| February 2006 |
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
|
Friday, February 24
HIDDEN SACRIFICE: Analysis Discovers Big Cuts Ahead for Iowa in Bush Budget
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 24 Feb 2006 04:00 AM CST
 HIDDEN SACRIFICE: Analysis Discovers Big Cuts Ahead for Iowa in Bush Budget
Iowa Fiscal Partnership
Behind the curtains of George W. Bush’s five-year plans for domestic
services are substantial cuts to Iowans. These were not evident from
the widely circulated budget plans for 2007; unlike traditional
practice, the administration did not release its five-year numbers.
Thanks to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which obtained
and analyzed a less well-circulated administration computer run, a
glimpse of the Iowa impact is available. In the context of proposed tax
cuts, it illustrates the choices at stake.
TAX CUTS WOULD FORCE BIGGER DEFICITS DESPITE SPENDING CUTS
Overall, the budget would increase the federal deficit, both short term and long term.
The five-year plan would cut the domestic discretionary budget
(annually appropriated services outside defense and international
affairs) by $183 billion below 2006 funding, adjusted for inflation. Of
those cuts, $167 billion would occur after 2007. By 2011, this spending
would be about $57 billion (13 percent) below the amount needed to keep
pace with inflation.
The proposed cuts in domestic spending would not reduce the deficit in
the [Bush]’s plan; they are less than $285 billion in tax cuts
proposed by [Bush].
Tax cuts proposed by [Bush] would benefit high-income people;
several domestic spending cuts are in services for low-income people.
The [Bush]’s proposals, for example, would mean:
• 4,000 fewer Iowa participants would be served in
the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and
children (WIC) in 2011 than 2006.
• 3,400 fewer Iowa participants in the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program for the Elderly in 2007 than in 2006 (420,000
fewer nationally)
• 800 to as many as 1,100 fewer Head Start participants by 2011.
Combined with proposed spending increases in military and homeland
security spending, the deficit would be about $200 billion worse than
currently expected.
Click here to download the complete Iowa report in PDF format.
Click here to download the full analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Thursday, February 23
Controversy, Cruelty and Cats: North Iowa Town in Uproar
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 23 Feb 2006 11:48 AM CST
 Controversy, Cruelty and Cats: North Iowa Town in Uproar
by Linda Thieman
On
Monday morning, February 20, 2006, Joel Kolker, manager of Kiefer Built
Trailers in Kanawha, Iowa (Hancock County) stood in front of a meeting
of approximately 120 employees and announced that he was going to take
care of Kiefer’s cat problem. Kolker allegedly said that
if he could not trap the cats live during a two-week time period
beginning that day then he would “trap them dead.”
Kiefer
Built Trailers is a large company, producing in the neighborhood of
forty animal transport units a week, although they shut down production
during the night. That is precisely when the cats come out to
play. For some undetermined time, a large number of feral cats
and their kittens have been calling the Kiefer factory home.
The cats
“aren't hurting anyone,” said one Kiefer employee. “I wish
[Kiefer] would just leave well enough alone.” But it appears that
that is not going to happen. Kiefer began trying to live trap the
cats on Monday with little success. Apparently, the traps they
were using were too small and the cats would walk into the traps, take
the food and back out again. One Iowa member of the Humane
Society, a keeper of feral cats herself, had requested of one of the
owners, Joyce Mattson, to be allowed to measure the traps, but was
allegedly rudely rebuffed. Mattson also refused to disclose what
kind of food she was using in the traps.
There is
some concern about how the traps are being handled. According to
a Humane Society document, live traps that are improperly set can
become death traps. Burrs and sharp edges need to be clipped or
filed down. Food/bait placed in traps in metal cans will cause
tooth and foot injuries. Traps need to be checked frequently in
order to prevent other injuries such as nose rubs and facial
lacerations. If night trapping is going on at Kiefer Built and
temperatures in the factory fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, that in itself is considered
inhumane treatment.
One
local involved in the uproar alleges that owner Mattson claimed that if
the live traps were not effective, she intended to poison the
cats. The poisoning of animals causes a slow, agonizing death and
is illegal in Iowa. [Iowa Code 481A.58]
At this
point, one of Blog for Iowa’s readers – an employee at Kiefer Built –
contacted us. The employee remembered reading about Blog for
Iowa’s recent informal association with PETA (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals) and asked for our help. BFIA contacted PETA
and within two days, PETA had assigned Cara Stutzman, a Cruelty
Caseworker, to the case.
