Monday, March 24, 2003

GENERAL: 

March toward Baghdad goes on. Baghdad weather: high 77, low 50, still smoky

…Retired Col. George “Bud” Day – a Sioux City native and hero, and Vietnam POW – featured last night on CNN to discuss his lengthy confinement and the “terrible despair” he experienced.  Noted that GWB’s “strong stand” will help Americans now confined in Iraq because they know, unlike Vietnam situation in the late 60s, the U. S. – and president – will hold Iraqis accountable for treatment of prisoners

…Iraq weather reports – directly from the Heartland: Omaha World-Herald article says weather reports being used by American troops in Iraq are produced by the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt AFB in Omaha. Staff writer Joe Dejka reports, “So when sandstorms were kicking up in the Kuwait desert, the agency detected them on high-resolution satellites, making sure the individual soldier in the field knew they were coming

…There’s good news for American troops…Iraq has basically two seasons, rainy and dry, and it is currently transitioning from the former to the latter.”

 …Busy, big week ahead – including Clinton visit – at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Iowa men’s basketball team plays Georgia Tech tonight in NIT game, Hawkeye women’s team hosts Creighton tomorrow night in Women’s NIT, and former President Bill Clinton takes to the Carver-Hawkeye stage Wednesday night. Some additional security precautions are anticipated for Clinton visit. The ex-pres is supposed to deliver a public address at Hawkeye-Carver. (More on University security below.)

…Clinton’s Wednesday address (7:30 p.m.) scheduled to be aired on WSUI Radio (AM910)…Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore booed last night for anti-GWB, Iraq war comments during awards ceremony.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: …And they shall be known by the paragraphs they get. In today’s roundup story about yesterday’s visits to DSM by Gephardt, Dean and Kucinich, Des Moines Register staff writer Thomas Beaumont focuses on Gephardt. The headline, “Gephardt to curb campaign for sake of troops…The 2004 presidential nomination candidate continues backing the war against Iraq.” Gephardt gets 12 paragraphs vs. three for Dean, two for Kucinich. Key quote: “Gephardt is widely viewed as the likely frontrunner in the race for the Iowa caucuses in January 2004.”…Gephardt moves on to South Carolina today, but Kucinich and Dean remain in Iowa. Kucinich will be in Greenfield today, Dean will attend public events in DSM…From yesterday’s coverage of their appearances at the UAW conference in Des Moines – Beaumont reports Gephardt “isn’t stepping back from his support of President Bush in the war on Iraq,” but will curtail his public campaigning during early stages of war. Report says Gephardt made decision to scale back “out of respect for the troops in Iraq.” Kucinich criticized the bombing of Baghdad and the campaign of “shock and awe,” saying he has a “patriotic duty” to speak out against war. Beaumont reports Dean “declined to say whether he supported the bombing of Baghdad, but renewed his criticism of the war…Dean said he will offer his support for American troops while criticizing Bush for attacking Iraq.”… Persistent Michigan Democrats continue efforts to move their caucuses up on the 2004 campaign schedule, but might be facing an internal dispute over the specific date. Michigan Dem leaders, including Sen. Levin, have been pushing a 1/27/04 date, the same as New Hampshire primary – but leaders of the United Auto Workers (UAW), an obvious power player in Michigan Dem circles, may be resisting. Further complicating the decision: Concern that N. H. would pressure Dem candidates to honor first-in-nation-primary tradition by not campaigning in Michigan or that DNC could retaliate by blacklisting Detroit as possible site for 2008 national convention. DNC rules allow only IA and NH to conduct caucuses and primary before 2/3/04.

IOWA POLITICS: From yesterday’s “Potomac Fever” column by Jane Norman of Des Moines Register’s Washington Bureau: The Washington Post recently did an article about the names on Karl Rove’s Rolodex – the list of 150 friends and advisors he visits with on a regular basis. Norman writes, “The Iowans are Rich Schwarm, former chairman of the state Republican Party; state Sen. Mary Kramer of Clive; Becky Beach, a good friend of the Bush family in Iowa; and two members of the Iowa congressional delegation – Republicans Jim Leach of Iowa City and Jim Nussle of Manchester. You might notice who’s missing – like, maybe, Sen. Charles Grassley? Is this yet another sign of discontent between the Bush administration and Iowa’s most influential Republican? Rove chats up [Democratic strategist and former Gore campaign manager] Donna Brazile but not Grassley? Oh, no, insists the Grassley staff. They contend that Grassley doesn’t need to be in Rove’s Rolodex – he’s on the speed dial.”

