Why?

1. Why do we keep misplacing top state government officials in this country? First, it was the governor of South Carolina. Now, we can't account for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus in the wee hours of July 12.

Was she home while a seven-pack of 19-year-olds drank beers and partied loudly on her property? Did she know her husband was outside getting busted for interfering with the busting of said beer party? Was she hiking the Appalachian Trail? She's not saying.

So you can vote, go to war and enter into a legally binding contract, but you can't down some brews around a bonfire at the chief justice's house? What kind of country is this?

2. Why would anyone think that remodeling office space for county officials is a higher priority than creating a facility to house juvenile justice programs?

Linn County Supervisor Jim Houser thinks offices are a priority. Supervisor Brent Oelson says juvenile justice should rule. Both projects are seeking I-Jobs bonding bucks. This will be a good chance to see if I-Jobs is really interested in critical infrastructure projects or handing out pork to politicians.

3. Why did House Speaker Pat Murphy think it was a good idea to say he's backing state Rep. Kerry Burt, who is now under state  investigation, "100 percent?"

 Burt, a Waterloo Democrat, has been accused of providing an incorrect home address in a scheme to save about $37,000 in tuition for his kids at the Price Lab School at UNI. He's also awaiting trial on a drunken driving charge. Innocent until proven guilty, of course. Still...

"I support Kerry Burt," Murphy said. "He's been a very good legislator in his first term of the Legislature. ... I'm 100 percent with him." Murphy told The Des Moines Register.  Really? 100 percent?  Wouldn't 65 percent make more sense? How about 40? Just until this unpleasantness gets cleared up.

At least Gov. Culver had the sense to say he's "very troubled."  

4. Why do Republicans think the smartest plays on health care reform are to accuse Democrats of moving too fast and call for delay?

The issue has been around for decades. It's been studied and debated to death. The GOP did next to nothing during the 12 years it ran Congress, including 8 with W. in charge. And now it's all  moving too fast?

"All right guys, as long as Americans remain stupid and forgetful, our strategy can't fail." And as long as you have Michael Steele out delivering those talking points, it' s a slam dunk.

5. Why is my 4-year-old ill-suited to be a spokesperson for Dubuque tourism? She can't pronounce Dubuque. Instead, she says "The Puke."  She thinks it's a lovely city, however.