Blog for
Iowa informed Stutzman that locals were in contact with the Animal
Rescue League in Des Moines, so Stutzman contacted the ARL and they
agreed to pick up and relocate the live-trapped cats. (Whether
Kiefer will cooperate in this regard remains to be seen.)
Stutzman
also spoke with Kolker, the manager at Kiefer Built. Kolker told
Stutzman that he would not poison the cats and that he would send her a
letter at the beginning of next week stating as much. He also
told her that he knew a local farmer who was willing to take the cats.
According
to many first-hand reports, those who have contacted Kiefer Built about
the plans for trapping the cats have met with a less-than-cooperative
spirit. Because of this, there are still many in the local
community who question whether or not Kiefer Built will follow through
on plans to avoid animal cruelty. It is the wish of these
community members to make this situation known publicly in hopes that
outside pressure will help ensure that no animal cruelty takes place.
If you
would like to help, you can write a Letter to the Editor about this
situation. Please be respectful yet concerned. You can send
your letter to the following local newspapers via email:
Globe Gazette in Mason City
(the biggest paper in the area)
Joe Buttweiler, Editor
joe.buttweiler@globegazette.com
The Garner Leader and Signal
(Garner is the county seat; this paper is a weekly)
Rebecca Peter, Editor
gleader@trvnet.net
The Kanawha Reporter
(the hometown paper; goes to press once a week)
(the office is closed until Monday, Feb. 27)
Click here to use a webmail form.
Britt News-Tribune
(a local weekly)
Angie Johannsen, Editor
editor@brittnewstribune.com
Wednesday, February 22
LGBTA Student Day At Capitol March 1st in Des Moines
by
Linda Thieman
on Wed 22 Feb 2006 06:49 AM CST
 LGBTA Student Day At Capitol March 1st in Des Moines
The Iowa Pride Network's College Coalition has announced
a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) Student Day at
the Capitol for March 1st at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.
"All
students deserve safe learning environments, including those that
identify as LGBT and allied. Unfortunately, as seen in the 2005
School Climate Survey and the Straight Student Ally Report, many Iowa
LGBT and allied students face hostile learning environments daily,
inhibiting their personal and academic growth," said Ryan Roemerman,
Iowa Pride Network Director.
The
College Coalition's LGBTA Student Day at the Capitol comes at a time of
much debate about the safety of LGBT students in Iowa.
Iowa
High School and college students will talk to legislators about what it
is like to be LGBT and Allied and encourage them to adopt laws to
specifically protect LGBT students. Historically, legislators
have been reluctant to pass such policies for fear of promoting a "gay
agenda". Nevertheless, the College Coalition is determined to put
a face on the issue.
"When
did wanting to protect all of Iowa's students, including those that are
LGBT, become a political liability?" asked Rachel Johnson, an executive
board member of University of Northern Iowa’s GLBTAU. "It's time
that Iowa legislators act to ensure the safety and access to a quality
education for all students — including Iowa's LGBTA students!" stated
Haley Whitlatch, an executive board member for the University of Iowa's
GLBTAU.
Click here to register.
Register for the LGBTA Student Day At Capitol
Who: LGBT and Allied Students in Iowa’s High Schools and Colleges
What: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allied (LGBTA) Student Capitol Day
When: Wednesday, March 1st - 10:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Where: Iowa State Capitol, Capitol Building, Des Moines
Why:
To tell our legislators to pass anti-bullying and harassment policies
that specifically protect LGBT and allied students from abuse.
The Iowa Pride Network
or prideNet, fights bigotry and intolerance against LGBT students in
Iowa. The Iowa Pride Network works directly with students, empowering
them to start and enhance Gay-Straight Alliances in their high schools
and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support
mentoring and educational opportunities. In addition, the Iowa Pride
Network educates policy makers and educators on issues facing LGBT
students and advocates for the interests of these students on the state
and local levels.
Tuesday, February 21
Iowa Democrats File Ethics Complaint Against Nussle
by
Linda Thieman
on Tue 21 Feb 2006 11:17 AM CST
 Iowa Democrats File Ethics Complaint Against Nussle
Iowa Democratic Party
Today, the Iowa Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Iowa Ethics Board against Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle.
