Before I get into a terrible post that is making me sick to my stomach, I want to tell my out of state readers, thanks for the calls, emails and texts. Obviously, I haven’t been hit or had any hardships because of the floods and storms. I have some friends and aquantances who have. I hope you keep them in your thoughts in prayers. Ain’t gonna lie here… Iowa is gonna need a comeback. It’s going long and rough. But I know the people of the state can and always will prevail. Because, dude, we’re Iowans, that’s how we roll. In honor and awareness for the victims, heroes, neighbors helping neighbors and everyone in between, I’m posting the “ANF” decal on the blog. Made famous by Hayden Fry during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s. It stands for “America Needs Farmers.” Not only does America need farmers, Iowans will need America. For support, prayers and a little help to rebuild. Now on to today’s garbage.

THE POLITICIZATION OF A NATURAL DISASTER
QCI-ders… this headline simply makes me want to vomit. But alas, if you have been monitoring the blogosphere for the last week, it’s happening. Call it a crossbreed of how polarized we are politically to politicians in general. This is what you get. Do I need to paraphrase Steve Forbes? “They are like bears in a honey jar, they simply can’t help themselves.” Forget the convention stuff, this disaster and this political environment is brewing up some pretty catastrophic warfare between and within parties. I hope all you QCI-ders join in the discussion on this one. Because as God as my witness, I am no policy wonk. Gonna need your help.

Let’s do a random run through of what’s out there:

BIG LUG – I’ll be honest. I think he is doing a good job in handling the situation. He has been visible and acting like what most Governors should in times like these. My only criticism is the new Flood Website: http://www.flood2008.iowa.gov/. It has the look of a re-election site. I’m sure people hit by the storms don’t care what his schedule is for the day... they are simply looking for help, not a press release. Other than that, QCI is giving you thumbs up so far Big Lug.

BIG LUG V. LEGISLATURE – This is an aftershock from the session. There’s no secret in the golden dome that the House Dem Leadership and the Gov’s office aren’t exactly golf partners on stag night. Whether it’s when to decide the special session and/or what’s next… the Guv’s office is telling the leadership, “Fellas, we’re working on something… we’ll get it to ya when were ready.”

$PECIAL $ESSION – It’s coming, only the good Lord know when… and when it does, here’s the real show down, how are you going to pay for it. Per Gronstal via Battleground, they would like to go into debt and simply borrow to rebuild Iowa. Yepsen is all over that. The last session increased the size of your state government up 20%. Word around Capitol Hill is they are looking for an opportunity to get their hands on more.

Quick question QCI-ders. Doesn’t it seem every session there is talk about the rainy day fund? (everyone nodding their heads… hmmm… yes…) Alright, we’re on the same page. Next question. Is it me or have we had some pretty freaking huge rainy days lately? (Yes G$, I’ve got 5 feet of f’ing water in my basement!) So, why aren’t we using it?

This has been out via Fly Country, but still intriguing to say the least. It’s important to note that in 1993, of the $1.4 billion spent on flood relief, the state paid $14.9 million. The Iowa delegation is working to secure funds, which produced this hilarious picture from State 29.

So $pecial $e$$ion huh? Go into debt and borrow, huh? Well, the Floods have washed away a lot. The waters are going down, but looks like there’s enough in the current to wash away your wallet as well. Stay tuned to this one. You heard it here first. What happens in the next 3 weeks will define the state house races.

STUFF THAT MAKES YOU GO… YOU’RE KIDDING ME, RIGHT? – Hershel has a story today about Sen. Wally Horn. Sources close to QCI confirm it word for word. Oh, and Iowa News Liter serves up some pain on Wayne Ford here and here. And don’t forget the story from Rants himself last week as seen here on QCI. It’s towards the bottom of the post.

Hey, G$, what gives on this long and pointless random rant?

