Tuesday, March 25, 2003

GENERAL:

War goes on and on with reports Baghdad horizon over couple more hills for allied troops. Problem, however, will be seeing horizon – or anything – with sandstorms at gale strength. Another concern: Fears mount Iraq will use chem and/or bio weapons as allied forces move in

…Some discouraged by reports of deaths and prisoners, but American and British commanders say things going as well or better than expected. Others -- such as armchair commanders and U. S. TV viewers -- are still trying to determine if Saddam is dead or alive. Most impatient and just want to get on with war and bring troops home

…Another day, another Statehouse rally – but unlike recent pro-America events, pro-troop rallies and anti-war demonstrations – today’s rally (11 a.m.) is being held by small-school supporters. Representatives of state’s less-populated, small school areas are rallying to resist legislation they fear would force additional school consolidations. Organizers say they expect representatives from more than 100 IA schools and communities to attend

…An old-fashioned “gas war” has broken out in Independence in northeast Iowa with per-gallon prices over recent days dropping to 50 cents below the national average. A new convenience store opened last week to spark the “gas war” and prices were down to $1.29 a gallon over the weekend, but locals say they don’t expect the lower prices to last long. 

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: From this morning’s Des Moines Register: Thomas Beaumont reports, headline “Candidates tangle over Iraq…John Edwards and John Kerry dispute deception accusations by Dean” Beaumont coverage of Dean campaigning in Des Moines yesterday, “Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on Monday accused rivals John Edwards and John Kerry of being intentionally deceptive about their positions supporting the Bush administration’s war in Iraq.” …From Lowell Ponte – in column titled “Saddemocrats” – on GOPUSA yesterday: “With war only hours away, three Democrat “Progressive Caucus” members of Congress on Wednesday via television hookup addressed the European Union Parliament and shared Left-eyed views with their fellow socialists across the Atlantic. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D.-Ohio) predicted that President George W. Bush’s ‘case for war is a sham’ based on ‘untrue, unfounded and disproven allegations.’ This presidential aspirant, whose loony Leftist eccentricities this column recently documented, wants America disarmed and our Department of Defense renamed “the Department of Peace.”… Dean and Kucinich continued their (increasingly dismal) campaign efforts in IA yesterday. Dean showed for a “live” interview on 5 p.m. WHO-TV newscast while Kucinich was reduced to videotape interview on 6 p.m. show. Standard stuff from both – although Dean rejected suggestions Democrats would be viewed as the anti-war party in 2004 …Speaking of anti-war sentiments in 2004, Kerry rolled through several New Hampshire communities -- and media markets -- Sunday to produce some interesting media website coverage. WMUR reports Kerry told a Manchester crowd: “Remember that we do not make the mistake that was made in Vietnam. Do not confuse the war with the warriors.” From the WMUR online report: “Speaking to activists still looking for a candidate, Kerry took apart the Bush domestic agenda. He compared Bush to Franklin Roosevelt, saying that even while he fought World War II, F. D. R. still lived up to the promises of the New Deal. Kerry said Bush needs to have the same enthusiasm for solving the problems of health care, energy, and the economy, that he has for the war on terror.” From the Manchester Union Leader coverage: Kerry said, “If we can find $6 billion to get Turkey to join the war, we can find money to fund Manchester schools.”…Determined – and disruptive – Michigan Democrats have taken the first formal step toward advancing date of caucuses next year. Detroit News staff writer Dawson Bell reports the party’s Rules and Political Reform Committee advanced a proposal that would challenge the “long-held dominance of Iowa and New Hampshire” in the presidential nominating process. The weekend action, which still must be considered by the state central committee on 4/26, would advance the date to 1/27/04 – the same day as the scheduled New Hampshire primary. Other Michigan Dems apparently still support an alternative “early date” – 2/7/04. Bell also reports Michigan Republicans -- who “don’t have much at stake” since GWB will be the “almost certain” candidate -- are considering the possibility to canceling the usual primary election and “holding a caucus as well.” Meanwhile back in the real world, New Hampshire Dem Chairwomen Kathy Sullivan suggested the Michigan mavericks read the DNC presidential nominating procedures approved a year ago.

