November 2009 Archives

Pres. Barack Obama carried on the White House tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey today, sending the bird, "Courage," off to be grand marshal of a holiday parade. In doing so, he said this:

"... You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office. And then there are moments like this where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland..."

For Obama's full remarks from the pardoning ceremony, take the jump.

Let's pretend for a moment that U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley or Sen. Tom Harkin was able to land in an uncomfortable, yet potentially advantageous position on a piece of legislation. In this hypothetical, both men would be simultaneously courted and despised by both sides, but also in a unique position to make a change within the given bill that was most definitely good for the citizens of Iowa and most likely a good compromise overall.

Now, imagine that Harkin or Grassley used this newly found political clout to enact that change -- a political exchange for allowing the bill to proceed. What do you think people would say? Would they immediately be labeled as whores and prostitutes, or would they be heralded as politically savvy individuals who did what was necessary to provide for constituents?

If either of them had breasts, we wouldn't have to wonder.

Mark Halperin, who is employed by Time magazine, used the above graphic, based on the comedy film "There's Something About Mary," to show who knows what about his view of U.S. Sen. Mary Landreiu of Louisiana announcing that she was still reading the Senate health care reform bill and had not yet made up her mind on Saturday night's cloture vote. (Hat tip to Jason Linkins.)

For those who have not seen the flick, the picture represents a scene where Mary, played by Cameron Diaz, mistakenly uses her date's recently discharged semen as hair gel. ... Yeah, I don't get the whole reason for the Photoshop either.

But, we need not worry. The two primary stalwarts of conservative virtue, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, were more than happy to voice their opposition to Landrieu's policy choices in concise sentences with few syllables.

"So, we know you're hookin', but you're just not cheap," Beck said of Landrieu's decision to stop a Republican filibuster of the health care bill.

Limbaugh was even more clear, calling Landrieu "the most expensive prostitute in the history of prostitutes."

The Louisiana Democratic Party was quick to respond to the outrage, calling on its other federal senator to denounce the comments -- and they were quite right and proper to do so.

But just as we wonder about how Harkin and Grassley would be labeled if they attempted to secure much needed funding for their state in a political maneuver, we also need to stop and wonder if the Louisiana Democrats would be as quick to respond to certain things if Republican Sarah Palin was a resident of their fine state.

If Newsweek wants to try to make a case that Palin is bad for the GOP (and for everybody else, too) surely they are intelligent enough to do so without using some stock photograph of her intended for use in a fitness magazine.

The truth is that both political parties benefit from the contributions of their female membership. They benefit greatly -- as do our communities, counties, states and nation -- from the unique perspectives and approaches to public policy that women provide. Based on those two things alone, all political people, regardless of which voter card they carry, should have a vested interest in ensuring that women politicians are not subject to personal or sexist attacks.

Americans need to make it clear that it is no longer acceptable or appropriate to use personal attacks to show discontent with policy decisions. If pundits, journalists and bloggers aren't adult enough or intelligent enough to form complete sentences based on something other than sexual innuendo, hair style or body type, we need to make clear that they aren't intelligent enough to have gainful employment in the field, much less a voice on today's issues.

Women should not be attacked for doing their jobs, wearing a red skirt, walking in heels (or flats), exposing cleavage, being assertive or any other silly misogynist thing that can be construed. When you see it happen, call it what it is: Juvenile sexism.  

  

I just watched an incredible documentary on the Independent Film Channel about the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Wow.  What an awesome legacy Mr. and Mrs. Hershey left for their community. 

An introduction on their website is below.  www.mhs-pa.org .

"At Milton Hershey School®, we believe that all students can be successful.

We know that in order to be happy, safe, and productive, students need guidance and support in all parts of their lives.

The excellent education at Milton Hershey School starts with dedicated teachers who care about each student's learning experience. Classes are small - an average of 15 students for each teacher, so each student gets individual attention and support.

Students live in large, comfortable homes with 10 to 14 students in their own age group. A pair of married houseparents oversee each home, providing the structure that children need and taking an active interest in their development.

We are dedicated to helping our students lead productive and fulfilling lives."

MHS is celebrating their 100th year.  Over 9,000 kids have come from broken homes and below standard living homes and graduated. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were benefactors in our City that would do something like this! 

Cedar Rapids residents who live in Iowa House District 33 have an opportunity today to vote in a special election. Candidates are:

• Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Democrat
• Joshua Thurston, Republican

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and a list of voting locations is available on the Linn County Auditor's Web site.

House District 33 includes Cedar Rapids precinct 1 through precinct 11. (Map of district boundaries.)

