I was going through Twitter and saw Planned Parenthood has bought more than a million dollars in ads for the Presidential race in some swing states.  The ad will run in Des Moines.  Part of the ad talks about how Mitt Romney will “take away” things like cancer screenings that PP provides.  Now I don’t mind the two political parties buying ads attacking each other for their positions…and there are some big differences here for sure…I’m not debating the content of the ad either.  I am wondering about the wisdom of using a million dollars to buy it.

Planned Parenthood spends a lot of time pointing out to people, the vast majority of its services are about preventative health services. So is PP about politics or prevention?  For those of  you scoring at home…A Million dollars is (give or take) 4,000 mammograms they could have paid for.

I wonder if we ask a woman here in Polk County who can’t afford a mammogram which she’d like to have…. a commercial, or the peace of mind that she doesn’t have cancer?  My point is that organizations like PP talk about their mission…they just benefitted from the PR blunder of another huge women’s health organization by focusing on their mission.  But they’re taking the millions they raised and kicking in to The President’s re-election?  That doesn’t compute to me…It should be about the women who need the money and the treatment…that’s it.  The rest will take care of itself…

Beyond that…if you are going to spend the money PP could have made  the ad more general…talking about how NO politician should vote to de-fund women’s health initiatives PP sponsors and funds.  It was clear last Fall, a LOT of people believe in PP’s women’s health mission.  But if you kept the focus on mission, no one would be able to accuse an organization like PP of being political.

 You should feel free to agree, disagree or call me an idiot if you like.

PWD

Ironic

The word ironic is overused.  People use it for mild coincidences…weird happenings etc…but most of the time it’s not ironic.  I have checked with a couple of self-glossed experts…the irony Police if you will…This morning’s accident involving a Police cruiser fits the definition.  

A Police officer was called out to check on the welfare of  a woman reported  lying down in the street or the alley…they weren’t sure.  As the officer showed up, he didn’t see the woman in the street and ran over her legs.  We are told the woman didn’t sustain life threatening injuries…Officer sent to check to make sure a woman is OK and ends up sending her to the Hospital.  That’s irony.

PCC

We previewed some of the events associated with the Principal Charity Classic this weekend.  The events actually run all week.

Thursday is University day…you wear your University’s colors and you get in free.  there’s a putting Challenge at 2:30.

There’s a networking event for young professionals Friday.  It’s a chance to meet CEO’s and executives of some of the big companies around Greater Des Moines.  

The Event will be family friendly again.  Brooke asked and we found out there will be kids activities by the front Gates.  Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Military personnel and their dependents get into the tournament for free.  the New Patriot’s Outpost will be open to that same group on the 18th hole.  

Maybe most important this tournament has given more than $3.5 million back to local charities.  They gave $750,000 last year and hope to do more this year.   

Heart Stopper

So we had a great time this weekend.  We went to a friend’s house for dinner Friday Night and found out their Daughter decided she wanted to raise chickens.  She’s just in Middle school and they live in the City so her Dad said one thing.  She had to take care of them.  So far she has…including using money she saved herself to buy the Chickens and build the enclosure for them.  What a great lesson!  We are excited to share their fresh eggs.  They expect a dozen a day this summer.

Sunday Night we went to the pool with some friends.  that was the heart stopper.  The Boys were sitting with their feet in about 4 feet of water.  Will leaned forward and… plop! He fell in…wide eyed and looking up at us…I was in the water about a step away…Sally was up on the pool deck and about had a heart attack.  I grabbed him in about three seconds but it felt like an hour.  He kept telling everyone he saw…”I fell into the dark dark water”.  I don’t want him freaked out about the water so I’m doing my best to be positive while keeping a healthy respect for the water for now.  

They spent the morning with their Cousins Monday Morning at the party and I think we’re going to have to get used to the idea of perpetual dirt on our boys this summer.  There is something gross about a sweaty little boy…but there is also something satisfying about a kid who’s so tired, he collapses into bed at the end of the day.

Hope you have a great one,

PWD

I hope you have fun plans for the weekend.  I am taking Monday off.  I haven’t done that often for Memorial Day the last 13 years…but Brooke offered to work and i figured…why not?

The news

Campaigning

This may sound silly to some of you but I think i just figured out why I don’t really like politics these days.  It doesn’t matter if its good for the country…it matters to a politician only if it helps them keep their office.  This comes into sharp focus when we see things that everyone agrees on…but don’t happen because you can’t give anyone a political win in an election year. 

I am tired of the murky criticism flying back and forth.  Gov Romney comes to Iowa and talks about a Prairie Fire of debt sweeping across Iowa…It’s good imagery and it is true that The President has presided over increases in the debt that allowed it to rise to record levels. 

The President calls it a cow pie of distortion (Bull$#!^ for those of you who can’t figure that one out).  He says Federal spending grew at the slowest rate in 60 years in his 1st three years.  The Wall Street Journal did an article backing that claim…

But they’re still both right…and both wrong.  Romney is using the President’s claim that he would cut the deficit in half by the end of his 1st term…that aint’ happening right now.  Our debt is a problem…Romney fails to mention that it’s just as much Republican spending as it is Democrats that torched our financial prairie…and neither side seems to be serious about cutting the debt.  

  The President says spending rose at the lowest levels in 60 years and that’s true…but Government is way too big…and just doing less than the last guy isn’t enough.  The hard decision would be to actually cut the debt. 

Neither is able to deliver because they can’t do it alone.  It would take a miracle of feline herding to get Congress to actually back up the rhetoric of so many of its Members and do something about debt.  We certainly need to …ask Greece.  How it happens is a mystery until we get people in Congress who are willing commit to big ideas.  No one would…but I don’t think it’s because they think the other guy’s idea is so bad…I think both sides worry much more that the idea is going to work…and if it does…their opponent will get credit.      

Resolution

So if you are the Parents of that kid in New York City abducted 30 years ago…and you’ve spent three decades wondering what happened to your kid…d you feel resolution that someone turned himself in or does your life revert back to the original pain you felt at losing your son?  I’d like to know what you think. 

“I don’t have time for sex”

If we’d come back from commercial break about five seconds earlier…that’s what you would have heard Brooke say this morning.  We were talking about Lolo Jones and her revelation that she’s a 29 year-old Virgin.  Then the Des Moines Register does a poll this morning asking if she should date superstar super-virgin Tim Tebow.  I’m sorry what?  Because they’re both virgins they’re a great match?  I think that’s a dumb question. 

Zach

Don’t look now but Zach Johnson is leading this week’s tour stop in Dallas.  He’s playing very well at a great time of year.  the John Deere Classic is coming up in July and this is a Ryder Cup year.  Johnny Miller commented during the Players Championship that Zach is the kind of player he wants on his team…tough competitive steady and a great putter.  I now have a reason to watch the Crown Plaza Invitational.

