Just a few Quick Shots

Good Morning...

Jeriann has the headlines again this morning with a mix of weather across our viewing area. It could be anything from freezing rain to rain in what continues to be a very weird Winter.

The News:

-Yesterday's School shooting is another reminder to me that the schools I will send my kids to are NOTHING like the schools I went to. It will be a shock to the system. How do you prepare your child for an environment where something like this can happen; and at the same time tell them this is a place where they are supposed to be safe?

-Michigan and Arizona Vote today. The narrative is that if Romney loses Michigan it's going to be a body blow...except, it's a proportional Primary...which means he is going to win SOME of the delegates. We spoke with Sen Grassley this morning. He says he thinks the nominating picture won't be made clear today. He thinks Super Tuesday might clear things up.

-I also asked Sen Grassley about re-election.
I'd heard from someone who visited his office that he wasn't going to run again. He said he'd tell us what he tells anyone who asks. He says he doesn't want to be one of those Senators that has to be wheeled on to the floor by a nurse to take a vote. He has three years to make sure he's healthy enough to run again. He says he won't do it unless he feels he can serve the full term in good health. By the way, the 78 year-old ran three miles before he got on the Satellite to do an interview with us this morning.

-So there's a lot of debate still over Sen Rick Santorum's comment that President Obama is a "snob" for wanting Americans to get "at least one year of higher education" at a college, community college, apprenticeship or vocational training.
He went on to quote a statistic that something like two thirds of kids who enter a four year college with some sort of Faith commitment...leave college without an identified faith.
Washington Post had this on its Fact Check article:

PBS earlier this month tracked down the study Santorum refers to, but it actually suggests that people who have not enrolled in college are even less religious. “64 percent of those currently enrolled in a traditional four-year institution have curbed their attendance habits,” said the study, published in the journal Social Forces. “Yet, 76 percent of those who never enrolled in college report a decline in religious service attendance.”

So you have to ask yourself, is Santorum misinformed or is he just presenting these "facts' as fear tactic...those Liberals are coming to indoctrinate you!
Shouldn't we ask more from our Politicians? Especially a guy running for President?
I ask again...is Faith something that can be undone by a Liberal arts education? If it is, how strong was that faith to begin with?
Isn't opening your horizons to new ideas and being exposed to a broader world what College is about? What are people so scared of?

-Why is everyone so concerned about Angelina Jolee's Leg?

-I have a bad feeling about Iowa State's trip to Columbia this week. ISU is a good team getting better by the week. Missouri just lost two games in a row.
Hope you have a good Tuesday.
PWD

Budgets, Oscars and Visitors

Good Monday Morning!

I hope you had a good weekend. I will try to post some pictures from our two rounds of Birthday fun. The boys had a great time running around with their Cousins. When those five boys get together, you better watch out...it's a pack of wild dogs. My Mom and Dad hit a home run with the Birthday gifts. Not over the top (which we appreciated) but they got the boys things they will really use. We hope they will also cut down on fights over toys.

Budgets

The City of Des Moines takes up the discussion over its Budget deficit again today.
Again, The Firefighters Union Went on our air to say the cuts would result in "A reduction of services...Anytime you take away an apparatus out of service, there will be a reduction is service".

Talking about the City's plan to train all Firefighters in First Aide so that even a Firetruck showing up could provide some medical attention to a potential victim...he went on to say, "we liken it to a Carpenter showing up without his tools...no ability to transport those patients."

Finally the Union Rep says, "it's extremely frightening not only a reduction in services to Citizens it also put our lives in bigger danger"

I written about this before and got a lot of feedback from Firefighters and families of Firefighters.
I reiterate what I said before: First and foremost, Firefighters and Paramedics earn every penny they make and more. They put their lives on the line every day to make sure we stay safe. I respect them, I appreciate them and I want them to work in a safe environment.

I also want my City leaders to make the best decisions they can given the financial circumstances they find themselves in.

If that means one ambulance crew has to be eliminated then I have to trust that its the best decision the City can make under bad circumstances. I understand that the Union is doing its job...protecting Union jobs. I still am disappointed the Union can't just say something like, "We are disappointed the City is choosing to eliminate a public safety position when there are other, non-critical services that could be cut. We continue to do the best job we can every day with the resources we are given. At some point, the City of Des Moines is going to find out that they've cut to much because a lack of resources will put someone's life in danger.
It is disappointing the Union uses vague and inflammatory language to describe the cut.

It is a truism that any cut of an ambulance unit would result in a Cut in services. It is what it is. The question is, would that have a significant effect on safety of Citizens in Des Moines? No one can answer that question.
If the Union is arguing I am not going to be able to get to the Hospital because of this cut...I want to hear that. If they are arguing that I will not get ANY medical care in an emergency. I'd like to hear the say that...instead of a vague implication that someone, somewhere MIGHT be in danger.

