we just don't know if our health curriculum will need to be adjusted," said Diane Ostrowski, supervisor of community services for Council Bluffs Community School District.

Elaine Watkins-Miller, communications director for the Iowa Department of Education, said she anticipates those guidelines being passed to the school districts "later this fall."

The bill was specifically designed not to interfere with abstinence-only sexual education and there is a provision within the bill that explicitly states "to the extent not inconsistent... an accredited nonpublic school may also choose curriculum in accordance with doctrinal teachings" and "nothing in this section... shall be construed to prohibit a school or school district from developing and making available abstinence-based or abstinence-only material."

Rhonda Chittenden, executive director of FutureNet, an Iowa network for adolescent pregnancy prevention, parenting and sexual health, says the law, while not banning abstinence-only education, will create some concerns for that curriculum as outlined by the Federal government.

"It depends on how you are using the term," she said. "If you are saying 'abstinence only' without a dash in between the words -- in other words, if they are only going to teach about the topic of abstinence and they are only going to do so in a medically accurate way then, yes, they could do that. If a school is going to use the Federal mandates outlined in the abstinence-only funding -- some of those points have been identified as not being medically accurate. There is a difference in saying 'The only topic we're going to teach about is abstinence' or 'We receive abstinence-only funding and we're going to teach according to those standards.'"

HF 877 -- Voluntary Preschool Program

If there was one piece of legislation that created a mad shuffle of activity in education circles, this bill mandating and funding voluntary preschool for 4-year-olds across the state was it.

The bill, placed on the appropriations calendar in late March, creates a statewide voluntary preschool program for any Iowa child who is age 4 by Sept. 15 of the given year. There are also special allowances for younger children to be included in the program if space allows.

While the legislature created the program and appropriated $15 million for the 2007-2008 school year, details such as class size, teacher-to-child ratios and learning standards were left to the Department of Education. The bill was signed on May 10. That same day, the State Board of Education held a meeting to discuss the process and content of the program. On June 1, applications and directions were available to school districts with letters of intent due back to the state on June 15. Full applications were due to the state on July 2. Nearly 150 applications were read by the state and, of those, 52 were selected to receive awards.

Council Bluffs Community and Iowa City Community school districts, both with existing preschool programs, were among the recipients.

"We were very excited," said Ostrowski. "We had been providing a preschool as a part of a five-year pilot program that utilized a generous private donor and Federal funding. The new initiative through the state is going to allow us to continue what we've started."

Using funding through the state that Ostrowski described as "significant," the western Iowa district will establish two additional preschool classrooms.

Dr. Lane Plugge, superintendent for Iowa City Community School District, is also optimistic about what the preschool program will help his district provide to residents.

"We're hoping to serve 44 preschool students," he said, indicating the district partners with two community organizations: HandiCare and Neighborhood Center of Johnson County.

"It is a challenge -- especially with timing being so tight," he added. "Since preschool isn't a full-day program, it is necessary to find wrap-around programs for families."

The fast turnaround for applications coupled with a desire to best serve residents is what led Mount Pleasant Community School District to take a pass -- for this year.

"We decided to take a year and plan so that we could be sure we are serving the needs of our community," said Director of Instruction Dave Christensen. "We need hard data -- who's not going and why."

The Mount Pleasant district has a group of four individuals who will be mining the community for preschool data. Once they've developed figures and information, a task force will be convened to determine if the preschool program is needed or if residents are being adequately served by existing Head Start, private providers and the district's existing developmental preschool for special needs students.

Despite approaching the program from different angles, all the administrators agree that preschool is something that can benefit students longterm.

"This program is just exceptionally critical," said Ostrowski. "Since we've been providing preschool, we've been able to see the positive impact as students progress in the school system."

SF 61 -- Antiharassment and Antibullying Policies

The changes to school antibullying policies when combined with changes to the Iowa Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity provided some of the most heated exchanges in Des Moines during the past legislative session.

Accredited nonpublic schools and public school districts were directed by the bill to adopt policies by Sept. 1 that state "harassment and bullying in schools, on school property, and at any school function, or school-sponsored activity regardless of location... as against state and school policy." In addition, the schools are required to develop and maintain a system to collect harassment and bullying incidence data.

Most Iowa schools already had similar policies in place. For Des Moines, the legislation codified some of the polices that were already implemented.

"In many ways, we've been in front on this issue," said Phillip Roeder, director of community relations and legislative liaison for Des Moines Public Schools. "We have had teachers and administrators working on this issue for the past several years to raise awareness among staff, parents and students about the ramifications of bullying. This has included everything from holding workshops to visibility within the schools to creation of our initial policy."

For Iowa City, the process involved taking separate policies for staff and students and rolling them into a single policy with new language. Staff training will occur throughout the year.

"Having a policy is only one part," said Plugge. "Implementation is what actually makes for safer schools."

Christensen at Mount Pleasant agrees.

"We have a group in our community that is primarily concerned about diversity," he said. "We are bringing in a program called 'Rachel's Challenge,' and while we understand that one event won't change things, we hope this will prompt discussion and conversation within the community."

Rachel's Challenge is a tribute to Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. The program includes video and audio footage of her life and of the Columbine tragedy followed by an interactive 45-minute training session.

In Mount Pleasant -- only one district among many in the area that will be employing the Rachel's Challenge group -- meetings will be held with high school students, middle school students, student leaders and, in the evening, with parents.

"It will be one big day," Christensen said. "We are optimistic about having the program here, especially since our student leadership will be involved. We've had great success when we incorporate student leaders."

Additional Legislation

As school districts throughout Iowa work on the three mandates outlined above, they along with parents, partners and students must also react to the 24 other items passed by the legislature in the spring -- and keep an eye on what might be headed their way during the next session. Some of the other items passed during the past legislative session include:

• HF 158 -- Requires that children receive a blood lead test by age six or prior to enrollment in an elementary school.
• HF 317 -- Permits the school budget review committee to recommend that the Department of Education send an accreditation team into a school district for an on-site fiscal review if a school district exceeds its authorized budget or carries a negative unspent balance for two or more years.
• HF 154 -- Requires the Department of Education to conduct a study regarding the student information systems that are currently in use throughout the state.
• HF 618 -- Allows elections commissioners to appoint certain high school students to serve as precinct election board members.
• HF 808 -- Provides accountability for entities and boards (28E agreements) created for joint exercise of governmental powers.
• HF 906 -- Requires children enrolling in elementary or high school to have a dental screening.
• SF 277 -- Related to educational standards for teacher librarians, teachers, administrators and qualified guidance counselors. (Teacher Quality Program)
• SF 358 -- Established prelicensing and continuing education requirements for used motor vehicle dealers.
• SF 447 -- Changed incentives for school district reorganization and dissolution and shared operational functions between school districts and political subdivisions.

A man is dead today and a law enforcement officer has been placed on paid administrative leave following a shooting in Perry.

At roughly 7 a.m. the Perry Police Department was notified by a woman that Mark Allen Holcomb, 52, of Perry was considering acts of self-harm. About 90 minutes later, law enforcement located Holcomb at Holcomb Body Shop, 904 Center St. Perry Police officers Pat Jans, Jerome Hill and Josh Sparks were accompanied on the scene by Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy Tom Peterson. Together, the law enforcement officers initiated contact.

Witnesses have stated Holcomb drew a handgun and shot himself while the officers were present. Witnesses also indicated that Jans fired a single shot during the incident.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that Jans did fire one round. Following internal policies, the Perry Police Department has placed Jans on paid administrative leave. He will remain in that capacity until the State of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation completes its investigation of the deadly shooting.

The State Medical Examiner has scheduled an autopsy of Holcomb's body for tomorrow morning. The DCI has indicated there will be more information released following the autopsy.

Speaking before roughly 500 union members and supporters in Cedar Rapids today, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said it is past time for there to be "an American president who will finally be on the side of the middle class."

"The [Bush] administration has failed to protect the engine of our economy -- the middle class," he said during the 30-minute speech. "Productivity is up, yet real wages are down. American workers are holding up their end of the deal, but their government is not."

In discussing the current state of the United State's fiscal health, Richardson chided Bush for "acting like a spoiled teenager who crashes the family car and then hopes no one will notice."

Despite the situation being dire, there is still time to act, he said.

"You know we face great challenges, but we are the greatest nation in the history of the world, and our government needs to start acting like it" he said. "I'm optimistic about our nation and our abilities. We need to get back to big American dreams. We need to get back to the forward-looking nation that searched out new frontiers."

Cedar Rapids resident Shari Martinez says she's optimistic too, but concerned that Richardson's is being overly simplistic in some of his answers.

"I think what he says is all good, but also pretty aggressive," she said following the governor's comments today. "A lot of what he says is with an underlying belief that he will have a Democratically-controlled Congress. What if he doesn't? I understand that no politician wants to stand up and qualify statements by saying 'If this happens, then I'll do this.' Still, there needs to be more clarity."

Citing the need for both fiscal responsibility and investment in education, Richardson said in order to move forward we must "repair the damage of the past."

"We need to move aggressively to create high-quality jobs and expand American opportunity," he said.

High-quality jobs, he says, will be created once companies have incentives to create them. Such incentives, according to the Richardson plan, would include rebates and tax credits. Businesses would be encouraged to create new jobs in rural or low-income areas or to employ disadvantaged high school and college students.

The fact that Richardson's economic speech was given at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 405 Hall was not by accident. He and Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska are the only candidates in the Democratic field for president who will not appear this Saturday at the Hawkeye Labor Council's "Workers for a Better Iowa" event, also in Cedar Rapids. His speech, then, was written to appeal to the union members in the audience.

"Let me say that I will be a friend to working Americans -- to unions -- until the day I die," he said. "This is because you made me. As president, and I've said this before, my secretary of labor will be a union member."

Advanced manufacturing and information technology companies continue to grow and add jobs in Iowa with more than $122 million in capital investments and 719 jobs on the table today at the Iowa Economic Development Board meeting. Financial and tax benefits were awarded to 10 projects across the state to recruit new companies, upgrade existing companies and launch new entrepreneurs.

“Iowa’s economy is strong and these projects will make our state even stronger,” said Gov. Chet Culver in a prepared statement. “We are working hard every day to aggressively recruit companies to locate and expand in Iowa, creating high-quality careers for Iowa families.”

Iowa Department of Economic Development Director Mike Tramontina added, “Job growth means new opportunities for our communities and our state’s workers. This month, we are growing career opportunities across the state, from Sioux Center to Davenport and in between.”