Thanks a lot Linda, you just had to bring up our dirty laundry didn't you!!!  Just when I was trying to decide what my second blog should be about :-)

The story on HD33 goes all the way back to the Caucus in January of 2008.  My precinct was meeting at McKinley Middle School.  I was there to set everything up but had to leave to go run the show at another school where the Central Committee did not have a temporary chair.  Before I left to go to the other precinct, I filled out Form A, for Central Committee members, placing myself, my husband and son Jason as members. 

When the precinct meeting began MD Wolfgram volunteered to be the temporary chair.  He did not fill out the portion of the form to become a member of the Linn County Republican Central Committee.

Conversations began in LCCC meetings regarding the upcoming election for the new executive committee.  Apparently, questions arose as to who the voting members of the LCCC were.  Some of the Caucus precinct chairs did not make sure that everyone that wanted to be a member of the LCCC signed up, including themselves.

A motion was made in one of the meetings that the voting members would be those people who were listed on the Form A's as the Chair and Secretary.  The motion passed.  The document known as Form A was no longer a legitimate document according the LCCC.

That's where all the fun began.  When the special race for HD33 came about we only had 6 people listed as voting members.  I was the only voting member that has attended any of the LCCC meetings since the executive committee meeting election.  I knew two of the other voters well, one just barely, and the other two, not at all.   I was not happy that my house district was not being fairly represented.  I wanted every precinct to be represented.  I hear just the opposite argument was going on with you guys on the other side of the aisle :-).

The saga continues...
 

The Men's Anti-Violence Council at the Women's Resource and Action Center has launched a new blog to increase the online presence of anti-violence and feminist/pro-feminist female and male allies.

The group hopes to create discussions about issues and share resources. Click over to mensantiviolencecouncil.wordpress.com to join the conversation!

I use to do a Sunday linkfest, but then decided that I rather liked keeping that day reserved for doing all the family and home stuff that sometimes gets pushed aside during the work week. So, I think "Monday Morning Quickies" might serve as a fair alternative for those who have been missing the Sunday posts.

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There has been a great deal of speculation, especially on the part of pundits, as to how certain divides within the Republican Party will manifest themselves. What I find most interesting about those discussions, however, is that most seem to think this is some new development. The fact is that this isn't a case of going to bed one night with clear skin and waking up to find a massive pimple on your forehead. This is one of those deep blemishes that festers under the skin for ages, causing pain each time it is touched, yet refusing to come to the surface so that it can properly be treated. As an example, it was these same concerns years ago that led to my own frustration threshold being reached and, ultimately, my departure from the Republican ranks.

From my vantage point, the newness of what is going on lies not in the conflicts, but in the fact that some, possibly tired of the slow membership bleed and disenfranchisement, are starting to push back. Although some have called such conflicts the beginning of the end for the party, I don't see it that way at all. Without these conversations, without some sort of resolution of the conflicts, the party is destined bleed its way to overt extremism and subsequent obscurity.

Here in Iowa, and in Linn County specifically, we have a unique vantage point to watch the happenings. Not only the divides ever-present on the gubernatorial campaign trail, but the blog Hot Issues from Linn County Iowa has been documenting some of the insider baseball of the local central committee, which currently revolves around how voting members of that committee -- including delegates to the recent special nominating convention in Iowa House District 33 -- earned placement on the membership roster.

On the back burner, simmering away and keeping emotions hot, is the Federal Elections Commission complaint that Morris Hurd, pastor of West Hill United Methodist Church in Burlington, helped funnel money between one of the 2008 Republican presidential campaigns and the Iowa Christian Alliance. (Which is headed by Steve Scheffler, who is also elected to represent Iowans on the Republican National Committee.) As if the allegations themselves weren't enough to gossip about, about the same time the church was burglarized, without signs of forced entry, and a computer was taken. For some Republicans, it all seems a little convenient. In fact, it prompted the proprietors of the Burlington Derailed blog to print a handy flow chart showing the Iowa GOP's structure.

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 Folks in Johnson County will be holding their own nominating conventions to fill a supervisor seat. John Deeth has detailed on the Democratic plans, as well as basic info and a link to more on the Republican plans.

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For the past three weekends, I've been traveling to different locations in Iowa to present seminars for Iowa women who want to be more effective online. I want to write a much larger post about this later, so just let me say for now that I learned as much as I gave.

Thanks to all the great women who came out & I hope we have many more opportunities to get together in the coming months.

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Jay Mattsson has published a one-on-one interview with Francis Thicke, who is running as a Democrat for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. If you want to know more about Thicke and why he is running, head over to Blog for Iowa and read the full post.

