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Monday, January 31
SUPPORT VIVA 2005: For Voter Verified Paper Ballots
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 31 Jan 2005 05:46 AM CST
 SUPPORT VIVA 2005: For Voter Verified Paper Ballots
From: the National Ballot Integrity Project
Action Alert Day One
January 31, 2005
Voter Verified Paper Ballots
are the essential first step towards a trustworthy election. VIVA 2005
makes Voter Verified Paper Ballots mandatory for federal elections.
Senator Ensign (R-NV)
will introduce VIVA 2005 if other Republican Senators will cosponsor
this worthy bill. Joan Krawitz, Andy Stephensen, Warren Stewart, and
Cheryl Lilienstein, of the National Ballot Integrity Project, will be
in Washington DC urging Republican Senators to cosponsor VIVA 2005,
this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Please help us by making the phones of Republican Senators ring. Urge them to cosponsor VIVA 2005.
You will be making history again.
Here’s our request:
If you
live in a state with a Republican Senator or two, just call them, and
ask them to cosponsor VIVA 2005. I would give you the toll free number
for the US Capitol Switchboard, but they just disconnected it...I guess
this means they got too many calls? So, use your cell phone.
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM.
(Ask for Sen. Chuck Grassley)
For more information, legislation text, rationale, and a direct phone line, go here:
http://www.ballotintegrity.org/action.html
And please, forward this request to your lists: VIVA 2005 is the first step in election justice.
With gratitude,
Joan Krawitz
Co-founder, National Ballot Integrity Project
http://www.ballotintegrity.org
Sunday, January 30
LOOPHOLES IN IOWA POLLUTION LAWS by Molly Regan
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 30 Jan 2005 12:24 PM CST
 LOOPHOLES IN IOWA POLLUTION LAWS
by Molly Regan
Loopholes…Loopholes…Loopholes. Bad little areas of the law that just happen to allow all kinds of things to slip through. ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT
released a report saying: “At least 29 states have loopholes in
their laws that allow “accidental” pollution emissions to exceed
federal CLEAN AIR ACT limits, while many other states simply choose not
to take enforcement against industrial facilities for such emissions”
that include BENZENE, BUTADIENE and other CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS.
IOWA is one of those 29 states.
OIL
REFINERIES are some of the culprits. Is there a refinery near
you? Do you drive by one on the way to work? One woman who
lives in Ohio close to one stated for the ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY
PROJECT: “I used to work across the street from a Sunoco
refinery. I now have HEART ARRHYTHMIA and CHEMICAL
SENSITIVITY. We found nine people in a two-block area around the
refinery with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Something is obviously
wrong. We know emissions from the refinery are affecting our
health, but we can’t even get basic information from the state about
what is being emitted. We’re at least entitled to know what we’re
breathing”.
The
great work that the ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT has taken on
was started in 2002 by Eric Schaeffer. He had previously been
with the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY as part of their OFFICE OF
REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT. “He resigned after publicly expressing his
frustration with efforts of the Bush administration to weaken
enforcement of the CLEAR AIR ACT and other laws”….KUDOS TO YOU, ERIC
SCHAEFFER!
This
non-partisan, non-profit organization’s August 2004 report goes on to
indicate that according to a woman in Texas who lives near an
industrial area: "HEART DEFECTS IN BABIES in our area occur at TWO TO
SIX TIMES THE STATE REGISTRY RATE”. Her grandbaby was born with a
heart defect, and when she sees the pollution she asks, “ How is this
affecting my family’s health? How is this affecting my
community? How sick must we be before someone pays attention?”
Another
woman in California admits: “You can sometimes smell a terrible odor
and feel a nasty taste in your mouth, but I’m just as concerned at all
the things I can’t see that I know are occurring on a daily basis!”
For further information on this report and to view their RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION, go to:
environmentalintegrity.org/pub238.cfm to see the press release from AUGUST 18, 2004.
