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Sunday, December 7
The Long Good-Bye to the Des Moines Register
by
Trish Nelson
on Sun 07 Dec 2008 05:00 AM CST
The Long Good-Bye to the Des Moines Register
by Trish Nelson
 By now you've heard the news about the dozens of Des Moines Register staff lay-offs that occurred on Wednesday, including Brian Duffy, award-winning editorial cartoonist and, according to Iowa Independent, the only front page newspaper cartoonist in the country.
I can see why they had to get rid of him. Who has ever made money selling quality and excellence?
Seriously though, one has to wonder if Gannett is trying to kill the paper rather than save it. If they are merely trying to save a few bucks by cutting back on personnel, how much sense does it make to give the ax to a uniquely talented Iowa institution whose presence on the front page we must assume is there because it helps sell papers?
It all feels so dreadfully familiar. I am reminded of the uncomprehending feeling I experienced when Congress voted with Bush on the Iraq war, and again every time after that when they voted with Bush for tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy. No matter how many times I thought it through and recognized political realities, etc., I could never get it to make sense for very long. Or when the Supreme Court of the United States stopped the Florida recount in 2000 - now as then, I sense an unseen, unknowable force at work.
I am old enough to remember the Gannett take-over of the Register, and the loss of great columnists like Donald Kaul and John Karras. Iowans have watched the paper's gradual decline in journalistic quality and excellence over the years.
And it is not just the Register that has been affected – other Iowa media have undergone consolidation, bought out by the Sinclairs, Gannetts and Clear Channels of the world or merely succumbed to the short-sighted, maximum profit orientation of contemporary marketing strategies. WHO-Radio, KGAN-TV, Iowa Public Radio – to name a few - are today shells of their former selves.
But enough about that for the moment. I take a measure of comfort knowing that fellow media reform activists are, as we speak, working tirelessly to turn back the negative trends, and perhaps under an Obama administration we can gain back some ground that has been lost, but at least during this defining moment for Iowans, it is what it is.
Today, Blog for Iowa will honor the newly departed Des Moines Register employees and the history of excellence of the Des Moines Register, the paper Iowa depends on, by posting a few timely words from Donald Kaul, former writer of Over the Coffee, Gannett survivor, and my favorite columnist ever, alive and well and still writing great columns. His topic today: the recession.
But first, click here for Duffy's final cartoon:
The Depression is Starting to Look Good
by Donald Kaul
 I don’t know what kind of Thanksgiving you had, but things were pretty mellow at our house. We had family and friends over for dinner, then gathered around the fire and sang old songs. “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out,” “Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?”--- the golden oldies. They don’t write songs like that anymore. I suppose they haven’t needed to, until now.
So OK, things were a little thin this year; I admit it. The past few weeks have taken a toll on my 401K. I’m considering giving it to my paperboy as a Christmas tip. But you know, I’ve always thought that this country had become too materialistic, too interested in “things.”
Well, George W. has taken care of that, hasn’t he? And to be honest, it wasn’t just George W. Bush. He had Dick Cheney to help him. When they said they were going to undo the excesses of the Clinton years, they weren’t kidding. I just didn’t think they were talking about excess income.
Not that I’m complaining. There’s still a lot to be thankful for.
Only last summer people were gnashing their teeth about $4-a-gallon gasoline. They couldn’t afford the gas to drive to their jobs, they said. You don’t hear much of that anymore. Gas is about $1.75-a-gallon and they’ve lost their jobs. Problem solved.
The people I feel the most envious of are the young people who are inheriting the environment we’ve created. Two wars. Economic crisis. Galloping unemployment. A budget deficit that threatens to block out the sun. A planet drying up with increasing speed. Sarah Palin.
I’d like to clear up one more thing. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that the Republican Party had become the Party of Dumb. Many people objected to that. (Two-thirds of them Republican, one-third dumb.)