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No, I have absolutely no idea why the Century for the Common Iowan blog has decided to only be available to invited readers. If anyone else knows, please clue me in.

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Not only does Iowa get to keep the pig, but there are no reports of any bathroom penalty flags at Kinnick.

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Finally, I did have the amazing opportunity this weekend to set down my reporter's notebook and attend the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner as just another face in the crowd. There's no way I'm going to spoil a night off by trying to piece together a news report of what happened. But, if I can channel Deeth for a moment, I'll admit that my biggest disappointment is that Vice Pres. Joe Biden didn't enter or leave to "Centerfield" by John Fogerty.

Teen library patrons in Ames will continue to have the opportunity to access accurate sex education materials thanks to a vote Thursday night by the local library's board of trustees.

Members of the board voted 6-to-1 to continue to make copies of the Sex, Etc. magazine available, both on display and for free distribution. The magazine, published by Rutgers University through the Answer program, provides honest sexual health information written by teens for teens and backed up by professionals.

The formal complaint, which was filed in July by John and Joyce Bannantine, did not object to the library's subscription to the magazine, but to it being prominently displayed and to the ability of patrons to freely remove extra copies from the facility without having to go through a check-out procedure. The complaint included a petition signed by about 100 people.

Art Weeks, library director, issued a statement thanking and praising the Bannantine family for following the recommended path all patrons should take when there are concerns about policies within the library.

During earlier discussion regarding the complaint, the Ames youth librarian indicated that the library consulted the work of a national expert on connecting teens with the library when it designed the area in question. The expert, Patrick Jones, advocates placing items in places where teens can find them accessible and offering private reading spaces, because many teens aren't apt to ask for assistance in finding materials.

Those who spoke against said they did not want children they deemed as too young to have such free access to the information provided by the magazine, and advocated its removal from the teen section and of free distribution of additional copies.

Carole Kazmierski, president of DAWN's List, announced today that the organization has endorsed Kirsten Running-Marquardt in the race to elect a new state representative in Iowa House District 33. The special election to replace Dick Taylor, the district's retiring representative, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

"Kirsten Running-Marquardt is a dedicated worker, a proven leader and knows how to take on hard issues," Kazmierski said. "She will provide the representation that Cedar Rapids needs during these hard economic times."

Kirsten Running-Marquardt was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. She worked as Director of Iowans for Health Care and later became District Representative for U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack's in his Linn county office. Running-Marquardt has set "smart flood recovery" as a priority in her campaign. She supports buyouts for homeowners in her district and favors hiring Iowans to perform flood recovery work. She is a supporter of the prevailing wage in labor contracts. Running-Marquardt is pro-choice and supports the interests of working Iowans. This is her first run for public office.

Kazmierski and DAWN want supporters to know that the best way to volunteer for the campaign is to visit Running-Marquardt's campaign Web site.

A 30-year-old Urbandale woman who served three tours in Iraq as member of the Iowa Air National Guard is dead this week, believed to have been gunned down by her estranged husband in his Des Moines apartment.

Tereseann Lynch, according to police reports, was believed to have been abducted Wednesday from a mall nearby and than transported to the apartment where she was shot. The man, Randall Moore, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and attempted murder (for also non-fatally shooting a police officer who responded to the scene).

Lynch and Moore have an eight-month-old son, who was not in the apartment at the time of the murder.

Court records show that Moore had a history of domestic assault, and that Lynch had obtained a temporary restraining order against him.

Gov. Chet Culver honored Lynch today by dedicating the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor ceremony to her:

After the tragic death of TereseAnn Lynch yesterday in Des Moines, Governor Chet Culver today dedicated the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor Ceremony in her honor.

Technical Sergeant TereseAnn Lynch was a member of Iowa Air National Guard for a decade, and served in Iraq. She was also an employee of the Iowa Department of Human Services in the Child Support Recovery Unit.

Below is the Governor's statement made today at the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor ceremony on the passing of TereseAnn Lynch.

"I want to take a moment to recognize an Iowan who symbolized the spirit of service we are honoring today. Yesterday, the state of Iowa lost one of our family with the tragic death of TereseAnn Lynch.

"She was a dedicated state employee at the Department of Human Services, an Iraq War veteran, and a member of the Iowa Air National Guard. She was also the mother of an 8-month-old son. I would like to extend my condolences to her family, loved ones, and friends. To all who knew her, I want to say this: Although no words can take away your grief, I simply want you to know that we are mourning with you, and we care for you.

"I would like to dedicate today's ceremony to the life of TereseAnn Lynch and to her undying spirit of service to our fellow Iowans.

