Chicken

Good Morning...
The day got off to a rough start when JT decided to get up as I was trying to get out the door. He had nothing to complain about...but decided to anyway. So I was a little late. Sometimes that can motivate you to get going a little faster...that was the case this morning. I was back on track by the time we got to the show. We will all be glad to have Sally home tonight.

Chicken
This is a dangerous game. I think that some of the hard line Republicans holding out for more cuts in Federal Spending believe they're doing the right thing. I think this article from USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2011-07-28-debt-ceiling-myths_n.htm)lays out some good arguments against their philosophy and against the Democrat's rhetoric.
The Best line from that article is that part about everyone having to give up something. The focus now is on Republicans refusal to pass this bill...but the Democrats rebellion against The President's deal on entitlements, struck earlier in this negotiation, is just as bad. I hope voters are watching...
Fundamental change needs to come to the budgeting process. Right now Federal Budgets go up 3-7% every year a s a matter of course...that needs to change. We need to build in cost increases where they occur...but Federal Agencies scramble to spend their money at the end of the year...practically giving it away
None of this talk about cutting spending means ANYTHING unless you deal with Medicare and Social Security in the long term. Raising the eligibility for people under 50 years old is the only way we are going to get control of spending. The out of control spending took 40 years to build...it's going to take more than one bill to undo all of that. It's a cultural shift...but that has to include working together. The politicians are just trying to win the next election. I say they can do the right thing...and then make the argument that will win them their seat back.

Special
Democrats are upset that the Governor used his line-item veto power to close some workforce development offices. He has the power to do that. It would take two thirds of the legislature to call a special session and the same number to over-ride the Governor's Veto. I just can't imagine that's going to happen.

Hydrogen and Stupidity
My father-in-law is fond of saying those are the two most common elements in the universe...Hydrogen and Stupidity. Evidence on full display in two break-ins this week in Des Moines. In one...the burglar does significant damage to the garage door of a business so he could walk in and steal $100 worth of tools. the second did a couple thousand in damage to walk away with $6 in quarters. Not a very good thief.

Tiger
He'll be back in Akron. Who knows who will be on Tiger's bag when he returns to golf but I, for one, will be watching to see how he does. I'm glad he'll be back for the final major of the season too.

Blogger is giving me fits again..I'm done...for today.
Have a good weekend
PWD

RAGBRAI, Showdown and Sister Act

Good Afternoon.
Got home a bit early today so i could see Sally. I am going to be wife-less for the end of the week. Sally is traveling for work. Rather than let the kids fend for themselves at 3AM when I walk out the door we decided it would be better to have my sister come and stay. Daddy Daycare/Sister Act starts tonight.

RAGBRAI
Altoona looks ready to host RAGBRAI 2011. It's another hot humid day but this has to be one of the flattest days of the ride this year. It's also one of the most congested. I was happy to hear, no major accidents or incidents as the riders went through the more populated areas of the route.

Showdown
So it looks like no one really knows what's going to happen in Washington. The President can't corral his Caucus, The Speaker has totally lost any control of his Caucus...so who knows?
I've heard a couple of the Presidential candidates and several Republican Members of Congress talk about letting the Government default...as if that's the solution...blow it up.
I wonder what this now powerful block of Tea Party Republicans will says if the consequences of default turn out to be as disastrous as some experts predict? If the Economy tanks, will the Presidential Candidates who opposed an increase in the debt ceiling quit the race? Who will they blame?
"The Fault Dear Brutus is not in our stars, it is in ourselves..."

Standoff, False Choices and Facebook Fix

Good Morning!
Kudos to Brooke for a great blog. 'llI try to get her to write more often.
We hear the great things she has to say on the set so I think you'd want to hear that too. The best part about her blog yesterday? I saw some new people comment!
I hope those of you who read this daily and sit on the sidelines will find something you can comment on.

Standoff
The President and Speaker of the House look farther and farther from a deal...and that's no good. I'm getting ready to take my money out of the bank and buy gold so I have something of actual value when the Economy tanks. I've said here before...I don't actually think the Government is going to run out of money August 2nd. Some Republicans who make that argument are technically right...there will be money in the Treasury...but not and unlimited amount.
We don't know the unintended consequences of "default" on the world markets. Once that ball starts rolling..we've seen where it can go.

The last thing I will say on this is that Meet the Press had a good round table discussion on the tone in Washington. It's a little long but worth watching. Go to the MSNBC Site and click on Meet the Press. the title of the clip is "Is Washington Broken"
Sorry it wouldn't let me embed the clip here...
What do you think?

False Choices
Ohio Catholic Bishops have recommended that Catholic organizations stay away from raising money for Susan G Komen for the Cure. The Bishops concern centers around Komen grants to Planned Parenthood. The Bishops logic is that Komen's grants to PP may not (and DO NOT) fund abortion, but if there is less money for breast health screenings...there will be less money for this organization to provide abortions.
I have often said here I respect people who have a firm stance against any kind of abortion. I have to ask a question though...How many people who are reading this, that agree with the Bishop's stance....go to Hawkeye football games? How many have a son or Daughter at University of Iowa? How many of you contribute to University of Iowa?
Under the Bishop's logic, if we all stopped going to football games, or sending kids to Iowa City for School, or contributing to The University....there would be no University Hospitals, and no abortions could be performed there.
This issue isn't black and white. If you are going to start attacking organizations like Komen, you better be prepared to attack a lot of others.

