Iowa House: Bi-Polar? Iowa Senator: Delusional?
Nathan Greene
Post a Comment
By Emily Geiger
Obviously, Nathan and I are coordinating very well since we both wrote on the same topics on the same day, but I thought I'd post my thoughts anyways..
Smoking Ban Update
It appears the Iowa House has done a 180 and completely gutted the state-wide smoking ban it approved a few weeks ago . Before, the only exemption the House was going to allow was for smoking in casinos. Now, an amendment has been approved that would exempt businesses who hold liquor licenses during times when no minors are present. That means restaurants and bars can get around the smoking ban if they have a liquor license. Anti-smoking groups are upset because this bill could actually allow smoking in more places than it is allowed now.
Why the sudden change in the house? Good question. The impression I get is that the House passed a version of the bill that they thought would never pass the senate. This made them look like they actually cared about the health of Iowans. Then the Senate went and passed a version of the bill that was even more strict than the House’s version. The House’s reaction: Oh, $*&#. Now they have to back track.
The other scenario that I think seems plausible is that the House is punishing the Senate for not going along with their casino exemption. Essentially, the House is saying, “If you don’t like what we give you, we won’t give you anything at all.”
Staci Appel & Bruce Braley v. David Hartsuch
It appears either Bruce Braley is making stuff up, or Staci Appel is making stuff up and telling it to Bruce Braley. Recently, Braley made a remark reprimanding his potential Congressional opponent, David Hartsuch, for comments Hartsuch allegedly made about Hartsuch’s fellow state senator, Staci Appel. Braley alleged that Harsuch told Appel on the floor of the Iowa State Senate that Appel was unfit to teach Sunday School because of her support for abortion rights.
The problem is, Hartsuch never said anything of the sort. Hartsuch has even obtained an audio recording of the floor debate during which the comment was allegedly made. The senate was debating a bill that would allow kids out of school to attend religious education classes. Hartsuch did ask Appel if she taught Sunday School, but only in an effort to show that religious education was important. Nothing about abortion or Appel’s fitness or qualifications to teach Sunday School was ever mentioned.
Is this just Braley being overzealous in his attacks on his opponents? I certainly hope that it’s not Appel being unable to remember this incident, or having a delusional recollection of it. That’s a scary thought. Either way, I think this is a sign of things to come. Braley will do anything to win re-election, including make things up and outrightly lie about his opponent. Braley’s gloves are already off, so Hartsuch better be ready for a brawl. From what I understand, Hartsuch is up for the task, so get ready for some fireworks in the Iowa ’s First Congressional District.
Oh, and if Staci Appel is the pro-choice lib she seems to be, she shouldn't be teaching Sunday School.
Reader Comments