Senator Larry McKibben, a Republican from Marshalltown, is not seeking
re-election, so perhaps that's why he felt free enough to call the
anti-smoking bill being debated this afternoon in the Iowa Senate
"crap." He also uttered the phrase "to hell with" on a few occasions.
I don't think there's a connection, but McKibben also admitted he
enjoyed "adult beverages" earlier in his remarks. UPDATE: The Senate
started this debate at 3:47 p.m. and it's now 5:30 p.m. Senator Joe
Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, had pushed the button on his desk,
indicating he wanted to speak during the debate and his request was
put in the cue. When Senate President Jack Kibbie called upon Bolkcom,
however, he wasn't at his desk.

Labels: smoking_ban, state Senate