MORNING SUMMARY:  Morning headlines – Top front page Des Moines Register headline, “U. S. has deadly setbacks…Troops killed, taken prisoner in bloody day of fighting” Other Register front page headline “Teachers prepare to address war issues as school resumes” – most IA districts on spring break last week as war started, but return to classrooms today. Omaha World-Herald top online headline: “Fierce battles cost U. S.” …QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times): “U. S. fights to within a day of Baghdad”…Sioux City Journal top online head: “Iraqi resistance slows advance”…Chicago Tribune online top headline: “Allies left vulnerable in rush to Baghdad”…Headline from yesterday’s Des Moines Sunday Register: “At Fairfield, meditators try their influence” Report by staff writer Laurie Mansfield said “those who practice transcendental meditation hurriedly assembled last week in this county seat of 10,000 people to try to prevent the war in Iraq…The meditators believe they can positively influence world events when they gather in gymnasium-sized domes and enter a deep level of rest and relaxation.” The Register article continues that spiritual leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, “teaches that world peace can be achieved if 8,000 people – a square root of 1 per cent of the world’s population – meditate simultaneously.”…Register’s Religion Editor Shirley Ragsdale writes this morning: “Many Iowans sought guidance and spiritual relief Sunday” in church services across state. Quotes Rev. Beatrice Hines of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in DSM as saying, “President Bush needs a revelation, one you can only get from God. War is not the way of God.”

WAR/TERRORISM: Radio newscasts this morning indicate anti-war protestors at University of Iowa in Iowa City are organizing around-the-clock vigils… Headline from Chicago Tribune online: “Activists use internet to rally, spread word” Report says the “rapid, passionate response of well-organized protestors to the war in Iraq surprised police in Chicago and at least 54 other cities.”…From the Iowa City Press-Citizen: “Already on a high security level, local government agencies say they are poised to take additional steps if the war against Iraq triggers a threat to this country. ‘We are really taking this hour by hour and day by day,’ said Chuck Green, director of the University of Iowa Public Safety Division.” Green said security has been increased across the campus and at the UI Hygienic Lab – which played a key role in identifying the West Nile virus last summer -- where scientists identify a variety of disease samples, and conduct testing and monitoring of various substances…City council in Sioux City will be asked tonight to consider a $10,000 request for increased security on the first floor of police station. Capt. Charles Noltze says because of recent homeland security demands “it has become necessary for the police department to improve the security of the police headquarters building.”

HEARTLAND WAR SENTIMENT: Numbers – as of this 6 a. m. – from online poll by Omaha World-Herald – Question: “Do the mounting combat death toll and capture of U. S. troops have any effect on your support for the war?”

 -- No, I still support the war: 517

-- I didn’t support the war before: 144

-- I opposed the war, but the Iraqis’ actions are changing my mind: 27

-- Yes, I supported the war, but I’ve changed my mind: 9

-- I am undecided: 8

-- I don’t have an opinion: 6

Yes, I supported the war, but I’m reconsidering: 5

FEDERAL ISSUES: WHO Radio reports this morning IA GOP Congressman Nussle, chairman of House Budget Committee, has agreed to restore $18 billion in agriculture spending through 2008. American Farm Bureau says the funds were cut in earlier budget proposals – and Harkin criticized Republicans for making the ag reductions – but it appears now Nussle will support the budget goals envisioned in last year’s farm bill …Gun proponents and opponents, barring a last-minute schedule change, will be focused on federal court proceedings in New York today and over coming days. In a novel approach to the gun control debate, a trial will begin today in the Brooklyn borough today in which the NAACP will argue that handgun violence disproportionately harms poor, urban blacks and that gun companies have failed to take steps to reduce the harm. The NAACP alleges that gunmakers could take more aggressive steps to determine which gun dealers repeatedly sell weapons that end up in criminal hands – and then crack down on those retailers. The suit names more than 80 defendants – including gunmakers such as Smith & Wesson, Glock, Strum and Ruger & Co…