Dreaming

Last night, before bed, Sally got a gem out of our Boys. She asked, “What are you boys going to dream about?”

Will said: Two stars and some dollars…

JT: A monkey and a nest.

Dream Big boys.

I hope you have a good day…and as always I would love to know what you think about these or other news stories.

Seems like everyone has an opinion about this new book series 50 Shades of Gray.  I haven’t read it and I don’t think I am going to read it.  Sounds like pretty normal Summer reading….we call it a Beach book in our house.  Cotton Candy for the Brain…and maybe a little trashy.  Actually a lot of people say it goes beyond trashy.  If this book doesn’t make you blush…you’re a pretty risqué person to begin with. I have no problem if people put this sort of fantasy in the right context…it’s fiction…It’s when people start thinking, “gosh I wish this is what my life were like”.   That’s when this stuff starts to be a problem.  I prefer non-fiction but I guess I really don’t care what other people enjoy reading.

I also got into a discussion with a friend about this book and the “controversy” surrounding it.  A LOT of people are reading it…so are we all secretly OK with the descriptions what some people might consider deviant sex?  Why are some people so hesitant to admit they’re reading 50 Shades?  I think most of us would be at least a little surprised and shocked to know what friends are really into in the bedroom.  

Now you know what we were talking about this morning.  I’s love to hear an opinion if you have one.  Have a great day!

I hope you had a good weekend and that you are enjoying the beautiful late spring weather.

Ingersoll

The City of Des Moines is working to extend the success its had in the Western Gateway to the Ingersoll and Grand corridor between 42nd and 15th.  The idea is to get more business…I would think especially along Ingersoll.  I remember when we moved here you couldn’t get someone to walk down the street between downtown and the station.  It’s starting to be a place where you can eat, live and work.  

NATO

So there were thousands of people protesting in Chicago this weekend for the NATO summit.  They all seemed to have differing agendas and while the vast majority were peaceful…it seems there were more than a few who wanted to be like the last drunk kid in a College bar…just lookin’ for someone to fight.

I support these people’s right to protest…but their grievances against NATO seemed to center on the fact that NATO exists.  I want a world where we don’t have to have military alliances too…but that’s not the real world.

 I read a quote from a guy who said NATO existed to keep the 1% in control of the 99%.  How many situations is that going to apply to?  Is it even starting to sound crazy to people who supported the Occupy movement?  NATO countries don’t give a rip about what is going on in the US.  They’ve got their own issues right now.  And while we’re on the subject of the 99%.  How is it possible that the 99% are sick and tired of the wealthy 1%, when the same people are advocating a tax on the highest 3% of earners?…Are people who make more than 100k but less than 250k part of the 99%.  I doubt people who make that much money feel under anyone’s thumb.  The math is making my head explode…but I think the answer is…A train is leaving Chicago filled with the same 1% of the population that would protest just about anything.  The rest of the 96% were ready to get back to work.

I love this clip from West Wing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7QJu_Wsbk

Diabetes

1 in 4 American kids have diabetes?  When the H-E-double hockey sticks did that happen?    It seems we’re getting our arms wrapped around our children’s newly found girth and remembering that if you cut gym class then kids may never get any physical activity.  

College or $100,000

So Jeriann saw a story on 60 minutes last night where a guy out in Silicon Valley is giving promising college students $100,000 to quit college and venture out to follow their dreams.  We had a talk about this during the breaks and Jeriann made the point that the best education she got was her first job.  I can’t say I disagree with that.  College isn’t for everyone…and we have turned it into a societal expectation…as if something is wrong with you if you don’t go.  My Dad took over his family’s business and didn’t need a four-year degree to do it.  I knew what I wanted to do and went to a school that offered training in that  skill.  If you have an idea of what you’d like to do…find a University that will help forward that goal.  if you don’t…maybe a couple years at a local CC would help get you focused on a career.  I also think we could do a little more to teach kids to grown up a little sooner.  We’ve become a society that treats kids like their Grandma’s china…how about pushing kids to figure out what it is they are going to use to make a living?  It’s OK if that isn’t in an office…or if you don’t need a traditional four-year degree to do it…but treating kids as if they can take as much time as they want to make a decision isn’t healthy either.  Life has deadlines and this is one of them.  Careers don’t have to start at 21.  Paying the rent does.    

Penny

Sally’s Grandma Penny passed away this weekend.  She was a true family Matriarch and a wonderful woman.  She was 93 and still walked the beach, went to the ballet, had a regular bridge game and a standing Sunday date at Taco Bell with her friends.  She raised three sons that anyone would be proud to call their friend and had a lot to offer a group of grandchildren with a wide variety of personalities and passions. People who met Penny usually walked away with a smile.  I know I did.

Have a good day!

PWD

I tried yesterday I really did, but I felt like I was forcing a blog out of nothing.  So I deleted what I’d written and decided I’d start over today.   Glad I did.

Murder Arrest

It doesn’t happen every day, thank goodness…but Thursday there was a double murder in Des Moines.  We are still getting details but I thought this would be a good chance to tell you a little bit how we do things in the Newsroom.  

We knew, late last night, Police took a man into custody in Winterset.  At first they told us he was a “person of interest” which doesn’t mean he’s a suspect.  Our Producer had done a little legwork and found a man had been booked into the Polk County jail for two counts of first degree murder.  Now, we could have safely put two and two together there and released the name she’d found on the jail website…We were right…and could have probably been “first”.  We decided we should wait for official word.  Better to be safe than release the name of the wrong guy.  

I think sometimes people have a picture in their head about how things make it on the news.  We’re all sitting around conjuring up the most sensational way we can deliver a story or we try to slant the news one way or another.  In reality it’s usually a few people making the decision, trying their best to decipher a complication situation.

Facebook

A kid I grew up with is one of the top executives at Facebook.  He’s going to have a good day. 

We see these people on the news and don’t know anything about them.  In this case I do.  I can never quite get over the picture I have of people I grew up with…so in this case, he’s still the pre-teen kid brother of one of my best friends.  He was then, and still is, one of the smartest people I know. Scary smart and a personality to go along with it.

 I’ve also been watching a lot of the investment videos in the lead up to Facebook’s public offering.  There’s a lot of speculation about the future price and sustainability of Facebook.  I wouldn’t bet against these guys.  In part, it’s because of the guy I know from home.  He is articulating a vision of the future for Facebook that I’m not sure we understand just yet.  My point is, these aren’t a bunch of computer geeks who started a fad and feel like that’s good enough.  They seem to really believe they can change the way we interact with each other at Facebook.  They see a bigger picture and have a plan.  I think that separates them from a lot of the other tech start-ups we’ve seen.  We’ll see if they can do with the weight of Wall Street investment behind their decision-making.