So,
“What now?” you may ask. To be sure, the first thing that would
really show you are serious about making an impact, is to make a change
in your behavior. For example, sit down and make a list of ways
to CUT DOWN ON PETROLEUM PRODUCT USE. This may be a very long
list, because you may be unaware of the extensive use that these
products play in our lives.
That
case holding your computer innards in one place is probably plastic
(Petroleum Based), the oil keeping your vehicle lubed is Petroleum
Based, your glasses sitting on your nose may be, that new lawn set
you’ll look at in a catalogue soon, and even the little ball bearings
making your child’s newest toy so much fun may all be Petroleum Based.
So where does a person go to find products that are less dangerous to create? One place to start is www.patagonia.com to find much information about becoming a more BENEVOLENT, LESS POLLUTION-CONTRIBUTING CONSUMER.
Another
suggestion to help clean up the air, is to report any sightings of an
industry spewing colorful, toxic smelling agents into our air. We
all should seriously change how we get from place to place, too, as
well as share that new-found information with others. It could
not only save you some money and possibly make you new friends, but may
also save lungs and hearts and lives.
Let us not forget to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Monday, January 24
Help Restore Balance on the Public Airwaves - Bring Back the Fairness Doctrine
by
Trish Nelson
on Mon 24 Jan 2005 11:43 AM CST
 Help Restore Balance on the Public Airwaves - Bring Back the Fairness Doctrine
FairnessDoctrine.com
For many
years, television and radio stations were required to give equal time
to opposing sides of public or political issues to ensure the American
public heard all sides of a debate. It was a requirement made by the
Federal Communications Commission that came to be known as The Fairness
Doctrine.
In
1986, a federal court ruled that the Fairness Doctrine did not have the
force of law and could be overturned without congressional approval.
Congress passed a bill to make the doctrine law but the bill was vetoed
by President Reagan in 1987 and the Fairness Doctrine was abolished.
Since
then, the country has experienced a proliferation of highly partisan
news outlets that disseminate unbalanced news coverage. Democracy is
built on the idea that the views, beliefs, and values of an informed
citizenry provide the best basis for political decision-making.
And
American listeners and viewers agree. A recent poll of likely voters
shows overwhelming support across the political and demographic
spectrum for restoring rules requiring fairness and balance on the
public airwaves.
Please join us in signing the following petition calling for the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine:
___________
Demand that Congress Renew the Fairness Doctrine
In
June 2004, Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced
legislation calling on broadcasters to provide balance and diversity in
their news coverage. H.R. 4710, or the MEDIA Act (Meaningful Expression
of Democracy in America) would reinstate the Fairness Doctrine to
ensure that broadcasters "afford reasonable opportunity for the
discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance." We,
the undersigned, support Representative Slaughter's efforts to restore
balance to the media and call on Congress to pass this measure.
News
consumers, particularly those of talk radio, are overwhelmingly exposed
to a single point of view. A survey conducted by Democracy Radio this
year revealed that 90% of all broadcast hours on talk radio are fairly
characterized as conservative. This imbalance results in issues of
public importance receiving little or no attention, while others are
presented in a manner not conducive to the listeners' receiving the
facts and range of opinions necessary to make informed decisions.
By
restoring a diversity of fact and opinion to programming, Fairness
Doctrine legislation restores a concept that has been lost since the
1980s -- that because the public owns the airwaves, the public is
entitled to be adequately informed by the broadcasters of news and
opinion. Slaughter's bill puts this fundamental issue as well as the
responsibility of broadcasters back on the agenda: "A broadcast license
confers the right to use a valuable public resource and a broadcaster
is therefore required to utilize that resource as a trustee for the
American people."
We, the undersigned, demand that Congress restore balance to our airwaves.
___________
Click here to sign the petition
Thomas Athans
Executive Director
Democracy Radio
David Brock
President and CEO
Media Matters for America
Andrew Jay Schwartzman
President and CEO
Media Access Project
 Click here to sign up for action alerts from RapidResponse - Iowa.