Let me say right now that I never intended to imply that all Republicans are dumb. Some of my best friends are Republicans and I know of many, many others (in the low two figures) who are of average intelligence or better. I merely meant that the Republican Party, over the years, has crafted its message to appeal mainly to the dumb, ignorant and uninformed. If you are a smart Republican, you have a quarrel with your party, not me.
I hope that makes things better.
Happy Holidays.
Catch Kaul weekly at MinutemanMedia.Org - Donald Kaul is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-losing Washington correspondent who, by his own account, is right more than he's wrong.
(Click here to read the entire article)
Thursday, July 10
Political Tipsheet Upgrades Greenwald's Chances
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 10 Jul 2008 11:59 AM CDT
Political Tipsheet Upgrades Greenwald's Chances
by John Deeth, Iowa Independent
This article originally came out last week
The Cook Political Report newsletter today changed its ratings in 27 U.S. House races, with every change being in the Democratic Party's favor.
One switch was in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. The seat had been ranked as "Solid Republican" for incumbent Tom Latham. Cook has upgraded Democratic challenger Becky Greenwald's chances, and now lists the seat as "Likely Republican."
John Deeth :: Political Tipsheet Upgrades Greenwald's Chances
The next steps up for Greenwald would be "Lean Republican," followed by "Toss Up."
Iowa's other four seats are rated as solid for incumbent Democrats Bruce Braley, Dave Loebsack, and Leonard Boswell, and for GOP incumbent Steve King.
Thursday, June 7
The Progressive Iowa Network Organizing Summit
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 07 Jun 2007 01:20 PM CDT
The Progressive Iowa Network
Organizing Summit
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Iowa City Public Library
123 S. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA
52240
9 AM – 3PM
Agenda:
1. Welcome
2. Introductions
3. Why a Progressive Network is important for Iowa
4. Democracy for America – Support for Iowa’s Progressive Network
5. 2007 Iowa Legislative Review (Legislators)
6. Overview of Top Progressive Legislative Priorities (Progressive Activists)
7. Envisioning Progressive Power in Iowa (Ed Fallon & Denise O'Brien)
8. Break
9. Top Progressive Legislative Issues - Workshops
VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
CAFO/Farm Bill
Health Care
Media Reform
Fair Share
10. Lunch
11. Workshop Reports
12. Progressive Iowa Network – Next Steps
13. Democracy for Iowa – Administrative overview
14. Adjournment
Please note: If you are interested in discussing potential state-wide initiatives that will pressure our Congress to end the war in Iraq, please come to this event. Peace groups can strategize during the workshop hour (#9) and also report back to the larger group after lunch. This will be an excellent opportunity for all of us to be united for peace.
We will start gathering at 9am - coffee and bagels / breakfast treats.
The summit will begin promptly at 9:30am. Please let us know if you intend to come:
Please RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=20502
Monday, June 4
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
by
Caroline Vernon
on Mon 04 Jun 2007 09:30 AM CDT
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
By Caroline Vernon
This Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, legislators and activists from various organizations across Iowa will come together for the first DFA-Iowa Networking Summit.
We will be gathering at the Iowa City Public Library from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be devoted to DFA-IA administrative business).
Some of our great leaders who will be in attendance include Charlie Chamberlain from Democracy for America, Ed Fallon, Denise O’Brien, and Senator Joe Bolkcom, just to name a few…
Once again, the purpose of this gathering is to establish a Progressive Iowa Network which will serve to better unite progressives across the state in order to support each others efforts around important issues, particularly if we hope to be more effective moving into the next legislative session. Besides providing an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow progressives, one direct benefit of an Iowa Network would be the enhanced ability to articulate our progressive world view by creating a state-wide echo chamber that will carry our unified message to all Iowans.