Technology services firm reviewing Davenport

eServ Corporation, a custom engineering services company, is looking at Davenport and locations in other states for a new $24 million advanced manufacturing technologies center. The proposed 30,000 square feet. office building in Davenport would house 275 jobs in product engineering, 270 of the jobs paying an average wage of $28.95 per hour. The Economic Development Board approved the project for $1 million from the Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) and tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs Creation (HQJC) program. Because of unprecedented growth the company needs a facility large enough to consolidate current operations as well as handle future expansion. eServ is part of Perot Systems Corporation, a worldwide provider of information technology services.

Continued growth at Iowa Bioprocessing Center in Eddyville

A supplier industry is building a $68 million chemical plant at the Iowa Bioprocessing Center in Eddyville. Midwest Chlor-Alkali will produce liquid caustic soda, hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at the new plant near the Cargill grain milling operation. Tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs Creation (HQJC) program were awarded for the creation of 13 jobs paying an average wage of $29.59 per hour. Cargill is a significant customer for the liquid caustic soda and hydrochloric acid. The bleach will be sold as a water treatment product

New plastics company for Centerville

Lee Container Corporation is proposing to locate new Midwestern manufacturing in Centerville to serve existing and new customers for blow molded plastic containers. Enterprise Zone tax benefits were awarded to the project for 124 jobs, 28 of the jobs paying an average wage of $19.04 per hour. Initially the company would begin with 3 production lines in a 250,000 sq. ft. rail served building. Based in Homerville, Georgia, Lee Container plans to expand in Centerville to 600,000 sq. ft., more than 10 production lines, and over 200 employees within ten years. Customers for the containers include Syngenta, BASF, Helena, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Dupont, FMC, Dow and others

Homegrown Link grows again

A manufacturer of cab suspensions and several other products for the transportation industry is expanding into a new 50,000 sq. ft. building in Sioux Center. Link Manufacturing Ltd. will create 69 jobs paying an average wage of $21.11 per hour. The Economic Development Board awarded the expansion project $241,500 from Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) and tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs Creation (HQJC) program. The new facility will house assembly operations, a new paint system, an expanded engineering test lab and warehousing. Link was started in 1980 by a local truck driver who wanted a better ride and invented an air suspension system for his truck cab.

Becker Underwood unit looking at Ames

Ames is competing with an out-of-state location for the $11 million expansion of Becker Underwood, a producer of landscape colorants, coatings and other specialty garden products. By July of 2008, the Colorbiotics business unit of Becker Underwood expects to be operating in a new 140,000 sq. ft. building, producing colorants for the landscape industry. The Economic Development Board awarded $150,000 from the Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) and tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs Creation (HQJC) program to get Becker Underwood to put the expansion in Ames. The project impacts 53 created and retained jobs, 17 of the new jobs and 19 of the retained jobs paying an average wage of $27.97 per hour.

Mason City working with Kraft

Enterprise Zone tax benefits were awarded to Kraft Foods, which is considering a $15 million expansion in Mason City where it manufactures refrigerated pudding products. Expansion would create 15 jobs and leverage future growth at the Iowa plant.

Health company expansions in Des Moines and Waterloo

American Healthways Services, Inc. is reviewing Des Moines for a possible Health and Care Support center employing at least 100 Registered Nurses within three years at an average wage of $29.45 per hour. The Economic Development Board awarded $300,000 from the Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) to assist Des Moines in recruiting the project. American Healthways’ programs are designed to help healthy people stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with risk factors, and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease.

HQAA JSA L.L.C. was awarded $200,000 from Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) and Enterprise Zone tax credits to expand in downtown Waterloo. The project would create 47 jobs over three years, 45 of the jobs paying an average wage of $19.99 per hour including executive positions. HQAA (Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation) specializes in mandated accreditation in the home medical equipment industry and is partnering with the building owner, JSA Development LLC.

Information Technology award in Hiawatha

Axis Backup of Hiawatha is launching a proprietary product that restores network computer systems of data intensive insurance agencies within 12 hours after a disaster. The Economic Development Board awarded Axis Backup $100,000 from the Entrepreneurial Ventures Assistance (EVA) program. Axis expects to create 13 jobs paying an average wage of $26.63 per hour. The company is an offshoot of Iowa Electronics owned by Greg Edwards. Once the product is established, Axis will expand its market to law firms and banking.

BMX pro to manufacture bicycles

Bicycle Motocross (BMX) pro Rick Moliterno is starting a new company in Davenport to manufacture bicycles from the proprietary metal alloy, OX Platinum. The Economic Development Board today awarded $50,000 from Entrepreneurial Ventures Assistance (EVA) program to Moliterno’s company, Standard Byke Manufacturing, Inc. The company will create ten jobs, seven of the jobs paying an average wage of $17 per hour as it goes into production of new BMX styles.

Since the original Grow Iowa Values Fund started on July 1, 2003, IDED has assisted 472 Iowa projects that are expected to create and retain 36,593 Iowa jobs. Total capital investment in Iowa as a result of the fund is projected to be $11.78 billion. A full list of the awards approved and announced today is available on the Iowa Department of Economic Development site.

The works of Mexican artist Leonardo Torcuato will be on display at the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts, 1600 Fourth Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids, beginning with an opening reception on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Entitled “When You No Longer Were Here,” the exhibit includes over 30 original paintings and sculptures interpreting biblical events, recent historical events in the U.S. and various events in Mexico’s history. Included are paintings inspired by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and unsolved murders of hundreds of young women on the U.S. and Juarez, Mexico border.

Torcuato is a native of Coyoacan, the home of many notable Mexican artists, including Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera. The town is steeped in Mexican culture and is home to many writers, musicians, actors, poets and painters. Torcuato came to Cedar Rapids in 2005 after his wife, Ana, was promoted to a position at Whirlpool Refrigeration in Amana. Their son, Leonardo Jr., was born in Cedar Rapids that same year.

Since coming to Cedar Rapids, Torcuato has held two conferences on Mexican Muralism at Kirkwood Community College, participated in two outdoor exhibits sponsored by the New Bohemia Group, assisted with the restoration of a mural at the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts, painted a mural on the cafeteria wall at Johnson School of the Arts, painted a mural at La Placita restaurant in Waterloo, and participated in the International Festival sponsored by The World International Cultural Center in Cedar Rapids. He was recognized last year by Waterloo’s Centro Latinoamericano for his support of the Hispanic community. The Paul Engle Center exhibit will be Torcuato’s first one-man show in the Midwest.

The reception will feature music performed by Coe students Sarah Wedgewood on violin, JoAnna Cochenet on viola, and Allie Brown on cello. Food and refreshments will be provided. Following the reception, the exhibit will be open by appointment through Oct. 5. The reception is free and open to the public. Tax-deductible donations to benefit the Paul Engle Center will be accepted.

The Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts serves as a meeting place for residents of the immediate neighborhood and the greater community for a variety of arts related and social functions.

Iowa women make up one-third of a newly announced committee within the John Edwards for President campaign.

“I am pleased to announce today our campaign’s Statewide Steering Committee,” Edwards said in a prepared statement. “They are a widely respected group of leaders from law enforcement to labor to education. They include elected officials, party activists, community leaders and others who share my commitment to real change and are ready to go to work to make it happen.”

The list, touted by the campaign as reflecting the "diversity and depth" of their organizational support in Iowa, contains the names of 74 Democratic party officials and activists -- 24 of them women. Looking down the list, however, newly aligned supporters are a rarity. That being said, the Edwards campaign is hardly the first to recycle supporter names from previous announcements, endorsements and committee formations. And, disregarding lists solely comprised of women activists and supporters, the Edwards campaign has presented a committee with one of the highest female percentages thus far.

“Iowa, and America, needs a president who will stand up for everyone -- not just multinational corporations and special interests,” said State Rep. Geri Huser, D-Des Moines. “John Edwards has outlined a bold vision to bring opportunity to all Americans. He is also the strongest candidate our party can nominate to take on the Republicans in 2008.”

Women serving on the committee are:

• Rep. Geri Huser
• Roxanne Conlin, civil rights attorney and former gubernatorial nominee, Des Moines
• Carole Curry, Democratic leader, Marengo
• Peggy Smalley, Audobon County Treasurer and State Central Committee member, Audobon
• Georgia Robertson, Boone County Democratic Party Central Committee Chairwoman, Boone
• Diane Curry, Buchanan County Recorder, Independence
• Kristie Rysdam, Davis County Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman, Drakesville
• Susie Baker, union activist and AFSMCE member, Parkersburg
• Aletia Morgan, director of Iowa City Community Schools, Iowa City
• Creta Teut, Democratic leader, Ute
• Laura Foell, former Sac County Supervisor, Schaller
• Ann Hutchinson, former Mayor of Bettendorf, Bettendorf
• Connie Smith, retired teacher, Sioux City
• Pam Wilson, mental health advocate and 2007 “100 Great Iowa Nurses Honoree,” Council Bluffs
• Jody Ewing, State Central Committee member, Onawa
• Denise O’Brien, Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and 2006 Democratic nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, Atlantic
• Anne Travis, ISEA Executive Board Member, Sidney
• Paula Logan, ISEA Treasurer, Burlington
• Diane Weldin, Mayor of Hampton, Hampton
• Joy Lowe, Democratic leader, Waterloo
• Tammy Duehr, president of Dubuque Education Association, Dubuque
• Celia Rangel, immediate past president of Quad City Mexican American Federation, Davenport
• Lena Robinson, president of Latinos Unidos of Iowa, Des Moines
• Denise Hocraffer, Wright County Democratic Party Central Committee Chairwoman, Clarion

Des Moines attorney Rob Tully will serve as chairman for the committee. Tully has previously served as chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Late yesterday evening an AMBER Alert was issued for two children from Oakland, Iowa. Tonight, the Rae Ann Meyer, 8, and Cameron Meyer, 10, either will soon be or are currently back home with their father.

The children were recovered unharmed by law enforcement officials in the state of Maine this evening.

Non-custodial, biological mother Brandi Harris and her boyfriend Vincent Hatch are in custody.

There is a major bone of contention in my household -- a familial femur if you will. It pits children against parents in disputes that have often ended with tears of frustration on both sides.

