March 2009 Archives

On Wednesday the Cedar Rapids City Council will likely finalize a nine-member committee to provide oversight of revenue generated from the local-option sales tax (LOST) approved March 3.

(As a side note, this committee will only oversee the revenue received by Cedar Rapids and not the other areas of Linn County that approved the tax on March 3, or any other areas that may approve the tax at a later date.)

The names announced during a special council meeting on Monday are:

• Stephen Hammes (3-year term)
• Jeffery Beer (3-year term)
• Gary Ficken (3-year term)
• Sandee Skelton (2-year term)
• Jeff Palmer (2-year term)
• Charles Watkins (2-year term)
• Heather Schoonover (1-year term)
• Elizabeth Hladky (1-year term)
• Markell Kuper (1-year term)

Some residents of flood-impacted areas have already raised concerns that those offering oversight are not representative enough of the flooded areas of the city -- that they were not either personally impacted by the June floods or that they are not in a socio-economic class that would afford them understanding of most who were flooded.

My first thought upon seeing the list is how unbalanced it is from a gender standpoint.   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just over half of the population of Cedar Rapids is comprised of women. One third of the LOST oversight committee is comprised of women -- and all of their terms end within two years. If those who drop from the committee are not replaced by women, then it is likely the full oversight will be in the hands of males.

Why does this make a difference? Many of the services negatively impacted by the flood are services that are traditionally decided upon by women members of households -- child care and health care chief among them. Also, it is widely known that after any humanitarian crisis, including natural disasters, the most vulnerable within a community bear the brunt of the hardship. Like it or not, the most vulnerable members of society continue to be women and children.

Outside of the initial concerns, there is also a long-term reason why women should be equally represented in government committees and commissions: they are equal partners. We want to develop communities that are vibrant and diverse. We do that by allowing as many voices as possible to be heard. We do that through inclusion. 

From the Politico:

Tim Kaine, the Virginia governor and President Barack Obama's hand-picked choice as the head of the Democratic National Committee, infuriated abortion-rights groups Monday by signing legislation that gives abortion foes an important symbolic win.

The legislation Kaine signed allows Virginia to distribute and profit from "Choose Life" license plates. By my estimation, these would be more aptly named "Choose Deception" license plates because they are purchased in support of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, facilities that pose as women's health care clinics but exist only to stop everything they consider abortion -- actual abortion, morning after pills, birth control pills, etc.

Women who have unknowingly went to one of these centers report being forced to listen to religious lectures, being given misinformation about the risks of abortion, being denied access to birth control and being refused referrals to legitimate health care providers.

The Democratic Party's platform does much more than uphold a woman's right to have an abortion or to use contraception. It confirms the fact that women are intelligent and capable humans, perfectly suited to take in all the facts surrounding any given situation and to make an appropriate choice based on those facts.

Crisis pregnancy centers -- the places being funded by the license plates that Kaine approved as Virginia governor -- are firmly opposed to that principal. They believe that women must be fooled, given misinformation, berated and forced into a decision.

Because Kaine obviously does not understand this -- or perhaps because he does, but just doesn't care -- he has no business leading the Democratic National Committee. It is time for Obama to pick another individual who understands and respects the fundamentals of the Democratic Party's platform, and, more importantly, someone who understands and respects women. 

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan traveled to Hiawatha in eastern Iowa today to promote the Democrats' plan to create jobs, grow the state economy and rebuild Iowa.

Kiernan said that while Democrats are offering concrete proposals to the challenges the state faces, Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen (of Hiawatha) and Republicans in the legislature have "simply said no."

"Democrats are united," he said. "We are working everyday to put Iowans back to work, fix the economy and rebuild our state. Unfortunately, Republicans in the legislature have continues their 'campaign of nope' to every proposal Gov. [Chet] Culver and Democrats have put forward."

Kiernan traveled to Hiawatha, home of Paulsen, to point out that more than 60 recovery projects with unmet needs originated in the area. Across the state, more than 4,000 projects had been submitted when Culver put out a call for them late last year.

"It's time for [Republicans in the legislature] to step up to the plate and put people ahead of politics," Kiernan charged. "They need to do that or simply admit that they are little more than the party of nope."

There is a rumor that all is fair in love, war and politics. Iowa Sen. Jack Hatch, however, is showing the state that the rumor is false.

As was reported last week, during a heated exchange about health care reform, Hatch made an inappropriate statement. He told Iowa Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad that leadership was treating them both like "niggers" and like "master and slaves."

Needless to say, Hatch has been called to the carpet and has responded with the following e-mail message:

From: Hatch, Jack [LEGIS]
To: All Legislators; All Senate Staff; All House Staff
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 09:35
Subject: An apology

Dear colleagues and legislative staff,

I am writing to apologize for a comment I made last week. As legislators, our comments reflect on everyone, and last Wednesday I made an inappropriate reference. It was wrong and inexcusable. We are to reflect Iowa values, and Iowans are a tolerant group. Our values embrace diversity and legislators need to reflect our highest standards.Last Wednesday, I failed that standard and for that, I am sorry. It will never happen again.

If you want to discuss this with me, please seek me out.

Jack

So now that we have proof that all words are not fair game in politics, and that even well-meaning politicians can step over the line of what's appropriate, the Essential Estrogen team is now waiting for an apology from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley for his recent inappropriate and sexist comments.

"The wise men warn that this causes, God forbid, an epidemic among the people of Israel and that Satan dances in the cemetery while women attend funerals."

Since I was asked last year to cover the aftermath of the massive immigration raid at Agriprocessors, a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, I've learned many things about Judaism, especially about the Ultra Orthodox facet of the religion. While I may not understand the reasoning behind this being done that way or why a certain commandment/law exists, I've done my best to be both respectful and tolerant of those religious expressions.

I will also admit that I've attempted to mentally place myself into the role of a Jewish woman -- just as I've often attempted to consider my life as a fundamentalist Christian woman. I think, given my background, experiences and personality, both these roles are extremely difficult for me to fathom. My objections and concerns go well beyond the daily considerations of dress and family pecking order to the overall viewpoint as women being somehow lesser creations of God.

When I've pointed this out to those who believe differently than I do, I'm quickly reminded that men are supposed to care for the women in their lives unconditionally, that women are to be cherished and loved beyond measure and set on a pedestal. My hesitation to this verbal assurance is that the role of women is contingent on men's belief system. That is, how good a woman in such circumstance is treated has nothing to do with her own ability and actions and everything to do with the man's.

Women can do everything they are religiously called upon to do and still fall victim to a man who professes outward religious convictions, but retains none internally. If the woman, confronted with such a man, is not willing to step outside of her defined role, then she will suffer -- often without others in the community ever realizing the hell that goes on behind closed doors.

Such were my thoughts this morning when I checked in at Shmarya's blog and read a report about a woman who was denied an opportunity to speak at her father's funeral. It wasn't enough, you see, for the men to object to her wishes. She was physically removed and told to get at the back of the line where women belong.