"TereseAnn Lynch was a victim of domestic violence. My wife, Mari, has made stopping domestic violence a focus of her work. She tragically lost her cousin, who was murdered by her husband in 2004. I stand with the First Lady - and all victims of domestic violence. So, if you or a loved one need help, please call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-942-0333. People are ready and waiting to help."

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

Some Iowa households received an automated phone call this week that featured the familiar voice of former Lt. Gov. Joy Corning:

In the call, which is paid for by One Iowa, Corning reminds Iowans of the state's history of being open-minded and fair, and requests that other residents join her in ensuring that the civil rights of all are protected, and that the state "continues to move forward as a leader in fairness and equality." 

Corning, an Iowa native, has a long political history in this state and has been a role model for many women. She served as a senator in the state legislature, the first woman ever elected to serve in that chamber, representing a district in Black Hawk County. She was the president of the Cedar Falls School Board. She was also the director of the Iowa Housing Finance Authority during the early 1980s.

She's probably best known, however, for her service as lieutenant governor alongside former Gov. Terry Branstad during the of the 1990s. At the end of Branstad's tenure, in 1998, she became the first Republican woman to ever make a bid for governor, but was not successful in garnering her party's nomination.

Despite being elected as a Republican woman and serving as a Republican woman, Corning's views on two key social conservative issues -- abortion and marriage equality -- often put her at odds with a state party that has been drifting (if not speeding) toward a more and more social conservative stance. Not only has she served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood in Iowa, but has co-authored open letters with Sally Pederson, another former lieutenant governor of the Democratic variety, stating her support for same-sex marriage and rebuffing the claims of radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh that reproductive health care is abortion.

"Women's reproductive health is primary health care," the women wrote, and went on to explain that such health care includes gynecological exams, Pap tests, mammograms, prenatal care, birth control and screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

"Providing safe and legal medical services for terminating a pregnancy is only one small part of a comprehensive health care system. Defining the discussion of women's reproductive health as this issue alone is a great injustice to all women and to the professionals that serve them."

The letters, of course, have drawn the ire of those within the Republican Party of Iowa who disagree. Those disagreements have, however, paled in comparison to the reactions to the One Iowa automated call. 

The action arm of the Iowa Family Policy Center used the call as a warning to Republicans as they prepare to select a 2010 gubernatorial candidate:

...The current recorded phone messages are consistent with Corning's long-standing anti-family ideology and leftist political social agenda.

According to IFPC Action President Chuck Hurley, "She would never have become Lt. Governor without the electoral support of tens of thousands of Christians and conservatives, and we have no one to blame for this but ourselves." He went on to say, "Joy Corning has given us another clear example of just exactly why as Christians and conservatives we should no longer sacrifice our convictions for perceived political victories. When we elect people like Joy Corning, we elevate and advance the destruction of the family."

With the 2010 campaign now in full swing, many Iowans are beginning to pay more attention to where candidates stand on key issues. Hurley said, "We need reminders from time to time as to why personal convictions and party platforms are so important, and Joy Corning has given us a gift that punctuates the need for a new paradigm in Iowa politics."

Bob Vander Plaats, a self-proclaimed social conservative Republican who is seeking the office of governor for the third time, derided Corning for being "out of touch" with mainstream Iowans and, of course, used the connection between Corning and Branstad to attack his primary competition:

"Terry Branstad enters the governor's race on Saturday night without stating where he truly stands on the issue and on Tuesday night his lieutenant governor does an automated call urging Iowans to support same-sex marriages. All of that takes place not too long after his former chief of staff wrote an opinion piece saying the Republican Party needs to nominate a candidate with 'centrist' views on social issues," Vander Plaats said. "Urging Iowans to support same-sex marriage is not only out of touch with Republican values but it is overwhelmingly out of touch with Main Street Iowa."

He added, "If you listened closely to his speech on Saturday night, Terry Branstad did not say he supports one-man, one-woman marriage. He said he would break the legislative logjam that is preventing a referendum by Iowans. That's not the same thing. If he wants to break the road block, he should join me by committing to sign an executive order banning additional same-sex marriages on day one in office until Iowans have a right to vote on the issue."

Both political parties are making a lot of noise these days about their "big tents," meaning their ability to overlook the platforms that have been created by their membership and accept people into their fold who hold opposing viewpoints on some issues. What has become clear over the past two decades, however, is that there are certain members of each party that would like to hold leaders and members to specific purity tests.

Due to current events within the state, this divide is primarily apparent in Iowa within the Republican Party as predominantly fiscal conservatives (like Corning) butt heads with predominantly social conservatives (like Vander Plaats). 