As previously indicated, we have identified 5 issues in Iowa that require urgent action:
1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
2. CAFO regulations / Farm Bill
3. Fair Share
4. Healthcare
5. Media
Also, due to the recent vote on the Iraq supplemental bill, it is our hope that peace activists from across Iowa will take advantage of this opportunity to come together to discuss potential state wide initiatives that will effectively pressure those in Congress who voted for the bill.
In addition to addressing the above issues, we are tracking organizations by their particular area(s) of focus. This list has also evolved since my last blog:
1. Policy / Research
2. Lobbying
3. Media & Blogs
4. Grassroots Organizing
These 4 areas have been added:
5. Direct Action
6. Education
7. Funding (to identify potential sources of funding)
8. Political Campaigns (organizations who can be involved with campaigns)
We are working on compiling a comprehensive list of all participating organizations, including contact information, primary areas of focus and primary issues of concern. If you or your organization will be attending the summit, we ask that you submit your information using the example below (4 stars = primary focus)
Example:
Organization: Progressive Action for the Common Good
Address: 3707 Eastern Ave, Davenport, IA 52807
Contact Information: (name/position/phone/email):
Caroline Vernon, Organizer, 563-676-7580, carolina1961@gmail.com.
James Lee, Executive Director, 563-650-3922, jlee6367@yahoo.com
Areas of Focus Rating Issues Rating
Policy/Research VOICE ****
Lobbying ** CAFO/Farm Bill ***
Media/Blogs Media **
Grassroots Organizing **** Fair Share **
Direct Action *** Healthcare ***
Education **
Funding * Other: _Peace _ ****
Poltical Campaigns
Please send the above information to carolina1961@gmail.com by Thursday, June 7th so we can be sure to include your information in the hand-out.
It is important to note that we encourage ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of the network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time. The goal of the network is to create a framework designed to support all progressive initiatives. We need everyone’s participation in order to succeed.
If you have any questions, please call Caroline Vernon at 563-676-7580.
Hope to see you Saturday!
Thursday, May 17
Take the Bus to the US Social Forum Jun 27th
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 17 May 2007 10:25 AM CDT
Take the Bus to the US Social Forum June 27th
Mark Your Calendars for the Progressive Event of the Year!
By Caroline Vernon
PACG
is working on securing a bus (or two) to take a large Iowa contingent
to Atlanta, Georgia from June 27th thru July 1st to attend the US Social Forum
(USSF). Please mark your calendars and spread the word far and wide.
Details about the cost of the bus trip and available lodging will be
forthcoming... stay tuned...
Excerpt from the site:
The
US
Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more
than a reaction to war and repression.
The
USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences,
share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed
insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop
consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.
The
USSF sends a message to other people's movements around the world that there is
an active movement in the US
opposing US Policies at home and abroad.
We
must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to
get there. A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to
demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible!
Check out the following link to see some of the many workshops that will be available...
http://www.ussf2007.org/en/submitted_proposals
If you would like to be part of this great adventure, please contact Caroline at ![]() 563-676-7580, carolina1961@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 16
Establishing Our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Mark the Date!
by
Caroline Vernon
on Wed 16 May 2007 11:25 AM CDT
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) – Mark the Date!
By Caroline Vernon
On Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, activists and legislators from across the state will converge on Iowa City for our first 2007 Democracy for Iowa Organizing Summit. We are still working out the details on the venue (forthcoming) but we will be meeting from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be reserved for DFA-IA members to discuss administrative business so it will not be necessary for everyone to stay for that segment).
The purpose of this gathering is to establish the Progressive Iowa Network (PIN). This network will serve to better unite progressive organizations, legislators, and leaders across the state so we can support each other’s efforts around progressive issues in Iowa.
Currently,
we have an unprecedented opportunity to get progressive legislation
passed in our state. However, in order to achieve legislative victories
on the issues that we care about, we must establish an effective
framework that allows us to better organize our efforts, clarify our
message, mobilize our base, educate the public and influence our state
officials. We have identified the following 5 issues as requiring urgent action:
1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
2. CAFO regulations / Farm Bill
3. Fair Share
4. Healthcare
5. Media
Please note: we want ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of this network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time.