Facebook Fix
So a friend posted an article asking, Is Facebook the new Smoking? I wonder what you think of the article? It's our Facebook Question so you can read the article there and comment on our Facebook page or you can comment here.

Have a great day!
PWD

Bikes and Bono and what makes me mad

Good morning and happy Monday! Pat asked me to post the blog today because he thought I had a lot more to share than he did. Not sure if that's really true but I am happy to get my Buzz on this morning. It's been a while.

Bikes

This is a big week for Iowa as bikers from all over the country and the state take part in RAGBRAI. We ran a story this morning from one of multimedia journalists who is actually riding and reporting for us this year. I guess this brings a fresh perspective to the whole event. During her standup (that's tv talk for the part where she is on camera) she said several times that she didn't know it was going to be so hilly. I don't think she's from Iowa and I supposed it would be easy to assume the ride is pretty straight. I mean, we're not known for our hilly landscape or deep valleys. But, I suppose when you are on a bike and when you are not used to riding long distances, even the slightest inclines can be treacherous. Especially in the heat.

On a related note, I love that Facebook and Twitter brings RAGBRAI to me in real time. That's one of the great things about social media. You don't have to wait until the end of your friend's vacation to see all the pictures. One of my friends posted that he saw Curtis Stone riding this year. There's my TMZ moment of the day!

Education

One of the other big stories of the week here in Iowa is the Education Summit going on in Des Moines. A lot of big names will be here for it including Education Secretary Arne Duncan and New Jersey Governor Chris Christy. Yesterday, Senator Tom Harkin held a press event at a local school to talk about the need for more funding for teachers and schools. I think we have heard that from him before. And I am not here to argue against teachers making more money. But, it will be interesting to hear some of the other ideas for improving schools. Does spending more on teachers and education single-handedly solve the problem? Lawmakers and education leaders agree it's more complicated than that. What I'll be interested in hearing is examples of what other districts, state and even countries are doing to stay on top and really prepare and engage kids. As a parent, it is something I am more and more focused on as I get ready to send my son off to school a year from now. We live on the southwest side of the city and when I was pregnant with Evan, neighbors kept telling me to put him on the "list" at a nearby school called Jefferson Elementary. It's not a neighborhood school, instead it's follows a Traditional model with enrollment based on a first come first serve basis. Everyone who has children in this school raves about it and our neighbor who is a teacher there says the school has some of the best test scores in the city. So, if this school is so successful, and doesn't get any more funding than other schools, why is it performing better? And, why can't other schools do the same? I bet there will be discussions like this at the Education Summit and my hope is that the ideas shared can actually be put into use and help improve education in our state.

Bono

Well, I think I crossed something off my bucket list that I didn't even know was on my bucket list. Went to the U2 concert in Minneapolis on Saturday. It was Jeriann's idea and I am glad I did it. I am not what you would describe a die-hard lover of live music. I like it, but there are lots of others things I would rather do, too. But I have to say this was worth the money, the 4 hour drive and the 2 hours it took to get out of the stadium and out of the parking ramp after the show. Bono rocked my world! Oh yah... and I forgot to mention that it rained during most of the concert. That didn't even matter. In fact, I think it made the whole production a little more dramatic. You forget how much great music the band has produced over the years. And just how unique it sounds. The stage was like nothing I have ever seen before. And the band used

Movie Night

Ok... Pat told me I had to share this last thought. Friday night Eric and I decided to go to a movie. It's something we don't do very often but at the last minute had a night without Evan. So, he suggested we go see Friends with Benefits. I should have been clued into what this movie was about by the title, but didn't really read much about it before we left. I think my taste in what I do and don't want to see in movies is changing the older I get. There were lots of particular scenes (if you know what I mean) I really didn't need to see in this movie and frankly, what's the point? I think I am turning into my mother. Anyway, the most disturbing part happened just as we settle into our seats with our popcorn in lap and our our brains on cruise control. A woman brought in her daughter who appeared to be about 4. What was she thinking? I had a hard time focusing on the movie because every time there was an f-bomb or an "R' moment, I kept trying to peak down to see how this precious little girl was handling it and to see if the mom was showing signs of regret. I didn't see anything that made me think the mom was concerned about what her daughter was watching, and the girl seemed bored. I felt so bad for her. What parent would do this? Or am I being too judgemental and sensitive? I don't really know the right answer but I just felt bad the rest of the night and couldn't stop wondering how that precious little girl was processing what she had just seen. I guess next time I will have to stick to something PG.

Well... I hope you have a great Monday. See you tomorrow!

Brooke

Doorbell and Noon Guest

Just two things this afternoon.

