"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
apropos of Senator Joni Ernst's vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
First, A New Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Member
I’m thrilled to introduce you to
the newest member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. David’s life is one of adventure, creativity, and conservation. From Polar sailing expeditions with National Geographic to documenting the effects of climate change in the Arctic, author and photographer David Thoreson will bring the topic of climate change (trend? seriously, trend?) to what the impacts are in Iowa and beyond.I first met David at the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, an event that aligned with his connection to the glacial waters of West Lake Okoboji—his lifelong home and the foundation of his storytelling and environmental advocacy. After inspiring others at the retreat, David is now channeling his experiences into a Substack column and membership within our group.
Look at “Northwest Passages,” where David reflects on climate change and his love for Iowa’s lakes and landscapes. His purpose is evident and inspiring. So are his photographs.
David will be our Monday Zoom Lunch guest tomorrow, Monday, January 26. Subscribers will receive a link tomorrow morning. Join us.
Senator Ernst votes for Pete Hegseth to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a self-proclaimed advocate for sexual assault survivors in the military, held a decisive vote last night in confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, a nominee whose past behaviors—including allegations of abuse and concerns over judgment—drew strong objections from three Republican senators. Despite his contentious history, including claims from his mother and the sister of his former wife about abusive behavior, Ernst sided with party leadership, allowing Vice President JD Vance to break the tie and secure the nomination for a man now in charge of overseeing an $877 billion defense budget.
Perspective
For a touch of perspective, Lloyd Austin was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 93-2; a vote of 90-8 confirmed Mark Esper (a Trump appointee); James Mattis, another Trump appointee, won confirmation with a 99-1 vote.
In 2018, during Hegseth’s divorce proceedings from his second wife, his mother, Penelope Hegseth, sent an email with this message:
"You are an abuser of women – that is the ugly truth, and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego." NYTimes story
That was from his mother (who later apologized for writing it).
The sister of his former wife, Samantha, provided an affidavit alleging that his then-wife feared for her safety during their marriage.
There were reports of a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Hegseth, which he settled with the accuser for $50,000.
Locker Room Talk?
So, locker-room-talk, boy-will-be-boys, or whatever scapegoating misogynistic lingo used to explain away brutish behavior aside, was it Hegseth’s career that made him capable of running one of the most enormous budgets in the U.S. government?
He was a talking head on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
Weekend. He didn’t even anchor a prime-time spot. But who’s counting? He did have a mid-career position in the Army at one point, though.
Fox, the ‘news’ station where one of the hosts, Jesse Walters, said of Kamala Harris’ husband:
“What kind of husband goes grocery shopping with his wife?” Jesse Watters said on Fox News after displaying a photo of Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris in a grocery store checkout line.
Hegseth is now in charge of our sons, daughters, and grandchildren who serve in the military and, oh, by the way, Defense of the United States of America.
Let the retribution begin.
Joni Ernst wanted her constituents to believe she was anti-sexual assault in the military
We can thank Iowa’s Senator Joni Ernst for single-handedly giving us Hegseth. Had she voted against his confirmation, there would not have been a tie vote for JD Vance to break in his favor.
Blah, blah, blah
Here are the remarks by Senator Joni Ernst on sexual assault in the military, along with the dates they were made, based on available information:
"As a former combat commander and a survivor of sexual assault, I understand the traumatic experiences too many of our servicemembers have faced..."
Date: July 16, 2021
Source: Senator Ernst's Press Release"I will continue fighting to ensure all men and women are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve."
Date: Ongoing campaign statement
Source: Senator Ernst's Priorities"Securing justice for survivors of sexual assault and abuse is critical..."
Date: July 16, 2021
Source: Senator Ernst's Press Release"Sexual harassment and sexual assault is incompatible with our military and American values and it must be stopped."
Date: May 1, 2019
Source: Senator Ernst's Tweet"A priority of mine has been combating sexual assault in the military and making sure that all of our service members are treated with dignity and respect."
Date: June 2021
Source: Senator Ernst on YouTube"As a survivor of sexual assault, I’ve worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military."
Date: May 19, 2021
Source: Politico"I am excited to sit down with him again, but there will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward..."
Date: December 7, 2024
Source: Politico"I am a survivor of sexual assault, so I've worked very heavily on sexual assault measures."
Date: February 2021
Source: The Wall Street Journal"I’d like to hear about the role of combat in our great United States military."
Date: July 2023
Source: Associated Press"Balancing the books and managing and providing oversight for a $877 billion industry is extremely important."
Date: December 2024
Source: Associated Press
Let’s say Ernst is not likely to be named a candidate for a Profiles in Courage Award.
Read
’s December 14 column preceding this vote for more context.
2025 - A Year for Change
So, here we are—a juxtaposition in life—on the cusp of a year filled with the certainty of change, even if we can’t predict what it will bring.
I’ve made a life-long career of embracing change…walking into the unknown with unrealistic optimism and not nearly enough fear to warrant the situation.
As my mother would say during these periods of self-inflicted chaos: “Julie always manages to land on her feet.”
So, if change panics you, come to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat and absorb the vibe of being surrounded by folks who are taking steps toward going for it.
Some participants find traveling outside their home zip code challenging, but for others, it’s part of their path to lifelong learning. Wherever you are on the learning curve of life, know you will find a home with us.
At last year’s retreat, a songwriter got the nerve to perform for the first time. A memoirist uncovered the story they’d been waiting to tell. This year, it could be you. Or come just for fun, because it will be that.
No matter where you are on your journey, you’ll find inspiration, support, and a creative home with us at Okoboji. Learn more.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
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The Ernst confirmation vote of Hegseth for Secretary of Defense is by far the most damming betrayal of all the Republican politicians in Washington representing the State of Iowa, so far, in 2025. All of this for the sake of position, power and prestige. Chuck Grassley voted in the same manner. Accepting the bait and switch sandwich offered by the new President and embarrassing himself and his constituents.
Amen