The Summit Agenda will cover the following:
I. Why is PIN important?
The first part of this summit will discuss why PIN is important. Groups/Individuals will be asked to introduce themselves and identify their main areas and issues of focus:
• Policy/Research
• Lobbying
• Media/Public Relations (including bloggers)
• Grassroots Organizing
This will NOT be an informational meeting about the issues, but rather a strategy session on how we can support each other moving forward.
II. Update & Evaluation of the recent Iowa Legislative Session
• What went well?
• What would we do differently?
III. Break-Out Sessions by Issue
• Strategize with other progressives around the state that are working on the same issue.
• What kind of help do you need from other organizations/leaders who may not be directly involved in your issue.
Lunch
IV. Report back to larger group identifying specific needs
• What do you need from PIN?
We will not have time to hear specific plans but rather will want to hear your list of needs on how other organizations/leaders can help you make progress around your issue.
V. Where does PIN go from here?
We will discuss logistics, network structure and set a date and time for our next meeting(s).
VI. DFA-Iowa Administrative Planning Session (for DFA-IA members)
This last segment will be for DFA-IA members to discuss by-laws, how we can better support Blog for Iowa, and other administrative details.
Outreach around this summit has been underway for awhile -- many progressive organizations/individuals in Iowa have already been notified. However, if you have not yet heard from us directly, please email Caroline Vernon ASAP: carolina1961@gmail.com. We need every progressive organization, leader and legislator in Iowa to participate in order to achieve maximum effectiveness as a network.
Sunday, May 6
Iowa Independent Intro
by
Sam Garchik
on Sun 06 May 2007 08:43 AM CDT
Iowa Independent Intro
By
Chase Martyn
I want to thank everyone who made it to the free training we offered last
weekend. We had a great turnout, and everyone I spoke to thought it was a
worthwhile experience, both for the training itself and for the opportunity to
meet fellow bloggers and journalists from across the state. I know I
enjoyed meeting many of you in person for the first time.
Now that the training is over, we have entered into the next step of our
projecte: this week, the Iowa
Independent went live, and our Fellows started filing stories almost
immediately. So far, things are going quite well:
Fellows including John Deeth, Lynda Waddington, Ben Weyl, and T.M. Lindsey have
each filed stories on the Dawn Pettengill defection, amassing what I think is
perhaps the most comprehensive coverage of the story available anywhere.
Not only did our one-on-one interview with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
on the subject of Pettengill and Fair Share go up today, but in the past few
days we have covered Pettengill's campaign finance reports, her voting record,
and her 2006 reelect campaign.
Fellow Doug Burns has posted two parts (in his three-part series) on politics
in Iowa, asking an important question:
"Why hasn't Iowa
ever sent a woman to US Congress or our Governor's mansion?" His
series includes material from interviews he conducted with the likes of Tom
Harkin and Joyce Schulte, among others.
And Fellow Dien Judge has filed several reports on the state of agriculture and
the issues facing us on the local, state, and federal levels.
In addition to that, our team covered May Day, with background information,
photos from May Day events, and an analysis of the different ways groups have
tried to co-opt the holiday in recent and not-so-recent times.
All in all, we are very excited about the way things are shaping up. If
you have a chance, please visit http://IowaIndependent.com. If you are impressed, we
would love it if you could link to us to help us get the word out.
In closing, I have said this to many of you before, but it bears repeating: we
are here to help grow progressive blogs in Iowa. If there's anything I can do to
help you get coverage for the stories you think deserve attention (or generally
to help you improve your blogging), please do not hesitate to get in touch with
me.
Sincerely,
Chase Martyn
Managing Edior, Iowa
Independent
http://iowaindependent.com
chase@iowaindependent.com
(m) 515.422.1310
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