Doorbell
So the doorbell rings at 7PM last night. A nice looking young woman is standing there. She says she's from Iowa PIRG (Public Interest Research Group).
Here's what she said to me: 1. Childhood Obesity is an epidemic, 2. High Fructose Corn Syrup is the cause of that obesity, 3. Subsidies to Corn Farmers are causing HFCS to be in a lot of foods. The subsidies allow foods that are "bad for us" to be cheaper and "forces" people make bad choices. and Finally 4. Twinkies are cheaper than carrots.

I politely told her I was a member of the media and couldn't sign any pledge of support to end corn subsidies. I also told her I thought she should really think about what she tells people when they answer the door.

She's advocating for a group and on a certain level I can admire that passion. On another level, showing up at my door and spewing "facts" that are so outrageously wrong insults my intelligence.

Agriculture subsidies should be regularly reviewed and if they don't make sense...should be discontinued or reworked to do more good.

They are not causing childhood obesity.

When is it going to dawn on people that there is an element of choice in obesity. Genetics and economic conditions surely make a difference but at some level we all have a choice to make about what we put into our bodies.

I asked Ken Root to talk me through some of the subsidies given to farmers. he said some of them are actually given out as a result of our agreements with the WTO. European Farmers get big subsidies and the WTO forces it's member nations to do some of these subsidies to make sure there's an "equal" playing field.

The bottom line is that a kid coming around to my door has no idea of the complexities of farm subsidies...and to send someone out to do a job like that...so me is irresponsible

Noon Guest

Speaking of complicated issues, former New York Governor George Pataki came in to our studios to be interviewed about his group "No American Debt". Pataki hasn't ruled out a run for President or the possibility of signing on as the other half of the Republican ticket. He has some credibility where debt reduction is concerned because he faced 2billion in Debt when he took over as Gov of NY.

Pataki is a Republican so predictable he says no new taxes. Unlike some other Republicans he says he is open to the idea of raising new revenue through closing loopholes in the tax code or ending subsidies on things like Ethanol.

Interesting man. I'd like to talk to him again.

I hope you have a good weekend

PWD

Landing, Changes and Desks

Good Morning!

If you have missed the blog on certain days it's not because I'm not writing it. I am. The gremlins are after me. We have upgrading some computers here at WHO which is a really welcome change...we appreciate the investment! The software isn't always working well with older programs and that appears to be the case with blogger. Sometimes it lets me spellcheck (and I need to) and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I can bold the titles...sometimes I can't (like today). So I'm doing the best I can. if a posting is late...it's because the program won't publish. I'll get it on as soon as I can. Hopefully we can get the bugs worked out but we appreciate your patience!

Landing
I admit it...I'm a geek. Not a dress up like a Super Hero Comic-con Geek...but a geek none the less. I love listening to NASA TV when a shuttle is landing. This morning we got the extra special treat f watching the landing just before we went on the air. The Shuttle slowed from Mach 14 (14x the speed of sound) to a full stop in about a half hour. That's the kind of tidbit that fascinates me.
The Shuttle landing is the end of an Era...and about a million people have put it...but it's time. It's time for NASA to find it's next challenge. I found it interesting that the White House Tweeted: Excited about ushering in a bold new era of exploration in space.
Funny, wasn't it the President that cut NASA's next era of exploration when he cut the Moon Program? Anyway. I hope The White House has some ideas on what's Next for NASA.
Why is going deeper into space important?
As one TV Show put it...
"'Cause it's next. For we came out of the cave, and we looked over the hill,
and we saw fire. And we crossed the ocean, and we pioneered the West, and we took to the
sky. The history of man is hung on the timeline of exploration, and this is what's next. "


Changes
Tiger Woods fired his caddy Steve Williams. For the non-golf fan out there...he's generally considered to be the best caddie in the world and was, in some part, responsible for Tiger's incredible success over the last decade.
We're watching the total implosion f one of the best athletes of all time. What we're finding out is that Athletic talent does not make you a good person...and success tot he extent that Tiger Woods enjoyed i can lead to a view of the world that can best be described as Fantasy land. If Tiger is looking for an answer to what ails him...he need only look in the mirror.

Desks
So there's a study out that says people (like me) who don't exactly keep their desk tidy are less likely to be promoted than people (like Brooke) who's desks are neat. Not a huge surprise...I always tell people , 'I know where everything is on my desk...and that's all that matters. I am a bit of a hoarder.
Just a sampling of things on my desk: An old Jimmy Buffet ticket, my first press pass, a Ryan Theroit bobble head, The SPJ code of Ethics, and a book on how to putt better.
I can't imagine why anyone would find that random.