I refuse to buy Bratz dolls or any of the Bratz label accessories or toys. In case you haven't already had the distinct misfortune of viewing one of these toys, Bratz dolls have wardrobes that include miniskirts, fishnet stockings and feather boas and are being marketed to girls as young as 4. Don't like the "action" figures? Take your pick from Bratz Babyz, Bratz Kidz, Fashion Pixiez, Magic Hair, Bratz Spiderman 3, Bratz video games, Bratz alarm clocks, Bratz compact discs and, of course, the Bratz remote-controlled cruiser. If none of that strikes your fancy, there is always the new Bratz motion picture.

Despite three years of whining by my now 7-year-old daughter for one of the toys and numerous themed birthday party requests featuring the pint-sized sexpots, I have held firm in my belief that no good could come of playing with the glittery, scantily clad hunks of plastic from China. Research is on my side.

The American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls released a report in February that not only highlights sexual societal messages being sent to pre-teen girls but singles out the Bratz dolls by name: "It is worrisome when dolls designed specifically for 4- to 8-year-olds are associated with an objectified sexuality."

The report found evidence that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising and media is harmful to girls' self-image and health development.

“We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualization has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development,” said Eileen L. Zurbriggen, PhD, chair of the APA Task Force and associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

• Cognitive and Emotional Consequences: Sexualization and objectification undermine a person’s confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety.
• Mental and Physical Health: Research links sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women—eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.
• Sexual Development: Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative consequences on girls' ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image.

Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown, co-authors of "Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters From Marketers' Schemes," say that "when it comes to the portrayal of girls in popular culture there is an abysmal lack of imagination."

When I was young my Barbie dolls -- and, yes, I owned quite a few along a wealth of blow-up furniture and a cardboard townhouse designed by my brothers and me -- play acted the things important to my life at the time. I can clearly remember pretending Skipper (who was always my favorite) going to high school, making great grades and heading off to college. The dolls, then, were an extension of my own dreams, acting out the things I hoped to do.

With fantasy and imagination such an important part of how children play with dolls, I worry about what these particular dolls -- and the sub-toys they've spawned -- not only ignite in my children's imagination, but what they limit. Would my favorite gal Skipper have made the same choices if she spent hours at the hair and make-up salon, was worried about her leather mini riding up in chemistry, or wrestled with elaborate plans on how to steal Ken, the only guy in Barbie-world, from her best friend?

"The issue is that the way marketers and media present sexuality is in a very narrow way," said Lamb, who also served on the task force, in an interview with the Washington Post. "Being a sexual person isn't about being a pole dancer. This is a sort of sex education girls are getting, and it's a misleading one."

According to the task force report, parents can play a major role in contributing to the sexualization of their daughters or can play a protective and educative role.

“As a society, we need to replace all of these sexualized images with ones showing girls in positive settings—ones that show the uniqueness and competence of girls,” said Zurbriggen. “The goal should be to deliver messages to all adolescents—boys and girls—that lead to healthy sexual development.”

In some ways my adolescent years don't seem very long ago. In other ways, I'm quite sure I marched the earth with the dinosaurs. While my children are growing up watching MTV and music videos, my friends and I became bored after seeing Dire Straits complain for three days that they wanted their MTV and the Buggles endlessly proclaim that video killed the radio star. And, proving that cute can only take you so far, we also quickly tired of Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman. At that point in MTV history -- the beginning of my 8th-grade year -- the only thing the cable station and the videos were actually selling was the music. Although, in retrospect, I'm sure my parents would have told you otherwise.

My mother, a nurse who worked the night-shift at a convalescent home, sat quietly throughout Madonna's "Like a Virgin" before asking me if I thought many women regretted having intercourse just for the sake of "getting it over with." Not sure what to say, I remember just sitting there. She got up, patted me on the head and told me to think about it.

At the end of the day -- whether days of Madonna or Bratz -- all we really want is our children to do as my mother directed and think about it and find value in themselves.

There is a great deal of noise, so make sure your voice rises above or is heard more often than the television, Internet, advertisements, song lyrics, music videos, electronic games, clothing retailers and, yes, even toy manufacturers.

Last night, the father of Rae Ann Meyer, 8, and Cameron A. Meyer, 10, told Pottawattamie County law enforcement officials that his children had been abducted by their non-custodial, biological mother and her boyfriend. An AMBER alert was officially issued at roughly midnight, however, individuals on the wireless alert system were notified with very basic information around 10:30 p.m. My post followed within minutes of the text message and was later updated to include the details provided by law enforcement.

The AMBER Alert expired at roughly 5 a.m. this morning due to there being no new or relevant information surfacing. Iowa policy is to expire the alert if nothing new has happened within that five-hour time frame. That being said, the children remain missing and are considered endangered.

The search for the children and the two adults accused of abducting them is still very active with law enforcement officials working to bring the children home to Oakland, Iowa.

AMBER Alert Details

VEHICLE -- Black 2004 Toyota Rav4 -- Maine Plate 6228KJ
If you see this vehicle, phone 911 immediately!

8-year-old female: Rae Ann Meyer
White, Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, 4-feet tall, 65 pounds
Last seen wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, green camo campris and dark flip flops

10-year-old male: Cameron A. Meyer
White, Light Brown Hair, Blue Eyes, 4-feet-six-inches tall, 110 pounds

The children are missing from Oakland, Iowa -- taken by their non-custodial biological mother and boyfriend.

The mother is Brandi Harris, white female and 30-years-old. She stands five-feet-five-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The boyfriend is Vince Hatch, white male and 35-years-old. He stands six-feet tall and weighs roughly 180 pounds. The boyfriend has previously physically assaulted the male child.

They are suspected to be enroute back to the state of Maine.

An AMBER Alert has been issued for a 10-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl. Law enforcement officers are searching for a 2004 black Toyota Rav4, Maine license plate 6226KJ -- might be traveling on I-80.

This is all the information released at the moment, but I'll update this post if more becomes available.

Details Update

VEHICLE -- Black 2004 Toyota Rav4 -- Maine Plate 6228KJ
If you see this vehicle, phone 911 immediately!

8-year-old female: Rae Ann Meyer
White, Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, 4-feet tall, 65 pounds
Last seen wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, green camo campris and dark flip flops

10-year-old male: Cameron A. Meyer
White, Light Brown Hair, Blue Eyes, 4-feet-six-inches tall, 110 pounds

The children are missing from Oakland, Iowa -- taken by their non-custodial biological mother and boyfriend.

The mother is Brandi Harris, white female and 30-years-old. She stands five-feet-five-inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The boyfriend is Vince Hatch, white male and 35-years-old. He stands six-feet tall and weighs roughly 180 pounds. The boyfriend has previously physically assaulted the male child.

They are suspected to be enroute back to the state of Maine.

Concerned Iowans can get AMBER Alerts on their mobile phones by visiting www.WirelessAmberAlerts.org. The text messages are part of the system that blasts information to the media and to electronic signs on the interstates.

AMBER stands for "America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Reponse" and was developed by broadcasters in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metroplex in the late 1990s.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is a man of his word. Just before the Ames Straw Poll he told the press that a poor showing would prompt him to re-think his run for the nation's highest office. Tonight, roughly 24 hours after placing sixth while garnering just over seven percent of the votes, the Republican is bowing out.

"I want to thank the people of Iowa who were welcoming and supportive as well as my volunteers and contributors from around the country," Thompson said in a written statement. He also said he had "no regrets."

While Thompson did not have as large of a campaign presence in Iowa as some of the better-known and better-financed candidates, he did have both staff and supporters who now find themselves without a political home.

Looking at staffers, recent Iowa State University graduate Alyssa Staley was the person to first hold a paid campaign position for Thompson in Iowa. She first served as chairwoman for his campaign at ISU and then as a field organizer.

Also serving as field organizers were former president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women Gwen Ecklund, current ISU College Republicans executive director Jordan Navara, Jeanita McNulty, Marlys Grant and Tom Erb.

Additional members of the Iowa staff are Campaign Manager Chad Olsen (former political director for Forbes 2000), Events Coordinator Bobby Kaufmann (son of Iowa Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Kaufmann), Deputy Political Director Chris Coffman (primarily in charge of field), Deputy Political Director Dan Romportl (primarily in charge of operations), Communications Director Rennick Remply and Deputy Communications Director Danielle Chapwick.

There are also some key Iowa supporters who will now become available for "wooing" by other campaigns. Chief among these are former state representative Bill Dix, former Iowa speaker of the house and Cedar Rapids Area Chamber head Ron Corbett, and former state representative Steve Grubbs. Dix led Thompson's exploratory committee while both Corbett and Grubbs served as senior advisors for the campaign.

In addition, former Gov. Terry Branstad's state chair, Charlotte Mohr, served as honorary state chair for Thompson's exploratory committee. Brian Dumas of Victory Enterprises also served on the exploratory committee.

"No candidate is more experienced than Governor Thompson and no candidate worked harder; but sometimes the dynamics just aren't there to bring about a victory," Grubbs said. "The Governor's staff was deeply committed to him and to his candidacy. If we could have willed a victory, we would have."

If there was one area where the Thompson campaign had organized well it was on college and university campuses. In addition to Staley, there were 13 additional campus chairs for Thompson. Amanda Mordhorst served as chairwoman at Buena Vista University. Dane Nealson served at Iowa Wesleyan College. Jeff Butler was chairman at Drake University. John Anderson served as chairman at Muscatine Community College. Lauren Engling served at Loras College. Logan Teut was chairman at Briar Cliff College. Matt Horhan served at the University of Northern Iowa. Mike Bell was chairman at Kirkwood Community College. Nate Kroeger served as chairman at St. Ambrose University. Pete Olsen served at Morningside College. Rachel Scott was chairwoman at the University of Iowa. Rich Palmer was chairman at William Penn University. Tianna Mentink served at Northwestern College.

While at the time of this writing, no staff or supporters had made announcement of their intent to move to another candidate, experienced staff and well-known supporters rarely remain unattached for long.

Thompson left the governorship of Wisconsin during his fourth term to serve as Pres. George W. Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services. He served in that capacity from 2001 to the end of 2004 and traveled frequently to Africa. He was instrumental in the commitment to that region of $15 billion over five years for treatment and prevention of AIDS.

Shortly after leaving the Bush Cabinet, Thompson joined and served for two years on the board of directors of Applied Digital Solutions. The firm manufactured VeriChips, a glass-encapsulated RFID device designed to be injected into human flesh for identification and bill-paying purposes.

He is the president of Logistics Health, Inc. as well as senior partner at Washington, D.C. law firm Akin Gump. He also serves as a senior advisor for the Deloitte consulting firm and chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.