Sunday, January 23
IOWA COUNTIES & THE DNR MASTER MATRIX by Molly Regan
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 23 Jan 2005 02:39 PM CST
 IOWA COUNTIES & THE DNR MASTER MATRIX
by Molly Regan
Good news for those of us in the IOWA counties that choose to retain
the Department Of Natural Resources’ (DNR) MASTER MATRIX system.
This Master Matrix is “a scoring system that can be used to evaluate
the siting of permitted confinement feeding operations” according to
information at www.iowadnr.com. This questionnaire is for animal
confinement owners as well as smaller farmers who raise a certain
number of cattle, hogs, or chickens. They need to indicate how
creating or expanding their business will impact the surrounding
COMMUNITY, THE WATER, AND THE AIR.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS in each IOWA county has until January 31st,
2005, to choose whether or not to continue (or in some cases take up)
the requirement that the Master Matrix be used for building
permits. For example, if a company wants to build a 30,000
chicken production facility in Scott County (whose Board Of Supervisors
APPROVED for the THIRD YEAR in a row the Master Matrix), it would need
to fill it out in that county.
One of the questions on the Master Matrix is as follows: “ Groundwater
monitoring wells installed near manure storage structure, and applicant
agrees to provide data to the department.” If these monitoring
wells will indeed be in place, then a score of 15 can be divided under
the Air, the Water, and/or the Community sections. 44 questions
with a total of 880 possible points are on the questionnaire. At
least one half of the total must be reached for approval.
Use of this system is of the utmost importance if counties want to have
any say as to whether or not confined animal feeding operations
(CAFO’s) operate or upgrade within their boundaries. The DNR
still has the final say, but at least with this Master Matrix, each
county can still have input on new or expanding operations.
For the smaller farmer, some may have to fill out the paperwork if
their expansion goes beyond a certain number of animal units.
Of utmost concern is AIR POLLUTION caused by these facilities.
Even a 500-head hog operation can create much HYDROGEN SULFIDE and
AMONIA. Both of these, if too concentrated, can cause damage to
humans. According to DR. KAY KIMBALL in his (yes, it is a man)
book ‘CHEMICAL BRAIN INJURY,’ too much exposure to these toxins can
cause memory loss, imbalance, reproductive problems, unconsciousness,
and even death. Dr. Kimball has researched this area for over 20
years, and his book explains in depth the consequences of living near
or working in an environment which produces harmful bi-products.
Check with your local Board of Supervisors to see if your county is
part of the process. Encourage them to do so. We all need to be
involved with this, even if you live in an urban area. Three
years ago, I spoke in front of the Clinton & Scott Counties Boards,
and I believe it helped encourage them to each go with the Matrix.
For more information go to: www.iowadnr.com or contact your local Board
of Supervisors…..And don’t forget: CPR/Conserve, Participate, Recycle
The Counterpoint: Everyone's Vote Must Count (Even Hyman's)
by
Trish Nelson
on Sun 23 Jan 2005 08:16 AM CST
Everyone's Vote Must Count (Even Hyman's)
The rational counter to "The Point," "The Counterpoint"
critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's
corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all
Sinclair-owned television stations across the country.
by Iowa's Ted Remington
On a hot summer night in 1964 outside of Philadelphia, Mississippi,
three young men died defending Americans’ right to vote. They weren’t
soldiers. They were three civil rights workers, two white and one
black, who were helping register African Americans to vote. They were
brutally gunned down by members of the KKK.
In his latest commentary, Mark Hyman discusses voter
disenfranchisement. Choosing to focus solely on the disenfranchisement
of overseas members of the military, he claims cryptically that many
charges of voter disenfranchisement in recent elections are “urban
legends.” (Has anyone suggested alligators living in city sewers are
chomping up butterfly ballots?)
Hyman is right on two important counts: yes, there have been problems
with absentee ballots from service members overseas being counted in
time, and yes, there needs to be something done about it (although
electronic balloting, Hyman’s suggested solution, without a paper trail
is a recipe for disaster).