Dentists

So the new recommendation is that you take your kid to the Dentist within six months of their first tooth coming in?  Apparently the news hasn’t reached my dentist’s office.  They recommended three years old.  We followed that and brought the boys to the dentist starting last fall.

I have mixed feelings about this.   I think the recommendation s probably based on the increasing number of kids that have to have dental surgery because they didn’t take care of their teeth.  I understand raising awareness and starting good habits early…but in my experience, this one falls on the parents.  I think more kids would have better dental habits if parents didn’t blow it off. Brushing a two year-old’s teeth is like trying to catch a greased pig. I understand a parent who says they just don’t want to force their kid to brush…or hold them down and brush for them at the end of an already exhausting day. 

That said, you are the parent.  That’s your job.  It’s not going to scar your kid for life.  We  were given a stern talking to by the dentist and made the decision to force the issue with both boys.  It has been hard some nights but I hope it also pays off in good dental habits. 

I hope you have a great day and a great weekend.

If I see anything else this morning to add-on, I’ll do it during the Noon news so check beck this afternoon.

PWD

Lots to talk about this morning.

Campaigning

We previewed this first post-caucus visit to Iowa for the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.  The visit is a signal that the PPP poll taken here in Iowa a week or so ago is probably not that accurate.  I think most people were surprised to see The President had a ten point lead in that poll.  It’s a long time until November and a lot can happen but I would think Iowa will be a close race.  The Republican message is in focus today when Romney talks about Government spending and the deficit.  

Jobs

Jobs, of course is part of the economic message for both candidates in the National election but here in Iowa we are watching to see progress on the Governor’s campaign promise of creating 200,000 new jobs.  Yesterday Governor Branstad said his administration is ahead of schedule creating almost 70,000 jobs since taking office.  Like most political questions this one is a matter of perspective.  The State’s gross jobs created total since the Gov took office is that 70k number.  But take the jobs lost or workers who’ve left the workforce out of that number and it goes down to about 15k.  That number is called the net jobs number.  It’s still better than his predecessors according to the Register this morning but the Governor is behind his goal.  The article also points out that it’s not year to year numbers that matter…the economist quoted said it’s a question of adding jobs month to month…

The real truth is that Governors don’t move these jobs numbers as much as the National Economy does.  Still, if companies are hiring and the Governor can point to some success stories bringing companies into the state or retaining and expanding jobs at certain businesses; he will be able to make the case he is doing the right thing for Iowa’s economy.  

Texting

A new study shows teens are texting while driving despite knowing it is VERY dangerous.  Here’s the bad news: they’re learning it by watching us.  

Beeeeees!

The swarm on NE 14th yesterday makes my skin crawl.  I have to say though…it was very cool to get the explanation of the Bee’s behavior, and then see the video from the Beekeeper was cool.

It made me think of the scene from Tommy Boy…You remember…here’s the audio

Names

We were talking names this morning after The Social Security Administration handed out its’ list of most popular.  We tried to get Brooke to tell us the names she’s considering and she won’t tell us.  Will is in the top five John is nowhere to be found.  

Jeriann shared her unique system for naming her boys.  She said Luke’s name came up after she was watching the Today Show and saw Luke Russert….Nick was a name her in-laws were going to use if they had another boy.

So what do you like better…Family names that have a story…or Stories like Jeriann’s that produce names? 

March

I missed blogging yesterday so i have to give a shout out to my Friends a the March of Dimes.  They had another VERY successful March for Babies this past Saturday.  They raised a couple hundred thousand dollars again…I was pleased to help again this year as emcee.  The boys loved the walk around Principal park and the River.  

Tales of JT

The younger of the Dix boys continues to provide material we are writing down in the journal we started when the boy’s were born.  Sunday, at the Zoo for Mother’s Day, JT climbed the stairs at the Giraffe enclosure ahead of Sally.  When he got to the top of the stairs and saw the Giraffe, he turns around to Sally and says, “Well I’ll be Damned!”…turned around and walked right over tot he animals.

Then this morning after I got up I heard his high-pitched squeal.  I went in to see what was up…he looked up and me and said, “I don’t want to go through the Time Tunnel”.  Great buddy…go back to bed.  I think we’ve been watching too much Dinosaur Train.

I hope you all have a good day!

PWD 

Missing

Hearing the News about Bauder’s Pharmacy and the investigation into missing medication is troubling.  I say that because we live in the area and we have used the Pharmacy before. Ful disclosure, I love Bauders and the people who run it are some of the nicest I’ve met.  They remind me of the Pharmacy my family used when I was a kid.  We had a house charge and the owner knew all of my brothers and sisters. I do not know anything about the allegations but this is one of those situations where I wish I didn’t have to read the news.

Second Lady?

Yep that’s right…for being the Wife of the VP you get to be called “The Second Lady” for four years.  I’m surprised, but I haven’t heard that term.  Brooke and I both questioned it..but our crack producer Lisa had already confirmed on the White House Website. She knows us too well.

Sup Splits

Dr Nancy Sebring left the District abruptly yesterday without explanation.  We won’t ever know why she left because the School Board chose to have the discussion about her sudden departure behind closed doors.  They will say its a personnel issue…I disagree…we knew Sebring was leaving.  Here’s how the Des Moines Register described the decision to do this out of the public eye:

The Des Moines board’s meeting Thursday was closed after Sebring and Ahart, who weren’t present, requested a private session. Iowa Code allows such a session “to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation.” The person involved also has to ask for the session to be closed.

Caldwell-Johnson said the board did not discuss Sebring’s performance. Sebring was not being appointed, hired or fired. Caldwell-Johnson said the discussion was about Sebring’s decision to speed her departure, and about who would be interim superintendent.

Asked how Sebring’s and Ahart’s reputations would have been harmed by a public session, Caldwell-Johnson said the meeting was closed because the pair requested a private session, which is a common procedure despite the law’s wording.

“I don’t know if it would have caused anyone any harm,” Caldwell-Johnson said. “I think it’s just a procedural thing. Both of them had requested that it be done in closed session.”

 

That’s not a good enough explanation.  The Board’s default position should be to hold its meeting’s in public.  If Sebring couldn’t offer a good reason she would be harmed having the meeting in public…THE BOARD MEMBERS should have insisted they open the meeting.  This is the kid of thing that makes people believe there is something more we are not being told.  I suspect it’s not the last we will hear of this.

