The Idiot Amendment became a debate issue the other day. Huh?
Seems a good hearted legislator attuned to mental health issues decided it was time to clean up some archaic language in the Iowa Constitution to remove the terms "idiot" and "insane." Good thing.
`Twas supposed to be on the ballot this fall. But someone at Chet Culver's office goofed up the official publication and that's caused a two year delay. It seems to be old news, Culver `fessed up long ago.
Blouin tried to make hay out of it in a debate. But HERE'S where the Register missed the boat - by burying this exchange deep in the story:
A short time later, Culver asked Blouin whether Iowa pharmacists should be required to dispense the so-called "morning-after pill." Blouin said the issue was a federal matter, which prompted Culver to ask"So do you favor dispensing the morning-after pill to women in Iowa, yes or no?" Blouin replied, "I'll tell you, you tell me why you screwed up on the constitutional amendment."
Language is important - but it's symbolic. Choice is REAL.
Tangent. Back in `92 a similar amendment was on the ballot: the Iowa Constitution prohibited anyone who'd participated in a duel from holding office. The late Clay Spear of Des Moines County made it his mission to remove this ancient language. The upshot was it really slowed us down chasing absentee ballots in what was then a record turnout year; people didn't understand what the fuss was about and were stymied.
And it was even worse for auditor's offices, who had to try to explain the amendment in neutral, non-leading language.
"Dueling?!? You mean like with guns!??"
"Uh, huh..."
So the election workers of Iowa won't face feeble-minded humor this year.
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