Essential Estrogen

Lots of little bits of information floating around my desk and email inbox that deserve a mention and there are way too many pieces for me to write individual posts on each one. So, here's an all-in-one condiment (catsup) posting.

Ladies, Vote for Clinton or Burn in Hell

While these weren't the exact words spoken by former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack while stumping for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton last week in Iowa, it isn't such a long stretch, at least in my opinion.

According to the National Journal, Vilsack's exact words from the stump were: "I think there's a place in heaven for women who support women."

Just When You Thought a Tenderloin Sounded Good

If you're planning a trip to Solon for dinner at Joensy's you might -- or might not -- want to know that the Johnson County Health Department has shut the restaurant down because "it posed an imminent health hazard." A county health inspector reported live cockroaches on food preparation and other surfaces, thick piles of food and grease on the floor, door gaps that could allow pest entry, a dead rodent and various piles of trash.

The Gazette interviewed owner Brian Joens who stated the reports were exaggerated. It is unclear when the restaurant will reopen.

Iowa Legislators Are Good Value

The Washington Post is reporting that Delaware Sen. Joe Biden might have misused PAC funds while running a presidential campaign. Although there doesn't seem to be enough information in the article for the reader to do much more than speculate, there is an implication that the support of some of Biden's Iowa legislators was purchased for $500. Shoot, if I'd known they were that inexpensive, I'd have bought me a legislator years ago.

Another tidbit buried in that story: "Michael Toner, a former Federal Election Commission chairman who in 2003 wrote the regulation governing how politicians can use their leadership committees, said it is "very dangerous to be operating a leadership PAC while simultaneously running for president." Toner was formerly chief counsel of the Republican National Committee and now works for GOP presidential hopeful Fred Thompson."

Is it really appropriate to use a pundit -- even one who formerly held a position on the FEC -- to discuss something that may adversely affect a candidate from the other party? Seems to me that it would be difficult to remain an unbiased opinion when your guy might one day be going head-to-head against the guy on which you are commenting.

Mike Huckabee Legislative Endorsements

The presidential campaign for Republican Mike Huckabee announced three legislative endorsements. The group will co-chair a Legislators for Huckabee Advisory Committee and work to promote the former Arkansas governor to others in Des Moines.

Sen. David Hartsuch of Bettendorf, Rep. Carmine Boal of Ankeny and Rep. Dwayne Alons of Hull made public their support of Huckabee.

Outbreak of School Bomb Threats?

There was a recent bomb scare in New London and two previous ones at Burlington High School. Wednesday morning students were evacuated at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids when a student reported that s/he overheard other students discussing a bomb on campus. Police were called, but no evidence of a bomb was found.

I'm not sure how common bomb threats are at high schools, but four since the beginning of the year doesn't seem right to me.

Regents Lose Their Head

Current Iowa Board of Regents Executive Director Gary Steinke will be leaving the group to lead the Iowa Association of Independnet Colleges and Universities. He will begin his new assignment on Nov. 1 and has indicated pay was a factor. He earns roughly $150,000 per year as head of the regents. No word on how much he'll be paid for the organization that represents 29 private institutions.

Obama Gains Another

Iowa Rep. Pam Jochum of Dubuque has confirmed that she'll be endorsing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for president.

It appears that most Iowa legislators are following leadership's suggestion that they spread the wealth in terms of presidential endorsements.

Legislature Considers Withdrawal

Iowa's lawmakers will investigate Bank of America's credit card promotions to college students at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Hearings of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee are scheduled for Oct. 29 and 30 on the marketing agreement between the credit card company, alumni organizations and the schools. Individuals who spent the most were provided exclusive access to university facilities, coaches and athletes.

Made in Iowa -- Unfortunately

Three years ago, Iowa law enforcement shut down about 125 methamphetamine labs each month. That figure is now down to about 12 labs per month. The decline is due, in large part, to a law that only permits purchase of one box of medicine containing pseudoephedrine each day.

The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement believes, however, that some are skirting the law by visiting several different stores to purchase the product. Since it takes just over 40,000 milligrams of pseudoephedrine to create an ounce of meth and since a box of medicine contains about 350 milligrams of the drug, it would take someone quite a few trips to gather enough to create the drug. Despite the obvious time consumption some are advocating the current law that requires purchasers sign a log book should be expanded to include a computer system that would automate the log books and allow both pharmacists and law enforcement to share the information.

There is no word yet on how much such a computer system would cost, but the expansion is expected to be a topic of conversation with the state legislature convenes in January.