Dude… I have a case of TB (true believerism). Listen, it’s always the 10% of politics that makes it look bad. I get that. I just am a little disappointed in that… instead of keeping an eye on the goal here. Rebuilding Iowa. The factions are plotting strategy on the backs of people suffering. And, I’ll be the first one to tell you… both sides are doing it. (Sigh…) My hope is that we can figure out ways to rebuild and make Iowa better than it was before. Offer hand ups, not hand outs. How about putting moratorium on the taxes that help rebuild the state?

G$ what about all that revenue we will miss? Dude! Have seen how much shit we need to rebuild around here? Roads, levees, businesses and homes… I think you’re gonna be alright. And you’ll be doing the right thing. Who knows, there are some that may finally figure out… we really didn’t need those taxes anyway. They stunt growth. Might be a good idea to make ‘em permanent, aye? Oh, and to our State Leaders… guess what? The rainy day is here. Use the damn fund. This one couldn’t be more obvious than finding out that Chandler and Monica are indeed hitting it, ok? Did I just use a Friends reference? (Sigh…)

And now… cool off with the Foo Fighters with “Time Like These.”

THE GOOD NEWS – Water is going down. Iowa City crested earlier than expected… which means less damage to the U of I. Downtown Des Moines is coming back to life this week. The I-Cubs played a double header today. Slowly things are getting back to normal. The Northside is getting there. They are breaking levees today to drain the flooded areas as the river level is going down.

THE BAD NEWS – Cedar Rapids has a long way to go. Tempers are starting to flare. Just look at your front page of the DMR tomorrow. There is a great website set up for relief efforts in Eastern Iowa: http://www.corridorrecovery.org/. Has resources for victims and ways you can help. Check it out.






It’s been a while since I’ve used this header. But thought it might be appropriate given the recent weather and floods. There will be a lot of local joints that have been hit hard and face huge comebacks. Listen, I’m not saying the whole… buy a car, or the terrorists will win thing. I’m saying if one of your local joints has been hit, when they reopen, don't forget to show ‘em some love.






Back with a somewhat normal Countdown for you QCI-ders. Can I go on record for saying that last week, was about the crappiest of a week for the entire state? So, it was a great call to move the Convention this weekend, obviously. But there is another silver lining in the reschedule.

CONVENTION DRAMA – As the story built last week, all stuff we have talked about before. But, now, at least we have a month (hopefully) sooner to let cooler heads prevail. Krusty lead the way with this piece today. Fly Over offered this one that complemented Hershel’s very well. With so much at stake. Seriously guys and gals. Can I get anyone a Coca Cola?

QCI POLL STILL GOING - Vote early and often... some of you doubt me? Good to see most of the readers at QCI can relate to junior high humor. Rome salutes you.

RNC COMMITTEEMAN RACE – So I mentioned Scheffler as a candidate in a recent post. Steve Roberts is still running from what I am aware of. QCI has touched on this in the past, especially when it comes to the Iowa Caucuses. The NUMBER ONE PRIORITY of Iowa RNC members is THE FIRST IN THE NATION IOWA CAUCUSES. Nothing else. Absolutely nothing else. Because if we have that taken away… you want to know the only time Iowa GOP State Poobahs get to meet candidates? Oh yea, the National Convention. That is what is on the line.

And to close up today, because QCI is all about being educational today for a change, here’s Axel Foley of the Detroit PD who will show you how to foil a robbery in a strip club.

Central Iowa is having dry weather.. for now...

LAST CHANCE FOR THE U of I - The Register has the run down on the serious threat to University of Iowa campus. The line of the day is, "This is our last effort." Which leaves QCI speechless and devistated.

DSM HANGING IN THERE - Officials are optimistic late last night in Des Moines... but alas, the levee on the Northside broke today.

Weekend Update is coming to you live from Jewell at Jewell Jubilee. I can report it has beautiful weather fro the annual event. 2 Feet Deep rocked on Main Street and the fireworks were great. Morning started with the parade of which QCI was honored to drive the 1964 Buik LeSabre for a 2nd year! Threw tons of candy...
Weekend Update is passing along some more scoop courtesy of Don Rachter and the Wednesday Group. If you haven't been, you should consider. It's a great meeting and you will get a good low down on what's going on with the movement. Want more information? Email Dr. Rachter at racheter@limitedgovernment.org.