She went on stage and said she would like to lament her father, but Rabbi Amar suddenly asked her to get off the podium.

"I was surprised. I looked at him and said, 'What do you mean? I want to say a few words to my father.' But he insisted," she says. "The mayor and other people tried to talk to him, and he replied, 'You are a woman, you mustn't say a word.'

"I tried to grab the microphone back, but he blocked me with his body. I felt I had to fight to say goodbye to my father. I couldn't believe this was happening to me."

Other family members tried to convince the rabbi, but to no avail. "He acted like a dictator, arguing that she was desecrating the dead and that according to Halacha (Jewish law) a woman is not allowed to deliver orations," Batya's cousin says.

"Where is that written? What, do we live in Iran? This is a stain on this city's reputation," he says.

Batya eventually got off the stage in tears, but that was not the end of it. "I asked to march next to my father, to touch him, for the last time. But the rabbis around him, led by Rabbi Amar, told me, 'Go backwards. The men walk first and then the women.'"

As I wrote earlier, I won't begin to pretend to understand why certain religious commandments are made. I do, however, understand a few things about grief, and about the need of people to say and do things at funeral services. Such ceremony has never been for the dead. It is done for the living -- for those of us who have to find a way to carry on despite the holes left in our hearts once a loved one is gone.

I have no idea what this woman wanted to say, but I'm saddened and frustrated that she was prevented from speaking her mind.

(Hat tip: Shmarya Rosenberg at FailedMessiah.com)   

Contrary to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley's twitter feed, the fact is that most of us recognize political rhetoric when we hear it. Such was the case when Grassley uttered his "resign or commit suicide" statement regarding AIG executives this month. Matter-of-fact, outside of the whole "pro-life" belief that all life is sacred, I didn't see much of a disconnect in what Grassley had to say.

When Grassley followed up suicide with (obviously inside information) that AIG was "sucking the tit of the taxpayer," I still didn't chomp at the bit to call him out for the mis-speak. And, truth be told, I was a little leery of the comment spam that could be generated by a post devoted to explaining the difference between "tit" and "teat." There is also little doubt that Grassley chose his phrase carefully, intended to get the largest bang this side of true obscenity that could be found. In way, you have to admire that type of media dedication.

All that being said, I nearly spit my morning caffeine across the keyboard when I read about Grassley's latest:

...Grassley (R-Iowa) was reminding [Sen. Kent] Conrad (D-North Dakota) of a past favor, apparently at a speaking function, and how he expected something in return. "I would hope you would return the favor," Grassley said.

Conrad said "Oh, you are good," to which Grassley responded: "Your wife said the same thing."

Conrad tried to laugh it off. "I used to like you," he told Grassley...

Not doubt this exchange, if it gets reported at all, will be under the guise of Grassley disparaging a colleague's wife. The truth is that Grassley, a supposed happily married man, is disparaging himself.

Implied in this statement is Grassley "having an intimate exchange" with Mrs. Conrad. Implied in this statement is that Grassley broke a promise to his wife in order to do so.

This isn't political rhetoric. This isn't painting a verbal picture to show one's displeasure for a policy or a current event.  Shoot, this isn't even being folksy or eccentric. It's nothing more or less than Grassley behaving like a spoiled, under-sexed frat boy during a budget committee hearing.

And, forgetting about the rest of us for a minute, if Grassley didn't immediately make a call to his own wife to apologize, she can borrow my super-sized wooden rolling pin to demand one. After all, there are only two courses of action: "apology or castration." And in the case of real men, they usually castrate before they make any apology.

For those who are always in search of Iowa's best BPT (breaded pork tenderloin), or for those who just like to visit Iowa restaurants, Road Food Digest has a series for you.

Tenderized pork loins, marinated overnight, battered, fried, and bunned metamorphose into a transcendent meal that can be found all over Iowa, parts of Indiana, and Illinois. History recalls its invention in 1904 at what would become Nick's Kitchen in Huntington, Indiana. But the Iowan creation myth, according to BPT expert Allen Bukoff, charts its origin from the Czech/Bohemian community in Cedar Rapids as a domestic version of the European breaded schnitzel. Regardless of the source, we present to you twelve chapters of noteworthy BPTs from the Hawkeye State, focusing on those not yet reviewed on Roadfood.com.

The mouth-watering series -- complete with pictures -- begins in Walcott.

Located at exit 284 off I-80 in the hills just west of the Mississippi River, the Iowa 80 Truck Stop claims to be the world's largest, boasting 800 truck parking spots, truck superstore, gift shop, food court, showers, theater, and even a dentist. Their BPT came with mayonnaise and pickles standard and was fried to a dark brown color.

The next stop is Carroll:

Denny's is tucked away in a mostly residential neighborhood and was the very first eatery that was recommended to Amy when she moved here. It's the type of place that most locals don't consider to be fancy, but their home-cooked fare is far from simply casual.

Elk Horn, home to the coveted Iowa Pork Producers best rated BPT, comes on day 3:

Larsen's is a small, family-oriented pub serving "burgers, beer, and beverages," and their BPT is a real treat. Juicy, tender, and perfectly breaded, the sandwich is served with pickles and purple onions.

Audubon's home cookin' gets served up on day 4:

Chatterbox's take is thicker and juicier with a secret weapon: a toasted bun. This gives each bite an added crunch to augment the pork's golden breading.

Head to Dunlap for day 5:

Dairy Sweet continues to enjoy their peak of approximately 12,000 tenderloins sold each year for the past three years. Big, burly, and totally scrumptious, this BPT is cut in half before serving, which helps in heaving this thick slab of fried pork.

Visit a Fort Dodge tavern for day 6:

Community Tap & Pizza ... opened in 1926 and has been serving homemade pizza and huge breaded pork tenderloins ever since.

Visit an unmarked Templeton restaurant on day 7:

There's a café at the edge of Templeton that doesn't have a sign out front, yet farmers overtake the parking lot for breakfast, and truckers leave their rigs on the highway's shoulders for lunch. Located at 18152 Highway 141 at the intersection of Highways 141 and 71, Corner Station is a diner, convenience store, and gas station.

On day 8 -- the latest installment of the series -- travel to Exira:

Located at 613 West Washington Street just off of Highway 71, the Red Barn may be the smallest café in the area. One server and one cook handle all orders, and their BPT is phenomenal.

The really good news is that there are four more stops remaining in the series. Mmmm. Mmmm. Good.

We might have known it for some time, but now it is official. Data collected from just over 500 students attending a "highly selective" but unnamed Midwestern university during 2006 and 2007 was compiled and released by Iowa State University. That data shows that these students routinely use the Internet and are reading more than their counterparts did 10 years ago.

The report will be published this April in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, the professional journal of the International Reading Association.

Ninety-five percent of students reported using the Internet "every day or almost every day" to e-mail (90.4 percent), instant message (63.8 percent), browse Web sites (56.2 percent), listen to music (52.5 percent) and conduct research (47.7 percent). Students in the survey also reported higher enjoyment of Internet use than in reading or watching television.