Pinning

So I got on Pinterest and”pinned” a few things there. I still don’t know whether I am doing this right…but I shared a few books and some of the things on my wish list.  Who knows…maybe someonewill be interested.

Grilling

I said goodbye to my old Blue Grill last night.  We wheeled him out to the curb after 13 years of dedicated grill service.  Sally gave me the Weber Performer Grill for my 25th birthday 13 years ago.  I’ve had a lot of fun cooking on it. 

The question is, now what?  Do I go back to a standard Kettle Grill from Weber (I will only buy Weber) or do I buy the fancy version that lights the charcoal for you?  The difference is $200 and I hear it makes a huge difference in convenience to have the ability to light to coals.  Don’t even suggest gas…I love the smell of a real fire and the taste of the food off of a real grill. Plus I love the uncertainty of real grilling…it’s supposed to be harder to cook over a fire.  As my Uncle Bob would say of Gas Grills: that’s the slow leak of Communism into our society. 

I hope you have a Red Letter day

PWD

Blogging from Gateway market this morning ahead of a breakfast meeting.

Obama’s Answer

The New York Times called the president’s answer on Gay Marriage “risky and inevidable”.  I think that’s probably right on both fronts.  That leads me to question people who think this was all contrived from the VP’s response on MTP to the President’s answer yesterday.  I disagree.  I think there was going to be some sort of shift in The President’s answer on this question but I think it would have come later in the race if he’d had his choice.  If he wanted to play this one safe, The President wouldn’t have answered.  NC, OH and IA are just three of the states he stands to lose by changing his stance.    

I know it’s a big deal that a sitting President of the United States answered this question affirming same-sex marriage but as Art Sanders up at Drake said, this isn’t really likely to change anyone’s vote.  

Hump Day

So people keep emailing and calling saying they can’t stand it when Jeriann says it’s “Hump Day” on Wednesdays.  I don’t get it.  Have they not heard the expression Getting Over the Hump?  That what we’re talking about…halfway throught he workweek and we’re on the downhill run to the weekend.  over the hump!  I find it funny that no one seems to mind having their News read by Patrick DIX, but they are offended by Hump Day.

Comments

I wanted to follow-up on yesterday’s blog and my comments on Ed reform.  A teacher left a comment and I really appreciate that she did.  

I wrote yesterday, and I agree with her, that everything possible should be done to help a struggling reader along before holding them back…but this gets harder, not easier as the kids get older.  Even with the best intention…if the child is passed along to 4th grade and still doesn’t catch up…what then?  On to 5th where they fall farther behind?  I thought the comment about this being someone’s “fault” was telling.  A teacher’s job shouldn’t hang in the balance because one kid doesn’t meet reading goals…clearly, she was worried that these standards would mean teachers might lose their job or shoulder all of the blame.  

 We need to get past pointing fingers and deal with the reality.   I know, I know…I was pointing the finger at the Unions when is said they have the power to change this.  They DO.  I don’t accept the idea that they’re just this well-meaning band of teachers…the Union is political and knows EXACTLY what it’s doing.  I’ve said before…I hope teachers Unions stay together and that they deal with these issues internally.  Make the decision not to accept mediocre teachers among the ranks of so many outstanding educators.  Push for tougher standards to become a teacher.  Demand excellence of every one of your colleagues.  I think the benefits and support that would follow would be overwhelming.  This is everyone’s problem.  No pointing fingers at teachers, but lets all acknowledge our role in making sure kids have the skills they need.  As the main educator in their life…the Teacher has a big portion of that responsibility and burden.

March

The March for Babies is this weekend at Principal park and I will be emceeing the event again.  The move down to the ballpark means if you are headed to Farmer’s Market…you can take a little time to come over and support this worthy cause.  The goal of march of Dimes is to make sure every Iowa baby has a healthy start.  The money they raise at events like MFB comes back threefold in research dollars at University of Iowa.  You can help make a difference in the lives of children, simply by coming down and walking with us Saturday.  I hope you will!

Have a good day, 

PWD

Good Morning…You could say I’m Fired up and ready to Blog today…I’ll explain in a minute

Bad Deal 1

So State Lawmakers look like they’re headed for the Home Stretch.  They passed the catch-all standings bill this morning in the Senate.  Now they have to look at Health and Human Services Budget and if they’re going to make one more swipe at Property tax reform…now’s the time.

It’s the Education reform that disappoints the most.  Starting in 2017 apparently if I am not satisfied with my child’s reading level…I can have them held back.  Can’t a Parent do that now?  And why is it up to just the parent to make that choice?  Where is the accountability among the educators?  I can’t help but feel this one got tangled up making sure no Union teachers were left feeling blamed for a child’s failure in their classroom.  It’s certainly not their fault…there are a lot of people who influence a child’s education…but I would think teachers would be the first in line wanting to make SURE they don’t send a student on to the 4th grade if they’re not equipped to be there…The argument against making a kid feel singled out or permanently damaging them by holding them back is trumped in my mind by a lifetime of not being able to read.

Student Loans

There are times I am left feeling like I am being played.  The debate over the student loans is the latest.  Did you know (I didn’t until I heard an NPR report last night) the rate increase would only apply to new loans taken out after July 1st?  It’s surely significant to people who are going to College or have a kid going.  It’s not to the people paying off old loans.  Funny, The president didn’t mention that, and a lot of the people who are up in arms about this debate didn’t know it.

BIG Problem

More evidence this morning that we are becoming a heavier and heavier society.  It’s something we can all take control of.  I am guilty of not always doing that in my own life…but just thinking about it…trying…is making a difference.  A group of Doctors put a list of recommendations out that included 60 minutes of activity for kids at school.  I couldn’t agree more.  Kids need to be at school to learn…that is the first priority…but HOW they learn is important too.  Giving the part of their brains that do math and science a chance to rest in favor of letting the more creative and movement oriented parts of the brain get a workout.

I don’t agree with the idea of taxing foods we perceive as being “bad”.  Who decides that?  If I want to eat a Big Mac and run a Marathon every day to stay healthy…that’s my choice.  The Government can help lead us toward making informed decisions but in the end…it’s our decision.  Companies who make healthy food should do a better job of marketing those healthy choices…and the consequences of a bad choice.  The marketplace should take care of the rest.

Are you kidding me?

I got a News Release from the City of Des Moines this morning touting a News Conference the Mayor is going to hold this afternoon.  He is going to have some College Students up to his office for a phone call with The President to discuss Student Loan rates and the debate over continuing lower rates in Congress.  Then he’s going to hold a News conference in his office.  I wonder what our Mayor, the much touted supporter of the President, is going to say to the Press?  Sound like campaigning to you? I would think a lot of people would say it’s a bad use of the well advertised limited taxpayer resources.  Using a City Employee to forward a federal political agenda that has nothing to do with the City of Des Moines? We elect a Mayor to do the City’s business…not to be a mouthpiece for the President.   There’s plenty to do at City Hall.