Budget Cuts
Over in Eastern Iowa they're thinking of closing the Lab School at UNI. I think this one is a short term gain, long term loss. Ask someone at the Iowa State Journalism Department if selling off WOI was a good idea. It used to serve as a real world test for students and was a unique selling point to recruit out of state students. I would think the Lab School would be the same thing. It's a real world environment for the Teachers in training at UNI.

Polling
Another Iowa Poll confirms a large Majority of Iowans DO NOT support a Constitutional Amendment banning same sex marriage in Iowa. It's further confirmation that this is an issue that a very loud minority cares about.
It's also interesting that NONE of the "whatif's" suggested by opponents of same sex marriage have actually come to pass. A moral apocalypse is not occurring because gay couples can marry. In fact, I would guess this issue doesn't effect your life in the slightest...


Oscars
A couple of thoughts. I thought Billy Crystal was a little flat. He is a funny guy and still one of the best Hosts the Oscars ever had. That said I thought some of the bits were just not that funny.
-I thought most of the women did a good job picking something to wear. Classic is always good...that's why it never goes out of style.
-Does anyone think Sacha Baron Cohen is funny at all? This guy is a 1st Class Idiot. If his movie were the last on Earth and I needed a bucket of Popcorn to survive...I still wouldn't go see it.

Visitors
Welcome to all of the people in for the Girl's State Basketball Tournament. We're glad to see you back!

Loser
It was hard to watch Missouri lose a 19 point second half lead to Kansas Saturday. It was even harder because I think I made the Mom at the Princess Party were were invited to a little mad when I suggested we turn the game on. It's my fault Steph!

Mommy Debate, Radical Scouts and Bad Night

Good Morning...Lots of good discussion on set this morning. Some of it has to do with the Stay Home/Working Mom debate, Politics and Parenting. It's fun to work with smart people who have diverse opinions and viewpoints....and I'm not just talking about the on-air folks. We have a great crew of people you never see on camera.

The News

Mommy Debate

So the Stay Home/Work debate came up in a story we pulled from our Dallas affiliate. The gist of the story was...make the choices that are best for you. I couldn't agree more.

I don't know where it comes from...no one actually owns up to judging anyone who makes the choice to stay home or to go to work, yet it seems women on both sides of this feel judged.

I look at it this way, If you stay home and treat your Day like any other Job (and it is) then you can have the same conversations your working Mom friends have. Budgets? You do that... Goals? do you have goals for your kids or family? Productivity? I bet there are a lot of stay at home Moms who tackle the efficiency of their Household.

I will also say, there should be no guilt in working outside the home. There are people that just aren't cut out to focus entirely on their Household. I think there are cases where getting out of the house and working actually makes you a better parent.

To me it's about finding the thing that makes you a complete person and doing it.

Radical Scouts

The most ridiculous story of the day comes from Indiana where one of the lawmakers refused to vote for a resolution...not a law...a resolution congratulating the Girl Scouts on their 100th Anniversary.

An Indiana Lawmaker sent a letter around to his colleagues saying he wouldn't vote for the resolution. Now, mind you, it has not force or effect. It's generally a pat on the back for organizations that hit a milestone or do some good. The Girl Scouts do both. But look at this from CNN:

Indiana State Rep. Bob Morris said many parents were "abandoning the Girl Scouts because they promote homosexual lifestyles.""As members of the Indiana House of Representatives, we must be wise before we use the credibility and respect of the 'Peoples' House' to extend legitimacy to a radicalized organization," he said, warning them not "to endorse a group that has been subverted in the name of liberal progressive politics and the destruction of traditional American family values."

I can see it now...a bunch of eleven year-olds trying to subvert the Government and enact a radical Feminist Agenda by promoting Abortion. Never mind the fact that they don't know what the word "subvert' means and that they still think boys are "yucky".

Here's the actual Girl Scout Motto:

In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

Yeah, building young women into confident leaders...that's dangerous stuff. Who will darn your socks or make sure there's a hot meal at the table when you come home from lying to people in the State Legislature?

Now you can choose not to send your daughter to the Girl Scouts. You don't have to think it's the best choice for you...but its been around for 100 years, and I am guessing that the women who've participated would say its done more good than harm.