When given three recreational choices -- television, Internet and reading -- the students were most likely to choose Internet and then reading. Television, while still popular, ranked third. The data, however, did not determine how many students were watching television shows or clips while online. It also did not question the students on television viewing that was downloaded to portable devices, such as iPods. ISU researchers are hopeful that more detail will be available in future studies.

The students reported spending nearly 8 hours per week on recreational reading, and an additional 15.19 hours on academic reading. The study authors note that this is "considerably higher" than the amounts reported by college students during studies in 1999 and 1994.

One other interesting aspect of the study was that the college students reported an affinity for multi-tasking, or taking on several activities at one time. While completing an academic reading assignment, for instance, students might also be watching a television program or streaming music via the Internet.

I don't have a transcript or video yet, but Pres. Barack Obama just said in his televised press conference that (paraphrasing): "It is time to start offering [Medicare/Medicaid] reimbursements on quality and not quantity. States should not be rewarded for how many procedures they do."

For those who are interested in quality health care in Iowa, this is an amazingly wonderful statement to hear. We have truly wonderful health care quality in Iowa, that has been challenged for years because our state's reimbursement rate is near the bottom of the national rankings.

In particular, increasing the reimbursement rate would make it easier for all of our hospitals (but especially those non-critical access hospitals in rural areas) to attract and maintain physicians.

While checking status updates on facebook, I read this from Mona Shaw, a former candidate for Johnson County Auditor:

"Mona Shaw got kicked out the Whitehouse Healthcare Summit in Des Moines for trying to ask a question. Btw, Secret Service dudes can really squeeze hard."

I'm not at the forum today (had my fill of Des Moines while attending meetings there over the weekend) so I can't report as to what exactly happened. It seems to me, however, that removal from a public forum should only be carried out in extreme cases. To do otherwise begs the question of if this is truly a portion of a legitimate information gathering process or if it is merely marketing.

When it comes to the problems facing health care, Iowa has had more than its fair share of marketing. It's time for a real discussion that is followed by real actions.

UPDATE --

I commented on Mona's status, asking if she was serious. This is her reply:

"Totally. The Summit was really a pep rally for the Obama hybrid/mandate plan. Tight agenda just pitching that plan, choreographed with the planted 'regular people' up front prepared to talk it up. No Q & A, etc. LOTS of political brass and health insurance CEOs in reserved seats up front. Other points of view (e.g. single-payer) were not welcome. I almost sat down and sobbed. Instead I stood and tried to ask Culver a question about it and was promptly escroted out."

"One Iowa legislator did ask me why I thought I had the right to ask a question when the summit was clearly not inviting questions."

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin had the following to say this morning in Des Moines at the Iowa White House Forum on Health Reform:

"Good morning. I welcome Nancy-Ann DeParle, Governor Mike Rounds, and our other out-of-state guests. And I thank the White House and Governor Culver for convening this important forum.

"And since Senator Jack Hatch is here, I want to congratulate him for his success in passing a visionary bill in the Iowa Senate, last Thursday, that would extend health insurance to 30,000 Iowa kids who are now uninsured. The bill would also set up a commission to help Iowans find affordable health insurance, possibly by letting their employers join the state employees' health plan.

"Jack, thank you for you tremendous leadership on health care here in Iowa. And let no one doubt that the states, including Iowa, also are doing exciting things in this area.

"In my brief time, this morning, I want to talk about health reform. We can't talk about health care reform, because you can't talk about reforming something you don't have.

"And in the United States, today, we don't have health care system, we have sick care system. The system and all of the incentives are focused on pills, surgery, hospitalization, and disability.

"Dr. Dean Ornish likes to show a cartoon with two people furiously trying to mop up the floor, and above them is a sink that is overflowing, with a faucet turned on full blast.

"As Dr. Ornish says, right now, our health system is focused on finding better ways to mop up the floor - in other words, treating people after they get sick.

"We need to be focused on turning off that faucet. We do that by recreating America as a genuine wellness society - one that emphasizes wellness, fitness, good nutrition, and disease prevention . . . keeping people out of the hospital in the first place.

"That's why I have laid down a marker in this great national health reform debate. If we pass a bill that greatly extends health insurance coverage but does nothing to implement a national prevention and wellness structure and agenda, then we will have failed the American people.

"The good news is that we have a President who gets it.

"In his speech to Congress last month, President Obama made it clear that the heart of his reform plan will be a sharp new emphasis on wellness and disease prevention. As he put it: [It is time] "to make the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that's one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control."

"So the President gets it. And the rest of us need to get it.

"Prevention needs to be incorporated into how we extend coverage, how we reform the payment system, and how we engage in systems reform. We need to rethink not just the way we do medicine, but also the medicine we choose to do.

"Now, let me get specific about what this means.

• It means that private health insurance and the Medicare and Medicaid programs must reimburse for effective preventive services. And preventive services - things like annual physicals and mammograms - must be included in any minimum standards set for a basic benefits package.
• We need to remove barriers to preventive services, including getting rid of co-pays and deductibles for these services.
• We need to change the medical school and residency curricula to include training in prevention and public health. It's hard to believe, but currently our health professionals get hardly any formal training in this area.
• And we need to use tax incentives to encourage employers to offer wellness programs in the workplace - things like smoking-cessation, depression screenings, and fitness programs.

"I look forward to elaborating on these things in the question-and-answer period.

"But I repeat: It makes no sense just to figure out a better way to pay the bills for a system that is broken and unsustainable.

"We also have to change the system itself.

"We need to transition from our current sick care system to a genuine health care system."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the list of tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. The newly updated list now contains 72 products.

On Dec. 22, 2008, when the FDA first compiled this list and issued a warning to consumers, there were only 28 weight loss products identified.

Some of the product claim to be "natural" or contain only "herbal" ingredients, but have been found to contain potentially harmful igredients not listed on their labels or in promotional materials. Some of the undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients are:

• fenproporex - a controlled substance not approved for marketing in the U.S.;
• fluoxetine - an antidepressant available by prescription only;
• bumetanide - a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
• furosemide - a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
• rimonabant - a drug not approved for marketing in the U.S.;
• cetilistat - an experimental obesity drug not approved for marketing in the U.S.;
• phenytoin - an anti-seizure medication available by prescription only; and
• phenolphthalein - a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the U.S.

"These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health."

The FDA is currently seeking product recalls, and may take additional enforcement steps. Additional information can be found by visiting the FDA Web site.

There are 1.2 million people in California who have been convicted of crimes and have had their genetic coding placed into a DNA database. It is the largest state database in the nation, and is expected to grow as the state adds the DNA of those arrested (even if they are not convicted). Last April, California Attorney General Jerry Brown began allowing law enforcement to do "familial DNA searches" to search for suspects.

Law enforcement have typically used DNA databases to search for exact matches to forensic evidence. The British, however, have been able to solve a small percentage of cases by looking for partial matches -- relatives.

The national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) has resisted increasing its search capacity for these types of familial relationships, despite there being distinct cries from law enforcement within our own country for them to do so. This national database also announced expansion in April 2008 to include suspects' DNA.