I hope you all have a god day!
PWD

Fishg Story, Ganging Up. and Rude

Good Morning!
Fish Story
The Heat index here in Iowa got a lot of National attention yesterday. When Newton Reported 128, even my Meteorologist friend in Detroit took notice. The heat index in Knoxville the day before was even worse at 130. I call this a fish story because I've had emails from three people who said they heard reports in their (non-Iowa) hometown of 126, 129, and 135. Apparently this story has gotten biggest as it's gone across the country.
If you don't know what the heat index number is, Jeriann was explaining it to us this morning. It's basically an equation using the actual temperature and the dew point to calculate the "feels like" temperature. So this is an estimate at best. no one is sitting there with a special thermometer watching it go to 130 degrees.
Does it really matter? Hot is hot and 101 or 112, or 128...it's really hot in Iowa right now. Sorry, no relief today.


Ganging Up
Well the Senate decided they'd be the Adults of the group in Washington and come up with a plan that might get us out of this debt mess.
I think i wrote here the other day that people who are advocating one solution for this debate may have a good idea in theory, but it doesn't meld well with reality. Allowing the US to default might bring about the kind of revolutionary perspective change people are looking for in Washington right now...but at what cost to the global economy when world investors lose confidence (hard to quantify) in the US Government? Taxing those greedy "rich" people doesn't work either. It doesn't reform the problem...spending. There was a good first step with the elimination of earmarks...but the thing the tax-the-rich gang don't want to talk about is the fact that Medicare and SS need to be reformed. A combination that starts with spending reform and moves toward closing loopholes to raise revenue is what this Gang of Six proposed. Why we couldn't have done this three months ago??? I am not sure... One of the reasons may be Grover Nordquist. He's the last word on tax increases of some of the Tea party Republicans. if he comes out and says closing the loopholes is not a tax increase...I wonder if that will be the green light.
As all of this is going on a n NBC Wall Street Journal poll shows pretty clearly that a majority of Americans want a compromise. That's not what you'll hear from candidates on the Campaign trail but they have a vested interest in keeping this fight alive until 2012.

Winners and Losers
Great story from Dan Winters about a program that gives tax credits to employers who hire ex-cons. Is it putting other job seekers at a disadvantage? Dan laid out a fair and balanced view of the program. It's still debatable whether it's a good idea given how many people are looking for jobs.
Rude
I can't believe some people...maybe it's the heat but they're just rude. You wait for people to pass your car in a parking lot...allow someone into a space that is free for both of you...or wait your turn as you navigate a crowded lot. No one seems to wave and say thank you...no one seems to wait their turn once you've waited your turn. It's rude.
And I am going to say this one more time at the risk of sounding rude...Someone is going to get killed on the westbound entrance on to 235 at 63rd if drivers don't start paying attention. It doesn't do anyone any good to speed tot he end of the ramp and come to a dead stop. Please match the speed of traffic and merge. We'll make room for you.

Have a good day!

Heat Wave, Pie-sassin, and Weekend in Review

Good afternoon,

Catching up a little from a busy Monday and Tuesday.

Heat Wave

When walking outside feels like walking into a wet blanket you know it's hot and humid. We were talking about what we all did before we became sissies and ran from our air conditioned home to our air conditioned car as if the seasons were revered and it was 27 below zero.

We didn't have AC when I was growing up. just an old house and parents who didn't have a bazillions dollars to install the AC. I remember taking really cold showers and putting my window fan on high to get to sleep, then waking up 5lbs lighter from the pool of sweat I'd slept in all night.

We all deserve a swift slap in the face from those hearty souls who used to just suck it up and deal with the heat.

Candidate

Christie Vilsack is a candidate for Congress. That's no surprise. We knew it was coming.

I talked to someone about this race over the weekend and one of the things he pointed out what that the incumbent Steve King has made a bit of a strategic error. This guy made the observation that King didn't raise a lot of money over the last few years when he didn't have much of a challenge. He could have had a war chest that would have made him an even more formidable candidate. Now Candidate Vilsack 400k in the bank and my bet is she'll have A LOT of support from the Democratic National Committee.

Pie-sassin

So some idiot decided to throw a pie in Rupert Murdoch's face while he was testifying in front of Parliamentary Committee. Congratulations on making the most loathed man in the British Empire... a victim.

From the Back Seat

JT: I'll have a decaf, non-fat, no-whip, Mocha.

Great...someone add Starbucks gift cards to that kid's Christmas list.

Weekend Review

Saturday morning, Mother Nature held off the really bad heat and humidity long enough for me to have a really nice early morning round of golf. I almost had my second hole-in-one. 189 yards and a six iron. The ball hopped once and stopped about six inches to the right of the hole. Six inches to the left and it would have bounced in. Yes I made the birdie.

We had a great night Saturday in Celebration of my birth long ago. There's nothing I enjoy quite as much as a night out with friends having good food and laughing A LOT. that said, Mrs Dix and I can't keep up like we used to. Our dinner companions went out after we were done. That said, I made it up with the boys the next morning at 6AM. We watched the British Open and had some coffee. No headache...

Thanks to all of you who sent along birthday wishes here or on another form of social media. I feel well remembered.

Hope you have a good one

PWD

Pottermania, East Coast Arrogance , and Getting Older

Good Morning...I hope you are all looking forward to your weekend as much as I am.