Crossover

I was listening to a radio program yesterday about two new statutes having to do with abortion. One on Texas and the other about to be passed in Virginia. The basic idea here is that before a woman has an abortion, she should have to see an ultrasound of the fetus. Here's the crossover issue. Since a vast majority of abortions happen in the 1st trimester, many, if not all of these women will have to have a trans-vaginal ultrasound. Don't know what that is guys? It's exactly what it sounds like...an invasive procedure. There's no exception for women who were raped and already violated against their will. And that's the problem. The FBI standard for rape basically says if there is any penetration of a woman against her will...that's rape.

Now I am in no way comparing this procedure with rape. I am asking a question: How is it that a Party who's member's called TSA pat-downs an invasive violation of someone's right to privacy, are writing a law forcing doctors to invade a woman in the most personal way you can?

The really absurd part of all of this is that Men are writing, debating and deciding these laws.

I still say opponents of abortion should get out of the Doctor's office. Isn't it too late at that point? Education and information for young men and women about the choices they make and the consequences of those choices seems like a much more effective way to end this debate.

Bad Night

So I had to watch Missouri get beat up at home last night. Murph said it best. I don't want to see Kansas State again this year. Then I had to watch my wife's Alma matter lose to Michigan in OT. I did not go to bed feeling very good about my basketball teams.

The day should get better. The Accenture Match Play Championship is this week. It's March madness for golf. A field of 64 is whittled down to two in a match play format. I love it!

I hope you have a good day.

PWD

Internet Gambling, Up all Night and Birthday 2.0

Good Morning!

I'm finally seeing the results off the antibiotics I'm taking to get rid of this sinus infection. It's amazing how much of your energy it takes to fight that off if you don't have the drugs to help. Also amazing how much it helps to be able to breathe.

The News:

Internet Gambling

A Subcommittee passed a bill that would allow Iowa Casinos to regulate Internet Poker. The Lobbyist pushing the bill says Internet Gambling would actually HELP find problem gamblers. That's a nice spin but I don't think that's actually going to be the case. I am conflicted on this one.

Internet Gambling is happening at staggering levels...and that means Iowans are gambling without regulation. That means the state is missing out on Tax money AND anyone with a problem Gambling can do it in the secrecy of their own home.

That said, trying to make this about helping people? That's absurd. This is about money. If this passes, the money needs to go to help businesses who lose all their money with a creditor defaults because of a gambling addiction. Some of the money needs to go to gambling treatment. The fact of the matter is, it will go to the General fund to pay for the things Lawmakers don't want to tax you for...like roads.

Sin Tax

Speaking of bad ideas, the State of Illinois is thinking about putting a tax on soda. I understand the motivation. We are all paying for people who drink this stuff like it's going out of style and then wonder why their list of health problems is longer than a five year-old's Christmas list.

I really think this one is turning. I don't have a problem with schools and communities driving home the message that your choices have consequences. I see a time when we, as a society, start saying, "This was your decision". Think about where we are with smoking.

As a Parent I am trying to teach my kids to approach food differently. I am trying to be a better example. All of these things are changes in the Marketplace that will help drive the choices companies make about their drinks. Isn't that the way its supposed to work?

And just in case someone was going to argue they shouldn't tax cigarettes in the same way....They haven't proven Coke and Pepsi are adding ingredients in a massive conspiracy to addict people.

Faith

A writer named Tim Huppke with the Chicago Tribune had a story in the paper the other day about the debate going on concerning birth control and the Catholic Church. His point is that an honest debate and reflection is never a bad thing, yet so many people seem unwilling to do it. See last week's blog for a conclusion on that.

I hope you read that article and listen carefully to the conversation about Faith that the Candidates for President are having. Rick Santorum says he wasn't questioning the President's Faith when he said The President believes in a "Phony theology". He argues, he was talking about The President's World View.

You have to ask yourself, what will it be about YOUR World View that Rick Santorum doesn't like...and wants to legislate against?

I'll add this, and ask...maybe I am just stupid...someone explain to me how this isn't a double standard?

Bracketology

Have you ever wondered why your team got a ten seed instead of a nine? Writers from around the country got to go through a mock bracket selection for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. I thought it was interesting to see what they had to say about it. It will certainly bring about better commentary when the Field is revealed.

Up all Night

So we had a story about new Dad's being so tired they are having more "near misses" at work. it's getting more dangerous for them. What was your reaction to this one? Do Dad's have it harder than they used to? Are we sharing more of the overnight responsibility? Debate....

Birthday 2.0

We had a really fun "first", 3rd Birthday weekend. Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players were again, awesome. It really is fun music if you have little kids. We had a little party Saturday night at dinner where the boys got their Strawberry cake and Lemon cake. Then, Sunday morning Sally put together a great brunch for some friends and their kids. The good and bad news is...the Boys "get" presents now. I walked in the door this morning and JT announced that he would like to open some more presents this morning.