"Does crime cluster in families?" Dr. Frederick Bieber of Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital asked attendees at a FBI symposium on the constitutionality of genetic privacy and familial searching.

"We know it does," he said and noted that nearly half of prison inmates have had a family member who had been incarcerated. "If crime didn't occur in clusters of families, all this would be an academic conversation."

One of the best reports on the subject of genetic privacy -- and why pushing the envelope on familial searches may be the beginning of the end for CODIS -- was published this week by Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Washington University and head of the Brookings Project on Technology and the Constitution.

The legal limits on family searches and DNA databases are murky, but the political implications are explosive for one big reason in particular: race. African-Americans, by several estimates, represent about 13 percent of the U.S. population but 40 percent of the people convicted of felonies every year. The CODIS database of 6.6 million now includes samples from convicted offenders. As arrestees are added to this mix, CODIS may soon grow to 50 million samples, which might be even more disproportionately African-American. Hank Greely of Stanford Law School has estimated that 17 percent of African-American citizens could be identified through familial searches, as opposed to only 4 percent of the Caucasian population. Once the implications of the racial disparity become clear, there may be a reaction against ever-more-expansive forms of DNA collection that makes the debate about racial profiling look tame. 

Every so often I get complacent and start believing that there is nothing else out there. When I'm in that frame of mind, no matter what I read, I'm convinced it will be the same back-and-forth, political drivel that I've already read. That's also usually when I happen across something that figuratively, if not literally, blows my mind.

You might have heard that the Obama administration has agreed to endorse a United Nations declaration, sponsored by France, that seeks the decriminalization of homosexuality. Not surprisingly, this is a declaration that the Bush administration had avoided during its tenure. What you need to know first of all is that the declaration is not legally binding. It is simply a show of support by the nations who sign on of their belief that criminal penalties -- especially execution -- should not be imposed on people just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

My priggishness blinded me, and I honestly believed this would be a incontrovertible human rights issue. Not so much.

According to a news article (I use that term loosely) by Hilary White (whom I'm praying is not a woman), the U.S. agreeing that people shouldn't be put in prison, inflicted with bodily harm or executed because they are gay is "a significant step towards the worldwide outlawing of religious opposition to the homosexualist political agenda."

White reported that Archbishop Celestino Migliore, a Catholic, told a French news agency that the declaration the U.S. will support is "sad and outrageous" and a form of "modern savagery that will dismantle our society from the inside out."

And Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, said what the declaration "really does is encourage the acceptance of gender identity and sexual orientation as a category of non-discrimination in human rights treaties so that these categories would stand alongside race, religion and other widely accepted categories of non-discrimination."

Catholic Family and HUMAN RIGHTS Institute? My guess is they got their name from the same folks who came up with "Clear Skies Initiative."

The sort-of funny thing is, when I first read White's report and came across "homosexualist political agenda," I originally thought s/he was referencing some new religion or organized non-religion. For that reason, my first reading of Ruse's quote left me confused. If this was a religion, then why would he not want it to have the same protections as other religions? When I read through a second time, I understood.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, there are still some people who believe they can secure their own human rights while tramping on those of others. There are still people who believe selective discrimination is good for society -- so long as the emaciated finger of inequality doesn't ever point in their own direction.

Although I've already provided more space to the intolerant and ignorant than they deserve, there is one more bit of information I'd like for readers to know. This report I read? It was published by the same news feed that has no hesitation equating abortion with murder. That's right ... Terminate a pregnancy and you have become soulless butcher of life. Slice off the head of a gay man who happens to be walking around outside a uterus and you're just following the incontestable and legally protected tenements of your faith.

DAWN'S List (Democratic Activist Women's Network) is holding its 2009 Democratic Women's Summit on Saturday, March 28, at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota) will be the keynote speaker.

If registration is done prior to March 20, the cost is $25 per person and includes lunch and light refreshments. After that date (and at the door), the fee increases to $35.

Organizers expect women from every county to discuss how to begin changing Iowa politics -- the politics that has never seen a woman elected governor or a woman elected to Congress. Several women who have been elected to Congress from neighboring states have been invited to take part in this strategy and planning session.

"When women are a part of the political process, we have a democracy that is truly representative. When women sit at the decision-making tables, the concerns for women and families are not ignored. When women are in positions of leadership, we broaden the scope of possibilities for other women -- our daughters, granddaughters, sisters and friends."

The official press release:

Senator Amy Klobuchar, the first woman elected to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate, will be the keynote speaker at the Iowa Democratic Women's Summit to be held at the State Historical Building in Des Moines on Saturday, March 28. The Summit, sponsored by DAWN (Democratic Activist Women's Network), will discuss strategies for breaking the "glass ceiling" that prevents competent Iowa women from attaining higher political office. In addition to Senator Klobuchar's talk, the conference will include panel discussions featuring state and local office holders and other Democratic women in leadership roles throughout the state.

Described in the New York Times as a "brainy upbeat soccer-mom progressive," Senator Klobuchar won her Minnesota Senate race in a landslide in 2006. She is seen as a rising star in the national Democratic Party and is viewed by some political pundits as a woman who might one day become the first woman President of the United States. Senator Klobuchar has an undergraduate degree from Yale and a law degree from the University of Chicago.

The Democratic Activist Women's Network was formed in 1992 to elect progressive Democratic women to the Iowa legislature. Patterned after Emily's List, DAWN's List recruits women to run for office, conducts candidate training workshops, and helps raise money to fund campaigns.

Iowa is one of four states that have never sent a woman to Congress. Two of the four states, Delaware and Vermont, have elected women governors. Iowa and Mississippi remain the only states that have never sent a woman to Congress or to the governor's office. With the Summit, DAWN's List will begin a new initiative specifically working to recruit Iowa Democratic women to run for Congress, the U.S. Senate, and the Iowa Governor's office.

For more information on this event, please visit the DAWN's List Web site.

Members of the Iowa House overwhelmingly supported passage of a bill that seeks to add pay discrimination into the Iowa Civil Rights Code. The bill, which was first past along party lines by the Iowa Senate on Feb. 16, had minor changes in the House version that will require another nod from the Senate before heading to the Governor's desk.

The House changes are primarily cosmetic. Information that was previously placed into an existing subparagraph of the Civil Rights Code was pulled out and then given its own new subparagraph. Therefore, it is highly likely that the bill will once again gain Senate approval.

The bill requires that Iowans having jobs that require equal skills, effort and responsibility that are done in the same working conditions are paid equally.

If passed into law, employers with four or more employees found guilty of "willful and wanton" violations could be forced to pay an amount equal to up to three times the wage differential in question for the full period of time that the discrimination occurred. Employers guilty of wage discrimination of the non-willful and wanton variety could be forced to pay up to two times the wage differential.