The worst part about this?  It doesn’t break any rules of campaigning.  I called the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Finance Disclosure Board and the Executive Director says the Iowa Rules don’t apply to Federal Candidates.  I’m sorry what?  That invites patronage.  I wonder if there will be a check or two from Obama Supporters in The Mayor’s re-election fund?  We shouldn’t have to wonder if the support is that much more generous because of the favors The Mayor does for The President’s Campaign.  We have a non-partisan City Government for a reason.

Have a good day!

PWD

Fighting for the Wing

Rep Tom Latham is trying to do a little committee work in Congress that would delay the transformation of the 132nd fighter wing into a drone unit.  If he’s successful, they Air Force would have to wait at least a year to close the wing.  That would give everyone more time to argue that the Air Force is making a mistake.  I can hear the campaign commercials now.  It would be an effective counter to Rep Boswell’s distinguished military record and his record of support for the military.

Endorsement

I’m sorry… Rick Santorum is endorsing Mitt Romney by email?  Cause email is usually the form of communication where expression of feeling comes out most sincerely.  This also begs another question: How is it that anyone is supposed to take The Family Leader seriously?  Part of their Marriage Pledge that they forced candidates to sign also made the candidate pledge that they would not endorse any candidate who did not take the pledge.  Santorum and Bachmann both signed and both are now behind Romney as the nominee.  These two are the poster children for this organization and we’re left to conclude one of two things: A. The Pledge never meant anything to them, or B.The two of them believe the pledge but regard TFL as such an unimportant organization that they don’t have to worry about any kind of political backlash.

It also points out something I’ve written here before.  Anyone who asks a candidate to make these kind of pledges is ASKING to be lied to. A voter certainly has the right to judge a candidate in the way he/she sees fit, but deciding qualifications for Leader of the Free World on such a narrow set of Theological criteria is ignoring the real world.  the President has to govern all people…

I hope while I am alive, NO President would be able to turn the Oval office into a pulpit for his/her religious beliefs.  Even if there is only one person left who doesn’t fall goose stepping into place with the beliefs of the majority…that person has the right to their freedom…and a state-sponsored religion has no place in the United States.

Finding Kind

I hope the program Megan Reuther told us about this morning is successful here in the metro. Teaching kids to find kindness is sorely needed.  We need to raise the kind of leaders that believe “being cool” means standing up to someone who would do or say things just to belittle someone else.  We will all be better for it.

On an unrelated note I want to say what a great job I think Megan does.  I think a lot of people don’t understand what it is she does.

In at about 3am with the rest of us, Megan is always ready to pick up stories from overnight that we throw her way.  With few details and even fewer people around to answer questions, Megan has become a resourceful reporter in the 3-5am time frame.  She is always doing the story you see on Today in Iowa while planning ahead for tomorrow’s story and much of the time being asked to turn a new version of her morning story for the evening newscasts.

It would be like asking Aaron Brillbeck to do an entirely new version of his story for our broadcast, after he is done reporting for the 10pm news and simultaneously telling him he has to have his story for tomorrow’s 10pm news ready to go when he leaves for the day.  It’s not digging ditches,  but it does require a lot of balancing and flexibility as a reporter.  It can be frustrating because I know Megan would like to spend more time on the really good stories she turns…she can’t because it’s always on to the next day.  Great Job Megan!

Shot at a million

I played a great golf event out at Wakonda Country Club yesterday to benefit the First Tee of Greater Des Moines.  For those of you who don’t know First Tee is a golf organization to bring the game to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have access to clubs or a place to play.  The Organization stresses character while teaching the kids a game they can play the rest of their lives.

I got closest to the pin on one of the Par 3′s so I also got a chance to shoot for a million bucks.  Four of us were placed out on the 18th fairway 165 yards away.  If we could get the shot in the hole…we won. No luck…I tried to put up a video of the shot but couldn’t get it to post.  The first thing you hear is everyone yelling “FORE!”

I almost hit the gallery standing just right of the pin.  In my defense…they weren’t that far away.

I hope you have a great day!

PWD

Taking a Stand

The Vice President got on Meet the Press this weekend and talked about the fact that he has no problem with same-sex marriage.  I know the President hasn’t gone as far as saying he supports same-sex marriage but he does support giving same-sex couples all the legal rights married couples enjoy.  I know there’s a difference if you are a same-sex couple…but as I’ve written here before…once the Government gives you all those rights…you’re beef is with your Church.  BTW the Vice President’s comments were apparently spurred by recent meetings with same-sex couples.  I am not surprised.  It is harder to demonize someone once you spend a little time with them.

Profile In Courage

On a related note, Three former Iowa Supreme  Court Justices will receive the Profile in Courage award at the Kennedy Library.  I can’t think of better recipients.

The Family Leader came out with a predictable response.  They called the award “Laughable” and generally made fun of it.  Sounds like a very Christian attitude…What the Family Leader didn’t call for is a vote on a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage in Iowa.  Could that be because the latest Polling now shows more and more Iowans don’t have any problem with same-sex unions?

Boxed in

Iowa owned Dullahan didn’t win the Derby but ran a strong stretch for a third place finish.  If you watched the horse the entire race he got caught in traffic twice if not three times.  If he gets clear sooner and can take a little bit more of an inside track…I think he’d win.  We may get a chance to see if he can do it in New York for the Belmont Stakes.

They Blow a lot of Stuff Up

Sally and I got a chance to go out to a Movie Saturday night…so we took it.  The only problem?  We couldn’t find a lot we were excited about going to see.  So we went to The Avengers.  It was cotton candy for the brain.  Don’t listen to the script…just watch the special effects.  Awesome.  And they blow a lot of stuff up.

I am off to play a little golf this afternoon.  if you are anywhere along Fleur Drive after 1:20 or so…duck.  I picked up a golf club for the first time this season…this weekend.  I’m headed out to support the programs of Des Moines’ First Tee.  It’s a great program and I’m happy to help.

I hope you all get out and enjoy the day!

PWD

Storms

If you live in Boone County or Story County it sounds like the storms kind of walloped you.  I got up this morning when the lightning started up around two this morning.  I looked at radar and thought we were going to get some bad winds and rain…We got the rain but the storms seemed to lose steam just as it hit the metro…

That’s just the way it looked to me…I’m sure people in Boone and Ames would disagree about the storms losing their punch.

