Essential Estrogen

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.