STATE ISSUES: During a monthly bipartisan legislative forum over the weekend, Quad-City legislators were urged to support a substantial statewide increase in cigarette taxes. According to the Quad-City Times, Sandra Potter – executive director of the Quad-City Medical Society – asked the lawmakers to pass a bill that would increase the tax per pack by 25 cents – up to 61 cents a pack. GOP State Rep. Jim Van Fossen, a former Davenport police officer, said he opposes an increase because some places have lost tax revenue when bootleg and Internet cigarette sales went up after per-pack taxes were raised …Sioux City school officials and teachers should know more this week about whether they will join counterparts in other major districts across state facing possible layoffs and position cuts. The Sioux City Journal reports 35 teachers and 13 other employees have opted for early retirements or resigned, possibly creating enough vacancies to soften the impact and reduce number of teacher and staff reductions. State law requires teachers be notified by 4/30 if they are to be laid off…Leftover: Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson has reported conservation groups are opposing proposed state budget cuts they claim could hamper economic development efforts as well as the environment. Henderson’s report quotes Elizabeth Horton Plasket of the Iowa Environmental Council as saying over the past two years conservation programs have been cut 40%. She says that means cities and businesses have to spend money to get air and water testing data themselves and end up having to get permits from the feds rather than the state, which she adds has created a bureaucratic nightmare of dealing with the federal government.

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorials: “A victory for nature…The U. S. Senate wisely voted no to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge” & “Next: The Arab-Israeli conflict…A peace settlement would be a blow to terrorism”…              Commentary from Sioux City Journal online: “Recently Gov. Vilsack introduced an ambitious program to clean up our lakes and rivers ‘so we can use them as God intended.’ I wonder if God intended for us to use his lakes and rivers for riverboat gambling?” – Dan Neideberg, Whiting.

SPORTS: Iowa women’s basketball team (now 18-14) keeps on rolling through post-season action with a 76-73 win yesterday over Marquette in Women’s NIT. Next up: Creighton (23-8) in Iowa City on Tuesday night …Iowa Hawkeye men’s team (17-13) attempts to continue down NIT post-season trail tonight vs. Georgia Tech (17-13) in Iowa City. The 7 p.m. game is scheduled to be on several Iowa TV stations, as well as statewide radio network Winner on track to play Bobby Knight and Texas Tech on Wednesday…Southeastern Community College men’s basketball team (37-1) of West Burlington wins championship of National Junior College Athletic Association Division I tournament… Former Iowa State basketball coach Randy Brown due in federal court today to answer to charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child porn. Faces up to 15 years on the receipt charge and five years on the possession charge. 

WEATHER: DSM, 5 a.m. 54 overcast. Temperature range across IA this morning – 43 in Sheldon, 44 in Spencer to 57 in Vinton, 59 in Knoxville. High today 62, mostly sunny. Low tonight 40, chance rain. High Tuesday 55, partly sunny. WHO-TV’s Ed Wilson reports that chances for showers exist on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He also notes this is severe weather preparedness week and that a statewide tornado drill be held Wednesday morning.

IOWAISMS:  As they return to work at the Iowa Capitol this week, four legislators will continue paying special attention to events almost half-a-world-away in Iraq and the Middle East. Radio Iowa’s Matt Kelley reports two senators – including Iowa GOP State Chair Chuck Larson – and two representatives are in the Iowa National Guard or the nation’s military reserve components. The senators are Larson, a captain and JAG officer in the U. S. Army Reserves from Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City Dem Steve Warnstadt, a major in the Iowa Army Guard and veteran of the first Gulf War. The representatives: GOP’s Jodi Tymeson of Winterset, a colonel in the Iowa Army Guard, and Sheldon Republican Royd Chambers, a chaplain’s assistant in the Iowa Air National Guard…State wildlife officials expect to sell more than 40,000 turkey hunting licenses statewide for the spring season that begins 4/14. Iowa has four spring turkey-hunting seasons: 4/14-17, 4/18-22, 4/23-29, 4/30-5/18. Hunters killed an estimated 20,724 turkeys last year…An emergency room physician at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City – Chuck Huss – will make another attempt in mid-April to become the first Iowan to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Huss, who will arrive in Katmandu on 3/31 to prepare for the ascent, has made earlier Everest attempts in 1998 and 2000.

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