Hush Hush

The secret that The President was traveling to Afghanistan got out online yesterday thanks to a Afghan based News organization.  The White House used some very specific wording to misdirect the national press after a tweet went out saying the Prez was landing in Afghanistan.  The New York Post was the biggest organization to run with the news online.  The concern was that the bad guys would see the tweet or the online post that the President was in Afghanistan…and that they’d try to attack Air Force One.

There is some debate among Journalists over this being a slippery slope…letting The White House tell you when you can and can’t report the President’s movements.  I happen to think this one is a no-brainer…you do what the Secret Service says.

Loser

The Biggest Loser Finale was on last night.  We usually watch that one but just didn’t have it on the radar last night.  I still loved looking at the before and after pictures.

If you ask me, weight is becoming the new smoking.  I think people are starting to look at weight the way we look at smoking now.  You know it’s going to kill you…so if you don’t do anything about it, you’re making a choice.  We are recognizing that while a small percentage of people have genetic characteristics that handicap their weight loss…but for most of us its a choice.  Exercise, portion size, lifestyle are all things that we control…but don’t often take control of.

Flights

US Airways is in town to promote its new service to Washington DC.  Don’t look now but Des Moines  Airport is adding flight options like crazy.  Any international flight to Europe used to look like an episode of Amazing Race if you flew out of Des Moines.  Now you can take a flight to Charlotte, DC, New York, Atlanta and on to…well wherever.  The DC flight is significant because it provides competition for the existing flight.  And this all happens before Southwest starts flying out of DSM.  That has the potential to add even more competition to some significant destinations east and west.  We ran a story here a few years back saying…i people started flying out of Des Moines…the Airlines would add flights.  People started flying out of Des Moines..and you see the result.  Airlines are losing money in a lot of Cities…Des Moines Continues to put butts in seats.

Cameras

The debate over speed cameras died at the Statehouse yesterday when en effort to attach it to the budget failed.  I’m glad.  Say what you want about the cameras.  i think they’ve done exactly what they are supposed to do on 235.  I can’t say the same for the mobile speed camera, but on 235, cars have slowed to the speed limit.  I generally do 65 and I am passing people in the stretch from 63rd to Polk Blvd.

Korver

We missed having Klayton Korver on the Noon News today.  He was on his way to Pella from Chicago (traffic and weather conspired to delay his arrival) where he helps his Brother…Bulls Guard Kyle Korver run the Kyle Korver Foundation.  The brothers started a clothing line.  100% of the profit goes to the foundation and helping underprivileged kids.  Here’s a link to the effort they’re putting on while Tulip Time is going on.  It’s a special fundraising effort.

Everybody Poops

So I am at the stage of my life where that phrase comes out of my mouth more often than I’d like.  We’re really trying not to stress over potty training our boys (some parent just read that and said, “Oh my God…his kids aren’t potty trained…what kind of horrible parent is he!” . To that I say, “mind your own business”).  Anyway, they’re doing pretty well with the concept of #1 but we’re having trouble with “the deuce”.  JT got most of the process down last night.  We’d just done target practice on the potty and we’re on our way to getting an overnight diaper on when he closed himself into his closet night for a little “privacy”…  He came out a moment later and said…”Dad, I pooped”.  Thank God we have wood floors.

I hope you find something more suitable in your closet today.

Have a good one

PWD

I haven’t given people a lot of reason not to.  I’ll try harder here….

Childcare

Sonya did another story highlighting the shortcomings of Iowa’s Home Childcare System.  It’s been this way for years and while the regulations were beefed up a few years ago…it is still largely an unregulated system.  The bottom line from Sonya’s story is that Parents have to check and double-check a Childcare Provider’s credentials.  It also makes me feel very fortunate to have people who truly love my children caring for them when Sally and I can’t be there.

Smart

Delta Airlines did something so smart, it makes you wonder why someone hasn’t done it in the past.  They bought their own oil refinery.  I doubt they’ll lower prices as a result but the company will be making up money on the deal after the first year.

May Day

Our Floor Director Beth gave us May Day baskets today.  I am unfamiliar with the tradition. but enjoyed the popcorn.

-Occupy Iowa is going to be part of a “General Strike” to celebrate May Day.  The problem?  Unions didn’t sign on so none of those workers are going to strike and I can’t imagine a large number of any non-unionized business are going to strike either.

Here in Des Moines, the disorganization and general hilarity of the “movement” continues.  They’re holding a strike…that is going to happen after business hours so no one actually has to strike!  They would hold it during the business day but no one would show up.  There, in a nutshell is the difference between this movement and you know…an actual movement.  Very few people care enough about it to make any sacrifices.  we’re marking a day where a group of workers felt so passionately and were being so abused that they actually died for their cause.

Your opinions are always welcome…Thanks for reading and feel free to throw a few punches yourself.

PWD

It was a great start to Drake Relays week last night in Downtown Des Moines.  The Grand Blue Mile was a huge success.  More than 3500 people came out to run, walk or just watch.  We were among the walk/runners.  I ran the course then doubled back and picked up Sally and the boys.  They were really excited to run the last hundred yards or so.  Will was so excited that he decided he wanted to do it again.

I got caught in the back of the mass of humanity trying to get across the start line.  It meant zigzagging through a crowd to try to start my run.  I still managed a respectable 7:30 for the mile.  I’m a beacon too old-fat guys everywhere…

Reversal

So the West Des Moines District decided it could keep all those positions it wanted to cut. I’m confused by this process.  Like the parent we talked to last night…I wonder why this process seemed so last-minute.  Other Districts have public meetings…a few of them in fact…  I’m left to wonder whether West Des Moines had the same.  If it did…where were the parents?  If it didn’t…what were administrators thinking?

POTUS/FLOTUS

The First Lady was in Iowa last night for a Windsor Heights fundraiser, her Husband arrives this morning in Cedar Rapids.  The President used a speech in North Carolina to talk about Student Loan debt (the same subject he’ll talk about in Iowa today).  The President referenced the fact that he and his wife only paid off their student loans Eight years ago.  He failed to mention He went to Columbia and Harvard and his wife went to Princeton and Harvard.  Not exactly the most cost efficient choices.  There’s nothing wrong with it.  It just makes sense that it might take longer for that family to pay off its loans and I don’t think that’s representative of the average American Family.

Now, having said that…the idea of student loan debt isn’t lost on this father of two boys.  I want my kids to be able to go to college wherever their talents and ambitions take them…but the thought to two college tuition bills at the same time has already kept me up at night.

Iowa State’s New President has the right idea.  If Universities can raise multi-billion dollar endowments…why can’t they raise multi-billion dollar scholarship funds to help students attend?  It would have the dual effect of keeping enrollment up while continuing a funding stream to the University.

