Sickos tarnish an already sad memory

Isn't it odd that compassionate conservatives seem to misplace their Bibles every time some little girl gets raped and murdered? All these individuals can think to do is sink to the level of the despicable animals who committed these heinous acts. "Hang 'em high!" they cry. "Fry 'em," "Shoot 'em up with poison." Whatever you do, just make them pay. Oh yeah, and, most importantly, don't forget to turn on your cameras and microphones, because it's all an act. >> more

By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

One year after releasing its Grammy Award-winning, politically charged, epic album, "American Idiot," Green Day makes its Des Moines debut Sept. 17 at the new Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets for the show go on sale Saturday at noon through the Iowa Events Center. Reserved seats sell for $45 and $39.50 and general admission tickets are $45.

In other arena news, officials announced Monday that Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam will play there July 14. Tickets for the action sports event go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and range from $26 to $86.

Tickets for both events will be available at the Veterans Memorial box office or may be purchased online at www.iowaeventscenter.com or by calling (866) 443-2849.
The arena, by the way, officially opens to the public July 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. >> more

Vander Plaats mightily shunned

Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats tried to play it off as a win, but he's smarting something fierce, we're told, now that most of his party's legislators have already thrown their support behind Congressman Jim Nussle. Vander Plaats says it shapes up to be an insider-outsider battle. But the fact is, not a lot of legislators who endorse ever do any work for the gubernatorial nominee. What it reflects, according to a top Republican strategist, is the public sentiment that Nussle is the near-certain nominee - even this early in the game. Nussle has made occasional visits with legislators over the years but he has never truly courted them. Vander Plaats, however, tried very hard to win legislative support and only has two or three of his area legislators backing him. "It's an indication that people who know how to win elections think Vander Plaats cannot win the primary," our source said. "They're just not convinced that he's ready for prime time and, frankly, I think there is some justified resentment and concern that the guy has never held public office and thinks he's going to start at the top. Every politician has to have a healthy ego, but there's strong sentiment that Vander Plaats is simply over the top in the department." >> more

The Science Center of Iowa will reopen in its new, multi-million-dollar facility, including the new IMAX Dome Theater, on Saturday at 9 a.m. The 110,000-square-foot attraction is located on four acres south of Market Street between Third and Fifth streets, just north of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. >> more