So, why do Iowa women owe Joy Corning a big round of applause? Because it takes a lot of backbone to stand firmly where you feel you need to be politically -- in her case, within the Republican Party -- and still voice your own deeply-held beliefs about what is right and what is wrong.

I have watched as friends have left one party or the other to join ranks with third parties, which simply do not have much political clout in America. Instead of standing up within their political party and demanding that an opposing viewpoint be heard and acknowledged, these individuals have found it easier and less stressful to bow out and leave the parties to find their own way -- even when "their own way" was not in the best interests of this county, state or nation.

I began this post by telling you that Corning has been a role model for many women. I want to end by telling you why she will continue to be a role model for young Iowa women: She speaks her mind, regardless of the political cost. She not only stands up for what she believes, but crawls up on a table to be heard above the din around her.  While her former titles alone garner her an audience, she understand the value of partnering with others to amplify her voice and her beliefs.

Women who begin to use the Internet -- especially women of older generations -- are often shocked to find how much sexism truly exists on what everyone says is a great equalizer or the last true egalitarian culture. Once the connection is made, it is easy to point out "the biggies" as far as sexism on the Internet goes. But perhaps the most day-to-day frustrating part of being a woman in this word of blogs and bytes are the little itches of sexism that seem to fester.

Samantha Miller, writing for The Daily Iowan, points specifically to one such nuisance:

A very handy tool on everyone's favorite search engine, Google, will fill in subsequent words in your inquiry you may be intending to search for. For instance, if you begin to type "Brad," it will anticipate you are searching for "Brad Pitt." Google does this because Brad Pitt is the most searched Brad. Voilà. Time saved.

As handy as it is, it can also highlight the most popular beliefs and interests of those who use the search engine. Let me elaborate: Google "women should" and just see what it recommends based on previous searches.

No, it doesn't suggest "run for president" or "have equal pay." Instead, the top three searches will tell you women should "wear white like all other domestic appliances," "not wear pants," and "not speak in church" (oh, and if for the latter you were hoping to alternatively search for "be silent in church," fret not, that's Google's following recommendation.) As you read further down the list, you get other helpful search ideas such as "stay at home," "not be in combat," and "not preach."

Thank God for Google. It reads my mind ... or someone's mind, at least...

Miller uses this "helpful" Google phenomenon to point to the ways humor, even those little off-hand one-liners we all use occasionally, can be rebuilding and reinforcing stereotypes that many want to believe are behind us.

I can't disagree with her opinion on the pitfalls of such comedic attempts, so I'm letting that stand without question.

I do, however, have a theory about the Google searches. I think many who want to hold and continue to enforce sexist beliefs are being confronted more and more often about the true necessity and reasoning behind such beliefs. That is, I don't think that some in today's society are willing to hear a minister say that women should not speak out in church and take that statement at face value. People want to know why this is and what purpose it serves. Once the reasoning is out in the open, it is up to those involved to decide if this is still an edict of value.

Google, and really all Internet search engines, offer individuals access to a wide assortment of opinions. What better place to go if a person wanted to challenge something based on long-standing tradition or to defend the same.

One of the most difficult things about writing this blog is the fact that I'm not just providing news, but co-opting news with opinion. As a long-term reporter who has had "just the facts" forever pushed into my brain function, it's difficult to come to the keyboard with the dual purpose of providing factual information and to issue a call to action based on that information.

But, as I told the women gathered in Sioux City this weekend, there are times we have to step outside of our comfort zones in order to stand up for things that we believe in or to right a wrong.

While I drove across Iowa on Saturday, members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted on an unprecedented health care reform bill. The good and bad news is all rolled up in one sentence: It passed. This is good news because it is a first step on a path the country should have taken years and years ago. It is bad news because once again special interest groups have had their way and a segment of the population was marginalized.

A group of 64 Democrats joined with every single Republican member of the House to vote in favor of an amendment offered by Bart Stupak, a Democratic representative of Michigan. The amendment, which wasn't completely unexpected, blocks anyone using government subsidies to buy insurance from purchasing a plan that covers abortion, even if the abortion coverage is paid for completely with private premiums.

Back up and read that again. Even if a woman has her own money and is willing to use that money to purchase abortion coverage, she cannot do so.

This is an extreme and unprecedented departure from how the bill previously curtailed the use of government/taxpayer funds for abortion. Prior to the Stupak-Pitts amendment, or language, being added into the House bill, government-provided "affordability credits" were required to be segregated from individually paid premiums so that they it could be ensured that federal funds were not used to provide abortion coverage. In essence, only women or families that were spending enough of their own funds to pay for the increased premiums associated with abortion coverage could purchase that type of insurance.