The News

Pottermainia

I don't get the dressing up or the swooning over the stories, but like a lot of people I will eventually go and see the end of the Movie series that I've now invested like 15 hours watching. Most of the top trending topics on twitter today were Potter related. Under the hash tags were people's comments that they were going to "disown their kids if they don't like the Booke and Movies"; or the guy who said he would have a hard time going to work cause he was so emotional over the ending of it all.
In the words of William Shatner...

"GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!
I mean, look at you, look at the way you're dressed! You've turned an enjoyable
little job, that I did as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME!
mean, how old are you people? What have you done with yourselves?
You, you must be almost 30... have you ever kissed a girl?
I didn't think so!
There's a whole world out there! When I was your age, I didn't watch television!
I LIVED! So... move out of your parent's basements! And get your own apartments
and GROW THE HELL UP! I mean, it's just a TV show dammit, IT'S JUST A TV SHOW!"

For the record, I love Star Trek and I love that skit.

East Coast Arrogance

Brooke told me a story this morning that solidifies my feeling that I live in the right place.

A Raleigh Durham Radio station called and wanted to interview someone about Forbes Magazine's ranking of Des Moines as the best city for young professionals. R/D took the top City for business honors from Des Moines (DSM is #2).

Brooke said the guy's questions were condescending and uninformed.

He asked if she was aware of the survey...No... we are still getting information by pony express here in the cornfields so we usually hear news a little late...btw, how did the 08 election turn out?

He asked her how young people would get jobs in Iowa cause "Des Moines is really the only city right?"

Is this guy serious? What's the name on that lawn and farm equipment with the green machines you guys use out there in North Carolina? Do you have the foremost experts in Animal disease in the nation in your Research Triangle??? No that's right...that's here in Ames...

Rockwell Collins isn't a very big company doing any kind of modern research...and we're not even to Principal, Wells Fargo, Aviva...Meredith... I can see where you'd think it's hard to find work.

Maybe the town council can get together and hire one of them young professional as the town Blacksmith.

I would not have been as polite as Brooke.

I get a little hot under the collar when people from the East Coast make assumptions about the Midwest...it's like life ends at the Allegheny Mountains. The magazine gave Des Moines the nod because of it's size relative to bigger cities. If you are a twenty something you can actually make a difference here. You can get on Boards of Non-Profits, have time to raise a family...you can actually have contact with some of the bigger CEO's in town and gain valuable mentoring.

Try doing that in a place like Chicago...you'll be 30 years waiting to get on a Board of the a Zoo or Science Museum. You'd be lucky to see the CEO of your company via video message, and forget having coffee with him/her to get some advice.

It's a different life here...and that has it's disadvantages. Chicago, New York, LA and Washington D-C are places where there's a pulse to the city...it's exciting...the pace is quicker and for some people that's attractive.

Here in tin Des Moines we're less pulse and more flow...less chaotic and more balance. It's a pace a lot more young professionals are getting into...Forbes rightly recognizes...it has it's advantages too.

Getting Older

Brooke caught herself before she said how old I am going to be this weekend(Saturday). No need.

I'm 37 and pretty content to be. No need to fudge the numbers. I do however think that once you get past 30's we should treat Birthdays like the Olympics. Only celebrate once every four years, and travel to a different city each time to do it.

I will be continuing one of my favorite birthday traditions, golfing on Saturday morning. Other than that...no big deal. I feel well remembered by my co-workers who have brought enough food in for me to gain my age in lbs today. Cupcakes for everyone!

Have a good one

PWD

Cake, Sandwich and Falling

A random set of events that has little to do with news of the day.

Home
The soldiers are delayed but they're on their way to Johnston for a reunion. Glad to see them Home. Must be hard to wait for that last little delay.

Open
I will spend most of my early morning hours watching the play from Sandwich England and Royal St George's golf links. Some people will look at the scraggly ground around the course and think it's ugly. I really think this is the way golf was supposed to be played. I love American courses but I would rather play one of the seaside courses any day. Zach had a little trouble on the front side and shot two over par.

Pledge
Looks like Republican candidates aren't going to flock to The Family Leader's Marriage Pledge. Herman Cain and Tim Pawlenty laid out a blueprint for doing it by basically saying..."I don't need to sign your pledge...here's what I believe."
Brilliant...why hitch your wagon to a group when you can just say what you believe and have the same effect.

Falling
NASA Released some cool video of the solid rocket boosters falling off the shuttle...This is what it looks like to fall from outer space.



Cake

Jeriann and Brooke went in on a cake for Our Producer Lisa and I. Our Birthdays fall on the 15th and 16th respectively but Jeriann isn't going to be there so she wanted to get in on some cake before she went away for the weekend. Costco white cake with a Strawberry topping and whip cream icing. Not a bad start to the Birthday festivities.

Sandwich
So I was getting my lunch today and the Gut behind the Subway counter has this exchange with me:
Subway Guy: So you're the News Guy right?
Me: Yep
Subway: SO that not that hard a job right...I mean you just sit there and read.
Me: I'm no Sandwich Artist...but I try...