But Hyman leaves out a few important facts. For one, government studies
have shown that the problems in collecting military ballots come
largely from one source: the Pentagon itself, which has been lax in
instituting changes in mail delivery that would help solve the problem.
Because Hyman doesn’t want to blame the military brass for problems of
enlistee disenfranchisement, he doesn’t mention this.
Furthermore, as shameful as it is that not all members of the military
have had their votes counted, it’s not the sole or even primary problem
when taking on the issue of voter disenfranchisement. Despite his
assertion that other charges of disenfranchisement are urban legends
(we’re guessing he’s referring to claims of the disenfranchisement of
African Americans—call it a hunch), there’s evidence aplenty that voter
disenfranchisement is widespread in the civilian world as well.
And one doesn’t need to take the word of politically motivated pundits
or interest groups. The government itself has conducted studies on
disenfranchisement in the 2000 election, and found unequivocal evidence
that it happened, and that it happened primarily to the working poor
and minorities. A congressional investigation found that across the
nation, districts with lower household incomes and/or high minority
populations had disproportionately high numbers of uncounted ballots
compared to wealthier, whiter districts.
The U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights found that in Florida, a wildly disproportionate number of
discounted ballots were cast by African Americans. Moreover, there was
substantial evidence that the Florida state government illegally struck
the names of thousands of black voters from the rolls. This is
particularly chilling; military disenfranchisement seems to be the
product of simple mismanagement of the Pentagon itself, while the
events in Florida (given that the governor and secretary of state in
Florida had, to say the very least, a vested interest in the outcome of
the vote) suggest the possibility of purposeful voter suppression.
For democracy to work, we need to know free and open elections, the
lynchpin of that democracy, are carried out properly. Every vote needs
to count, from the National Guard member serving in Iraq to the retired
nurse living in Broward County, Florida. There’s no room in a democracy
for claims that it’s more important to count some people’s votes than
it is to count those of others.
This is a particularly important value to reassert now. Only last week,
a former KKK member was charged with murdering of those three young
civil rights workers on that dark Mississippi road more than 40 years
ago. As surely as the soldiers who hit Omaha Beach fought and died to
protect democratic freedoms, so did Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner,
and James Chaney. We owe it to everyone who has given their lives to
protect our freedoms to make sure everyone’s vote is counted.
And that’s The Counterpoint.
From
Iowa Rapid Response: You can help fight media conglomerate
Sinclair Broadcasting right here in Iowa by contacting the
following Iowa Sinclair Affiliates. Let them know you want fair
and balanced news and commentary.
Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque: KGAN Channel 2
e-mail address: kgan@kgan.com
Ph. 800-642-6140 toll free or 319-395-9060
Ames, Des Moines: KDSM Fox 17
e-mail address: comments@kdsm17.com
Ph: 515-287-1717 or FAX: 515-287-0064
If
you live in these broadcast areas, watch Mark Hyman's "The Point" tonight at the end
of the 10:00 news. Then visit http://www.sinclairaction.com/
Mark Hyman
Resources:
Click here for a list of KGAN Advertisers
If you live in the central Iowa broadcast area, watch your nightly KDSM newscast for advertisers, then click here to post.
For a complete list of Iowa newspapers, click here .
For a list of Sinclair owned and/or operated stations click here.
If you’re looking for some ideas for responding to “The Point,” visit "The Counterpoint"
Click here to sign up for action alerts from RapidResponse - Iowa.
Wednesday, January 19
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Fair Lending Task Force Meets January 20th (and other meetings of interest)
by
Linda Thieman
on Wed 19 Jan 2005 04:11 PM CST
 Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Fair Lending Task Force Meets January 20th (and other meetings of interest)
ICCI
The first meeting of CCI's Fair Lending Task Force will be Thursday, January 20th at 6:00 pm.
