Entries from June 8, 2008 - June 14, 2008
Tim Russert, Dead at Age 58
Nathan Greene
1 Comment
By Emily Geiger
This news actually made me gasp out loud. NBC’s Tim Russert has died of an apparent heart attack while working in the NBC Washington News Bureau. He had just recently returned home from a family trip to Italy with his wife and son. He was only 58 years old. Russert is most famous for his position as moderator of Meet the Press, and Chief of NBC’s Washington, D.C. News Bureau.
Downtown Des Moines Evacuates
I've been listening to WHO all afternoon. In case you haven't heard, there is a voluntary (but STRONGLY recommended)evacuation of Downtown Des Moines. Officials are telling people to STAY AWAY AND STOP GAWKING. Don't be on the roads if you don't need to be.
Here are some helpful links I've found.
WHO-TV Flood Resource Page (includes individual city websites, road closures, shelters, etc)
Indescribable
I suspect that most of us, even the die-hard political junkies, are not paying too much attention to our favorite hobby right now. I know I, for one, am consumed with following the flooding situation across the state.
The devastation is almost unimaginable. And then on top of the flooding, there was the horrific news of those four young boys, leaders in their communities, losing their lives in an instant. If you haven’t gotten a little misty-eyed in the last few days, you must be made of stone.
Finally, late yesterday, GOP officials made the right decision to call off the state convention for now. While the actual convention venue might not have been in danger of flooding, it was readily apparent that travel for many delegates would be tedious if not treacherous, and likely several delegates are personally dealing with trying to save their homes and businesses. At a time like this, I’m sure the convention is the last thing on their minds.
It’s times like this that make us realize what is truly important and that we should be thankful for the blessings we have, because so many people have lost so much more than we can comprehend.
Thankfully, most of Iowa is expecting dry weather for the next few days. Take this opportunity to do all you can to assist those in need.
GOP Convention Postponed
HawkeyeGOP blogger and SCC member David Chung is reporting that the GOP state convention scheduled for this weekend has been postponed. Chung says the new convention dates are July 11-12.
Stay home and help a neighbor who needs it.
More Smoking Ban Controversy
By Emily Geiger
It appears that more drama related to the smoking ban is brewing. An administrative rules committee was supposed to vote this week on the approval of certain administrative rules that would more clearly define the smoking ban and provide more details about its implementation.
Certain people are upset about how the proposed rules define bars versus restaurants. This is important because, under the law, bars can allow smoking on outdoor patios, but restaurants can’t. Under the proposed rules, if you serve any type of food more complicated than a frozen pizza, you are considered a restaurant, and therefore can’t allow smoking on outdoor patios. Given this narrow definition of a bar (and this wide definition of a restaurant), establishments that most people would consider bars are not going to be able to allow outdoor smoking because they serve some prepared food items.
I do think this is a stupid rule. Shouldn’t the determination of what is a bar or a restaurant maybe be determined by what percentage of revenues comes from alcohol? This might take a little more work on the part of the inspectors who might have to break out a calculator and learn to perform a little math, but I think that would be a more reasonable method of classifying these establishments.
I am, however, getting a little sick of the whining coming from some in the anti-smoking ban crowd. Take for example this quote from a bar owner in Fort Madison.
"I've never seen this kind of meanness and we need to think about that."
Huh?!? You’d swear someone tortured his dog just to spite him. That would be mean. This stupid rule isn’t. It’s just a stupid rule. If you don’t like the proposed rule, here’s a novel idea. Write a letter or make some phone calls to make your opinion known to the people who have control over this.
Due to the flooding concerns in the state, the vote on the rule has been delayed until August. If you don’t like the proposed rule, take this opportunity to stop whining and do something about it.