Two earworms this week. First, Indigo Girls, "Least Complicated"

Bananarama, "Cruel Summer"

We just got back to the house after taking the kids to the pool for several hours. On a hot day, the water felt great, but I could have done without the idiot man who asked my breasts if they'd seen his son.

How's your Sunday going?

Straw Poll Round-Up

• Iowa Independent -- There was so much outstanding coverage from yesterday and follow-up analysis that I'm linking to the front page.
• Likewise, Cyclone Conservatives has excellent coverage (and lots of photos)
• The Real Sporer has some after thoughts. (We're also sending good wishes that he has recovered from yesterday's heat.)
• There is also lots of coverage at Hawkeye GOP.
• Mainstream Iowan has pre-poll post that, IMO, is really good.
• Captain's Quarters says, despite what you might have heard, the winner isn't Mitt Romney
• And, there's information on the two audits over at Iowa Voters

The other big news out of Iowa this week was Gov. Chet Culver's statements regarding Iowa's position as First in the Nation. Because I have a seat on the body that will ultimately vote whether or not the caucus will move and, if so, to what date, I have no intention of expressing my personal opinion on the subject at this time... except to say that Iowa cannot afford, either politically or economically, to give up its status as first in the nation.

Here are what some others have had to say on the subject during the past week:

• Radio Iowa
• Bleeding Heartland
• Political Forecast

No doubt there are many others if you do a quick search.

Either this week or next week most Iowa children will be headed back to school. No real news to report except to remember to drive more safely around school traffic areas and remember that most Iowa parents will soon be broke (if they aren't already). On average, it costs families $150 per child to go back to school -- and that only includes lunches, supplies and school fees.

Tomorrow, Aug. 13, three Iowa City restaurants -- Oasis, Thai Flavors and Devotay -- will donate 10 percent of their evening profit to the United Nations' World Food Program. The World Food Program is a UN agency that responds to humanitarian crisis throughout the world.

This is shaping up to be a very interesting week -- stay tuned and buckle your seat belts.

Today in Cedar Rapids several area businesses joined with Diversity Focus and Jane Boyd Community House to ensure that students in the community have access to the necessary supplies to go back to school.

Free food, games and school gear were available at the Paul Engle Center thanks to donors Rockwell Collins, Norwood, Hamilton College, Kmart, Fareway, Pepsico and Staples. Those who came by for the free supplies were able to play bingo or have their face painted during the community celebration.

This event has now ended. As far as campaign events go, it had to be the most casual... and perhaps fun... that I've attended in a long time.

Carolyn has much to say on the matters of disabilities and access, education and family.

Those pictured, from left, Carol Wickey, Kathy Bass, Wendy Barth, Amy Farrar, Carolyn Dodd, Katie Finn and Kay Hale.

8:50 a.m. -- Well, I'm at the Blue Strawberry on 2nd St. SE in Cedar Rapids and the women are starting to arrive. We've watched what appeared to be a very tired father try to wrestle two young boys into their vehicle. The oldest boy ended up climbing into the vehicle via the sunroof. Needless to say, several women were sitting on their hands so as not to go outside and offer assistance. (The tongues, unlike the hands, weren't held nearly as still.)

Carolyn Dodd -- sister to Democratic hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd -- has arrived and we are sitting at one of the front tables, waiting on muffins and warm lattes from the counter. Looking around the room we have some local party officials, local businesswomen and political activists.

We should be officially underway in about five more minutes.

9:02 a.m. -- We're still waiting for a few people to arrive... Carolyn is having a quick breakfast.

Dodd's Deputy State Director Katie Finn tells a story of the first time she met Sen. John Culver. She says, he told me there are two things you should never pass up in politics: "food and restrooms." This is because "you never know when you'll get either one again." She tells me that is the best campaign advice she's ever received.

9:16 a.m. -- This is really interesting. What you have here this morning is a very politically-charged, intelligent group of women. The program has yet to start because, around the table, the conversations are already varying between First in the Nation, the Ames Straw Poll and, of course, Chris Dodd.

Others in the business are beginning to take notice of the group. I bet they'll be joining or listening in when we get underway.

9:21 a.m. -- And we're officially off.

"Chris is generally concerned with people and what their needs are," Carolyn says. "That's why he's been holding the kitchen table meetings. He likes to connect with people and there is a real need for unity and for bringing this country together.

"This country needs a barn-raising. We've dangerously become a culture of selfishness."

9:25 a.m. -- Do you hear complaints that our new Democratically-controlled Congress hasn't done what it should?

"Getting legislation through Congress is complex," she says. "It is amazing they get anything done sometimes. I think people should be more pro-active and not cry over what [George W.] Bush has done."

She says Chris Dodd has been very proactive in the Help America Vote Act.

"What I like about it is that people with disabilities can vote independently and privately," she says, noting that she never liked having someone else mark her ballot for her -- although didn't always have a choice since she is legally blind.

9:29 a.m. -- The meeting has moved into a discussion of verified voting. Former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Wendy Barth and I confess to Carolyn that we'd like to see all people use paper ballots only instead of electronic voting machines. (Those interested should have a look at the AutoMark system for how those with disabilities can still vote independently and have a paper ballot.)

9:32 a.m. -- "I think a lot of school's problems are societal," she says. "[Sen. Dodd] feels NCLB was a good concept although not implemented well. I've heard a lot of teachers talk against it."

More discussions on how NCLB has affected Iowa and Iowans.

"During all these discussions," she says, "I've never heard parents referred to as the primary educators of their children."

9:36 a.m. -- "It is very tough because we believe in the public schools and we want to see them work," she said.

One of the ladies mentions that it is sad with all the talent we have here that we can't make our schools work better.

Carolyn points out that other nations don't have the diversity our schools have.

In Providence, RI, she says, there are 60-some different languages spoken by the children.

9:39 a.m. -- Carolyn points out that her brother has worked for families by helping create and pass the family leave act.

"He's working on having it be a paid family leave," she says.

Discussion moves to child care issues and what role larger employers can play. Those at the table agree that these problems are huge and it can force those of us who care to do nothing because because it seems so overwhelming.

"We need to really sit and be thoughtful about what we're going to do," she says. "We need to have conversations and work together to solve problems."

9:44 a.m. -- Carolyn says when her family had disputes, it was Chris (number 5 in their family of 6 children) who always played peace-maker.

Off the six brothers and sisters, all are still kicking and still healthy, she says.

"I think it is a real honor to be one of seven or eight people running for president out of so many million in our country," she said when I asked what she thought about the current campaign.

"I think the campaigns are too expensive and too long," she added. "I also don't think people understand how important the $10 and $20 donors are. Also, it is your time and energy -- that's so important."

9:50 a.m. -- Iowans have proven in the kitchen table tours time and time again that people can gather round a table with a camera rolling and have a real conversation, says Finn.

"He was a very loving little boy," Carolyn said, when asked what her brother was like while growing up. "My other siblings do have faults, but Chris really is so special. And he has a wonderful sense of humor.

"Sometimes if I tell him a sad story about myself, he will sometimes laugh and I kind of get upset. But the truth is that he always sees the best in any situation. And... he makes the solution to problems seem do-able."

9:55 a.m. -- We [as a nation] are so rich, she says. We have so much going for us that we can do great things. "Chris can provide the leadership," she says. "I think that's the ingredient that's been missing."

"We have a lot of crisis in America," she says. "Health care is a big one."

A major discussion has begun on health care, insurance and the costs involved -- it's flying pretty fast and my fingers can't keep up. It seems no matter where you go, everyone has a story about lack of coverage, escalating costs, denied tests/needs, and so-forth.

10:00 a.m. -- There's talk at the table that Michael Moore and the veterans that went with him to Cuba are being indicted. I hadn't heard that -- will have to look it up. This appears to be mostly true. The part about possible indictment is very true. He did not, however, take military veterans with him. They were individuals who worked at Ground Zero after Sept. 11, 2001 and had become ill. The Americans received free treatment in Cuba.

Carolyn says that Iowans are very friendly, that she was welcomed everywhere she went.

Looks like everyone is breaking up -- Carolyn has to get to the airport.

The ladies are laughing and posing for cameras -- I even got pulled over into one of them (although not the one that's posted here).

Hope everyone enjoyed the mental health day! I know it was something I personally needed and am feeling refreshed and ready to jump back in with both feet this morning.

Getting back to our estrogen roots, I'll be blogging live (technology permitting) from a women's meeting later this morning featuring Carolyn Dodd, sister of Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd.

Carolyn is an amazing woman whom I'm sure will impress many. Yesterday evening I had opportunity to sit casually with her for a few moments. She's legally blind and a former school teacher. She retired roughly three years ago, but continues to tutor. I asked her about her brother's long political career (not to mention their fathers' career) and campaigning.

"I've helped in different ways previously," she said. "I've phoned banked and helped in the office, but this is really my first time campaigning in this major of a capacity."

The meeting will be held in downtown Cedar Rapids and scheduled to begin at roughly 9 a.m. And, yes, for those of you who subscribe via email, I've heard your concerns. I will do my best to live blog both here and at Iowa Independent so that the goodness will arrive in your morning email as you like it to do.

Happy Saturday and safe journey to readers traveling to the straw poll in Ames today.

Don't expect to see any new blog posts today. I'm taking a "mental health" day and heading to the salon.

Hope you all find some time for yourselves today as well. Happy Friday!

I'm getting ready to head out the door and drive down to the Linn County Obama for America office, 1420 1st Ave NE in Cedar Rapids, where I'll be live blogging/couch blogging the presidential forum on LGBT issues for Iowa Independent.

If you are in the CR area, feel free to stop by. Other folks in the corridor may want to check the comments of my previous post for alternative locations. I hear there is suppose to be a large crowd in Iowa City tonight for a watch party.

If you are sitting at home and reading, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments of the live blog. It's always more fun when we do it together!

Politically motivated folks throughout the nation will be keeping their eyes at the ready this weekend, waiting for that proverbial finger to be moistened and lifted skyward. Still, it remains to be seen how much information about Iowa's social conservatives can be mined from a reduced field of cupie doll candidates.

First, in honor of that special Republican who might be leaving us come Sunday, let's have a little straight talk. The Ames Straw Poll is the sparkly thong across the Iowa GOP's gyrating buttocks. Above all else, the straw poll -- much like politics today -- is all about the money.