This new
task force will combine members who have been working and winning on
predatory mortgage lending and the Community Reinvestment Act.
These issues both deal with getting lenders to make good loans in our
neighborhoods. By doing this we are improving our neighborhoods
and the financial future of our communities. All CCI members are
invited to join us as we begin a new era in the fight for fair lending.
CCI's Fast Track is a home ownership workshop meeting on Thursday, January 20th from 5:30-9:30 pm.
This
overview of the home ownership process is ideal for future buyers who
have minimal credit and budgeting issues and who want to learn how to
take the best steps and avoid predatory practices. The workshop
is free and free childcare is provided with two days notice.
The Fast
Track class is located at Des Moines Citizens for Community
Improvement, 2005 Forest Avenue. To register, call Jerri at
515-255-0800.
Training Workshop on Media & Public Meetings
The Des
Moines Chapter of Iowa CCI will be hosting a training workshop for Des
Moines CCI members on Monday, January 24 from 6-8:30 pm at the Des
Moines CCI Office. The training will consist of information and
instruction on:
How to use the media to your advantage:
--Writing effective letters to the editor
--How to give an interview to the media
--Running effective public meetings
This is
a unique opportunity to develop and improve your skills in different
areas that will make Des Moines CCI stronger. If you are
interested in attending this workshop, RSVP to Danny,
515-255-0800. Refreshments will be provided.
Please join us on January 24th!
The next Predatory Car Sales Task Force Meeting is Wednesday, January 26, at 6:00 pm.
Following
our public meeting on January 11, we will be moving forward on concerns
and issues addressed. If you are interested in learning more
about and working on this issue, we encourage you to attend.
For questions or more information on predatory car sales, contact Danny at 515-255-0800.
Kristin Vick
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Membership and Communications Coordinator
515-255-0800
We talk. We act. We get it done.
Howard Dean Adds Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah to Growing List of Endorsements for Democratic National Committee Chair
by
Trish Nelson
on Wed 19 Jan 2005 06:46 AM CST
 Howard Dean Adds Mississippi! Oklahoma! and Utah! to Growing List of Endorsements for DNC Chair
Blog for America
Following the news that the
Florida delegation to the Democratic National Committee voted
unanimously to endorse Howard Dean to be the party's next chairman,
three more states followed suit in endorsing Gov. Dean yesterday.
Governor
Howard Dean was endorsed today by several state Democratic Party chairs
and vice chairs, adding to his broad, diverse and growing list of
support both among the members of the Democratic National Committee
(DNC). The list of voting DNC state party chairs and vice-chairs
supporting Governor Dean include:
Florida: Chairman Scott Maddox, Vice-Chairwoman Diane Glasser
Mississippi: Chairman Wayne Dowdy
Oklahoma: Chairman Jay Parmley, Vice-Chairwoman Debbe Leftwich
Utah: Vice-Chairwoman Nancy Woodside
Washington: Chairman Paul Berendt
Vermont: Chairman Peter Mallary
This
list of supporters signifies that people in every region of the country
approve of Dean's vision and structure that he wants to bring to the
DNC.
"The
support of these influential chairs and vice chairs from all parts of
the country and across the political spectrum means a lot to me." Dean
said, "They are part of my overall strategy for Democrats to be
involved in every race in every town, city and precinct. I am looking
forward to working with them to ensure my election as the next Chairman
of the DNC."
Dean is
running for DNC Chair to build on the work his PAC, Democracy for
America, (DFA) has been doing to elect Democrats to local and national
offices. In addition to mobilizing grassroots support, DFA directly
donated over $1 million for candidates across the country.
Gov.
Dean continues to attend regional caucus meetings of the DNC membership
across the country and will be traveling to those meetings for the next
two weeks. This weekend (January 22), he will be in Sacramento to meet
with the Western Regional Caucus and the following weekend (January 29)
he will be in New York City to meet with the Northern Regional Caucus.