The Things They Say
Will last night before he went to bed: "Oh for Goodness SNAKES!"

Have a good day!

PWD

Home, Kids and USA!

I'll make it quick as we're ending the Noon news in a few minutes.

Home
The best news I got all day is the beginning of the return of Iowa Soldiers from Afghanistan. 200 return from Fort McCoy tomorrow at three different locations. All three thousand are supposed to be back by the end of the month.

Beginning of the End
The Corps of engineers is lowering the flow at Gavin's Point Dam...That's the first good news from Western Iowa in a long time.

Kids
We've had a spirited discussion on kids in restaurants today on Facebook. There's a guy in Pennsylvania that's banning kids from his eatery because they're disruptive. Some parents took offense, some say...that's the owner's call.
As a newer Parent, i would say Sally and I will get our kids out rather than ruin someone else's experience. We talked about this last week. You don't get to ruin someone else's meal...that's a lesson I learned early. i knew my parents wouldn't be afraid to take me out to the car and make me sit there if I misbehaved...or pack up the whole crew and go home. Of course there are some restaurants that are made for little kids and families...and no one cares...but my philosophy is that going out to eat in a privilege. I hope my kids learn when you are dining with other people...it's time to be on your best manners.

USA!!
At the writing of this we are watching the USA Women's Soccer team beat France to get to their first World Cup Finals since 1999.
I got a little grief from some people in the newsroom for showing interest in Women's Soccer, but I don't care. Put a U.S .uniform on a team sport and I am usually interested.
And the answer is, Yes. I did wear the red, white and blue tie because of the semifinal match.
British open starts tomorrow! Zach tees off just after our show ends.

One last word...hope our friend "C" in Marshalltown has her lights and A/C back on. What a miserable week to live through no power. No matter where you are this weekend, please stay cool, drink lots of water and if you have to be outside, be aware of taking breaks in the shade.

Have a good one.
PWD

Debt Debate (on the Set), South California? and MOTHER!!!

Good Morning!
We've been up overnight with the boys again lately...and when I say "the boys" I mean JT.
This kid is going to be a night owl. He doesn't seem to mind being up in the middle of the night. Lately the issue has been his blanket. He can't seem to work out how to pull it up over himself so he stays warm. So when he rolls over and the blanket falls off...we usually hear about it on the monitor.
The variations on his request for blanket service have been interesting. Usually it's "Mommy" or "Daddy"...The other night he put special emphasis on his request by yelling... "Mother!!!!"
Both boys have also taken to calling us by our first names..."Sally, make sure you get the diaper bag." and "Pat, come downstairs." We're working on how we address adults.


The News:
Debt Debate (On Set)
So as the President and Republican leadership meet at the White House again today to talk about the debt ceiling we talked about our personal solutions to the "Debt Crisis". I won't say who said what but one member of the Morning crew said they'd like to take what we spend on welfare and hand it out...a year's worth of funding...split it among the American people and then say..."That's it". Another suggestion was to make everyone pay their taxes by actually writing out a check every week when they get paid. This way, the theory goes...we'd all be a little more in touch with what we actually pay in taxes.
I found an interesting article that talked about the Bush Era tax cuts as they're being referred to. When we enacted those cuts...the government was bringing in more than it was spending as a percentage of the GDP. Today, that formula is the other way around. Washington is spending significantly more than it takes in. The article said that is the argument for allowing at least some of those tax cuts to expire as they're set to do in 2012.
Of course none of these solutions would work on their own or even in combination because we don't live in fantasyland. i think, for me, the point was that it's going to be a combination of things what will get the Federal deficit down and spending under control. Washington can surely be a better steward of our money. We can certainly cut back. Certainly, there are rules that can be tightened up to increase revenue as it was intended to come in.
I think anyone who believes that sticking to their guns will win them this debate is misjudging reality. I think a lot of Americans would be please with an approach that forces everyone to have a little skin in the game.

South California?
Yep, that's right...A County Supervisor from one of the inland counties of Southern California pitched the idea an the LA Times ran with it this week. the idea is that the Cities of LA and San Francisco disproportionately represent the State. There are "other" (Republican) views in California...they just get drowned out by the larger cities of LA and San Francisco.
The Governor called it a political Stunt...it's not a new idea...more than 220 groups have tried some form of a California split since the late 1800's.
So lets try his for Iowa.
There are a lot of people in this state who think Des Moines has too much control over politics and decision making. So how would you split the state up? Where would you draw new Iowa borders? What would you call the new mini-states?
Split us up into as may pieces as you like.