Most Iowans who travel to Ames this weekend will do so on a candidate's dime. The participating Republican candidates rent the buses, buy the ballots, pay between $10,000 and $25,000 for tent space, arrange entertainment, provide food, shell out chum and, basically, do everything short of marking ballots for their supporters.

Historically, the Ames Straw Poll has had a significantly lower turnout than the real (and free) straw poll that happens on caucus night for the Republicans. Still, the one-third of regular caucus goers who come to Ames are the party's loyalists. Ironically, it is that fact which makes this year's fund-raiser even less of an indicator for the thoughts and opinions of Iowa Republicans in general.

For those of us concentrating on that finger in the air, a very important piece of information may be missing from the analysis of this year's straw poll because of the absence of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. While both candidates' names will appear on the ballot, they made it clear some weeks ago that they would not be busing in participants or handing over sums of cash to the state party. Because of their decisions, it is doubtful we will have a clear picture of where participants stand on hot-button issues. When it comes to the divisive issue of abortion, for instance, there are really only two scenarios that would provide any insight.

If Giuliani somehow manages a first- or second-place finish, it will be safe to say that those who attended the straw poll did not base their support solely on divisive social issues. Giuliani's differing stance on abortion -- he believes the decision is not one which should be made by government -- placed him far apart from the remaining field of candidates. Even Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who has been showered with online accolades for many of his positions on other issues, stands with the most ardent of anti-abortion activists. On these matters it is difficult to slide a hair between the stances of those participating Saturday.

On the flip side of the abortion coin we find Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas. During the past few months Brownback has been pushing his pro-life/whole-life stance for all it is worth via robo-calls, mailers and personal appearances. His campaign has issued numerous press releases attacking Iowa front-runner Mitt Romney on abortion and his evolving stance on the issue. On Saturday, Brownback will be accompanied by Norma McCorvey, the original plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade case who has since become adamantly pro-life.

Brownback is the obvious choice for those who want a 100 percent guarantee that abortion will remain at the top of the national conversation and on the top of the Republican ticket. If he ranks first or second in Ames on Saturday, a clear message will be sent that Iowa social conservatives believe this issue must play a significant role in the 2008 general election as well as the Iowa caucus.

While it is interesting to note that Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also have firm anti-abortion beliefs, a win for either one will not send the same message that a win would for Brownback. Because of the Brownback campaign's continued pummeling of Romney and other candidates on this issue and because of Brownback's campaigning with notable pro-life supporters, he alone can be viewed as the anti-abortion candidate in this race. In addition, his stagnant polling in Iowa only enhances the ability of a strong showing in Ames to catapult divisive social issues onto the national stage.

In as much as the negative campaign ads have solidified Brownback as the social conservative in the race, they have put Iowa front-runner Romney on sifting soil. He obviously believed at one point that women should have the right to choose whether or not to continue a pregnancy. Just as obviously, he is now wearing his pro-life credentials as a badge. Back-pedaling spinmeisters now say that Romney was actually anti-abortion all of his life, but played the part to win the governorship in Massachusetts, a state known for its liberal tendencies. That being the case, it is difficult to determine what a Romney win says about Iowa conservatives.

Should a Romney win be interpreted as forgiveness or ignorance of a past stance on the issues? Does it signal an end to the "gotcha" politics of labeling position changes as "flip-flopping"? Or, could it mean that Iowans supported Romney despite his problems within the abortion issue because they view him as the only viable candidate? Or, perhaps because he was the only candidate willing to give them a free ride to the event?

T.M. Lindsey also contributed to this report.

While the visit of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to Cedar Rapids Wednesday night was obviously done in anticipation of the Ames Straw Poll this weekend, you might not have known it by listening to his remarks. Much to the chagrin of the Rep. Ron Paul supporters holding signs across the street, Romney seems to be focused somewhere beyond Saturday and, perhaps, even beyond next year's caucuses and primaries.

The presidential hopeful spoke for roughly 18 minutes before taking questions from the audience. During the course of his prepared remarks the Republican front-runner in Iowa referred to "family" as an important aspect of his campaign on five separate occasions. During the same time frame, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton was addressed by name four separate times.

Romney referred to Sen. Clinton's rivals, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards, by name one time. In addition to those six references, he used the generalized term "Democrats" five times. Taken in total, Romney referred to either the opposing party or members of the opposing party 11 times -- roughly one reference every 90 seconds.

After telling the crowd that Clinton's philosophy of a "we're in it together" society and economy meant "out with Adam Smith and in with Karl Marx," Romney said, "Hillary Clinton's left turn is not going to be accepted by the American people. Instead, we are going to turn to the principles of Republican strength."

Romney says taxes and immigration are two other areas where he and the Democratic candidates differ.

"[Clinton] also wants to raise taxes on corporations and raise taxes on individuals," he said. "My view is just the opposite. I want to keep taxes down. ... Immigration is a place where when Democrats look at the fact that 12 million people have come here illegally they say, 'Well, we can solve that problem. We'll let them all stay.' That's not the right answer. The right answer is to secure the border, to have an employment verification system so we know who is here legally and who is here illegally and to sanction employers who hire people who are here illegally just like we do when they don't pay their taxes."

The former governor's attention to opponents on the other side of the aisle was not limited to the one stop in Cedar Rapids. Earlier in the day, he made a similar speech for the benefit of supporters at the Iowa River & Power Company Restaurant in Iowa City -- a traditional Democratic stronghold in Iowa.

Romney pulled no punches in the Democrats' back yard, primarily taking jabs at those de described as the "big three Democrats": Clinton, Obama and Edwards. Romney noted that while "it has been popular to attack our president lately, it's important to remember that he has helped keep Americans safe the past six years with the Patriot Act and his tough stances on interrogation."

"If any of the big-three Democrats become president, Americans will no longer be safe," he said.

Citing the recent passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act update, which loosened restrictions on obtaining wire taps of suspected terrorists, Romney reminded the audience that Clinton and Obama voted against this measure in the Senate. "That's right folks, Obama and Hillary are dangerously out of touch with keeping us safe."

Romney's remarks were cut short in Cedar Rapids when he was joined on stage by his sons Tagg, Craig and Josh -- the latter being somewhat famous in Iowa as the captain of the Mitt Mobile that has now visited all 99 counties -- and Craig's wife, Mary, and their son Parker.

The "Ask Mitt Anything" tour will continue today with stops in Tama, Grundy, Hardin, Franklin and Wright counties. An ice cream social has been planned at the Fort Dodge Downtown Ballroom tonight. Stops in Ogden and Nevada are scheduled for Friday morning.

The face of Iowa is rapidly evolving. And, as with any major change, our communities have both challenges and treasures strewn out before them.

Two-thirds of Iowa's population growth between 1990 and 2005 was fueled by immigration. Latinos are the state's fastest growing population segment, their numbers increasing by 234 percent in 15 years. It is estimated that 125,000 Latinos now live in the state, which makes them Iowa's largest minority population, outnumbering African-Americans by more than 40,000.

Annie Vander Werff, director of Global Health Corps and instructor at the University of Northern Iowa's School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services, came to Cedar Rapids on Tuesday afternoon to present a program on health disparities among minority populations in Iowa as a part of the monthly Brown Bag Lunch series through Diversity Focus.

"Health is about balance," said Vander Werff. "Health is important as a lifestyle and it is a balancing act in your own personal lifestyle as well as the larger community."

As a way of showing how communities play a part in health, she read a poem written in 1895 by Joseph Malins titled, "A Fence or an Ambulance." In the poem a beautifully tempting, but very dangerous cliff is described. The people who lived around the cliff knew of both the temptation and danger and decided something should be done. Two ideas -- one to place an ambulance in the valley below to aid the fallen and another to fence the cliff's edge to prevent the falling -- were discussed. Call it a play on the adage: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

There are, unfortunately, barriers for people who seek to attain a healthy balance through preventive medicine or urgent care. This is true for average Americans and especially true for immigrants who may face additional stresses of cultural differences, language issues and a general lack of understanding the system.

"Our landscape is changing in Iowa and also in the United States," she said. "We are becoming a more diverse population. White population continues to grow at a steady rate -- roughly 12 percent. In the United States as whole, however, we see Asian/Pacific Islander populations growing at 200 percent and beyond. We see Hispanic populations growing at over 100 percent. The nation's black population grew by roughly 30 percent. We are definitely changing."

This change has come about for many different reasons, she says, but by and large people are moving to the midwest and Iowa for the same reasons existing residents did: good jobs, low cost of living, affordable housing, quality education and safe communities.

"The disparity or the difference between the health of minority populations and the majority population as a whole is very different and, in many cases, the health of the minority population is much worse," she said.

Barriers such as cost, transportation, values and beliefs, child care, availability and geographic location can prevent immigrants, as well as people who've been in the community longer, from attaining health care.

"If you have four children, no car and you don't feel well, chances are you are not going to go your health appointment if the trip includes taking all your children and locating transportation," she said. "You may feel as if putting forth that type of effort when you are already weakened may be too much or leave you feeling even worse."

Free clinics are wonderful, she says, but when all variables are considered treatment may not be without a price tag if the costs of transportation, child care and time from work and family are considered.

Finally, health care professionals have an added weight on their shoulders as they bridge communication and values gaps. Vander Werff presented the following Chinese fable to illustrate:

Once upon a time a monkey and a fish were caught up in a great flood. The monkey, agile and experienced, had the good fortune to scramble up a tree to safety.

As he looked down into the raging waters, he saw a fish struggling against the swift current. Filled with a humanitarian desire to help his less fortunate fellow, he reached down and scooped the fish from the water.

To the monkey's surprise, the fish was not very grateful for this aid.

"That poor monkey was only trying to help," she said. "Many times this is what happens when health care providers and members of communities or organizations try to help immigrants. They have the best of intentions, but they move forward with a plan that does not consider the needs, values and beliefs of the immigrant population."

Readers interested in more information should visit the Iowa Center of Health Disparities.

Norma McCorvey, known to most as "Jane Roe" in the landmark medical privacy case Roe v. Wade, will show her support for Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback during the Ames Straw Poll on Saturday.

"Sam Brownback is the right person, in the right place at the right time for our nation as we seek to embrace a culture of life," she said in a prepared statement. "I call on pro-life Iowans to voter for Senator Brownback in Ames this Saturday. Our nation needs a president with strength, courage and moral fortitude -- one who will lead our society on a path that respects human life and dignity."