So, prior to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, the status quo regarding abortion was maintained. With this new language, accessibility to reproductive health care has been further negated and regulated beyond the scope of what was previously believed to be a "workable compromise."

Because the language only currently appears in the House version of the bill, it is important to keep similar language out of the U.S. Senate version. To that end, phone your senator and let him/her know that you don't approve of any language that disrupts the status quo in relation to insurance coverage for abortion services.

If the Senate bill maintains its current language, which is based on the existing status quo which is built on the Hyde Amendment, then the conference committee that merges the two bills will have the option to either include the Stupak-Pitts language or remove it.

If it is removed, then let all of your representatives know that you support the bill and want them to vote in favor.

If it is NOT removed, you are going to have a decision to make on whether or not you believe health care reform is worth the further erosion of access to abortion.

After debating this back and forth in my head for more than 48 hours, my decision is that a bill that does not include all necessary access for women and families isn't really reform. To that end, I have contact my U.S. House Representative's office to encourage him to join the growing list of members who have signed on to a letter that is being sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. It reads, at least in part, as follows:

As Members of Congress we believe that women should have access to a full range of reproductive health care. Health Care reform must not be misused as an opportunity to restrict women's access to reproductive health services.

The Stupak-Pitts amendment to H.R. 3932, The Affordable Healthcare for America Act, represents an unprecedented and unacceptable restriction on women's ability to access the full range of reproductive health services to which they are entitled. We will not vote for a conference report that contains language that restricts women's right to choose any further than the current law.

If, when all of this is said and done, there is no health care reform bill, don't blame women. Don't credit those who disrupted numerous town hall meetings throughout the month of August. Don't allow Republicans to gloat on how they killed reform. The credit and/or blame lies solely with the 64 Democrats in the U.S. House, and whatever members of the U.S. Senate, that view reform as an opportunity to restrict access.

(Hat Tip: The Plum Line)

Roxanne Conlin was the first woman in Iowa history to serve as a U.S. Attorney, and now she is poised to give Iowa woman another first. Conlin wants to be the first Iowa woman elected to serve in Congress.

In order to complete that task, she'll first have to battle in a Democratic Primary against at least three other contenders. Then she'll need to take on Chuck Grassley, who has served Iowans in the U.S. Senate for nearly three decades, but has recently seen his worth decline in the eyes of some voters.

Grassley is probably most known nationally, at least of late, for his political maneuvering in terms of health care reform. And it also safe to say that such incidents, which can only be described as bad-faith negotiations on Grassley's part, raised a few eyebrows among residents of the Hawkeye State who would have previously summed up Grassley as more of a straight shooter. In short, Iowans may not have always agreed with Grassley's positions on an issue, but prior to the health care reform fiasco, most would have told you that at least they always knew where he stood.

While national pundits take a look over Grassley's shoulder and wonder what happened to the moderate they came to know and admire, Iowa Republican pundits take in the same view and are proclaiming him still to be too close to the political middle.

He angered the social conservative base back home when he launched an investigation against several television evangelists. He was threatened with a primary if he didn't tow the party line on issues seen as key to bring about a (social conservative) Republican Rising in the next election cycle. And, now armed with his own mobile device that allows him to present his unfiltered thoughts to Iowans,Grassley's down-home dialogue on national issues isn't necessarily causing the people to stand up and cheer for more.

Despite all of this, however, Iowans aren't completely ready to push Grassley out. If nothing else, Iowans have learned from their caucus experiences how important it is to maintain their voice in national affairs, and they know that in the U.S. Senate longevity goes a long way toward committee assignments, dialogue and setting the national tone on topics viewed as key here in flyover country.

Iowans across the state -- and this is especially true of women in our state -- are also keenly aware that they are in a race for last place. That is, there are only two states in the union that have not elected a woman to Congress or to the governor's office: Iowa and Mississippi. Iowans don't want to come in last. The sentiment, which has previously only been bubbling about in women's circles, is becoming more prominent, and has already prompted some who support Grassley to start defending him in a manner of, "Sure, we want a woman, but we don't want *this* woman."

Conlin will need to overcome 30-years worth of name recognition in order to best Grassley. But she has on her side the ever-present rumors of a young grandson by the same last name being groomed for the position. Iowans may be loyal, mind you, but they aren't necessarily loyal to a point of family political dynasties.