Lets leave it at that.
Have a good one
PWD

Storms, Outflanked and Inflighting

Good Morning,
Hard to say if I've ever seen Jeriann as hectic as she was this morning.
When I stepped out the door it was storming. Wipers on full all the way to the office, it was a full on downpour, but at least we didn't have the winds they had to the north of us.
Turns out, just as the strongest winds were blowing through we took a power hit at the station the blew out Jeriann's computers...including radar. We came to find out later that the wind had actually KNOCKED OVER our radar. If you've ever met Jeriann you know she is pretty passionate about her job. No one was more upset about at her fingertips but this on was out of her control. I


Outflanked
Hard not to feel like the President outflanked the Republicans on this debt debate.
A Few months ago if you'd asked most people they'd tell you Democrats believe in bigger Government and Republicans are for less spending...
The President is not the one calling for a bigger debt reduction and spending cuts while Republicans are using the phrase "reasonable cuts" over and over...what the heck happened?
Now democrats look like the bigger deficit hawks and it looks like what Republicans really want is an issue for the 2012 elections. Why not pass this package and take the credit...congratulate the President for finally seeing the light? Does anyone really think that the American people are going to balk at closing the tax loophole on corporate jets and call it a tax increase?


Infighting
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlentey is criticizing his fellow Minnesotan saying Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's record of accomplishment in Congress is "non-existent".
Bachmann said in a statement she's looking forward to talking about her record.
So If I'm a reporter at Michelle Bachmann's afternoon event in Indianola my first question is: What accomplishment in your Congressional career are you most proud of?

Changing
I'd like to see a change in Men's Public restrooms. As a Dad that's coming to the end of his diaper changing days, I've noticed there are very few Men's bathroom's with Changing tables. I can honestly say I'd rather have the option. As it is, I look bad cause I can never change a diaper...not because I'm lazy...but because someone else made the decision for me.

I hope you had a good weekend!
PWD

History, Marriage Pledge and Happy Dancing

Good Morning!
If it looks like we're having trouble with blogger this week...we are.
I am writing these things but they either publish with no text or in the case of yesterday's blog...don't publish at all.
I'm trying to figure it out...you may get three blogs today as a result...or you may get none. We'll see.

History
I feel like this final launch of the Shuttle is passing without the appropriate amount of pause and reflection. That may be because no one believes the thing is going up today. Weather may delay the launch.
We had The Chair of the Iowa State Aerospace Engineering Department on with us this morning and he talked about the future of the Space program. he says we've already been through three versions of "what's next" and we'll probably see a fourth or fifth before they move forward. Interesting, he added that politics will pay a big role. The Chinese are ready to launch a manned space flight. That may motivate Washington to get moving with the next generation of our own manned flight program.

Marriage Pledge
So the Family Leader put out a pledge for the Presidential Candidates to sign. Here it is.
I encourage you to read through the whole thing and pay attention to the language used to describe the group's defense of marriage as they see it.
I would point out a couple of things.
For a group that claims in the outset of the document to support gender equality, the references to "vulnerable women" and a pledge to not let women serve their country on the front lines deserve more questioning. I wonder how the Iowa women who've just finished their tour in Afghanistan would feel about that? Sounds like the group would prefer "vulnerable" women in the kitchen doing supporting the husband's "rights".
The language used to talk about single parent birth rates for African Americans is troubling as well. The group tries to connect the fact that we have our first Black President with the fact that the out of wedlock and single parent birthrates for that group haven't gone down. As if the President's race has anything to do with that.
-The document ask for a pledge that straight soldiers wouldn't have to shower or use the same bathrooms as gay soldiers. Separate bathrooms...where have I heard that before?
-At least they acknowledge the talk of gay marriage "destroying" the institution of Marriage is a little ridiculous.

"We acknowledge and regret the widespread hypocrisy of many who
defend
marriage yet turn a blind eye toward the epidemic of infidelity and the anemic
condition of marriages in their own communities."

In all of this, lets not let the facts get in he way of all the talk of how same sex marriage will be the demise of society.
Coincidentally one of the more conservative news magazines (US News) has a feature on divorce rates and same sex marriage that just came out.
The article shows that states that perform same sex marriages actually have lower divorce rates. If the Family Leader's Conclusions were true, wouldn't those states have rates that saw at least a little bit of a spike? The article's expert actually concludes there aren't enough same sex couples to have en effect...making the argument that same sex marriage would ruin heterosexual couples doesn't hold, according to the statistics.
BTW, Massachusetts, the state that's been performing same sex unions for years has one of the lowest rates in the country, and the rate really hasn't moved at all in the time they've been performing same sex marriages.
I'd like to hear an explanation of that.
If same sex couples seek the same stability heterosexual couples do in marriage,wouldn't society see the same benefits(save one)?
For the record, I love marriage. I respect it. I think churches should be able to define marriage as each sees fit. the Government should not be able to force a church to recognize a union. But if the Government continues to endorse a marriage with a license. Same sex couple should not be denied the right to get that same license.
It's odd to me that the Document asks candidates to pledge their support to: "Fierce defense of the First Amendment rights of Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, especially against the intolerance of any who would undermine law-abiding American citizens..."
How is that possible if they're denying someone's right to believe in a wider definition of marriage?
I'll be interested to see who signs this pledge. If a candidate does, they'll have some explaining to do with some audiences that are broader than the Family Leader's.