Actually he is in luck because we begin Birthday week #2 for the boys. My parents are headed to Des Moines to Celebrate with our kids, my Nephew Oscar, My Dad's Birthday and My Brother's Birthday. Should be a wild party.

Speaking of Parties. We are headed to a "Princess Party" for another three-year-old Saturday. The Problem? The Missouri/Kansas Game is on at 3pm.

This may be the last game in one of the oldest Rivalries in College Basketball and it could end up being one of the best. There is certainly a lot on the line. Missouri is trying to win the Big 12 on the way out to the SEC. KU is looking to avenge a loss in Columbia earlier this year...along with making an argument for a #1 seed themselves. I will be finding a TV.

Have a great Day

PWD

Allegations, Celebrations and Reflections

Good Morning...
You'll excuse me if I am in a reflective mood today. Tomorrow my boys turn three. How did that happen?
While this year seems to be dragging a bit with the onset of the terrible two's(x2); I also feel like the whole thing has been a flash.
The boys seem to be excited for this thing we call their birthday. I am not sure they really get it yet but they seem to understand it's a party for them, hey get presents and they get cake. Sally's Parents are here to celebrate as is my Sister. Next weekend we host my family who will be here between our boy's birthday and our Nephew Oscar's Birthday. Lots to Celebrate and a very busy time.

We'll get to the News
Allegations
The Pleasant Hill City Council sure has a mess to sort out. A Private Investigator showed up at this week's City Council Meeting with a 30 page "report" detailing allegations against the Police Chief in P-Hill. The Man claims the Chief came to him two years ago wanting to tape the private conversations of some of the City Council Members. The Chief denies the allegations. Here's one of the many complications: This Private Investigator would appear to have a conflict. His son is a Police officer in P-Hill who is also making allegations against the Chief.
We should certainly pay attention to the allegations...but we should, and really tried to emphasize, that they are just allegations. We should also start asking questions about the accuser.
We have people call out newsroom all the time making wild accusations about elected officials, School Administrators etc. I always ask one question when I am done listening to them. I say, "OK tell me what they're going to say about you when I ask them about your accusations?" I tell the person I want to know everything I am going to hear.
If they give a good accounting of their own bias, I am more likely to believe them. It's also often revealing to hear how they are involved, and may have contributed to a bad situation.
There are always two sides to the story.
It floors me that people call here thinking we are going to take their call and put the information right on TV.

Celebrations
I was thinking as I was watching the highlights of winners and the losers at the State Wrestling Tournament that I like both sides of the story. We learn as much about sport and the spirit of these young Men (and women) in their losing as we do their winning. I think that's what makes a sport most of us don't flow closely so compelling this time of year.

Midnight Rambler
Well it was actually closer to Three this morning that JT was at it again.
Half awake and half asleep, I think he's just had another disturbing dream. At least, the details I could make out were disturbing...
The best I could stitch together from his mumbled description..The Oranges were in trouble in the TV Room...I think they couldn't get out for some reason. I don't know why the Oranges were in the TV Room in the first place...but I don't ask. What is it with this kid and the Fruit?
I just covered him up and told him everybody was OK.

I hope you have a great weekend!
PWD

It Costs $$, Too Much, and Bad News

Bad News came Early this morning.

When I got up, a Facebook post told me a friend from College died yesterday. He was one of my Fraternity Brothers.

It may make some of you snicker and I understand why. Some people have a view of College Fraternities that is not flattering...the beer drinking slobs of Animal House.

I was fortunate to be part of a group that actually believed in some of the ideals the Fraternity espoused, kept a 3.0 GPA collectively, managed to stay mostly sober and out of jail.

We made each other better Men by sharing our strengths and encouraging improvement of our faults. I met my Best Friend in that House. I still keep in touch with a handful of the guys and I know I would do just about anything for the rest of them if they showed up on my doorstep.

I haven't seen Jake in about six or seven years...our friendship was certainly based in the past; but Jake was one of the people who shared a little bit of himself and made me a better Man in the process.

It Costs $$

The debate over a gas tax increase is one of these Public debates that makes me a little crazy. For years we've kicked this can...literally, down the road. No one wanted to be the guy who raised taxes so revenue didn't keep up with needed repairs. The result? A funding Crisis where roads and bridges are in such bad repair that they are dangerous.

I think we forget sometimes that the roads we use, the sewers, the phone and cable lines...they all cost money.

We should use tax dollars wisely. We should keep costs at the lowest level we can. That said, we should pay for the things we all need and use.

Too Much?