ICA REPORT - Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafy will be in Iowa for two Iowa Christian Alliance House Parties. The eighth annual Friends of the Family Banquet will be held on Saturday October 4th with reception at 5 and dinner at 6. Keynote speaker is David Limbaugh, and Congressman Steve King will be the MC. Which means, Steve will be calling you soon.

RNC CANDIDATES REPORT - Sanday Greiner and Kim Lehman were there as candidates for Committeewomen. Scheffler is running for Committeeman

2ND AMENDMENT REPORT - The Iowa Sportsman’s Federation and the National Rifle Association will have a joint booth at the Republican State Convention. The “shall issue” law introduced by Clel Baudler never gained support in the D-controlled General Assembly. Given the humid weather we have been having, be sure your guns are clean, lubed, and coated with a rust protectorant.

PEI REPORT - There is still time to register and attend the Professional Educators of Iowa Annual Meeting which will focus on classroom management and which can be taken for continuing education credit. Victor McGuire, National Director of the Association of Beginning Teachers will be the featured speaker. For more information see www.peiowa.org

DR. RACHTER'S REPORT - The Public Interest Institute BRIEFS for June are “The Burden of Government” by Amy Frantz, “The Declining State of Higher Education” by John Hendrickson, and “A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa” by Jon Miltimore. The Institute’s quarterly for June, LIMITS, features two articles by Hendrickson “Tax Freedom Day: A Call for Tax Reform” and “Using Federalism to Reform Education: Reagan Style” as well as “Some Major Threats to Limited Government” by William Niskanen and “A Former NRA President’s Tribute to Charlton Heston” by Sandy Froman. For more information, go to www.limitedgovernment.org . Materials from Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism were distributed by the Moderator. If you would like copies, contact him. Next meeting will be Wednesday, July 9th.

APC REPORT - American Property Coalition addressed the group about the threat to private property, our liberties, and the pursuit of happiness contained in the so-called “Clean Water Restoration Act” which is being pushed by Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar. The bill would substitute “waters of the United States” for “Navigable waters” in the 1972 Clean Water Act which would then give the feds the power to regulate wetlands, mudflats, sand flats, sloughs, intermittent steams, ponds, prairie potholes, and meadows. It would also insert the phrase “activities affecting these waters” making it a national land control bill and would overturn two recent US Supreme Court decisions in favor of land owners against federal regulators (SWANCC and Rapanos). Iowa Congressmen Boswell and Braley are on the committee with jurisdiction, so anything you can do to persuade them not to vote for this power grab would be most appreciated. Many groups on our team such as NTU, ATR, IFB, AFP, and NAM are opposed to this bill. For more information go to: http://www.americanpropertycoalition.org/

And to continue the tribute to Russert this weekend, we'll sign off with, Go Barnstormers, Beat Tulsa!

Cedar Rapids Gazette - Perry Walton/P&N Air - May's Island in Cedar Rapids flooded by the Cedar River, as seen from the air, on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

So… yea, this is pretty terrible. You know the numbers… another county is being added to the disaster area list each day… people have been killed… lives are being turned upside down. I wish I could write something to explain what most Iowans are thinking. No way I would do it any justice. So I won’t. For me, when it comes to things like this… I try to lighten things up a bit. Besides… I can’t watch anymore TV coverage of this stuff. It’s not that I don’t care… it’s just getting too depressing. So… let’s have some fun!

One of my all time favorite movies is My Blue Heaven. For some reason, it always makes me laugh. Seen it a million times and still cracks me up. For today’s post, I’ll put a clip in between each story. Hope this lightens up your weekend as dry weather seems to be in the forecast.

FINKLE AND EICHHORN, EICHHORN AND FINKLE… EICHHORN CONCEDES – George Eichhorn officially ended his campaign today per a letter emailed to QCI this morning. Congrats to Christopher Reed, Republican Nominee. Best of luck to George with your future endeavors. Now I have to retire the Ace Ventura references.