Social conservative Iowans, who denied Grassley a voting voice at the last Republican National Convention, may have been acting out of spite, but they actually ended up doing the senior senator a small favor. When the party came out nationally against ethanol -- calling for an end to mandates for the corn-based fuel in their national platform -- it was advantageous for Grassley's name not to be directly connected. While leaders from other heavy ag states spoke out against the platform, Grassley provided, at best, lukewarm opposition. He stated that maybe the mandates weren't needed.

Consistency tossed aside, Grassley's own actions have some wondering what he might do next, and, more importantly, not liking the possibilities. Once considered a Teflon-coated man on the Iowa political landscape, Grassley is now viewed as more of an unknown and a potential liability. For instance, will his bad-faith negotiations come back to roost in the form of a climate bill that doesn't take the needs and realities of Iowa ag interests into account?

If Grassley continues to try to walk the line between what his political history says he is and what social conservatives in Iowa want him to be, there is little doubt that the small glimmer of hope for those who wish to oppose him will brighten. The closer he moves to Iowa politics in an order to bolster his support at home, the further he moves away from being someone with respect and clout in the U.S. Senate.

Conlin, on the other hand, is presented with an Iowa quite different than one she had in previous campaigns. Marriage equality, while still being hammered by those on the right-most fringes of the social conservative base, has not developed into the statewide boogie-man that was predicted. For the first time in a very long time, Democratic voters outnumber Republican voters in all but one Congressional District. (Readers can guess which one.)

Her introductory attempt, embedded above, goes straight for the kitchen table issues that are forefront in Iowan's minds. It's a good start, but it's only a start. She needs to embark on an unprecedented campaign that will take her to every school district in the state, every Chamber of Commerce and every family farm. She needs to be well-versed on both the immigration fears that plague Iowa factory workers, and the reality of the immigration needs in small-town Iowa. She has to look fourth generation dairy farmers and pork producers in the eye and understand why they are so fearful of losing what their family has built, and why they are so angry that large ag corporations are rolling in wealth. She needs to understand and be able to convey that even a government-issued health insurance card isn't enough for rural Iowans, and that federal policies must change if we are to maintain vibrant small towns here and elsewhere.

While recognizing that the "first woman" aspect of her campaign is appealing to many, she must know that alone isn't enough to earn her victory. Pulling comments from Grassley that can be viewed as sexist won't be difficult, but also will not garner the victory. She needs to stand out as an individual, someone who is worthy of trust and, regardless of gender, the absolute best person for the job.

There is no doubt that Conlin has a hard campaign before her, but it is not an insurmountable task.

Some of you may remember a vibrant young military wife and mother who traveled from Fort Hood to campaign for then-Sen. Joe Biden during 2008 caucuses. I was honored to have an opportunity to interview Carissa Picard, and have been even further blessed by our long-distance friendship.

When I first heard the news today about the horrific incident at the military base, my first two thoughts were for my family who live close by and for Carissa and her family. All, thank goodness, are safe tonight.

Earlier this evening, Carissa was on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

"It's been tense. It's also changed our perspective regarding living on post. Because we always associated living on post with safety," Carissa said. "There has been a marked rise in violence, in suicides, in shootings this past summer, it was rampant. It just seems as though things are continuing to escalate."

Our prayers and positive thoughts are with Carissa, her family and all the families needlessly touched by violence today.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

While lunches may never be free, Democratic and progressive women in Iowa do have an opportunity to grab some free technology training in the coming weeks.

I'm working with DAWN (Democratic Activist Women's Network) to provide three seminars in three different regions of the state starting this Saturday, Nov. 7. Here are the dates, times and locations of the upcoming events:

Saturday, Nov. 7 -- Sioux City
10 a.m. to Noon
Mary Treglia Community House, 900 Jennings St.

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- Des Moines
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
AFSCME, 4320 NW 2nd St.

Saturday, Nov. 21 -- Cedar Falls
10 a.m. to Noon
Cedar Falls Public Library, 524 Main St.

The seminars will focus on how progressive women can promote Democratic messages online. We'll talk about ways to protect personal information, how to start a blog or a Web site and strategies for making sure your viewpoint is heard through social networking and other online interactions. In short, we are training progressive women how to overcome their fears and challenges to become more effective on the Internet.

Seminar content is suitable for all women, regardless of level of activism. Let's discuss the ways we can protect candidates from undue Internet ugliness, how we can attract younger women with first-hand knowledge of all things tech to candidate committees and the best practices for speaking loudly and with purpose when it comes to Democratic ideals.

I am excited to join the Essential Estrogen Blogging Team!  I appreciate the invitation Lynda and look forward to contributing to the Blog.