Brooke and I were both saying this morning that its hard to turn away from the Whitney Houston Coverage. That said, it's getting very close to overload for me. Appropriate tribute should be paid to one of the greatest voices of a generation. I just feel like that has to be celebrated within perspective. I'm not confident that will happen.

Too Much (for sure)

A guy called the Newsroom mad about our reading of the story about Quik Trip trying to get an upgraded liquor license. They want to sell hard liquor at the Ingersoll store.

Now I think this guy may have had one too many, but he seemed to think that if we should just stop "flapping our gums" about the issue...The City would let the store sell the booze.

I doubt the City Leaders are looking to Channel 13 for cues on policy decisions.

Hope you all have a great Valentine's Day.

PWD

Signs, Snow and Spending

Good Morning!

We begin the work week..it's also celebration week in our house. Will and JT turn 3 on Saturday. It really begins two weeks of parties. It so happens we have some friends who also had kids around the same time so we've got Birthday parties to go to, and two parties to host. We're self medicating.

Signs

So the Pastor at a Church on Army Post Road put up a sign that said, "Gay is not OK".

He's got the right to do that. The Congregation has the right to teach that. if that's their interpretation of the Bible, so be it.

People who disagree with that interpretation of the Bible have the right to protest. They did that Sunday. No one was hurt. It appears no one got out of hand verbally. The Protesters protested, and the Congregation went to church. That's the way it's supposed to work.

I have a few other suggestions for Signs and sermons the Pastor can give:

-Football is not OK

-Farming is not OK

-Haircuts are not OK

-Slavery IS OK

-Why Men with Acne and Glasses are not welcome next Sunday.

-If you have to go to work after Church, Don't bother coming to services.

-Why Shellfish is Fowl

The point? Why is one rule the Bible lays out so important that we seem to spend 90% of our time talking about it but the other rules laid out in books like Leviticus and Exodus can be blown off as antiquated? I haven't heard a good explanation. It's the picking and choosing that makes it look like people who support the Pastor just don't like Gay people.

Snow

Doesn't look like this one is going to be a big problem for the snow blower or shovel. That said, there was a big accident East of the East Mixer this morning and that tied up traffic for a while...

Jeriann nailed the totals...here at the station they measured two inches of snow...totals at the airport were just a little less...

Grammy

Jennifer Hudson can flat out sing. So could Whitney Houston. I care not about the artist named after having a threesome. Rhinestone Cowboy is one of those guilty pleasure songs...you know you love it...don't act like you don't.

I didn't connect Adele with her music but she seems genuinely happy for her success. Anyone who references her Mom in a "do you believe this?" kind of way is OK by me. For the record Jeriannn didn't know who LL Cool J is. Brooke just roller her eyes. She is apparently the most culturally well rounded of the three of us.

Greece

Years of not working very hard and borrowing a lot of money are catching up to a lot of countries around the world...and would include the US on that list. The difference is, we have the ability to put the economic pedal to the metal when we want to. Hard to see how Greece does that.

Budget

The president's Budget spends more than it takes in...and it REDUCES the Federal Budget??? that's going to seem like smoke and mirrors to a lot of Americans.

Valentine's

I am told on our noon news that I am supposed to spend two and a half times more than my significant other on Valentine's Day because I am a man. I don't buy it. Spend what seems right. Thoughtful trumps expensive every time. If it doesn't, consider a new significant other.

Weekend

There's nothing like having a good meal with good friends. We managed to navigate two nights out WITH the boys this weekend. Our friends with kids of similar age had us over for a casual evening and it was great. The best part? Not having to do the dishes.

Certificate, City Streets and Dating Game

Good Morning!

It's Friday and have to tell you I am happy to see it here.

Certificate

I was disturbed at the story of a Same Sex Couple suing the State. If their accusations are true, that a State employee used white out to erase one of the women's names off of a death certificate for their son, it's inexcusable.

It's a DEATH CERTIFICATE!

It is legal for the couple to be married in Iowa, so why is this form not already gender neutral? Two spaces with "parent" would work.

I am finding these stories more and more objectionable the more I actually think about the law. You can't deny one group of citizens the same rights you provide for everyone else without a compelling interest for the state.

There is none here. People object on moral grounds and they have every right to do that. But if you believe a law should be created denying these people the same rights you have...ask yourself where it stops. The "behavior" you object to is in the bedroom. What's next? Do you object to the "action" your neighbors are engaging in in their bedroom? Are they contributing to the moral decay of society?

There is no societal benefit to discriminating against same sex couples. If you need evidence of that, ask yourself what's changed about your life since Iowa Law changed to allow same sex couples to marry? Really? Anything?