IOWA POLITICS: While Vilsack gets headlines complaining Iowa needs another $40 million or so from feds to support state’s homeland security efforts, Grassley indicates more than $16 million should be sent soon to enhance anti-terrorism efforts and public health initiatives. Radio Iowa reports Grassley indicated the funds will come from $1.4 billion to the states from the U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Grassley said IA’s share includes nearly $11 million to support public health agencies and more than $5 million to support hospital preparedness…IA freshman Congressman King, who represents western Iowa, continues racking up headlines in DC. The latest – from GOPUSA News: King, speaking at The Free Republic’s Patriots Rally on steps of Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, said, “The French government is not our friend, it is the enemy.” The GOPUSA report said, King “further stated that the oil contracts of France, Germany, Russia and China with Iraq are now ‘null and void.’ He lamented that this was indeed a war for oil, ‘American and Iraqi blood for French, German, Russian and Chinese oil.’ King also harshly criticized the United Nations, calling it ‘a third class envy debate society.’ He cited the fallacy of the United Nations trying to ‘create a world democracy governed by dictators.’ He said, ‘The dynamics of the U. N. changed when we went into Iraq.” King spoke of his colleagues in Congress, who have come out to express their support for the troops, but not the Bush administration’s policy. King said, ‘You just can’t have it both ways.”

MORNING SUMMARY: Morning headlines – Omaha World-Herald online top headline: “Baghdad bombed as troops approach”…  Des Moines Register top front page headline: “Closing in on Baghdad…Leaders warn of bloody fight…Victory not in doubt, but strategy questioned.”  Chicago Tribune top online headlines: “U. S. attack nears Baghdad” & “Hussein aiming for quagmire”  Top story on QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times): “Resistance slows push toward Baghdad”…WHO Radio talk show host Mickelson says “what’s going on right now will affect world politics for our lifetimes…a defining moment in western civilization.”…Voters in Dallas County (Adel, Perry, Dallas Center, located west of DSM) go to the polls today to vote on a local option sales tax for 11 school districts in county.  KCCI-TV reports if the one-cent increase gets approved it would stay in place for 10 years and generate almost $75 million. Also, Waukee voters will fill a mayoral vacancy to replace former mayor who has moved to New York.

WAR/TERRORISM: From today’s Des Moines Register, headline “200 at UNI stage walkout…War supporters, opponents shout opinions at each other” Report about students, faculty and administrations at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls joining “a show of solidarity with nationwide student protests.”… Independent News reports: “Public opinion has swung sharply in support of the war in Iraq following the start of hostilities, surveys revealed yesterday. Now that British troops are in combat, a clear majority of voters say they believe Tony Blair was right to support the US-led military action. An ICM survey for the News of the World found that 55 per cent backed the Prime Minister’s handling of the crisis, with 37 per cent still critical. Two weeks ago, the same poll found that 20 per cent supported the Government, with 53 per cent believing that war was wrong.”…Sioux City Journal – which covers tri-state area – reports Nebraska state treasurer, Lorelee Byrd, has asked Gov. Johanns to investigate and assure no state funds invested in companies with ties to terrorism.

FEDERAL ISSUES: From the abortion-judicial nominations file: A letter to the editor from Jill June, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, in yesterday’s Des Moines Register tied the partial-birth abortion legislation to federal judicial appointments. Excerpts: “Anti-choice members of the 108th Congress dealt a major blow to women’s reproductive rights with the recent passage of the so-called Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act…When Congress passes laws that attack our fundamental civil rights, women turn to the federal courts for justice. For that reason alone, the Senate must reject Miguel Estrada, Priscilla Owens and any other nominee who does not affirm a woman’s human and civil right to choose. The threat an anti-choice judiciary poses to women’s lives demands nothing less.” 

STATE ISSUES: WHO-TV reports Vilsack – citing “scheduling conflicts” – has bowed out of scheduled trade mission to Cuba in mid-May. IA Dem Congressman Boswell says he still plans to make the trip…Congressman Statehouse reporters were puzzled yesterday after Vilsack and GOP legislative leaders called off separate scheduled news conferences, saying there wasn’t much to talk about. Speculation increased, however, that a resolution might be near in the on-going tax dispute between the state and IA’s three racetrack casinos. Morning update: Officials representing state and racetrack casinos have failed again to settle legal dispute over Iowa’s casino taxes. Vilsack warns state environmental programs – funded by casino revenues – will have to be cut if resolution not reached in a week.