Sweep

The President went on Jimmy Fallon last night and said he and Mitt Romeny have met but they’re not friends.  I’ll bet Romney isn’t pining away at home hoping for a brighter social life.  He just won five more Primaries and if there was any doubt about who the Republican Nominee…this should settle the question.

I found it telling that Rick Santorum still won’t just come out and say he supports Romney.  Even if it isn’t…that kind of hedging makes him look like this is more about him than any principle that he claims to be fighting for.

Mad Cow

Anyone want a burger?  I do.  I can’t say this makes me think twice about ordering a steak next time I’m out.  The sheer volume of beef that is raised, slaughtered, processed and packaged for consumption is mind-boggling.  If I am going to start worrying about getting sick from food…I’m also going to have to start worrying about things like crossing the street,taking an airplane…walking down the stairs…

Pass me a steak knife…

I hope you have a good day!

PWD

Quick Blog this morning before I go.

Cuts

The west Des Moines School District is considering staff cuts that a lot of Parents don’t like.  It’s never good to cut teaching staff from a budget, but unless everyone is willing to pay for in taxes…

The comment I didn’t like all that much was the one we ran from a Parent who basically said…other Districts are cutting but do we really want to be like other Districts?…We are better than that.

Really?  Even if you think that I am not sure you should say it out loud.  Cause you really aren’t.

Visit

The First Lady is in town to raise money for The President’s Re-election campaign.  I would avoid Windsor Heights tonight around 5pm.  The President is in Iowa City tomorrow.

I wonder about the First Lady’s visit…is the Park going to be off-limits? and how about the trail?

Cups

A couple of women started a coffee shop called Hot Cups in Davenport.  It’s supposed to be the Midwest’s first Bikini coffee bar.  Instead of Venti and Grande…they have “A Cup, B cup…” you get the idea.

It’s drive through so I guess the idea is that you get a little peek of a gal in a bathing suit making your coffee?  I don’t get it.  They want to expand as soon as they’re up and running…would you call that a business augmentation?

Keeping Pace

If the boys will cooperate I am going to run the Grand Blue Mile this afternoon.  We were talking about the best runners in the world breaking four minutes.   I was wondering what kind of time it should take a “regular” person to run a mile?  What do you think?

Also if you are driving anywhere downtown this afternoon…be aware…lots of street closures between Grand and Locust/ 13th and 6th.

I hope you have a good day!

PWD

Jeriann keeps politely reminding me to post on the blog as we do the Noon news.  I’ll make it quick.

Charter

Nina Rasmussen resigned as head of The Des Moines Charter School.  Her time there getting the School off the ground has been difficult.  Parents have complained about the relationship and there have been a couple of closed-door meeting in the past few weeks.  the latest was last night.  Rasmussen’s resignation was announced this morning.

Look to our evening Newscasts for more on the Charter school and the resignation.

Breaking

So they caught up with James Beaudrie in Chicago this morning.  His car was abandoned in Salt Lake City but e ended up in Chicago.  He tried to run but the US Marshals caught him.  Kudos to Sam Girrard…

Seriously, this is the guy accused of sexually abusing his kids.  It looks ugly…and that’s being kind.

Passing of a Legend

The News was full of tributes to Dick Clark last night.  The best story I heard was on NPR.  It highlighted the great and innovative things Clark did for TV and for Music, but it also talked about some of the criticism of Clark over his career.  He was part of a 1959 Congressional Investigation that led to rules about Pay for Play on radio.  Here’s the story.

Brooke’s Big News

So for those of you who missed it…Brooke is pregnant…if you missed that you haven’t been paying much attention…

Her really big news is that they found out it’s a girl!  I once wrote here that I’d hoped for girls once I found out Sally was Pregnant with twins. I was nervous about being a Father to Boys.  Dad’s get to be their little girl’s favorite…The Mother/Daughter relationship is…complicated.

I think it would be fair to say Brooke is feeling some of the same pressure of that Mother/daughter relationship…She’s excited…but knows her role in this little one’s life will be different than it has been for her son Evan.  As I said to Brooke this morning…this little girl is going to be in good hands…

Moms and Dads feel free to Chime in.

Have a good one

PWD

Jeriann just said Happy Hump Day….Here come the emails.

Actually, I can’t believe people haven’t heard that before.  Still, it seems there are people out there who think she’s promoting this as some sort of mid-week sex holiday.

Maybe, I’m just spitballing here, she’s talking about “getting over the hump”?  Wednesday is midweek?  It’s all downhill from here?  Anyway, I guess there are some people who’ve never heard that expression cause they email us every Wednesday.

To the News

Fights

A fight in Des Moines involved a couple of families and a disputed bike.  The adults stepped in here and it’s a bad he-said/she-said.  I think about this a lot with two boys.  What will I tell them about fighting?  Do I tell them they should they defend themselves?  Walk away?  I can’t say I condone fighting as a way to settle differences, but if they find themselves in a bad situation, I don’t want my kid to get the snot beat out of them either.  Hopefully it won’t be an issue.

Flights

A couple of historic flights to talk about today.  The first was the flight of Shuttle Discovery yesterday from Florida to Washington D.C.  Discovery did a fly by of D.C.. mid-day and stopped the Capitol in its collective tracks.  The Shuttle moves to its permanent display home at the Smithsonian Annex Thursday.

Also of note: Today is the 70th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid.  For those who are rusty on their WWII History, the Doolittle raid was the first time The U-S bombed mainland Japan after Pearl Harbor.  Pilots flew bombers off The Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in order to reach Japan…the first time that was ever done.  The raid, while successful, didn’t do as much damage to Japan is it did to the Japanese psyche.

I mention the raid because three Iowans were on it.  Capt C.R. Greening Piloted one of the planes.     Cpl L.D. Faktor was a tail gunner in the third plane off the Hornet, and William Dieter was on plane #6.  Dieter and Faktor died after their planes made emergency landings near China.  Greening served through the war, was later shot down and captured in a bombing run over Italy.

Shame

A 14 year-old in Northwest Iowa took his own life after coming out to his friends…then being rejected and bullied. His Mother says he even got death threats. I believe it.

I’ve written here before, If you believe being Gay is a sin….you are free to do so in my book.  I don’t agree, but it’s not my place to say what you SHOULD believe.  My concern is that sometimes clergy, parents, community leaders may go too far.  What does the rhetoric used in this debate say to teenagers or pre-teens?  How will they digest that information?  Will any of these Adult leaders come out publicly and say bullying like this is wrong?  If not, how will kids treat people who identify themselves as gay?  Does that treatment really reflect that religion’s values in action?  I’m not indicting anyone or any church…I’m just thinking about how our words and actions as adults can have a profound impact on kids.