City Streets

What do we do with Walnut Street once the Buses go to the new Transportation Hub? The Guy who helped the City come up with the concepts for its long term vision project, The Downtown Sculpture Garden and the East Village is also helping with the concept here. So what do you think of a renovated Walnut Street? Are there enough Restaurants? Are there enough people to make it profitable?

Dating Game

New research from Rutgers shows Online dating is the second most popular way for people to meet. The bar scene is dead. I don't think a lot of people will mourn.

The Study also said people are looking for mates with the same political beliefs. Especially conservatives look for someone who takes on the same world view. We had a short discussion about that on set. Brooke said it made some sense. When important issues of core values come up...it could cause a lot of conflict in a marriage if you and your partner didn't believe the same thing. I think that is probably true, but I also think it's not bad to have someone who disagrees with you on some of those issues.

My parents are a pretty good example. I would describe my dad as Conservative and my Mom as extremely Liberal. They've canceled each other out at the ballot box for a long time. But over the years they've also offered each other a broader view of issues by challenging one another.

If you are only hearing your view of the world...will you ever be aware of how the world might be changing around you? I sometimes see this as the problem with some of my more conservative friends. They only want to hear from and associate with people who believe EXACTLY what they believe. If you allow for the fact that other people have a legitimate opinion...you're seen as someone who lacks conviction. I think it's just the opposite. If you can't listen to someone else's divergent beliefs and retain your own core values...I think that's weak.

Women in Military

the pentagon is updating its rules to catch up with reality on the battlefield. Women can now serve some roles closer tot he front lines as Intel officers and Supply officers. Combat roles are still out. If a woman wants to serve in a front line unit and has proven her skills to her Unit, I say let em serve.

Coming Home

One more thing, Welcome back to our friends Mary Sellers and her Husband Sean. Mary is the former President of the Science Center of Iowa. She's coming back to Iowa to run United Way here in Des Moines.

Hope you all have a good weekend!

PWD

I'm still here...

My Mother says she misses hearing from me...so I need to blog today.

The News:

Just Move

The First Lady is in town this morning. She will be the main attraction to the Wells Fargo Arena today along with 10,000 kids, 200 buses and her Secret Service Detail. Yeah, that's probably not going to be busy. Whatever you think of this initiative I think it's had an effect. A lot of younger parents I know are already talking about making sure their toddlers are moving enough every day. I know we pay attention to the amount of activity our kids have had every day. If that attitude takes hold...the movement could show results as our kids grow up.

132nd

Everyone wants to see the Federal Budget cut but no one wants that budget cut in their state. If the Military cuts the amount they're talking about...none of the cuts are going to be easy. All of them will probably have an argument about why they should be funded.

I don't want to see the Air Guard Unit go, but if it does, I will understand.

Who's Complaining Now?

The Obama Administration is getting heat for rules that "force" Religious organizations to offer birth control if they offer a prescription drugs program. Here's the thing. The rule has been in place since the Bush Administration took office. He did nothing to stop it...

Now, I'm not saying I agree with the rule...I'm saying Politicians who try to score cheap political points or raise money off an issue only because it hits the headlines show just how stupid they think we all are. These are the people more interested in how an issue is going to help increase their fundraising than they are with actually protecting the people they serve.

Bugging Andy

As he always does, Andy said it well. Is it so hard to find things to agree on in politics? His story trying to get Statehouse Politicians to say something nice about each other put a funny exclamation point on a sad truth. Most of these guys don't actually hate each other...they just can't be caught on tape saying anything nice about anybody the oppose. It will end up in a campaign commercial for someone more liberal or more conservative than they are. Compromise doesn't show weakness or a lack of conviction. It shows reason, maturity and sanity.

Where there's Smoke

I am getting more emails and phone calls from Firefighters arguing we shouldn't cut positions in Des Moines to balance the budget. They say they have new information for me.

What new information could make me think MORE than I already do of Firefighters? I think they should be paid a lot more than they are, and that there should be as many of them as are needed to make the job as safe as it possible can be, but I don't live in Fantasyland.

This isn't about whether Firefighters jobs are worth saving...they are. It's about a budget hole too big to plug with unimportant things. I love Firefighters...

Other things:

-UNC-Duke was one of the best college basketball games I've watched in a while...and I only saw the 1st half. I still hate it when the Dukies win.

-I was informed I can keep my man card after totally butchering Christian Louboutin's name (He designs shoes apparently).

-Tiger Woods is playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend. I know where I will be.

I hope you all have a really good day!

As always, I hope that if you have something to say, you either comment here or email me directly. Good or bad, it's nice to hear what you have to say.

PWD

Bricks, Super Sunday and Big Win

Good Morning

I hope all of you had a great Super Bowl Weekend.