Happy Dancing
Brooke got up and helped Jerianne with the Happy Dance this morning because no one had sent one in. I would believe anyone who says he's sick of seeing our kids on this thing so why don't you guys send us your Happy Dance? Get together with your office and do it, get the kids together at the park...maybe we could get a summer themed one from the pool? All the Lifeguards could do the dance! Whatever you want. Submit the video of 30 seconds or so on our weather page at WHOTV.COM.
Have a good weekend
PWD

Swanson, Anthony and Iowa

We'll do this in sort of a scatter shot way again over the Noon hour.

-Swanson
Michael Swanson is sentenced to two life sentences today. The Judge called him a danger to society, victim's family members said he looked like "a shell of a boy".
What went so wrong with this young man? Who knows? It's right that he will be in jail for the rest of his life.
-Sentencing
The Casey Anthony sentencing was carried live on the Today show this morning. In my fantasy world I can only hope that would be the last we'd see of her. I hope no one gives her a book deal. If they do give her a deal, I hope that no one buys the book. I would hope News organizations would ignore her...
The one thing that will hurt her now would be not finding fame as a result of her child's murder. Think about that when you watch shows that feature stories about Anthony or buy a tabloid that continues to do stories about her...
That's not going to happen, but I can wish.
-Debt
The President met with Congressional leaders this morning and had, "productive" talks. Great.
I hope they take a big steps when they do make a deal. Spending should be cut...but it's encouraging to hear tax loopholes could close as well. That would increase revenue without raising individual tax rates. I just would want to make sure the revenue goes toward deficit reduction and not toward more spending. Sen Grassley appeared on TII this morning and made the point that for every dollar we authorize Congress to spend...they actually spend about $1.17. I'm bad at Math but it looks like Congress is worse.
-Iowa
Sen Grassley also talked about The Caucuses and whether we're losing our influence. He says anyone who skips Iowa is making a mistake. Not a surprise. Here's a troubling number though. while Mitt Romney is ahead slightly in the last Iowa poll, this morning we heard that Romney is up BIG in New Hampshire. So the lesson for candidates? Skip Iowa...Get momentum in New Hampshire, and get the nomination.
That would be a shame. If the polls hold true here in Iowa...what will that mean? Is a candidate with more moderate social views like Romney the choice of a wider republican audience here? Is the Party leadership pushing priorities that just aren't as important to that wider group of Republicans? I don't have that answer. There seems to be some sort of disconnect there though.

As always I hope you have a good day and if you have thoughts about these or any other topics...that's you'll comment.
Have a good day!

OK Lets Try Again...

Good Morning.
I wrote a blog yesterday and even posted it...but there was no text in the blog. Not sure what happened and I'm not sure I can reconstruct What I wrote so I won't try.
Except to say this: It was my sister's birthday yesterday so I wished her a Happy Birthday on the Blog. Here's a Happy Birthday a day late Katie!

Besides, there's a lot to talk about today.


-The story people are talking about, of course, is the Anthony verdict.
I have two thoughts about this. I agree with most people....Casey Anthony knew something...what she knew? Who knows. What she did? Who knows.
I don't know a parent who would wait 30 days to report their daughter missing. Yesterday I said to Sally..."I'm not sure it would take me ten minutes to get the police over to our house looking for our kids". Her response was, "It better not take you ten minutes".
The part that makes this verdict understandable is the lack of evidence. There was no cause of death, there was no motive established. If you're looking for something to be upset over , it may be the prosecution and investigation of this case. At some point Casey Anthony is going to have to answer the question...why didn't you report your child missing? I can't see any answer that makes any sense of this.


-Facebook rolls out it's latest feature today. It's expected to be a video chat feature. One can only assume this will allow people to spend even more time on the most visited most used site on the Internet. I'd love to see something better on iPhone.


-Also overheard yesterday:
A story on Illinois' new Civil Union Law talked about a lawsuit filed by Catholic Charities in three Diocese in Illinois. Catholic Charities in those areas help with adoption services and take taxpayer money to provide that service. They are required to follow state law and recognize those Civil Unions now...and the Church, obviously, doesn't want to.
The Church shouldn't be forced to do anything by the state...but at the same time, adoption services is not a core function of the Church either. If they want to get out of the adoption business...they should. The really stupid part of this is that Catholic Charities admitted that they didn't ask about sexual orientation in the past so if a "single" person adopted...they might be gay and the Church just feigned ignorance.
Bottom line, a good home is a good home. If kind people are willing to give a child a stable place to live and grow, why does society care if the couple that child is staying with is gay?


-I'm rediscovering my iPhone. I think my wife would tell you I never left it but there are some Apps I've underused. My Banking app in particular was holding me up. I got it reset and we're back in business paying the bills.
The Starbucks app is pretty cool. Just wave it in front of the scanner and you can pay for your coffee with your phone. The thing also has a scanner on it.
Every once in a while I use an app called Lose it. It helps you track what you eat and how much you exercise...I need reminders from time to time about the calorie count I'm putting into my body. I'd have better results at the gym if I paid attention.
The one I can't believe is that United Airlines doesn't have an app for it's Mileage plus members.

Hope this one posts!
Have a good day
PWD