100 Days

We’re counting down to the Summer Olympics in London.  The Today Show will take a look around London this morning and check in with some of the Athletes to see how their training is going.  Cue the Hype.

Finally, does anyone know when you are supposed to replace a fly line?  My rigs are approaching 12 years old.  I don’t fish that often with them but still.  Anyone…Anyone?

I hope you have a good day and please…feel free to comment.  I always love hearing your perspective.

PWD

We had a debate on set that I thought you might find interesting this morning.

We wrote the open to our show based on what people were saying in Creston…that they “didn’t have any warning” about the tornado Saturday.  They are referring to the fact that a warning didn’t come out and sirens didn’t go off in town before the thing hit…AGAIN THIS IS ACCORDING TO WHAT THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD US.

Jeriann took exception to the “no warning” headline we used. Her perspective as a meteorologist was that this storm had been advertised for about three days.  The target for severe weather included Creston and had you watched Nightly News Friday night you would have thought the Midwest was going to be blown off the map.  That, in her mind, is a lot of warning.  I can see where she is coming from.  As a meteorologist she takes her responsibility to get this information out very seriously.  She takes it personally if someone feels like local media didn’t give enough warning.  On top of that …our colleagues were on the air for a long time Saturday afternoon tracking that storm.

I chimed in and said that was a meteorologist’s perspective.  For the people who live in that huge area of the Midwest under the gun Saturday, we all knew we might get hit by severe weather…I told her I would count on my weather radio, or hearing the sirens at home to get my family to the basement.  If the people in Creston didn’t hear those thing, I can see why they might feel like they didn’t get a warning. And by the way, that statement may not be a criticism…it may be a simple statement of fact.

The third point to make here is that a tornado has to start somewhere…and if it drops out of the sky on top of a neighborhood…the NWS can only put out a warning as fast as they see the tornado from on radar…or as fast as a trained spotter sees it for themselves.

So what do you think?  Did we have enough warning?  Do you take it seriously when our local Mets talk about a storm a few days out?  Continue the discussion….

Hope you are all having a good day. I started this post yesterday and completed it this morning…sorry about the delay.

Freeze

The temperatures hit the freezing mark early enough the last two days that there could be some damage to the sensitive blooms.  That includes fruit.  The producers are out this morning trying to make sure they save what they can.  Jasper Winery says it already has damage on about 75% of its’ crop.

Tsunami

We got word of a powerful earthquake centered off the of the Aceh Province of Indonesia Wednesday morning about a half hour before we went on the air.  This is the same place where a 9.1 mag quake caused the death of more than 200,000 people back in 2004 so there is ample reason for concern.  Initially the quake registered in the high 8′s which would have been close tot he 9.1 quake that caused the tsunami in 2004…  The USGS backed off the magnitude about an hour after the initial quake…there was a strong aftershock as well…the point is this one got people’s attention.

Now, all that said…there were people freaking out on Twitter.  The Indian Chapter of the Justin Bieber fan club was frantically tweeting about prayers for the people of Indonesia…we’re talking minutes after the quake!  It’s like praying for airplanes as they head toward the Des Moines Airport…there’s a danger they’ll crash…but there’s no indication there’s actually trouble.  As it turns out the earthquake didn’t produce any significant waves because the energy was disbursed horizontally not vertically like the quake that caused the tsunami.

Now let me be clear…I don’t want to discourage anyone from praying…please pray all you like…it may bring comfort to you and I actually believe works as intended. But it seems to me these tweets are more about telling everyone YOU’RE praying, than it is actually praying.  I’m not sure that’s the point

Bush

Former President George W Bush Spoke at a conference in New York Tuesday and told the audience he is sorry the tax cuts passed during his administration are called the “Bush Tax Cuts”.  He thinks without the name they wouldn’t be the political football they’ve turned into.  He defended the theory behind the tax cuts saying the Govt needs to do more to let the private sector create jobs.

Santorum Out

Who knows what caused Rick Santorum to finally drop out of the Republican race.  It’s probably early enough the Mitt Romney can recover some funding and get geared up for the race in the Fall.  It looks like its going to be close but who knows what the economy will do or what the President might say or do.  What will the Supreme Court do?

I was reminded that we have a lot of serious questions still to answer and an interview I heard yesterday also pointed out neither of the two major parties have done much to solve them.  whatever your political affiliation…if you look closely…they’re telling you what you want to hear…not what’s going to provide a solution.  On debt for instance…does it make sense to you that one side or the other “pay” so we can reduce the debt?  If your family was in credit card debt…would paying that debt down effect the whole family or just Mom and Dad who make the most money?  Allowances are likely going to be cut…Summer Camps might not fit into the budget.  There are hard choices to be made…but it seems like both sides are content to tell us all what we want to hear…I shouldn’t be the one to sacrifice.  We all got into this mess together…seems to me we all should have to sacrifice to get out of it.

That Won’t Work

A Democratic Strategist made the comment on CNN the other night that An Romney hadn’t worked a day in her life.  Mrs Romney shot back that she made a choice to raise her family at home…and that it was hard work.  I asked the question this morning on Facebook…it really is an ongoing debate.  I have to say I don’t think there’s a right answer.  Women who work certainly have a different experience than women who stay home.  That doesn’t mean they have a “better” experience.

Start Date

So the Legislature wants to make sure schools start a little later.  the Governor says it would help tourism…I’m not sure that’s the best argument when talking about schools…but he’s got a point.  The Waukee superintendent says he might ave to cancel Spring Break if the State mandates the later start.  Good luck with the phone calls from angry parents who want to go to Cabo for the week.

#IgotthetweetslikeGrassley

When Steven Colbert uses you to do a bit…you know you’ve made it. Sen Grassley’s Tweet about he President was certainly harsh…and backed off the next day. If you follow Grassley on Twitter, the seemingly nonsensical posts Colbert showed make a lot more sense.   I tried doing all my Tweets in Grassley from Wednesday.  Even my Brother said he couldn’t understand it.

Nothing But Victory

I hope you all have the chance to make it down to the State Historical Museum.  Their new exhibit Civil War: Nothing but Victory sounds like a really interesting addition. I enjoy Civil War History so I think it would be fun to see some of the things the State accumulated over time.  We talked about the exhibit with the Museum Director yesterday on the Noon. It sounds like a lot of this stuff hasn’t been displayed before.  A lot of it is donated by families who find artifacts when they clean out the Family Farm or Grandma’s attic.  That’s the stuff I really want to see.  The exhibit opens this weekend.

Have a good one

PWD