The News:

Bricks

I feel like the City really screwed the pooch on this one. See earlier posts for more on that. The good news is that it sounds like The plan is going to move forward. I really don't get the opposition to this. It's not like the City Fathers are planning on putting a Strip club or a Brothel in Downtown. It's a Hotel. We've lost out on events coming to Des Moines and I know that one of the criticisms of Des Moines is a lack of Hotel Rooms Downtown.

Super Sunday

-I thought the Game was one of the best since the last time the Giants and Patriots got together.

-Thumbs up on the National Anthem. That's the way its supposed to be done. The Drum Corps was a great add.

-I don't know why it bothered me so much but the kids in the Choir that sang with Clarkson distracted...at least some of them did. Most of these kids were smiling and singing. They did a great job. The kids who's parents encouraged such over the top facial expression should be hog tied. You are part of an ensemble...a team. It's not about you.

-I thought the commercials in the 1st half were LAME.

-I thought the Halftime show was pretty good. Entertaining. I am not a Madonna fan but I thought she put on a good show for a woman in her 50s. I didn't see whoever that was flip me the bird. Whatever...you are a b-list add on to the Headliner at the Superbowl. Get over yourself.

-I thought the Halftime in America ad was one of the most memorable...well written...stirring. I also thought it was the first re-election ad for President Obama. Was this part of the bailout deal or something?

-Other favorite ads: The VW ad with the dog that went into the Darth Vader retread., I thought the promo for The Voice was the best ad at the time. I liked the "Here, Wego" ad.

Big Win

Congrats to ISU fan. If Iowa State can get the wins it expects to over the next few weeks, they'll could go as high as the 3 seed in the Big 12 tournament. I love it. If ISU is #3, the Cyclones will likely get Kansas if they can get to the Semi-finals. I like The ISU-KU match up on a neutral floor. As A Missouri fan I like ISU being on the other side of the bracket.

If you missed it, Missouri beat KU this weekend. Should be a great finish tot he Big 12 season.

Winter Weather, Benefits and Advocating

Good Morning.
We start right where we did yesterday because the weather will be an important part of the weekend.
Jeriann was looking at a lot of conflicting information today as she has been all week. For the non-meteorologists...they have computer models that predict the weather...there are like 12 of them...but we use four or five. The models all disagree on the amount and timing of snowfall. She showed me this morning that the models have Des Moines getting anywhere from an inch...to eight inches of snow. I have a bad feeling about this one. JR has been pretty consistent this week in the 2-4 inch range. I don't know why...I feel like we're going to get walloped...but my track record is about as good as that rodent they pulled out of a stump yesterday. In any case...time to go get gas for the snow blower.

Benefits
Republicans in the Iowa House are putting forward a proposal for State workers to pay more of their Health Insurance costs. About $2,000 /year. I looked and for the record...I paid more than $6000 last year for a package of benefits that, I am grateful for, but doesn't come CLOSE to the package State workers enjoy.
Before all of the Union folks fore off an email about how "we paid for these benefits through negotiations". I have to say, no one believes that except members of the Union.
There may have been a time when State salaries lagged well behind the private sector...that's just not the case today. I think those state workers should have great benefits...many of them are serving their state instead of taking a more lucrative job in the private sector. That said, asking them to pay for their benefits is not asking too much.
I'll say one more thing. Republicans aren't without fault here. they're putting this proposal forward to score political points. There is no chance it's going to happen because the contract isn't up for negotiations. Don't act as if this is something that could or should happen this year. We made an agreement with State workers and we should stick with it. Next time around however...it's time to amend the benefits section of the AFSCME contract.

Advocacy
Today is Go Red for Women Day. the American Heart Association would like everyone to wear red to work to raise awareness of Heart related health issues. i support their advocacy of an important health issue. If you choose to, you should wear red. It's inappropriate, however, for us to wear red on the air. It would signal advocacy for an issue tat we are not prepared to offer to every issue. Why is Heart health MORE important than Autism or Child Abuse, or Swimming Safety?
I don't want to leave our viewers guessing about our coverage of issues. If wear Yellow for the Save the Spotted Canary society and the Executive Director of that organization is arrested for embezzling or abusing a child, will our audience wonder if we are going easy on them because we wore yellow? Will they wonder if we got paid for advocating?
I don't mean to take a hard line. There are, certainly times we advocate for local events...each of us will, at times, emcee an event for a local charity. It's a difficult balance and we try our best to find a middle ground between being a billboard and showing support for these organizations in our own way.
If you didn't see Red on our set this morning, that's some of the thinking behind why.

Guard, Bricks, and Botched

Good Morning!

