Saturday, March 29, 2003

GENERAL:  Main – and latest – concern for Coalition commanders: Increased possibility of suicide attacks and car bombers hitting U. S. and allied troops. American commanders denounce tactics as unorthodox, unconventional – and unacceptable…Another concern: A low-flying missile – apparently going below radar detection – hits Kuwait mall, looks like a Chinese-made Seersucker missile…Syria next? Why not? But, let’s get Iraq wrapped up before considering next move. On the other hand, Rummy’s right to issue warning Syria (and any other rogue interveners) would be committing “hostile acts” – and should be dealt with accordingly – if they are providing Iraqis with night-vision goggles and other military supplies…Speaking of rogue nations, what’s another day in the Iraqi war without another warning – and threat -- from North Korea? BBC News reports “North Korea has criticised Japan’s launching of two spy satellites as a ‘hostile act.’” (Yes, it does sound a lot like the Rumsfeld warning to Syria.) The BBC said, “The North Korean KCNA news agency warned on Friday that Tokyo was ‘wantonly violating’ an agreement on improving relations by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il last year. At that summit, North Korea pledged to extend its moratorium on ballistic missiles beyond 2003.” …More than half (58%) of respondents to a WHO-TV unscientific online poll believe the world will be a “safer place” after the war in Iraq…Sioux City Journal reports that today is the 50^th anniversary of KCAU-TV in Sioux City – “The first couch potatoes were born in Siouxland 50 years ago today.”…Several news reports this morning that state’s two-year-old “Safe Haven” law was used for first time this week when a newborn girl was dropped off at an Iowa hospital. Department of Human Services officials would not release the hospital or city involved to protect the identity of the parent.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: Des Moines Register reports this morning four Dem aspirants – Dean, Edwards, Kerry, Gephardt – have spent the $65,000 each to secure Iowa Democratic Party’s voter information database. Also indicates Lieberman is “expected” to buy the list in April and Kucinich has “expressed interest” in getting the file…Register’s Thomas Beaumont writes that Hart is expected to visit IA during April and he also has inquired about purchasing the state Dem party’s voter database. Hart spokesman says the former CO senator expected to be in state next week – 4/7-8… Weekend riddle: Outside of their well-known differences on the Iraq war, what’s another major difference between being Gephardt and being Dean? As all the Dem wannabes engaged in a fundraising frenzy to look as strong as possible for next week’s campaign finance filings, the Dean campaign reported it was nearing its quarterly goal of $1.5 million while Gephardt was expecting to realize at least $1.5 million at a single event -- a St. Louis fundraiser last night. On top of that, Gephardt also has fundraising events planned in DC on Monday – not to mention that he’s rolled $2.4 million over to his presidential effort from his House campaign coffers. In an e-mail Thursday, Dean told supporters – and potential contributors – he was within $83,000 of his first quarter goal…Edward’s wife, Elizabeth, scheduled to be in Dubuque today for the off-year Dem county caucus and two house parties. The Edwards campaign also announced Jen O’Malley – who worked on Gore 2000 campaign and most recently field director for the SD Dem Party – has been hired to recruit Edwards’ supporters in IA… Three senators – including two of the Dem presidential aspirants – were missing when legislation providing tax relief for American troops was approved on a 97-0 vote earlier this week. Recorded as “not voting” were Kerry, Lieberman and GA Sen. Miller. Quotable quote by Grassley: “Our nation is relying on the military in unique ways. They risk their lives. They shouldn’t have to risk their finances, too.” House also passed similar bill earlier, but the two versions have to be reconciled before being sent to the president…The same trio – Kerry, Lieberman, Miller – also missed Thursday votes (both 97-0) on a resolution “to commend and express gratitude of the United States to the nations participating in the Coalition to Disarm Iraq” and to approve the nomination of James V. Seina as a district judge for the Central District of California…Dean presidential website indicates he will meet with Des Moines-area supporters next Wednesday, 4/2, for a “National Dean in 2004 Meetup Day” – whatever that means?  Website also notes that 9,008 have signed on to the Dean bandwagon so far – Des Moines ranks 51st on supporter signup list with 39, Iowa City 77th with 25, and Quad Cities 96th with 18.  NYC tops list with 795 “members” and DC’s second at 675. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: The key to winning the Iowa caucuses is to attract IA Dem supporters – or “members.” The 19 in Omaha and 19 in Sioux Falls – that’s in SD, not IA – are close to Iowa, but won’t count next January.)…In the retired Dem wannabes category, former CO Congresswoman – and former Dem presidential candidate – Patricia Schroeder will speak on 4/22 at Iowa State University in Ames. Title of her lecture (Scheman Building, 7:30 p.m., free): “The Road to the White House: Where are the Women?”