Despite the fact that this bill has been extolled as a protection against the type of pay discrimination -- at all levels of employment and career -- that often impacts women, four Republican women lawmakers have voted against it. Sens. Nancy Boettger (Shelby County),  Kim Reynolds (Clarke County) and Pat Ward (Polk County) joined with the entire Republican delegation to vote against passage. Rep. Betty DeBoef (Keokuk County) was the lone woman in the Iowa House to provide a dissenting vote.

All Democratic women lawmakers voted in favor of passage. Republican women in the Iowa House who voted in favor were Reps. Linda Miller (Scott County), Dawn Pettengill (Benton County), Renee Schulte (Linn County), Annette Sweeney (Hardin County), Jodi Tymeson (Madison County) and Linda Upmeyer (Hancock County).

"We live in a state where women made about 78 cents for every dollar men made in 2007, and our state ranks 37th among all states for gender wage equality," said Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Johnson County, in a prepared statement.  "This law will send a positive message to all current and potential Iowans that we are a welcoming state to men and women, racial and cultural minorities and people with disabilities."

In March 2008, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge released a study on wage disparity in Iowa. 

Former Iowa First Lady and current head of the Iowa Initiative Christie Vilsack published a blog entry today about her recent visit to Mary's Center, a service organization in Washington, D.C. that primarily caters to the Latina community.

Mary's Center, which does amazingly good works in the beltway, was also the site of a roundtable discussion with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama on February 10. I read the transcript of that discussion shortly after the event and, as always, I was impressed with Michelle Obama. More importantly, however, I was impressed with the questions those participating in the event asked.

It seems that so often when young people, especially women, are confronted with an opportunity to really speak to leaders who can make a difference, that some sort of a brain melt occurs. We sputter, we reconsider our stance and, perhaps in an effort not to rock the boat or not to make our guest feel uncomfortable, we opt for "nicer" questions. I think what we need to understand is that effective leaders need and want to hear the nitty-gritty of how our lives are being impacted by current policy. When we sugarcoat our experiences -- even when we do so with the best of intentions -- it defeats the purpose of the gathering.

Although a smile and a quick handshake might make us feel warm and fuzzy for a day or two, we will eventually realize the lost opportunity. And opportunities to advance our views about life and to better our communities happen daily.

For instance, several years ago I was involved in a discussion about Cedar Rapids' Waypoint Services and other organizations that work with women and families in need. While I don't remember all the details of the discussions, I do remember a few key things that were presented as items that could possibly help women. To this day, and often in ways that surprise even me, I continue a slow and steady advocacy for those things. 

For instance, this past Monday evening I attended a "Senior Year and Beyond" series of workshops at the local high school with my daughter. At the end of the evening, a career fair of sorts had been assembled with local trades people, merchants and school representatives staffing informational booths. One of the most visited booths by the students was the one by Wells Fargo, because the group had a table-top wheel that could be spun for prizes. Once the students ventured to the booth in order to spin the wheel, the representatives could then ask the students if they had an questions about a career in banking or finance.

When my daughter had no career questions and there were no other students waiting in line to speak to the representatives, I took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Wells Fargo employees if they volunteered time at the local women's shelters.

"I was at a meeting once where it was expressed that the women in shelters -- many of them trying to better their situations -- could benefit from learning how to use checking and savings accounts," I said. "You know, things like teaching them how to balance their checkbooks."

The representatives brightened and were very receptive. They told me that they often work with young people teaching the same types of things, but hadn't considered there might be a need for that in women's organizations.

Yes, I'll admit that I took a risk -- albeit a very tiny one -- to begin this conversation with four bank representatives I did not know and had never met. Someone could have said something nasty about women in shelters. Someone could have simply laughed at me for making a boneheaded suggestion. The representatives could have politely dismissed me with mumblings about how they were present for the career fair and couldn't be bothered with anything else. But while those situations might have been uncomfortable or embarrassing, they wouldn't have been the end of life as I know it.

Do I know that the bank representatives will follow through with my suggestion? Of course not, but I did plant a seed.

When I suggested to a friend upon her retirement that there were likely a lot of women just starting out who could use her career wardrobe, she looked at me as if I was insane. Months later I found out that not only did she end up donating a lot of clothing to her local affiliate of Dress for Success, but she began to volunteer with the organization as well. Donating the clothing made her feel good about herself, but mentoring women in need gave her purpose.

It's good to listen to experts. It's good to listen to political leaders. It's even better when we get past the point of listening to a monologue and begin an actual discussion.   
 

Updated to list the full Linn County GOP executive board:

Chairman -- Tim Palmer
Co-Chairman -- Mark Hudson
Treasurer -- Brent Schulte
Secretary -- Dawn Brown

None of the previous members of the executive board were re-elected. That being said, I'm not sure if all incumbents were seeking another term. From what I've been able to find out through text messages, e-mails and the local Twitter feed, the newly elected leaders (described by Renee Schulte as "young professionals") will be making some changes in the near future that will likely begin with a new meeting location.

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The Linn County Republican Central Committee voted last night to replace Chairman Jim Conklin with Tim Palmer. If I'm not mistaken, I believe this is the same Tim Palmer that blogs at Hawkeye Review.

Since party chairman are often the the key spokespersons for their organization, it will be interesting to see if the election impacts the blog... or, for that matter, even if the blog impacts the next election. If this is the same Palmer, then he's lucky that he has already had the blogging path cleared for him by David Chung and Ted Sporer -- both having balanced serving as a GOP elected official and as a blogger.

Today I'm also left wondering the thought process behind those in the Linn Co. GOP who decided to switch leaders. In particular, I'm curious if Conklin's statement in the Gazette about having "nothing but respect for the political machine"  while referring to the Linn County Democratic Central Committee played a role.

Although I'd intended to visit the Linn County Republican Central Committee meeting last night to see how their elections turned out, I'd already promised to attend my middle daughter's school concert. I'm hoping one of our Republican readers will drop me an e-mail or comment and let me know how the rest of the Linn County Republican slate turned out.

Before last night's elections, the group had two women serving on their executive board: Laurie Hamilton as treasurer and Janet Johnson as secretary. Here's hoping that, even if these two women weren't re-elected, that women continue to have a prominent role on the Republican executive board.

I'm editing this post to add one final thought before I wake the munchkins and get them off to school. From a reporter's standpoint, Conklin has always made himself available and open to inquiries. He has been respectful and civil, even when questions were uncomfortable. Here's hoping that Palmer's leadership also includes that component.  

Women have made notable progress politically over the last two years. California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D) became the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hillary Clinton made a serious run at the Democratic presidential nomination. And Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin became the first Republican vice-presidential candidate.

But Iowa continues to lag in terms of advancement for women in politics.

"Iowa is one of two states that have never elected a female governor or sent a woman to Congress, with Mississippi being the other," said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. "Iowa has also dropped to 28th place in terms of women in the state legislature, with women making up 22.7 percent of the Iowa legislature. So clearly, we have some work to do."

That's why the Carrie Chapman Catt Center and the League of Women Voters of Ames, are once again sponsoring Ready to Run Iowa: Campaign Training for Women, on Friday, April 3. The workshop -- which attracted some 45 women in June 2007 and is designed for anyone interested in running for elected office, serving on public boards or commissions, or working on a campaign -- will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center in Ames.

