Iowa lawmaker wrong to dismiss college students

where we stand Students should have seen the Democratic processin action -- not been told to go home.

When college students come before the Iowa Legislature to offertheir two cents on the budgeting process, that's a positive thing ina couple of ways.

For one thing, it's a great opportunity for young voters to seethe democratic process in action. Voters are allowed to expresstheir thoughts to elected officials, and lawmakers weighconstituents'opinions in reaching decisions. That's how it'ssupposed to work. What an important thing for these young adults tolearn: Speak up, get involved, voice your opinion. That's howgovernment and our communities work best.

How deflating, then, to learn that the first lawmaker studentsheard from was one who flatly told them to "go home."

Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, R-Dixon, said he didn't like it whenstudents come to the Legislature to "lobby me for funds."

"... spending your time worrying about what we're doing up here,I don't want you to do that," Hamerlinck told the students. "Go backhome. Thanks guys."

The students had been invited to the Capitol as part of OpenBudget Hearings - the goal of which is to hear feedback from Iowansimpacted by the proposed budget cuts. Certainly, students at regentschools would be among those most feeling the impact. The studentswho testified before the committee included student governmentleaders from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and theUniversity of Northern Iowa. Holding such a government office at amajor university is no small potatoes. Some of those studentsprobably received more votes to win their seats than, say, a senatorfrom Dixon, Iowa.

Credit goes to eastern Iowa's own Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington. Schoenjahn spoke up in response to Hamerlinck's remarks."Our number one job here today was to listen," Schoenjahn said."These students should be commended for being active citizensengaged in their community. Shame on Senator Hamerlinck for tellingthem to'go home'instead of listening."

Amen, brother Schoenjahn.

So many opinions come to mind when one ponders the actions ofCongressman Andrew Weiner. Let's start with this one: What is itabout celebrity and power that leads some people to believe they canget away with anything?

Weiner, 46, has admitted sending explicit photos and messages viathe Internet to about a half-dozen women over the past three years.Weiner tried lying, then coming clean. Then late last week, an X-rated photo said to be Weiner was brought to light. Oh boy. How manyself-portraits does a guy need?

In this day and age, the famous and the powerful should befamiliar with the vast reach of social media. If you send outcompromising photos of yourself into cyberspace, there is a goodchance they will come around to bite you. Think Brett Favre. If youare a politician having an extramarital affair, that can be prettyhard to keep a lid on, too. Think Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Sen.David Vitter, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, former SouthCarolina Gov. Mark Sanford .... need we continue?

To make matters worse, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi iscalling for an investigation to determine whether Weiner used anyofficial resources or violated any House rules in his antics.

Really? Is that what we really want, a Congressionalinvestigation of Andrew Weiner's sexting history? Come on, Weiner,do us a favor and step down and let Congress and the country moveon.

Neither side of the aisle can be smug about stories like thisone, as we've seen this sort of news crop up from both Democrats andRepublicans. Stupidity is apparently a bipartisan attribute.

Editorials reflect the consensus of the Telegraph HeraldEditorial Board.