IOWA POLITICS: No prosecutions are expected despite analysis of last fall’s election indicating some 24,000 Iowans broke the law by not returning their absentee ballots. Secretary of State Culver says the failure to return an absentee ballot is a simple misdemeanor under IA law. The figure represents an almost 9% non-return rate on the 274,000 absentee ballots requested by Iowans last fall.

MORNING SUMMARY: Morning headlines: Top story on Omaha World-Herald online, “Iraqi positions get pounded” Top front page headline in today’s Des Moines Register, “Bombs crush Iraqi sites” Chicago Tribune online top headline, “Suicide Bomber Kills 5 in Northern Iraq” From today’s Sioux City Journal online: “Fighting rages on to Baghdad” Top story on QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times): “Ground forces clash along U. S. supply lines”…A record number of Iowans will face power shutoffs next Tuesday (4/1) when the state-ordered moratorium – which prohibits cutting utility services during cold, winter months -- on unpaid utility bills ends. State officials indicate more than 22,000 Iowans have fallen about $7M behind on their utility bills…Although some IA media outlets have been confused about where Mount Sterling – a couple miles north of the Iowa-Missouri border in SE IA – really is located, the fact remains the city council for the community of about 40 Iowans is serious about an ordinance that would outlaw lying. The story (and Mount Sterling) has been getting national coverage after acting Mayor Jo Hamlet said he’s “tired of the extravagating that comes with stories” locals tell about their fishing and hunting exploits. Jo Hamlet says he believes the ordinance has a good chance of being approved. … The principal of Iowa’s largest high school – Dr. Michael Loffredo, Lincoln High School, Des Moines – resigned yesterday (taking early retirement) on the day after DSM school district announced preliminary findings into an investigation involving misuse of school property. WHO-TV (Des Moines) reported Loffredo took advantage of the opportunity to take early retirement and resigned because of “family health needs.” The Loffredo resignation takes effect on 4/2/03 – next Wednesday. Superintendent says Loffredo resignation unrelated to the investigation.

WAR/TERRORISM: Iowa National Guard officials announce another 750 troops will be called up in May. Communities affected by the latest call-up: Waterloo, Charles City, Dubuque, Oelwein, Iowa Falls, Hampton in northeast Iowa, and Council Bluffs, Carroll, Corning, Shenandoah, Glenwood in southwest IA. Guard spokesman Col. Robert King also indicated some of the 2,200 Guard soldiers already activated could be headed to Iraq in the near future…Sign outside Aunt Reba’s Bed and Breakfast on Iowa Highway 9 near Lester in Sioux County: “We all hate war but that’s the price of peace”…From new Des Moines Register “Voices of Iowa” anonymous call-in “recorded opinion” message line: “America – love it or leave it” – Des Moines grandpa…From Gulf War I: A new University of Iowa study – based on examining 15,000 soldiers who returned from Iraq and Kuwait in 1991 complaining of fatigue, pain, memory loss, etc. -- shows there was no single cause for medical conditions that have become known as Gulf War syndrome. Doctors say the combined stress of combat and returning home may trigger the problems reported by veterans.