QCI POLL – Keep voting, revote, under vote and everything else. So far you think QCI should go for it… and some of you really like the 69 jokes… ha ha 69….

NEARING 9,000 – As QCI approaches yet another milestone, just wanted to thank everyone for reading. This is a lot of fun. Also, my sincere apologies to the grammar and spelling police… but then again, I think most folks have figured out how to read through my posts with numerous errors. Anyways, I’ll do my best and if that’s not enough… well, you know this is the World’s crappiest blog, right? Oh, and how did no one catch the errors in the F’ING STORMS graphic header thinger? Sigh…

Be safe out there everyone. Until then... it's MERENGUE TIME!

So… it’s been a wild one lately, huh QCI-ders? Well… that all comes to a halt for another month. A little BREAKING NEWS from the F’ING STOMRS OF 2008 department.

OVER AT 621 EAST 9TH – As it has been reported by Hawkeye GOP and the Party itself, the State Convention has been rescheduled to July 11th & 12th. God call, but that officially postpones the QCI State Convention Week… so we’ll have to put our fancy graphic header thinger in storage. No worries, QCI still is passing on the latest buzz and build up.

NEW QCI POLL – On the right of your computer screen is a new poll. Considering the upcoming drama that is always the State Convention, QCI is considering a Convention Gameday Post. Filled with more analysts, contributors and such. But, it’s up to you to decide. Could there possibly be anything better than the Game Day post? Again, it’s on the right hand side of the site, below the “Help Jerry Slifka Bitch Slap Cancer” link. Vote and then give a buck or 2.

SPEAKING OF THE F’ING STORMS – What would be a QCI post without recycling a Krusty post, right? Hershel has a great read that put things inperspective.

NEW BLOG ALERT – Ad this to you must read of the day. Introducing “In Fly Over Country”. Judging by the first few posts… it’s going to have a good pulse on everything. Check it out.

THE DRAMA CONTINUES VIA YEPSEN – This is the article heard around the world today. We’ve been getting different takes to the Convention build up from Uncle Ted, Battleground and of course Krusty. That was just covering the stack of tires with diesel fuel… Yepsen’s article has lit the match to make the pile burn. Enter Fly Over with their response.

With a whole month until the convention now, I hope all factions can have a Coke and a smile… and move on to winning elections in the fall, sound good? Alright, ladies and gentlemen… please welcome Jack White… because it's the right thing to do.

HELP JERRY KICK CANCER'S ASS - A quick special announcement QCI-ders. Most of you know our good friend Karen Slifka’s Dad has been diagnosed with cancer. Here’s her ask for help:

Hi there. Most of you know that my Dad was recently diagnosed with a rare and advanced form of cancer. Your prayers and support over these last few months have been very helpful to my Dad and our entire family. Thank you.

Today my sister, Jodi, joined a “Relay for Life Team” with her colleagues and invited me to join. I think most of you know fundraising is not my calling – but if you are inclined please take a moment to contribute to this important cause by following the links below.

Jerry Slifka is one of the greatest guys I have ever met. Quick with joke and always ready sit down and swop stories over a few (or 10) beers. I’m linking this on the right hand side of QCI for now. But please consider giving a buck, $5 or the best you can. Here’s the link. Let’s help Karen out. Also, as most of you know, prayers always welcome… they work. Do what you can QCI-ders.










HUMPTY HUMP MAIL BAG – Alright we have reached the hump day of State Convention Week. No better way to celebrate than to do the Humpty Hump and answer some of your questions, comments and insults. Hence the name of the blog. So in no particular order of emails, texts and yes your snarky comments… here we go…

“hey G--are you and blohan still on the fritz?” Not cool, she’s off the stuff now. You may call her Ms. Lohan. Yes, we remain friends. She’s had some stuff happen and with the old campaign schedules and now in midseason… there just wasn’t any time. That doesn’t mean there are still photos out there. You may get an Us Weekly soon…

“Why do you post so much Krusty?” He’s the ringleader. Usually if he’s writing about, people are talking about. Hershel, Battleground and Sporer usually set the subject of the day. Hershell has a great serious take when it comes to the scoop of the day. Mine is more of a… well let’s say if there was a healthcare forum in some race… I’d somehow try to make some fart joke out of it. What can I say, I’m just 30 going 11.