In 1970, McCorvey was the plaintiff in a case challenging a Texas law prohibiting abortion. At that time, she had claimed her pregnancy was the result of gang rape, a statement she has since declared a lie. The case eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 where is was ruled that most laws against abortion violated a constitutional right to privacy under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

In a 1994 autobiography, "I am Roe," she described her life with long-time lesbian partner Connie Gonzales. Following her conversion into first Christianity and then Roman Catholicism, McCorvey described herself as a "reformed lesbian."

In 1995, the year she became a born-again Christian, McCorvey has recanted her previous pro-choice stance. She has converted to the Roman Catholic Church and has toured the nation in an attempt to have Roe v. Wade reversed. As a part of that quest, she launched Roe No More Ministry (now known as Crossing Over Ministry).

I could very well be the world's biggest fan of petits four, but even I must admit when enough is enough.

How many Democratic "debates" have we witnessed thus far? Four? Five? Honestly, I lost count. They've been roughly as memorable as a midnight drive through Nebraska. (For those who haven't had the unique pleasure, you'll have to trust me on this one.) Sure there have been sweet little sound bytes planted here and there. The American media -- including many blogs -- have placed these nicely on a decorative tray and served them proudly to anyone passing by.

Did you hear John Edwards didn't like Hillary Clinton's choice of jacket?
Did you know Joe Biden thinks the best thing about Dennis Kucinich is his wife?
Can you believe Barack Obama didn't own the stage in front of all those black people?
Here. Have another bite.

If you've been a little too indulgent with the dessert tray and are now craving something with a little substance, you need to know there is hope of a meat-and-potatoes meal in the near future.

This Thursday, all the Democratic candidates except Sen. Joe Biden have all agreed to gather in Los Angeles for a forum on the issues affecting the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, singer Melissa Etheridge and journalist Jonathan Capehart will be panelists at the event. Margaret Carlson will serve as event moderator. The event will be televised at 8 p.m. in Iowa on the Logo network and there have also been several organizations step up to the plate to offer viewing parties. Those interested in locating one can check with local news media or visit the HRC community pages for more information.

Some might scoff at the idea of the candidates' comments on gay rights being important in today's society or important in the lives of straight Americans. The bottom line is that the issues important to the GLBT community are the issues that are important to all of us -- well, at least important to those of us who care about human rights.

Here's the major bonus prize: For a full two hours we are going to hear the seven candidates answer questions and provide comments on a single issue. Who knows? Maybe it will set a trend and we'll actually have an opportunity to quiz the candidates on health care, education, use of the military, poverty, New Orleans reconstruction and our nation's infrastructure needs.

When petits four are stacked all together, there's no denying they make an amazing presentation. Serving tray after tray of them to guests at an event you've billed as a dinner party, however, may just place you on the receiving end of a serving fork.

Here's hoping I'll see all of you around the table Thursday night. I'll bring the wet-naps.

Iowa's 4th District Congressman Tom Latham received a welcome home basket today when he returned to Ames following the August recess.

Several constituents delivered a “Feel the Heat” basket as part on ongoing effort by the Iowa ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign to encourage Latham to change course from supporting the President’s Iraq policies and instead vote for a safe and responsible end to the war.

The basket included a card that read:

“Representative Latham, included in this 'welcome' basket are several items to remind you of the President’s current policy on the war in Iraq, with the hope that you will take a stand and join with your constituents in opposing and ending the President’s endless, reckless war."

The basket held Iraq War Wrong Way Hot Sauce, a Support the Troops fan, a Photo with a Personal Choice, some Sensible Priorities Cookies and some ‘Support the Troops, End the War’ bumper stickers.”

"I believe that we speak for the majority of Mr. Latham's constituents when we tell him that we are sick of this war, and want nothing more than for it to end," said recent Ames High School grad Spencer Arritt. "We have been in Iraq far too long, and I hope that Mr. Latham can take a step away from the his party's line to realize that."

Over the last several weeks Americans Against Escalation in Iraq’s “Iraq Summer” campaign has rolled out the welcome mat in preparation for Latham’s arrival by signing up hundreds of his constituents as volunteers, holding rallies, planting "Support the Troops, End the War" lawn signs and going door-to-door in his new hometown of Ames. With a goal of planting 6,000 yard signs throughout the state, the "Iraq Summer" sign drive was officially kicked off in Altoona last month at the home of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army. His son is currently on active duty.

Just a quick note that there's a couchblog (hat tip to Deeth for that great name) going on at Iowa Independent. Chase is driving tonight and myself and others will be adding thoughts via the comments section.

Hop over for all the latest coverage.

While minor scuffles between the Democratic presidential hopefuls have been big news over the past few days, the American public has been mostly insulated from the near brawls between the Republican hopefuls. Sunday's ABC Presidential Forum in Des Moines, however, has begun to drag some of the GOP carnage into the spotlight.

"Virtually nothing in that ad is true," said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney when confronted with the text of an automated attack phone call concerning the issue of abortion paid for by Brownback for President, highlighting what appear to be inconsistencies with the politician's stance. "The single word I'd use would be 'desperate' or perhaps 'negative.'"

Text of Automated Phone Call

"Hello, this is an urgent alert for pro-life Iowa Republican voters. The Straw Poll is coming up in a few weeks and Mitt Romney is telling Iowans he's firmly pro-life. Nothing could be further from the truth. As late as 2005, Mitt Romney pledged to support and uphold pro-abortion policies and passed taxpayer funding of abortions in Massachusetts. His wife Ann has contributed money to Planned Parenthood. Mitt told the National Abortion Rights Action League that 'you need someone like me in Washington.' Romney still supports life-destructive embryonic stem cell research and he still opposes the Human Life Amendment which is part of the Republican Party's platform. Stand up for life and say no to Romney. This call has been paid for by Brownback for President."

ABC's George Stephanopoulos pressed Romney to specifically state what in the ad was untrue. In response, Romney stated, "I am pro-life. That's the truth." He went on to add that "the best way to learn about someone is not by asking their opponent, but ask them."

During the forum Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback said he stands by the text of the automated call.

"That's a truthful ad," said Brownback. "That's what campaigns are about -- getting the truth out, expressing the differences between the candidates."

Before the discussion had ended, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson had their say as well.

"I believe the best way we can have common ground in this debate that you're hearing is if we put our emphasis on reducing abortions and increasing the number of adoptions, which is something I did as mayor of New York City," Giuliani said. "But I think, ultimately, that decision that has to be made is one government shouldn't make. Ultimately, the woman should make that with her conscience and with her doctor."

The former mayor received a limited round of applause for his views on the subject.

"Every year the Republican Party both at the state level in Iowa and nationally comes out very avidly and passionately on being pro-life," said Thompson. "I think any candidate that is pro-choice is going to have difficulty with the party faithful and those individuals who have come to the district, state and national meetings and have avowed time and time again that this party, the Republican Party, is a party of pro-life."

Thompson went on to say that being so "tied up in one issue" is preventing a national discussion on larger issues that affect all Americans such as health care.

In contrast, however, McCain, when asked by Stephanopoulos if focusing on one thing was distracting from issues of national security, said he would not agree that discussions on abortion are distracting from other needed conversations.

"I think the respect and commitment to the rights of the unborn is something I fought for and it has a lot to do with national security," McCain said. "It says very much what kind of a country we are and our respect for human life whether it be here in the United States or in China or Bangladesh or the Congo or any place else in the world. So I think it is connected."

On Monday the Brownback team continued to pound Romney on the abortion issue. A press release arrived at roughly 4 p.m. containing a link to the Brownback blog and another link to a newly created video on YouTube. The video features Brownback as a talking head, voicing his displeasure not only with Romney refusing to own up to the assertions in the original robo-call, but also with "name calling."

"You can call somebody a name, but facts are more stubborn," says Brownback in the video.

So, what are the facts? According to Tahman Bradley of the ABC News fact check, there was more than one step outside the lines of "truthiness" during the forum. Bradley says that Giuliani may have crossed the line when highlighting his accomplishments in increasing adoptions.

A review of an official New York City document conducted by Factcheck.org looking at adoptions over a ten-year span shows that although Giuliani increased adoptions at a rate higher than his predecessor David Dinkins, adoptions under Giuliani declined five out of the last six years he was in office. Perhaps the former mayor is overstating his accomplishments just a bit. Depends on how you look at it.

Romney also appears to have veered left during his assertion that he has not been in favor of taxpayer funded abortion.

But according to an article published by the Boston Globe dated March 25, 2005, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood indicates that Romney said he "professed support for state funding of abortion services for low-income women" when answering a Planned Parenthood questionnaire.

Five days remain for things to heat up for the Iowa Republican Party fund-raiser known as the Ames Straw Poll. If we all sit quietly, we'll probably be able to hear the Bic lighters flicking.

Iowa's 2nd District Congressman Dave Loebsack will host a series of meetings beginning tomorrow and continuing through Friday.

"During this tour I will be able to meet individually with community members in all 15 counties of the second district to discuss your concerns regarding educating your children, health care, ethics reform, economic development, renewable energy, security, agriculture and other issues important to Iowa," Loebsack said in a prepared statement.

• Tuesday, Aug. 7:
• Linn County -- 9 a.m.
  Cedar Rapids Public Library, Study Room D
  500 1st Street SE, Cedar Rapids
• Cedar County -- 11 a.m.
  Tipton Public Library, Story Time Room
  206 Cedar St., Tipton
• Muscatine County -- 2 p.m.
  Muscatine City Council Chambers
  215 Sycamore St., Muscatine
• Louisa County -- 3:45 p.m.
  state Bank of Wapello, Meeting Room
  306 North 2nd St., Wapello
• Des Moines County -- 5:30 p.m.
  Burlington Public Library, Small Group Room 2
  210 Court St., Burlington
• Wednesday, Aug. 8:
• Lee County -- 9 a.m.
  Fort Madison City Hall, Council Chambers
  811 Avenue E, Fort Madison
• Lee County -- 10:30 a.m.
  Keokuk City Hall, Council Chambers
  415 Blondeau St., Keokuk
• Henry County -- 1:30 p.m.
  Mount Pleasant City Hall, Council Chambers
  200 Monroe St., Mount Pleasant
• Jefferson County -- 3 p.m.
  Fairfield Public Library
  104 W. Adams St., Fairfield
• Van Buren County -- 4:30 p.m.
  Van Buren County Hospital, Conference Room B
  304 Franklin St., Keosauqua
• Thursday, Aug. 9:
• Davis County -- 9 a.m.
  Bloomfield Courthouse, Magistrate Courtroom
  100 Courthouse Square, Bloomfield
• Appanoose County -- 10:45 a.m.
  Drake Public Library
  115 Drake Ave., Centerville
• Wayne County -- 1:30 p.m.
  Wayne County Court House, Basement Conference Room
  101 N. Franklin St., Corydon
• Wapello County -- 4:30 p.m.
  Ottumwa City Hall
  105 E. Third St., Ottumwa
• Friday, Aug. 10:
• Washington County -- 9 a.m.
  Washington Public Library
  120 East Main St., Washington
• Johnson County -- 11 a.m.
  Iowa City Public LIbrary, Room E
  123 S. Linn St., Iowa City

Residents unable to attend one of the above meetings, but who would like to voice a concern or need to Rep. Loebsack, are encouraged to call his district office toll-free at 1-866-914-4692 or visit his website.