"The workshop presents a unique opportunity for potential candidates to hear directly from prominent elected and appointed political leaders, campaign consultants and party officials about how to literally get ready to run," said Bystrom. "It offers two tracks -- one for those who have made the decision to run for office and one for those who want to learn more about getting involved politically -- as well as joint sessions on taking a risk, message development and fund raising."

Political leaders who will participate include: State Representatives Lisa Heddens (D-Ames), Renee Schulte (R-Cedar Rapids), Phyllis Thede (D-Bettendorf), Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner), and Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames); Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey (D); former lieutenant governors Sally Pederson and Jo Ann Zimmerman; and former Republican state representatives Jim Kurtenbach and Tami Wiencek.

Arnie Arnesen -- a talk radio host and former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives who was a candidate for the U.S. Congress and the state's governor respectively --will deliver the morning keynote, titled "Stepping Up, Jumping In, Taking a Risk." The luncheon keynote will be given by campaign consultant Liz Chadderon, president, The Chadderon Group, and will focus on message development and media relations. The afternoon keynote, "Fund Raising for Success," will be led by one of Iowa's leading political fund-raisers Nicole Schlinger, president of Capital Resources Inc./Campaign Headquarters.

Some topics that will be covered include launching your campaign, laying the groundwork for public life, navigating Iowa's political parties as a potential candidate, and navigating the routes to public office.

Registration is available online and will cost $75 before March 21 and $100 after that date. The fee includes all sessions and training materials; breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments; workshop notebook; and campaign training manual. Sponsorships, including a gold-level contribution from Mediacom Communications Corporation, keep the tuition below the actual cost of offering the school.

Ready to Run™ was established by the Center for American Women and Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Almost a quarter of the women in New Jersey's legislature have now attended Ready to Run. When the program started in 1998, the state ranked in the bottom third of all states for the proportion of women in its legislature. New Jersey now ranks 12th.

(Information provided by the ISU News Service)

Sarah Swisher, a registered nurse and political director of SEIU Local 199, published a guest opinion with the Iowa City Press-Citizen on Sunday.

But then I came out of a patient's room in the middle of the night, passing my midnight meds and ran into a uniformed Wells Fargo guard.

He told me he was there to protect me from union organizers. I got memos from my managers telling me union dues would make me go broke, that unions will lead to strikes and even violence. I got called into a small group meeting, with the door closed, to talk about my future at the university.

This isn't what I had imagined. I just wanted a fair deal and a voice in patient care, not tension and fear. I wanted job security, not an uncomfortable uncertainty. But I was different from some of my colleagues, I am and have always been a meeting-going person, so I attended union meetings.

At the meetings they showed me copies of the same memos that had been shown to me at work, only the letterheads came from hospitals in Michigan and Minnesota and Ohio. And then nurses came from those same states and told me they had received all of the same messages I had. The communication came from a firm called Management Science and the university had paid them to come and advise them on how to keep the union out.

That's just a small taste of what Swisher has to say about her personal life with unions, how unions are doing now and what she hopes for the future. For the full picture, read Swisher's guest column.

This information is re-posted with permission from Lisa.

Take the link below to access the full post which features Lisa's amazing list of Iowa's live music, arts, social events and culture for, by, featuring, and of interest to women and friends for the rest of March.

On this day in 1912, Girl Scouts founder Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia. (The organization currently boasts more than 3.7 million members throughout the world.)

Because of the significance of March 12, this entire week is celebrated as Girl Scouts Week.

As a woman who has served with the Girl Scouts for more than five years, I cannot recommend it enough. It is so much more than cookie sales.

For Iowa women and girls who might be interested in learning more, there are two councils that serve our state:

The Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa includes 74 counties, most of them in central and western Iowa.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois serves -- just like its name implies -- counties in eastern Iowa and in western Illinois.

Girl Scouts aim to build girls' courage, confidence and character -- girls who make the world a better place.

Take the jump below to read the remarks made by Pres. Barack Obama on Tuesday when he signed the executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Prominent congressional women attending the signing ceremony included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Judy Biggert, Rep. Mary Bono Mack, Rep. Corrine Brown, Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper, Rep. Susan Davis, Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Nite Lowey, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. Grace Napolitano, Rep. Linda Sanchez, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Maxine Waters and Rep. Lynn Woolsey.

There were also a a host of advocacy group representatives in attendance at the signing ceremony. Some of the groups represented were:

• NAACP
• Change to Win
• Dialogue on Diversity
• Mautner Project
• Black Women's Roundtable
• National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• Older Women's League
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Guttmacher Institute
• National Association of Commissions for Women
• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• NOW
• Legal Momentum
• CARE USA
• AAUW
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
• National Latina Reproductive Health Institute
• National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
• NARAL
• National Center for Transgender Equality
• People for the American Way
• WOW
• WNBA
• EMILY's List
• National Council on Jewish Women
• Global Summit of Women
• National Partnership for Women and Families
• Gay and Lesbian Task Force
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council
• Girls, Inc.
• NFPHRA
• Planned Parenthood
• American Bar Association on Domestic Violence
• National Women's Law Center
• National Abortion Federation
• National Council of Women's Organizations
• Feminist Majority Foundation
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• Women Work
• Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research
• Domestic Policy Council
• US Delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Take the jump directly below in order to read Obama's remarks at the signing.

The Onion reports that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (and former Iowa Governor) Tom Vilsack forgot what corn is.

Witnesses said that, moments later, when Vilsack remembered what corn was, he overcompensated by asking everyone in attendance if they "like eating the North American cereal plant that yields large grains, or kernels, set in rows on a cob as much as [he does]."

Obviously onions are jealous of corn's diversity and continued role in freeing the nation from foreign oil.

Tomorrow Pres. Barack Obama will sign an executive order to create the White House Council on Women and Girls, according to a report filed today by Chris Cillizza.

The announcement, which was scheduled as a part of national women's history month, will include the names of Valerie Jarrett as chairwoman and Tina Tchen as day-to-day facilitator.

Jarrett, who has been a personal friend of the Obama family for years, has served as a senior advisor to the President. That being said, however, her role with the Obama campaign and administration is merely a drop in the bucket. For more information on her, I suggest reading the October 2008 feature story that was done on her by Vogue. (Yes, I really am sending you to Vogue -- just overlook the portion about "conservative Valentino suits," because there is a lot of good stuff in the story.)  There is also a shorter, but still good read, available from Time.

All-in-all, I like seeing Jarrett's name associated with the new Council. Her interests are far-reaching -- she has a daughter, has chaired the board of a Chicago Hospital, and has worked in both politics and with the Chicago Stock Exchange. If this Council is going to meet its mission of keeping federal agencies aware of how their various policies are impacting women, then it will need someone diverse, strong and nearly unchallengable at its helm. Due in large part to Jarrett's personal friendship with Barack and Michelle Obama, I can't think of anyone better prepared to push for and maintain that mission.