(click here to go to Blog for America)
 To express your support of Gov. Dean to Iowa DNC members who will be voting on February 15th, check out this easy to use tool.
Click here to join RapidResponse - Iowa.
Monday, January 17
ACT Commemorates Dr. King by Shining Spotlight on Vote Fraud Aimed at African Americans
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 17 Jan 2005 06:29 PM CST
 ACT Commemorates Dr. King by Shining Spotlight on Vote Fraud Aimed at African Americans
America Coming Together
Some things haven't changed. It's time to ACT. Click here.
There
are so many powerful images from our country's long struggle for racial
and economic equality. Every history book has the same black and
white pictures -- from places like Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
So, as
we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King today, I'd like to share some
equally powerful images of Election Day, 2004 -- from places like Ohio,
Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
In
honor of Dr. King and the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act,
please sign your name to our demand for electoral reform nationwide.
Join the fight. Send these images to everyone you know.
We're
just beginning to understand the impact of the aggressive campaign of
misinformation, repression and intimidation that was unleashed by
corrupt Republican officials and partisans in 2004. Here are just
a few examples (View the orginials by clicking here):
*In Lake County, Ohio,
a fake letter appearing to come from the Lake County Board of Elections
was sent to newly registered voters saying that registrations gathered
by progressive organizations (including ACT) are illegal and those
voters would not be able to vote.
*The week before the election,
flyers were circulated in Milwaukee under the heading "Milwaukee Black
Voters League" with some "warnings for election time" including that
anyone convicted of any offense, however minor, is ineligible to vote;
that any family member having been convicted of anything would
disqualify a voter; and that any violation of these warnings would
result in ten years in prison and a voter's children being taken away.
*A flyer designed to look like an official announcement
from McCandless Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was
designed to misinform voters on a partisan basis. The flyer
claimed that "Due to the immense voter turnout that is expected on
Tuesday, November 2 the state of Pennsylvania has requested an extended
voting period" encouraging people to vote on November 3rd.
So,
with the dust settling on the 2004 elections, a much longer fight must
continue on the streets and in the precincts where too many voices went
unheard.
This
petition and the strength of ACT's ongoing field campaign will oppose
and defeat any corrupt federal, state, and local official who blocks
common sense efforts to ensure fairer voting in future elections.
Demand change today. Learn more here.
We will
not win by sending emails and airing television commercials. We
will only win by building strong organizations on the ground from
coast to coast. This is what ACT is doing in 2005.
ACT TOWN HALL MEETINGS PLANNED
Over the
coming weeks, ACT staff and volunteers will be organizing town hall
meetings to review the elections of 2004 and discuss our plans for the
future. This is your chance to help shape ACT's future and build
the volunteer organization needed to win in 2005 and beyond.
Currently, we are making plans for meetings in the following cities.
Columbus, OH - TBD
Los Angeles, CA - January 22
Milwaukee, WI - TBD
New York, NY - January 18 (*Capacity reached. More events soon.)
Philadelphia, PA - TBD
Phoenix, AZ - TBD
St. Louis, MO - TBD
More cities to be announced soon!
If you
are involved with a volunteer organization in another city that worked
with ACT in 2004 or looking to work with us in the future, please let
us know how we can support your continued efforts in 2005. Email volunteer@act4victory.org.
Sincerely,
Steve Rosenthal
CEO
America Coming Together
P.S. From National Journal's Charlie Cook, printed on January 11, 2005, on what went right in 2004:
"Democrats,
chiefly through America Coming Together, mounted what was not only the
most sophisticated get-out-the-vote operation in the party's history,
but it was probably the best field work by a factor of at least 10.
Merging the latest in technology with old-fashioned shoe leather,
Democrats not only met, but surpassed, their vote total targets in key
states such as Ohio and Florida. With voter turnout unexpectedly
climbing from 105 million in 2000 to 119 million in 2004 and a parallel
effort by the GOP that took them to startling heights of organization
as well, the Democratic GOTV operation was not quite good enough to
win, but it was awfully close."
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