“I really wish you'd never mention Tim Russert's name on this blog again. He's number one on my list of people I'd beat the hell out of if I knew I would get away with it.” No love for Russert? Yikes man. Russert rules. BTW, I’ll write what I want on here. How’s that for a little snarks strike back! I think Russert's great.

“Is there a real Nathan Greene and Emily Geiger? I have heard Battleground Iowa is being ran by so and so.” Not sure? Although I have heard that allegation once or twice. Here’s my guarantee. The you stuff here, it’s from me. Unless it was a collaboration and such, I’ll tell ya. This blog has been kind of rewarding to write. Why would I spend time writing the crappiest blog ever… and not want a sitation or something… all I know is, Battleground writes some great stuff, and I'll leave it at that. Like I always say, trying to krack some sort of Krusty kode is so 2006...

“I did some homework last night in preparation for convention weekend.. I pulled Iowa Right to Life's tax filing. Just so happens 70% of the 2006 budget went to staff salaries...not helping Republicans. Check it out for yourself!” This one was from nichemomia of Rudd, Iowa (told you, I read my sitemeter). I call these blog carpet bombs. Why you ask? Because I saw this same comment word for word on other blogs' comment sections. It's a way to stir the pot. Um, the Iowa Right to Life isn't a special wing of the GOP, nichemomia. It's an advocacy group. Hence the name "right to life". They do have influence in the party because most Republicans are prolife. They will endorse Ds if they have a good prolife record. Hope that clears things up for you nichemomia.





Ask and you shall receive. By request and because QCI is totally about bandwagons and caving into the latest fads (does this mean I have to buy Crocs?) here’s your F’ING STORMS OF 2008 graphic header thinger.

INSTANT CLASSIC – Here’s a true story that is getting some buzz today via Christopher Rants:

The first meeting between candidates is always a little awkward. After all, this other person has decided your doing a poor job as an elected official and wants to take your job away. Maybe they attend one of your public forums, so the incumbent is aware that everything they say may be used against them.

Maybe the challenger bumps into you at the parade route, and you each look to see how many volunteers they other has with them. Either of those has to be better than what happened to Rep. Bob Kressig of Cedar Falls.

Bob was “touring” the flooding in his district with Sen. Danielson – decked out in shades, and polo shirts, thanking all the volunteers who were there filling and stacking up sandbags to protect people and property against the rising water.

And its there that Bob met his opponent, Carlin Hageman, for the first time. While Bob was “touring”, Carlin was with the rest of the volunteers sandbagging….

Pause for an uncomfortable moment of silence.

“Well, hello there….”

WAR RANTS! That hilarious... and true at the same time.

YOU SANDBAGGIN’ SOB - Well, we all might be sandbaggin’ SOBs soon. Here’s information that was sent to me concerning sandbagging efforts:

Polk County Emergency Management officials said Wednesday morning that so far they don't need volunteers to help with sandbagging efforts.

They said that there may be a large-scale volunteer effort necessary to respond throughout Polk County. Anyone interested in volunteering should begin registering now at www.unitedwaydm.org.

Volunteers will receive an email notification once opportunities and needs are made available. Residents without access to the Internet should call 211 to register their contact information. Once registered, volunteers will be contacted and should be available to report to the Volunteer Reception Center as directed. Once at the Center, volunteers will be screened, given an ID and deployed to various locations in the most urgent areas of need.

A Volunteer Reception Center is being set up to coordinate the volunteer response to the flooding emergencies in Polk County. The Volunteer Reception Center will be open from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. beginning Wednesday, June 11. It will be located at the United Way Human Services Campus at 1111 9th St, Des Moines, IA.

You know what makes sandbagging fun? When you are doing the Humpty Hump…