I wish I was as enthusiastic about the selection as Tchen for day-to-day operations. And, yes, I know she has ties in the feminist community, but I can't shake the feeling that it was her fundraising, and not her feminist credentials, that won her this gig. Also, unless this was an understood part of her previous accepted appointment as head of the Office of Public Liaison, shouldn't Tchen's plate already runneth over?

Cillizza, as talking heads often do, looked at the announcement as a facet of political strategy. He believes that since Obama carried women voters overwhelmingly in 2008, his administration is developing this new Council as a show of good faith. But as I wrote in January 2008, women have been shortchanged throughout the presidential process and likely went overwhelmingly for Obama because the other option was wholeheartedly unacceptable.

Women were asked our opinions and then, as near as I can tell, those ideas were quickly filed in a trash can. We were marketed to, talk down to and coddled. The thing is -- the thing that the White House needs to understand above all else -- we are on to the tactics.

So, please, set up the Council for Women and Girls and state its mission. It's both needed and wanted. But don't make the mistake of believing that simply setting it up is enough. We're going to be watching -- individually and in groups.

Moments ago U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell stood on the floor of the U.S. House and delivered the following statement in support of Pres. Barack Obama's executive order lifting the ban on stem cell research.

"Madame Speaker, I rise today to commend Pres. Obama's order overturning former Pres. [George W.] Bush's ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

"Lifting this eight-year-old restriction provides hope for doctors, scientists and those in my district who have waited far too long for research that may provide them with cures for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis.

"Just this weekend I met with a young girl I have grown to know very well, Karli Borcherding, who lives with juvenile diabetes and has done a great service to so many by sharing her story and educating countless Americans on this life altering illness.

"Each time I meet with her, she reminds me of the hope stem cell research holds for not just her, but children like her who live with this disease.

"Stem cell research has the potential to revolutionize the way patients are treated. We must utilize the best minds and the best science to find cures for people living with chronic diseases.

"Our ability to utilize and encourage scientific medical research has been put on hold for too long.

"I am confident that President Obama will continue to work to enhance medical research and bring renewed hope to those who deserve access to the best medicine possible."

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley released the following statement after Pres. Barack Obama issued an executive order lifting a ban on federal funding for stem cell research:

"I applaud President Obama's action today to end the ban on federal funding for stem cell research, and I strongly support expanding federal funding for life-saving stem cell research. This issue is especially important to me, as my nephew suffers from juvenile diabetes. Stem cell research provides hope for millions of American suffering from diseases like cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

"President Obama is signaling a new direction in our country's policies toward medical and scientific research. It's a refreshing change."

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin issued the following statement today on Pres. Barack Obama's signing of an executive order that lifts the band imposed by the Bush administration on federal stem cell research.

"Today is an historic day for all Americans -- for patients suffering from disease, their families and loved ones, and for those of us who have fought for more than 8 years to free up our best scientists to pursue stem cell research to its fullest. I hope Congress will follow today's action soon by passing my bipartisan bill to protect this research under Federal law and ensure that future administrations cannot reverse this executive order.

"But today's executive order does more than promote stem cell research. It also signals a new approach to scientific research in this country - one that is dictated not by political agenda, but by the hope for a cure."

Harkin has introduced the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, legislation to lift the restrictions in the last three Congresses.

The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and the Governor's Office pay tribute to four Iowa women each year (since 1975) by inducting them into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

The ceremony for those honored is held in conjunction with Women's Equality Day (August 26), and nominations are being accepted until May 1.

Nominees may be living or deceased, and will be selected on merit, not endorsement. When choosing someone to honor, consider the following questions:

Is the community and/or state better for the contributions of the nominee?

Are people in general better because of the accomplishments of the nominee?

Are women in Iowa, the region, and/or the United States better, as their status improved, or have opportunities increase for women because of the life and contributions of the nominee? and/or

Is the nation, world or particular discipline, profession or field better because of the contributions of the nominee?

The actual nomination form is brief, but should include a one- or two-page summary of the nominee's contributions, supportive material and the nominee's resume or biographical sketch. No more than five letters of support can also be included.

The four inductees are chosen by a five-member selection committee. More information, including a list of previous inductees, can be found on the ICSW's Web site.

University of Iowa Iowa State University economist David Swenson took a close look at the spending of the presidential hopefuls in the final two quarters of 2007 -- those months in the lead-up to the Iowa Caucus. What he found was the contenders from the two prominent political parties spent $15.55 million in Iowa during the 3rd and 4th quarters.

While I would agree that this is a massive figure, the truth is that the candidates didn't spend the most in Iowa, despite the caucuses. The most money of all was spent in Virginia. The District of Columbia, California, Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania all garnered more of the candidates' dollars than did Iowa.

The largest expense item for candidates in Iowa was payroll. When that type of "value added" payment is made, Swenson theorizes that during the final half of 2007 the Iowa Caucus yielded $21.3 million in total output in Iowa -- $11.01 million was value added and $7.34 million was labor income.

Despite this figure, he acknowledges that there are other aspects of the Iowa Caucuses that cannot be tabulated. For instance, we all know that the press plays a big role during the caucus season. We know they come here, rent hotels and cars, eat at our diners and shop with our merchants. We simply have no way of knowing, however, their exact economic impact. There are also the influx of special interest groups who rent offices, hire staff members, use our printers, buy our food and visit our shops. Then there are the people to travel into our state from neighboring states as volunteers for campaigns, to attend campaign events or to observe on caucus night.

As Swenson indicates, overall these figures remain a very small portion of the state's economy (less than 1 percent of state GDP). Still I can't imagine the state seriously considering tossing aside another event that generates this type of revenue, even if it does occur only once every four years.

Plus there is the other side of our first-in-the-nation status: the overall boost to the state in terms of exposure. Our businesses benefit from all that free "Iowa" advertising that happens on the news channels. And, let's not forget the opportunities provided to Iowa residents who can speak with someone who will likely become the next leader of the free world and others who will continue to take cabinet or other leadership roles throughout the nation. The entire nation's agricultural community benefits from the access Iowa farmers have to these individuals.

During his recent State of the Union address, Pres. Barack Obama discussed discontinuing funding for obsolete weapons systems. While that topic likely came up in other states along the campaign trail, I know for a fact that it was something often expressed in Iowa.

When you live in Iowa and New Hampshire and are passionate about our first-in-the-nation status (as I am), then it often feels that the rest of the world is against you. Perhaps that is why the popular vote discussion in the state legislature cuts so deep. It's difficult to believe the leadership of the majority or minority party in our own state would consider, much less argue in favor of, anything that would take the national spotlight away from Iowa and its citizens. 

Like many of you, I have friends who can't wait for the next issue of this or that magazine to be published.