There's been an elephant in the room with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as he has traveled first to western and now to eastern Iowan to unveil his plan for trade policies and labor. And this time, the elephant doesn't represent anyone from the Republican Party.

Yesterday, while Edwards stood with striking Teamsters at Standard Ready Mix Concrete Co. in Sioux City, an attempt was made to disrupt the rally. Mark Jensen, vice president of the company, drove a truck close to the event, left it running and unveiled a "Hillary for President" sign. Jensen also came equipped with a camera and began charging fees to rally attendees who parked on property he owned. The fees and tension led to a scuffle between him and union member Andrew Garlinghouse, and that led to a police report. If anything, however, the executive's actions stood as testimony to Edwards' own views on a trade policy set by "corporate and Washington insiders."

Edwards' own "smart and safe" plan was on the table today in Cedar Rapids at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 405 Union Hall. No signs for Democratic rivals were unfurled at this event; however, few were left wondering exactly who was on the other end of the senator's remarks. While neither former President Bill nor current rival Hillary Rodham Clinton were mentioned by name, most of the labor-savvy crowd had little difficultly following Edwards' thinking -- especially when he began a more than 40-minute pummeling of the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement.

"For years now Washington has been passing trade deal after trade deal that works great for these big multi-national corporations, but they're not great for America," he said to the 300 people gathered at the IBEW this morning. "For example -- here's one you know about -- NAFTA.

"NAFTA and the [World Trade Organization] provide extraordinary and unique rights for foreign companies whose profits are allegedly being hurt by environmental and health regulations. These companies have actually used them to demand compensation for laws against toxins, mad cow disease and gambling. They even sued the Canadian postal service for being a monopoly. Domestic companies would get laughed out of court if they tried to bring these types of cases. But they have private courts and we have -- in our trade deals -- created these rights for foreign companies."

Edwards pointed a finger at the Bush administration, but just as quickly removed it and picked up a broader brush.

"The trade policies of President Bush have devastated towns and communities across our country," he said. "But we need to be clear and honest about something: This is not just his doing. Like in a lot of things, he's made it a lot worse, but for too long presidents from both parties have entered into trade agreements like NAFTA, promising they'd create millions of new jobs and enrich communities. Instead too many of these agreements have cost jobs and devastated communities."

He went on to add that NAFTA, a program begun by then-President George H.W. Bush and eventually pushed through by President Bill Clinton, was a policy written by government and corporate insiders in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

"[The trade agreement] served their interests," he said. "It did not serve the interests of regular workers. It included unprecedented rights for corporate investors, but no labor or environmental protections in the core text. Over the past 15 years we have seen the growing inequality in the United States, in Mexico and in Canada."

Edwards' speech, coming just a day before he and other Democratic hopefuls present their plans at an AFL-CIO forum in Chicago, is calculated. While most pundits agree the AFL-CIO executive committee will not come together on Wednesday and make an endorsement at this time, the individual unions -- such as IBEW 405 in Cedar Rapids -- are a different story and are being courted heavily by all the potential nominees.

More information on Edwards' "Smart and Safe" trade policy can be found by visiting his website. An audio clip from the event today can be accessed below:

Fergie -- Big Girls Don't Cry

Avril Lavigne -- Keep Holding On

The WaPo is reporting Iowa Repubicans aren't liking their choices. All of this courtesy of a new poll.

M.R. Field talks about building win-win partnerships with her Leading Voices: Iowa publication.

I'm wondering if desmoinesdem at Bleeding Heartland may have wandered into one of the big three parenting debates on non-political blogs. She has a write-up about how she's discovered non-political blogs can be more sensitive and tend to censor comments. Those big three issues, at least in my experience, tend to be to snip or not to snip (circumcision), religion/religious tolerance, and the blame-the-parent game. The idea of a lot of non-political blogs isn't to begin a conversation, but to state a point. There is also a very real feeling of ownership of the space (i.e., don't try to tell me your opinion on my dime).

The worst online dispute I was ever involved in was on a predominantly parenting site. But that's too long of a story to get into today.

If you missed the report by Douglas Burns about brown being the new pink then you should click now and have a read. It's well worth your time.

Iowa Voters takes a swipe at the GOP folks who believe that just because there has been cheating at their fundraiser, that there's been cheating at real voting locations.

Ann at Feministing takes on a Marie Claire article: Fembots: The New Breed of Women.

Vocino takes offense at George and Laura Bush posing for photos near the bridge collapse in Minnesota while Louisiana is still suffering. Amen.

If you are looking for solid, first-hand reporting about the collapse and aftermath, visit Minnesota Monitor.

A Cedar Rapids veteran was the first person in Eastern Iowa to place a "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign as a part of the "Iraq Summer" campaign sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

"The message is a good and positive one," said Gulf War veteran Joe Stutler. "I'm an Operation Desert Storm vet and these guys are really pounding the same sand. To me they are pounding the wrong sand. In my personal opinion, we're supposed to be going after the original Al Qeada -- the folks that attacked us on 9/11. They are in Afghanistan and there's a big difference between Afghanistan and Iraq."

Stutler says, as a veteran, he would never agree to be a part of any push or organization that did not support our military men and women.

"These guys are my brothers in arms," he said. "I don't know of any veteran that's really served and that really believes in America and veterans issues that wouldn't immediately and willingly go pick up ruck and gun and go serve alongside these guys. That's what we are about."

He also feels that it is a part of his duty to speak out against a war which he feels is "the wrong mission."

"Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11," he said. "If there are some of those folks there now, it's because we opened the door and let them in. ... I'm still wondering where Osama bin Laden is.

"One of the things I hope to bring about by having this yard sign is to have people stop, think and really look into the things going on. People need to question everything. Question their message... question my message. There is no problem with all of these messages being out there. Listen to them all and make an informed decision."

Stutler, a former Republican, is now an active member of the Veterans Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Many additional signs were placed in the Cedar Rapids area today as part of an ongoing effort to convince Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Tom Latham to change course and vote for the safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq. AAEI expects to place more than 6,000 yard signs in the next few days.

The drive was officially launched in Altoona last week with the first sign in Iowa planted in the yard of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army. His son is currently on active duty.

"I think [the war] is politicized now," Stutler said. "I don't think it has to be. I think both sides are trying to play this game and, when you get down to it, it is not a game for those of us who have been there."

“Iraq Summer” is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on members of Congress who have opposed setting a time line to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national “Take a Stand” day on August 28th, when members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

One of the newest Iowa faces in the beltway, Rep. Dave Loebsack, says the work done last November to elect Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress was "a down payment."

"You all know it is going to take an increase of the majority in the House and Senate and a new president to put this country on the right track," Loebsack said during remarks at the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Workshop in North Liberty. "We are now and will continue to do all we can between now and January of 2009, but we are going to have to have a new president."

The former Cornell College professor told the 70 or so Democrats gathered that media reports of a "do-nothing Congress" are gravely mistaken.

"You hear a lot in the media about how this Congress is like the last one -- that it's a do-nothing Congress," he said. "We've done a lot more than the media are telling you, especially in the House of Representatives."

While outlining the accomplishments made by the House within the first 100 hours of the last session, Loebsack was also quick to admit the progress he and other Democratic lawmakers made was in vain.

"I can't control George Bush, unfortunately," he said. "I can't control what happens in the Senate and Tom Harkin can't control what happens in the Senate. That's because we've got [Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell acting as the biggest road block this side of George Bush to what we're trying to do in this country."

McConnell, R-Kentucky, remains one of the strongest supporters of the war in Iraq, which he considers an integral part of the war on terrorism. In June, however, he told a contingent of troops in Kentucky at Fort Campbell when they were about to ship out on a 15-month deployment to Iraq, "The majority of the public has decided the Iraq effort is not worth it. That puts a lot of pressure on Congress to act because public opinion in a democracy is not irrelevant."

Loebsack says that "Iraq is the most contentious issue in America."

"I said while I was campaigning and I continue to say that Iraq was a war that never should have happened," he said. "Now that we are there, we've got to figure out what we're going to do. As far as I'm concerned we've got to begin to remove our troops tomorrow. I certainly don't want to see them there any longer than a year if that's at all possible. We're not getting that done because George Bush is stopping us. My view, for what it is worth, is that George Bush is going to try to stop everything we do."

Despite the obstacles, he says the slim Democratic majority in Congress will continue to work and do "whatever it can" to make changes.

"We are trying to take a number of steps [between now and January 2009]," he said. "We are trying to bring to the floor of the House a number of measures that aren't going to satisfy everybody -- they don't satisfy me by any means. They fall far short of what I think everyone in this room would like to see us do, but with them we can continue to build some type of political momentum."

Like January 2009, Loebsack believes September is too far away.

"I've spoken with some Republicans on the other side of the aisle -- people like Walter Jones who, two years ago, came over to our side on this," he said. "We are trying to get more Republicans on board and not wait until Sept. 15 for this to happen. We have to keep pushing because it is time we get our troops out of the middle of a civil war that cannot be won."

Most of all, Loebsack stressed that he and his colleagues in the House were not going to just roll over and hope for reinforcements after the next general election.

"Even when George Bush vetoes something, we're going to keep pushing it," he said. "We're not giving up. He's going to be gone in January of 2009 and we're not going to just sit back and do nothing in the meantime.

"When we talk about moving this country in a different direction, we are talking about the minimum wage, helping workers organize better, universal health care, getting out of Iraq, higher education, and having more funds and resources available for students to go to college at all levels. We are talking about the things we talked about in the campaign and we are working to make them realities."

Because a document signed Thursday by the Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, some individuals accused of wrongdoing will save a few bucks.