After careful review of both his January state and federal campaign
filings, it appears that Congressman Nussle has made expenditures from
his federal account that clearly benefit his gubernatorial race, and he
has failed to report these expenditures as in-kind contributions.
The specific complaints (taken from the letter submitted by Mike Milligan, Executive Director of the Iowa Democratic Party, to the Ethics Board):
1) Mr.
Nussle’s state finance report fails to show any in-kind donations from
the federal “Nussle for Congress Committee,” while six individuals were
simultaneously paid out of both accounts. Since there is
no campaign for Congress, the staff and consulting paid by the federal
committee was supplementing the salary and consulting fees paid by the
gubernatorial campaign.
2) The development costs of Nussle’s gubernatorial campaign website may have been paid for by the congressional campaign account, with no record of an in- kind donation to the gubernatorial campaign account.
3) Three
congressional campaign expenditures, totaling $33,839.69 for
media-production, were made to McCarthy Marcus Hennings in 2005.
Particularly of interest is the $26,500.00 expenditure made on 4/4/05,
less than one and half months before the congressman officially
announced that he was running for governor. The official
announcement tour of his bid for Governor was accompanied by a video,
which can be found on his website. However, in the gubernatorial
campaign state report there is no report of video or media production
expenses to McCarthy Marcus Hennings until two months after his
announcement. It seems clear that the congressional campaign paid for
the initial video on 4/4/05, which was then used by the gubernatorial
campaign with no acknowledgement of the contribution in the state
report.
Nussle is not running for Congress and had not been running for re-election to Congress throughout 2005.
Monday, February 20
Voting Machines' Big Week: Where Does Iowa Fit In?
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 20 Feb 2006 11:00 AM CST
 Voting Machines' Big Week: Where Does Iowa Fit In?
by Jerry Depew, Laurens, Iowa
Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections
While
Americans everywhere wondered if Dick Cheney was drunk when he shot his
hunting partner, the voting machine debate had its biggest week ever.
All of the following happened in the last 7 days. None of it was in
Iowa, but much of it should affect how Iowan’s see their own election
system.
A Pennsylvania court ruled Monday that counties cannot buy new voting machines
without a public referendum. The state constitution requires it and the
Help America Vote Act does not overrule the constitution.
Maryland’s Governor Robert Ehrlich Wednesday said he has lost confidence in his state’s election department and said the state was not prepared to run good elections in 2006.
Maryland uses paperless voting machines from Diebold Election Systems.
Ehrlich wants paper trails. Does Governor Vilsack have confidence in
our election equipment? Most of Iowa’s counties have equipment just
like Maryland’s.
New Mexico’s legislature voted Thursday to dump the nearly new magic voting machines that use no paper
and replace them statewide with paper ballots before the next
Presidential election. New Mexico already had a requirement that paper
trails be added to the voting machines, but Governor Richardson wanted
the touchscreen computers out of the system altogether. Iowa has many
magical voting machines that lack paper trails.
California’s state legislature held hearings Thursday
into the way voting machines are tested and certified. Many critics of
the process testified. The people who actually do the testing (the
“independent” labs that are paid by the vendors) again declined to
attend the hearing, thus missing a chance to reassure us about the
nature of their work.
California’s Secretary of State Friday allowed counties to buy Diebold voting machines despite confirming that they are insecure
and contain illegal computer code. But he warned counties to buy only
legal equipment and warned Diebold they are responsible for providing
only legal equipment. The SOS said the security problem could be
temporarily addressed with new rules for counties and poll workers on
how to handle the memory cards that count the votes.
Does Secretary Culver care that these same machines will run Iowa
elections? Will he order new rules for handling the memory cards in
Mills, Madison, Monona and the 68 other counties using Diebold’s flawed
equipment?
It’s enough to take your mind off Dick Cheney’s alibi. Is it enough
to get the recalcitrant Iowa House of Representatives to take up the
rather tame legislation that would merely require a paper trail for
Iowa voting?
Thanks to John Gideon of VotetrustUSA for rounding up this news, as he has been doing daily for the last 15 months.
Jerry Depew of Laurens, Iowa, runs the non-partisan blog, Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections, and has granted Blog for Iowa permission to reprint his report.
