Essential Estrogen

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.