"How to drive him wild in bed"

"Yes! You can land your dream guy"

"10 phrases that will have the opposite sex eating out of your hand"

I have friends who relish ever word of these so-called reports from the front of the relationship battle lines. And while I realize that some of these magazine reports may quote "experts" in the field of relationships and/or pull in real people off the street to try out suggested phrases, I still have to roll my eyes. After all, I write for a news outlet and have done my fair share of magazine freelancing. I know how these columns are pitched, developed and brought to the printing press. Typically, it has more to do with current social norms than it does in sociological or psychological studies. The thing is, no matter how many times I rolled my eyes, I never saw a clear path to describing what I knew to be true. That is, until now.

My teenage daughter and a boy who is her friend (not to be confused with a "boyfriend") came in after school one day and casually added a piece of paper to the top of my desk. I might have mistaken it for a monthly lunch menu or some sort of sports announcement had I not heard them quietly snickering as they powered up the Wii. 

I picked up the piece of paper and began to read the blurry photocopy of an article that appeared in Housekeeping Monthly on May 13, 1955:

The good wife's guide

• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
• Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
• Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
• Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
• Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
• Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimise (sic) all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate the noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
• Be happy to see him.
• Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
• Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first -- remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
• Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
• Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
• Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
• Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
• Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
• Don't ask him questions about his actions for question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
• A good wife always knows her place.

After that first, quick read, I'm fairly sure I blacked out for a moment or two. When I regained my senses, I first asked where the two had found the article. (BTW, if you search the Internet concerning this piece, you'll learn that Snopes isn't convinced it is legitimate, giving the photocopy a status of "undetermined.")

"We got it in American history," my daughter said. "We were studying about that decade -- the 1950s."

Her friend who happens to be a boy added with a smile, "We knew you'd like it."

My daughter said some boys in the class seemed especially fond of the final rule. They shared knowing smiles when I proclaimed that I had to blog about it, no doubt believing that I would come on here and blast it away bit by precious bit. Thing is, that's not what I want to do with it.

I do want to state that this was, given the time reference, likely written by a man -- obviously one that would have also requested large sums of money, prostitutes and flowing fountains of whiskey if he thought he could have gotten such extravagances safe passage across his editors' desks. But, more seriously, this was how society viewed wives at that point in time. They were not considered equal partners in the marriage, nor were they considered equal partners in their own home. They had unequivocal  "duties" that there was simply no excuse for smirking.

That's really the point I'm trying to make about the "How to be a good wife" articles being written today. Sure, some of them may sound like good, solid advice, but they are written in a particular moment in time, for a particular audience. And, this being Women's History Month, take a moment to consider how women's roles have changed in society. You need no further proof of our continued journey than a quick reading of the article I've quoted above. We've come a long way in 50 years, yet we've yet to even imagine the possibilities of where our society might be in 10 more.

And for those of my friends who are still perplexed as to how to meet their dream guy, here's some unsolicited and timeless advice: Just be yourself. Get involved in the activities that inspire passion in yourself. Not only will you begin to enjoy your life a whole lot more, but you'll likely meet someone along the way -- someone who is passionate about the same things you are.

Have you ever noticed how you can walk in to almost any meeting and quickly determine who among those present is the group's leader?

People tend to glance at leaders, to take their cues from them. Before deciding how to vote on an issue, whether to cause an uproar in a discussion, or how fiercely to oppose a measure, followers look to leaders. No matter who stands behind the podium, or who has the loudest voice, a leader's comment will be greeted by a dignified silence. That is, whether you agree with the person or not, you realize that what that person says will have value and impact on your own actions.

There is one other thing I'm quite sure of: While leaders may come and go, depending on the subject for discussion, overall leaders stick around. They have proven their worth to the group and are often called upon for advice or a thoughtful aside. Since they are secure enough in their own political capital, if you will, they have little to no desire to barrel into a room or force-feed anyone their opinions.

This is why I was fairly shocked today to read that Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele has felt the need to announce himself as the "de facto leader of the Republican Party." The words were said in somewhat of a slam against radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, who I guess someone named as the leader of the GOP forces.

The fact that Steele feels threatened enough by Limbaugh that he allowed the paranoid voices in his head access to a reporter's microphone is likely evidence enough that he is not the group's leader. The fact that Limbaugh owns his own microphone is perhaps the largest bit of evidence against him being the GOP leader, de facto or otherwise.

Leaders, especially in politics, don't tend to spend time being the press or with the press. Their words are often whispered or spoken in soft tones at private parties, and usually by someone else who had the priviledge of basking in their glow prior to that party.

Let me put it another way. I have a friend who was attempting to describe the world of politics and used this puppet analogy. Basically, we all know that politicians have strings. They are beholden to the special interests, left or right, who help elect them. They are beholden to constituents. They are beholden to their own value systems as represented by their families, friends and associations. But beyond all those strings, which pass through the ceiling well beyond view, is the puppet master. The puppet master is the one who selects which strings should be jiggled, to what force it should be jiggled and when it should be jiggled.

Sure, each group elects a chairperson. Yes, the body believes that this person is the spokesperson and ultimate "leader" or the organization. The truth is, however, that those who determine the actions and shape the thoughts of these elected or de facto leaders are the ones running the show.

Given Steele's toddler-like demand that he is the leader, and his cynical rebuff of someone who owns the conservative airwaves, it's safe to say that a few of his most important strings were cut today. Now he'll be forced to bumble along with those who have been regulated to aspire to power that they've never earned and will never achieve. (Quick update: CNN is reporting that Rush has, predictably, come to his own defense.)

On the bright side, however, if the broadcast of Steele's words reach the extraterrestials, he'll be one of the first to receive a visit when they invade. (Please re-adjust your tin foil to four degrees right of top dead center.)  

First, the grant opportunity:

The Institute for Interactive Journalism and the McCormick Foundation New Media Women Entrepreneurs are hoping to fund three women-led projects that will "rock the world of journalism."

Funding -- $10,000 grants -- is available to start-ups only. The projects must launch (at least a live beta) within 10 months, and projects must have a plan in place for continuance after initial funding has ended. Further, the projects must have journalistic value -- and may be independent or housed within traditional media. Note, however, that personal blogs and one-time documentaries will not be funded.

Awardees will receive funding through a subcontract if they are an individual or affiliated with a business; and through a grant if they are affiliated with a non-profit institution.

The application deadline is March 31. For full guidelines and an application, visit NMWE's Web site.

The Iowa Women's Summit:

DAWN'S List (Democratic Activist Women's Network) is holding its 2009 Democratic Women's Summit on Saturday, March 28, at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

If registration is done prior to March 20, the cost is $25 per person and includes lunch and light refreshments. After that date (and at the door), the fee increases to $35.

Organizers expect women from every county to discuss how to begin changing Iowa politics -- the politics that has never seen a woman elected governor or a woman elected to Congress. Several women who have been elected to Congress from neighboring states have been invited to take part in this strategy and planning session.

"When women are a part of the political process, we have a democracy that is truly representative. When women sit at the decision-making tables, the concerns for women and families are not ignored. When women are in positions of leadership, we broaden the scope of possibilities for other women -- our daughters, granddaughters, sisters and friends."

For more information on this event, please visit the DAWN's List Web site.