Today is a special day for me.  It's election day and once again my name is on the ballot.  I ran in House District 33 for State Representative last year but it was more of just a time of having a name on the ballot for the Republican Party.  I was indeed a sacrificial lamb.  Former Representative Dick Taylor won with 70% of the vote!  I got more than my fair share of slams for that race, but, it is the 4th strongest D held district in the State.

The race that I am in today is for City Council.  When I announced that I was running for District 3 there was only one opponent, Incumbent Jerry McGrane (69).  Not too long after the race began, at-large incumbent, Pat Shey also threw his hat into the ring.  Two more men were to follow soon after, Clark Rieke and Cal Busch.

Clark dropped out in time to have his name removed from the ballot.  Cal had to suspend his campaign and his name will remain on the ballot.  He gave his support to me but it has not reached all of his supporters.  I am sure he will have votes today. 

I knew Pat Shey casually before we started attending all of the forums.  Now that we have been at multiple forums together, I know him better.  He's a funny guy.   I wish he had stayed at-large! 

I have to thank my very special friend, Joni Scotter, for all the support she and her husband have given to me.  There is nothing like running in a political race to find out who your true friends are!  I don't recommend it.  It can be rather disheartening.  I must say though, the disappointments don't outweigh the high points!

I've met some great people!  The best race to be involved is one that is non-partisan.  Cedar Rapids has some of the best people in Iowa living here. 

I'm hoping to come out a winner tonight or at least be in a run-off for District 3.  If you are in my District please be sure to vote, I would appreciate your voting for me!

Have a great day everyone and thanks again, Lynda for inviting me!

KP~

Several brave and amazing women have placed their names on the city election ballots today in Linn County. Here is a quick run-down for those of you who will be heading to the ballot box.

Cedar Rapids

There is only one female candidate out of 17 who filed to run for Cedar Rapids city government: Kathy Potts, a candidate in District 3.

The link above as well as the links that will appear below will take you to the candidate's Web site or Linn County profile page (if either is available). Since I know Kathy personally, however, I felt it would be appropriate for me to offer my own opinion of her potential as a member of the Cedar Rapids City Council.

Kathy is a person of integrity. On more than one occasion she has been in a position where she could tend her own political aspirations or do the right thing, and time and time again Kathy has chosen to do the right thing -- no matter the personal cost.

She and her family were caught in the devastating floods of 2008 and have first-hand experience in dealing with the ever-present government red tape. She has been an active voice for school children in Cedar Rapids, an advocate for reducing drug addiction in our community and someone who has crossed party lines to reach out to others who believe in the betterment of the community as a whole.

If I lived in District 3 I would be filling in the oval by Kathy's name and I would leave the voting booth with a big smile on my face, knowing that I did something exceptional for the community.

Ely

There are two openings on the Ely Council and only two candidates. One of those candidates is Kay Hale, a woman I've known and worked with through volunteer efforts for several years now.

Ely couldn't design a person who will work harder or be more thoughtful than Kay. Don't let the fact that this isn't a contested seat fool you -- Ely is getting a gem of an individual, and someone who will always work in the best interest of her community.

Alburnett

Sharon Robertson, Council Member

Bertram

Penny Rae Kula, Council Member
Nancy McBurney, Council Member
Stephanie Vislisel, Council Member

Center Point

Mona J. Barz, Mayor
Connie Robinson, Council Member

Central City

Michelle Curtis, Council Member

Fairfax

Jo Ann Beer, Council Member
Marianne Wainwright, Council Member

Lisbon

LuAnn L. Yarbrough, Council Member

Palo

Jeannie Blumer, Council Member
Sharon Murray, Council Member
Rosann Sanders, Council Member
Danyelle A. Suhl, Council Member

Prairieburg

Helen L. Curl, Council Member

Walker

Jane Benning, Council Member

Marion, Springville, Robins, Mount Vernon, Hiawatha & Coggon

No women on ballot

Those who wish to learn more about all the candidates can visit the Voter Guide on KCRG's Web site. (It's pretty cool, although not all candidates provided full information.)

The folks at RH Reality Check have set up a petition on act.ly to request the powers-that-be at eBay to remove an auction item because the description advocates for violence against abortion providers.

"... God takes the position that ALL who kill the innocent need to be killed. ..."

Monies potentially gathered from the auction are slated for use in the defense of Scott Roeder, the man who stands accused of gunning down Dr. George Tiller as the doctor stood in his own church foyer.

TPM has photos of some of the other auction items, proceeds planned for use in Roeder's legal defense fund, that were pulled by eBay. One of the items is a Prayer and Action News edition, published by Dave Leach of Des Moines -- a man who hoped to free Roeder with a "necessity defense."

The auction for this "Prolife Bible" continued to be available at the time this post was written.