The Register Does Good

We, along with other Iowa blogs, frequently bash the Des Moines Register, particularly the often pompous David Yepsen and the always useless Jane Norman (who did a great job transcribing a Chuck Grassley news release the other day–after all, stenography is easier than reporting). However, a story yesterday about internet hunting hit the nail on the head. It would ban hunting live animals over the internet using a webcam and a remote controlled rifle. While many find the practice objectionable, the reporter, Jennifer Jacobs, astutely points out the one problem with the bill, there is no internet hunting. Although a Texas entrepreneur tried to set up such a venture several years ago, the state of Texas almost immediately shut it down. It was the first and, to date, last attempt at internet hunting.

Even the sponsor of the bill, Republican Steven Lukan, does not know of anyone participating in internet hunting. But he wants to ban it anyway. Why? Because this is the rare type of non-controversial bill that gets a lot of easy publicity. While other state representatives busy themselves with dull tasks like spurring Iowa’s economic development and balancing the state’s budget, Steven Lukan finds it easier to ban something that does not exist. It is a waste of the legislature’s time and of taxpayer money. One wonders when Lukan will amend the bill to make it clear that the ban on internet hunting applies to unicorns.

2 comments March 2nd, 2007

The Register Is Clueless On Harkin

Today’s Des Moines Register has this Jane Norman story “Harkin raises money, perhaps to run again” about how Tom Harkin has raised $362,000 in the last quarter of 2006. Aside from wondering why else Tom Harkin would raise money for his Senate account besides a re-election bid, the article points out that “Harkin is doing everything to indicate he will seek re-election in 2008.” Although there were some rumors that he might retire, those have been pretty throughly debunked. The Register’s headline writers should start actually reading the news stories before they write the headline.

Add comment January 31st, 2007

Vilsack in DC

Despite his claim to be focused on his duties as governor, the Register reports that Vilsack travelled to DC this week to court a union conference. Jane Norman writes that Vilsack’s overtures are important to any future presidential bid:

[Vilsack’s] relations with some Iowa trade unions have at times been strained. Vilsack has been the target of criticism by labor groups because of pro-business legislation he has signed in order to compromise with Statehouse Republicans.

During his I’m-not-running-for-anything-I’m-just-here-to-chat speech he also uttered the words Democratic hopefuls are starting to rally around:

The strongest applause came when he called for less reliance on foreign oil and vowed that “we should never, ever send any young man or woman anywhere in the world to defend our oil supply.”

You just keep telling yourself we believe you haven’t thought about it, Tom.

3 comments April 4th, 2006