FEDERAL ISSUES: Several media reports indicate sponsors of  “faith-based initiatives” to make it easier for churches and religious groups to secure government grants have abandoned efforts to get the package approved in the Senate. PA GOP Sen. Santorum, who sponsored the Senate version with Lieberman, said he “would have liked to have gotten the whole enchilada, but in the United States Senate this year, you’re lucky to get anything, and I’ll take anything.” In yesterday’s “Inside Politics” column in the Washington Times, Greg Pierce reported Republicans have “agreed to drop language that some Democrats oppose…[Santorum] said yesterday he will strip bill language that a religious group cannot be denied funding simply because it has religious criteria for governing board members, religious language in its charter or because the group has religious art or icons in its facilities…Now the bill has no language stating that religious groups may not be excluded from government contracts. Mr. Santorum said House leaders have also agreed not to add such language to the bill when they considerate it.”

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorial today, headline: “U. N. is worth keeping… The Security Council is inherently flawed, but a world organization is still vital.”… Headline on Charles Krauthammer’s syndicated column this morning, “When it’s time to rebuild Iraq, Allies should ignore U. N.” …From yesterday’s letters to the editor – under the headline, “Protecting Harkin’s career” – in the Des Moines Register, excerpt: “Senator Tom Harkin is again proving his political career is more important than the best interests of the United States. Harkin voted for the resolution to use force against Iraq when he thought it was politically wise to do so. Now Harkin must appease his base and is crying foul. He insults us by claiming he did not understand what he was voting on. He insults himself by claiming now there is not enough evidence to justify the use of force.” Letter from Shawn Kirkpatrick, Des Moines…Editorial from Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) after antiwar vandalism on campus and ROTC cadets told they no longer have to wear uniforms to military sciences classes:  Headline, “Antiwar aggression must end as Iraq war escalates” Excerpt: “As the escalation of vandalism mirrors the escalation of the war in Iraq, antiwar protestors must consider their motives and practices. Unless people are ready to make reasonable arguments for their beliefs, they will not succeed in convincing members of the community to agree with them. The antiwar graffiti must stop, and there must be no more attacks on students involved in any branch of the armed services. Only when students can safely and respectfully engage in dialogue about the war will ideas truly be exchanged.”  Also, The Daily Iowan – under headline, “Smart bombs show the human face of our nation” – reprinted a Washington Post editorial. 

SPORTS: Iowa basketball fans have mixed loyalties as Kansas and Arizona meet in the NCAA West Regional tournament tonight. Arizona coach Lute Olson is a former Hawkeyes head basketball coach – taking Iowa to the Final Four two decades ago -- and Kansas stars Nick Collison (Iowa Falls) and Kirk Hinrich (Sioux City) are Iowa favorite sons. Collison registered a career-high 33 points and 19 rebounds in the Jayhawks’ 69-65 win over Duke Thursday night. 

WEATHER: DSM 5 a.m. 32, overcast…Morning temps across IA mostly in a 10-degree range, from 26 in Estherville to 27 in Lamoni and Spencer to 36 in the Quad Cities…High today 40, partly sunny. Low tonight 22, mostly clear. High Sunday 48, partly sunny.

IOWAISMS: Iowa astronaut Peggy Whitson will discuss her experiences during six months on the International Space Station at Grinnell College on 4/7…WHO Radio (Des Moines) reports that Men’s Journal magazine has named Iowa City as one of the top 10 healthiest, safest and sexiest places to live in America. Boulder, CO, was rated first among the magazine’s review of the 50 best places – populations between 50K to 500K – and Iowa City was ranked sixth. A quote from the Men’s Journal May edition: “If Iowa is a giant cornfield, then Iowa City is not in Iowa.”…KCCI-TV (Des Moines) reports that Qwest Communications will be hiring 140 new employees to work in an expanded customer service center in the DSM area. 

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