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorials: “Victory? Yes, but not bloodless…Iraqi resistance was no surprise and won’t change the outcome.” & “Tax cuts: Fiscal insanity” re tax cut legislation passed by House last week, “One of the jobs for Americans on the home front is to face up to the costs of the war. The government until now has been behaving as if war is cost-free.”…Columnist David Yepsen, headline: “GI killings stiffen resolve; actors at least boo Moore” Quote: “President Bush warned us over the weekend that the war may take longer than some expect. Indeed. Such videos [showing prisoners and bodies] will stiffen the backbones of most Americans.”…Leftover from yesterday’s Des Moines Register: Both IA senators came under fire in letters to the editor – David Loebsack of Mount Vernon, under the headline “Oust Grassley,” writes:  “I find it amazing that Senator Chuck Grassley has so blithely dismissed legitimate concerns about the cost of the war with Iraq…Unfortunately, Grassley has dutifully fallen in behind President Bush in his ill-advised and thoroughly naïve attempts to change the geo-political map of the Middle East and beyond…Clearly, it is long past the time for Iowa to change it’s U. S. Senate representation to reflect more accurately the values of Iowa.” Bruce Gelder of Iowa City, under the headline “Harkin’s two faces,” writes: “Senator Tom Harkin, never one to impose the same standards of judgment on Republicans that he reserves for Democrats, complained on the floor of the Senate March 18  [about the Bush Iraq policy]…perhaps Harkin should reread the press statement he himself released on Dec. 16, 1998, the day that former President Bill Clinton successfully delayed his own impeachment by launching a suddenly necessary campaign against Iraq – a questionable war if there ever was one: ‘Iraq cannot be allowed to threaten the world with nuclear, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction….’” …From Peggy Noonan on Opinion Journal.com (Wall Street Journal): “The American president has…demonstrated to the entire world that he is neither a bombastic naïf nor a reckless cowboy but, in fact, another kind of American stereotype: the steely-eyed rocket man. Don’t tread on him. It is good for the world that it see him as he is. As for leadership style, remember Jimmy Carter micromanaging the failed hostage rescue mission in 1980? This president was told Wednesday night we may have to move early, to take advantage of potentially key targets that had presented themselves. Bush said, “Let’s go.” It takes guts and judgment to trust others who know how to do their jobs.” 

SPORTS: Basketball season ends for Iowa on a last second shot – 79-78 – as Georgia Tech moves on in the NIT post-season tournament. Outcome deprives Hawkeye fans of “dream matchup” between Iowa coach Alford (a former Indiana All-America) and his former coach – Texas Tech (and former Indiana) coach Bobby Knight. Hawks wrap up year with 17-14 record…The women Hawkeyes basketball team will be out to avenge an early season loss to Creighton tonight in Women’s NIT game in Iowa City tonight. The Iowa women, winners in four of their past five games, lost to Creighton in Omaha 89-82 last 12/8…Former Iowa coach Hayden Fry to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame later this year. Fry spent 37 years as a head coach, including 20 with the Hawks, and ranks 11^th on the all-time win list among Division I coaches with 232-178-10 record (143-89-6 at Iowa)… 5/5 trial date has been set – although attorneys indicate they may seek an extension – for former Iowa State assistant basketball coach Randy Brown. In federal court in Des Moines yesterday, Brown entered not guilty pleas to two felony charges – possession of child pornography and receipt of child porn.

WEATHER:  DSM 5 a.m. 41, overcast. High today 60, partly sunny. Low tonight 32, mostly clear, temps could drop into upper 20s in north tonight.  High Wednesday 65, party sunny. Temps this morning range from mid-20s to mid-40s – 26 in Spencer to 46 in Burlington. WHO-TV’s Ed Wilson reports: “Thursday and Friday…more rain and even a chance for light rain/snow mix Friday evening.”

IOWAISMS: It’s grass fire season in Iowa. Radio newscasts report several fire departments have been called out over recent days to fight grass fires – resulting from fairly dry winter and drought situations in some areas of the state. Reports include 17 eastern IA fire departments called to grass fires during past three days and five reported grass fires in the Knoxville-Pella area over the weekend.  Weather forecasters not expecting relief – rain – until Friday…But, if the grass fires aren’t enough to discourage and harass Iowans, a group of storm spotters gathered in Mason City over the weekend to plan and prepare for the upcoming tornado and severe storm season. Last year, only 31 tornadoes were reported in Iowa – down from 105 in 2001…University of Iowa administrators said yesterday they expect a record-breaking freshman class next fall despite tougher entrance standards.

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