The Uniform Bond Schedule allows an arrested person to be released pending an initial appearance before the court and sets bond fees associated with such a release. The fee schedule can be used if the person in question was not arrested on a forcible felony and if Iowa courts are not in session. The schedule is developed by the Judicial Council, a body made up of chief judges from Iowa's eight judicial districts, the chief judge from the Court of Appeals and Ternus.

The updates on Thursday were the first in nearly nine years and, as such, reflect a few changes made to the Iowa Code during that time. Exempt offenses are any forcible felonies (as defined in code section 702.11), felonies related to the manufacture, delivery/intent to deliver or distribution of methamphetamine, and cases involving domestic abuse and stalking laws. Such offenses are not eligible for release without an appearance before the court.

The new schedule drastically reduces all bonding levels. Previously an individual arrested for selling or attempting to sell more than 500 grams of cocaine would be required to post $130,000 bond. Under the new schedule that same individual would post a $100,000 bond.

Lesser offenses -- such as class D felonies and simple misdemeanors -- also saw reduced bonds.

The reductions, says Rebecca Colton, assistant to the Chief Justice, are a reflection of the courts' desire to reduce strain on jail facilities.

When court is in session, judges can exercise discretion when setting bond amounts. Persons arrested on multiple charges who are eligible for release while court is not in session will need to post bond for the highest offense, regardless of the number of equal or lesser charges.

The new schedule will take effect on Aug. 15.

Iowa Sen. Nancy Boettger, R-Harlan, has announced her endorsement of Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback. It's a decision, she says, based on the senator's religious values.

"As a former educator, I know the importance of Sunday school values in our children's lives," Boettger said in a statement released this morning. "Sen. Brownback proudly invites God back into our schools and public square, and he knows we must get the basics right to secure a prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren."

Boettger is a 13-year veteran of the legislature and joins fellow Sen. Mark Zierman, R-Postville, in the Brownback camp.

"As a farmer, I know that Sen. Brownback understands the economic issues and social values of the agricultural community," she added. "Sen. Brownback grew up on a farm in Kansas, was the youngest state secretary of agriculture in Kansas history, and learned from a young age the Midwestern values he shares with Iowa."

While the residents of West Liberty often have their thumbs in the political pie, their town hasn't always been a traditional stop on the road to the White House. This cycle, however, things appear to be changing.

"It just feels so good to have candidates come here," said resident Dave Bradley, who made phone calls to drum up attendance for the Bill Richardson event roughly 200 attended. "It is great when you don't have to drive 30 miles down the road."

The New Mexico governor's visit on Thursday evening marked the second time this year the town has been visited by a Democratic presidential hopeful. The other candidate to visit was Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. It is no coincidence that the two visiting candidates are both fluent in Spanish.

While Latinos and Hispanics constitute roughly 4 percent of Iowa's population overall, they comprise more than 40 percent of West Liberty's residents. The local newspaper, the West Liberty Index, prints in both Spanish and English, and there is a small radio station that broadcasts primarily in Spanish. Roughly one-half of grade-school students are Hispanic. The only city in Iowa that has Latinos as a larger percentage of the population is Conesville, a town less than 20 miles away.

It came as little surprise then, when a middle-aged Hispanic man stood and said he could ask his question more easily in Spanish.

"You say it any way you want to," Richardson said. "I'll translate it if you want to say it in Spanish."

Once the question was asked, Richardson told the audience the man wanted to know "what Latinos gain" and what "assurances" the Hispanic community had if he became president.

"I never have run and said, 'Hey, I'm Bill Richardson and I'm a Hispanic candidate.' I'm an American and very proud to be so," he said.

Richardson then shared a humorous story about his 93-year-old Mexican mother. During a weekly Sunday phone call, she asked if he was still governor. He reassured her that he was and reminded her that four months earlier he had announced he'd was running for president. She then asked, "President of what?"

"I tell that story because I feel I have a very similar background as many of the Hispanics here," he said. "I will not just be a Hispanic president. I will be a president for everybody. We are who we are, and I'm not going to try and pretend to be something I'm not. I am going to find ways to deal with the fact that one out of two black and Hispanic kids don't graduate from high school."

Richardson reminded the audience of his earlier remarks on immigration and his belief that neither deporting 12 million undocumented workers nor providing them immediate amnesty was the answer.

"I believe we are all members of the same world community," he said. "I believe the American dream should be open to all, but that there should be fairness. I promise you that I will with pride talk about my heritage. I am American -- I always have been."

Local residents Dave and Carol Bradley are pictured with Richardson in the above photo.

Although I missed the show (and, in the interest of full disclosure, I'd rather pull out my toe nails than watch Bill O'Reilly), I still have to send my major thanks to Sen. Chris Dodd for his attempt to hold the Fox Channel talk show host accountable for partial truths, homophobia and fearmongering.

At roughly 1:10, O'Reilly says that a photoshopped image of Sen. Joe Lieberman kneeling before Pres. George W. Bush while Karl Rove cozies up to the President's behind is "the worst stuff on the internet -- there isn't anything worse than this." Who is he kidding? Quite frankly, if we are going to stay in the category of juvenile sexual stupidity, I personally found the text of the sexual harassment suit filed against O'Reilly to be much more over-the-top than anything I've seen on DU, Kos or (Lord, help me...) even Free Republic.

Fast forward to roughly 2:30 in the vid... this is where Sen. Dodd calls out the pandering pundit on his own vile statements in relation to allowing Americans to die in the aftermath of another terrorist attack. O'Reilly flatly denies the point and tells Sen. Dodd that he has no idea what he's talking about. Are you sure of that, Bill? Let's revisit your exact phrase:

"And if Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead."

When it comes to vile... well, that ranks right up there in the top 10.

Now that I've offered my thanks, Sen. Dodd, I've got a piece of advice. It was originally given to me by my mother. She said, "Never enter a wrestling match with a pig. You'll both get dirty and the pig likes it."

Those who read will know live blogging isn't necessarily my forte. Still, this meeting might warrant one because West Liberty, a town of roughly 4,500 people, is about 40 percent Latino.

I hear that Gov. Bill Richardson is on site, but he has not yet entered the room. The room is at capacity and there is ongoing debate about opening up partitions to an additional section. My guess would be that there are 200 or more people gathered at the West Liberty Community Center.

The show is getting started and I've claimed a piece of carpet off to the right side of the room. There are several small children present and parents are trying to get them settled into seats as Don Paulson does a quick introduction.

The governor begins his talk by recognizing the elected officials in the room.

"I'm a little bit late and I'm sorry about that," he says. "I want to abbreviate my stump speech which is usually an hour and half." He gets a chuckle from the audience on that... and possibly a sigh of relief.

He first goes into the outlining what will happen his first six days once elected president. This is a speech most Iowans are familiar with and most can recite by heart.

Day one: A plan to get troops out of Iraq. "I believe you talk and you negotiate." Important that we re-focus the money we are spending in Iraq.

Day two: I will present a plan for energy independence. "It will involve everyone and it will involve sacrifice."

Day three: Announce a plan to revitalize American education. Lots of applause for that one. We need preschool, he says, need to revitalize high school curriculum, need to raise teacher salaries. "The way you get our kids to open their minds to science and math is to generate a national program for arts in the schools." Lots more applause in response to that comment. Now he's hitting vocational training and community colleges -- "we need to come back and find ways for a national scholarship. I believe education is for everyone between 3 and 99."

Day four: health care. "I would say as a principle that no matter who you are in this country that every American has the right to the best possible health care. It's a right -- a human right." He says we need to improve the existing system and laments the fact that 31 percent of what's spent now goes to administrative issues. "We've got to focus on something we rarely talk about -- our veterans. Our VA system is good, but it is understaffed." Now he outlines his belief that veterans can go anywhere they want for health care. He receives big applause for that too.

Day five: the economy. "We've got a deficit of trillions of dollars and you see all these young people here... " While looking around the room, he spots a teenage girl dozing and gets another laugh when he asks her to stay awake. "We need a policy that does not ship jobs overseas." More applause follows his pro-union remarks. "We need a tax system that is fair." He talks about what he's been able to do in New Mexico in relation to taxes that have helped the economy there. "The way we've been approaching the economy is not a pro-growth way."

Day six: reflect on an America that used to be. "What do I mean by that? As your president I will follow the Constitution. My vice-president will be a part of the executive branch. I will protect a woman's right to choose while urging education, adoption and more. America will no longer use torture as a form of foreign policy... we will be an America that will bring back habeas corpus."

We're about 20 minutes in and Richardson is saying he is about to close. The children are running about and getting a little restless. I don't see any other members of the press in the room.

He says the YouTube debate was good because the questions came from ordinary people... "except for that goofy snowman."

"I'm not the richest and I don't have the best pedigree... I think this race should be about the future and this country. It should be about who has the most foreign policy experience. Who's the person who has negotiated with bad guys. Clinton and Obama during that debate had a little spat about if we should talk to bad guys... I've already talked to them!"

Now we are moving into a question-and-answer period... boy, girl, boy, girl says Richardson.

First question is about Palestine and the Middle East. She wants to know if he would talk to Hamas.

"What I would do is want information from Hamas saying they would stop attacking Isreal. I'd talk with Isreal too, Iran, Iraq..."

There's a follow-up question, but I can't hear it. "We can't just meet with someone and say I'm meeting with you. There has to be a give and take. I also believe in the Middle East we've stopped talking to a lot of people we should be talking to."

Wake-Up Wal-Mart is in the audience and asked about holding corporations accountable as good citizens. Richardson says he would and points to the fact that he joined Wake Up Wal-Mart several months ago in Iowa at an event. (Which I believe was in Des Moines.)

Next is AIDS research and international funding. Richardson says we need to know what's going on here at home and doing more education here at home.

Question: immigration strategies that will unite instead of divide.

"We have the president and vice-president doing what they usually do -- nothing. I'm a border governor and two years ago I had to declare a border emergency because of problems. First, we need to have more border security, technology and patrols. I worry about nuclear material crossing the border. I am not for this wall, because it won't work. It's a 12-foot wall... and now there's going to be a lot of 13-foot ladders built."

"What do you do with those employers that violate the law? They should be punished. Third thing is foreign policy."

He has pulled a young woman from the audience and proclaimed her president of Mexico. The audience is enjoying it very much. You have to speak frankly with friends, he says, so now he is talking to the young woman as his friend. She gets a big round of applause for playing along.

"Now, here's the part where I lose votes. We can leave it alone and do nothing because it is tough vote. The second option is what the House passed two years ago: deport the