It's going to be 60 today but lets have a little weather lesson for tomorrow. When they show you that map in the winter...and the big "L" goes right across the middle of Missouri...that's usually bad. It usually means we get a lot of snow. It sure would be nice if we knew exactly how much snow you were going to get in your front yard...It would also be nice to have a $1000 extra in your pocket each week...neither one is going to happen. Predicting snow is hard. Predicting snow when we're sitting on the rain/snow freeze line is even harder. This storm is setting up so that Perry could get close to a foot of snow while Indianola gets an inch or two along with a lot of rain. That's how close it is.

Guard

I would hate to see the Iowa Air National Guard Unit in Des Moines get cut. Col. Greg Hapgood hit the nail on the head....They are one of the best Units in the National Guard and they are an important part of this community. Plus, I like to see those cool F-16's take off and land. Still want to get a ride in one of those things.

Bricks

Speaking of hitting the nail on the head. Christine Hensley had it right last night. this debate over full bricks vs half bricks is a attempt by the people who don't want this hotel to give the City an out. If the council votes to make the Hotel use the full bricks...one word comes to mind...Weasel.
I have a hard time seeing how a hotel will degrade the neighborhood more than an abandoned decaying building.

Botched
Any of you who saw Nightly News last night saw a story about Susan G Komen changing it's grants process. The change means organizations that are "under investigation by local state or federal authorities" aren't eligible for grants. That means Planned Parenthood NATIONALLY will lose funding from Komen.
Call it poor timing or contrived circumstance, but it just so happens that a Florida Congressman and opponent of abortion launched a Congressional investigation on Panned Parenthood. His accusations, at best, are unproven, and at worst are simply politically motivated.
So with that I have a few thoughts for both sides of this debate.
-First Full Disclosure, My Wife is Executive Director of the Local Komen Affiliate.
-To those of you who are disappointed by the decision and say "pull all funding from Komen"...think of this: The people who organize and run local affiliates are not the people making this decision.
Here in Iowa the local Planned Parenthood isn't effected because it does not get grants from Komen locally.
Our hospitals do get grants and so does Polk County Heath...and they serve thousands of women who would not otherwise get breast screenings. This s about preventing women from going through breast cancer...period. If you give money here in Iowa, the vast majority of that money stays in Iowa and helps Iowans. Think about who you are punishing with your dollars.
-Komen Botched this one soup to nuts. The PR is horrific...it's worse than a train wreck and it seems they have no response, except to say this isn't political. What are they going to say...it is? The change in the grant process is flawed. We are not guilty until proven innocent in this country. We are innocent until proven guilty. Komen has that backwards. If hey want to protect donor dollars...no problem...change one word in the new grant process rules...make it CRIMINAL investigation. Local prosecutors generally can't afford to launch politically motivated investigations, and the publioc can vote them out when they do... Politically motivated investigations are all Members of Congress launch.
Think of it another way. If this standard is right...any organization you support can be de-funded at any time if anyone makes a crazy accusation.
-To the opponents of abortion calling this a victory, how do you justify one death for another?
If your view is that you are preventing the death of an unborn child by de-funding an unrelated care of women...what about those women who may die from breast cancer? What would you say to their husbands? To their Children? How are you saving those children's lives?

-One more point for the anti-PP folks: You've just succeeded in giving Planned Parenthood it's biggest fundraiser of the year. Women all over the Internet are advocating their friends pull money out of Komen and giving to PP. Congratulations!

That money will now go to the general fund of PP instead of going through a third party where PP has to sign a document agreeing not to use the money for anything except breast health screenings. So in one fell swoop, you've managed to fund more abortions, make sure a few more women miss an early detection of breast cancer and you've done it all while not preventing a single abortion from happening. How's that strategy working for ya?

I don't need to hear how much this is going to hurt PP either. they're on TV across the country talking about how much this will hurt. They know this is an opportunity for a free media appeal.
-None of the debate over funding of mamograms should be political. If groups want Planned Parenthood out of this process, find an alternative and help them apply for a Komen Grant. Get the women the exams!
-I've read some very nasty things about Komen and the people who work there on the Internet over the last 24 hours. People need to get a hold of themselves. I've only worked on a limited basis with the women and men who help raise money here. They are volunteers who have jobs and families and other priorities in their lives. Still, they spent countless hours helping raise money for this cause. Most of them know the feeling of getting a breast cancer diagnosis personally. Some of them have lost a loved one. NONE OF THEM deserve the kind of thoughtless criticism vomited out online...
These people didn't make this decision...they work for Komen for one reason..to make sure other women don't have to go through this fight..and to make sure they've got the treatment and support they need if that day does come.
Just my thoughts...feel free to disagree.
PWD