Sunday, February 19
IOWA'S WATER WOES
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 19 Feb 2006 04:00 AM CST
 IOWA'S WATER WOES
Last Sunday, February 12th, the headlines of the Des Moines Register read: 'NO CLEAR SOLUTIONS TO STATE'S TAINTED WATER'
This article by Perry Beeman/Register staff writer goes on to say that
recreation and more businesses would come to the state if we had better
water quality.
"Many IOWA rivers are seriously polluted - dying before their time- and
environmental rules that would force a massive new cleanup effort
promise to affect IOWAN's pocketbooks, river outings and fishing trips…
"Rules passed in January by state environmental regulators - after
eight years of debate - set new limits on pollutants such as bacteria,
which can threaten the health of people and animals; and AMMONIA, WHICH
IS TOXIC TO FISH AND AQUATIC PLANTS…
"…state lawmakers began discussing a bill that would block the
changes. The rules come THREE DECADES AFTER THE 1972 FEDERAL
CLEAN WATER ACT DEMANDED THAT ALL RIVERS BE PROTECTED FOR RECREATION
AND AQUATIC LIFE, UNLESS STUDIES SHOW THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE. Since that act became law, IOWA has bowed to pressure from city
sewage-treatment operators who maintained the changes would cost too
much. Consequently, the state IS ONE OF THE LAST IN THE NATION to
protect waters so they are 'fishable and swimmable,' as required."
As we can all surmise, attaining cleaner water will take time, new
ideas, and MONEY. "…90 % OF THE POLLUTION IS COMING FROM FARMS
AND YARDS UNREGULATED BY THE NEW RULES….
"…'ignoring this duty is not an option', IOWA DNR DIRECTOR JEFF VONK wrote to lawmakers last month before the legislative session began.
"THE RULES WOULD AFFECT ANIMAL CONFINEMENTS AND FEEDLOTS, SOME OF WHICH
FACE LEGAL ACTIONS FOR FISH KILLS AND STREAM POLLUTION THAT OCCURRED
DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, VONK SAID. The rules would not
affect grain farms and other agriculture operations…"
SUSAN HEATHCOTE is one of nine appointed by the governor to sit on
the state's ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION. She " began
pushing the state eight years ago to revise its standards to comply
with the Clean Water Act, the linchpin of the Federal government's
river-cleaning apparatus."
It will take an act of our state legislature to start to fix
this. Maybe federal grants can be obtained. So start with
your legislator to insure the state of IOWA starts to uphold the Clean
Water Act. In Eastern IOWA, you can contact SENATOR FRANK WOOD,
D-ELDRIDGE at frank.wood@legis.state.ia.us or he can be called at
515-281-3371. Senator Wood is co-chair of the Senate
sub-committee that is debating Senate Study Bill 3069. It
proposes to block most of the new rules. Also co-chairing is
Senator Mary Lundby, R-Marion, who can be contacted at mary.lundby@legis.state.ia.us
To view the entire bill, go to www.legis.state.ia.us
For information on the rules approved by the IOWA Environmental Protection Commission, see www.iowadnr.com
If you would like to read the entire Des Moines Register article, see www.DesMoinesRegister.com
Now don't forget …and remind your loved ones, too… CPR:
CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Saturday, February 18
Help Bring Air America Radio to Cedar Rapids-Iowa City
by
Trish Nelson
on Sat 18 Feb 2006 08:10 AM CST
 Help bring Air America Radio to the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor
Hey, radio fans, are you tired of Rush Limbaugh and the right wing
lies, distortions, and propaganda every time you turn on the radio for news?
Well, you are not alone and now you can do something about it. You can
help bring sane, reality-based, progressive talk radio to the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City
area. If you live in or near the IC-CR Corridor area, please
visit our online petition where there are already almost 200
names! Here is a sample of the lively, enthusiastic comments from
signers:
Isn't it about time for a progressive radio station in the IC/CR corridor??
We need more voices, more points of view — and facts.
I'm sick of RWWs having all the air time.
We desperately need progressive radio in Cedar Rapids to offset the malicious right wing stations.
I listen to Air America online, and will definitely tune in daily when
it hits the airwaves in Iowa City. This is the place, and the time is
now! Be the savvy station that brings progressive radio to our area!
We have too much corporate radio now.
Oh, please! We're starved for a progressive perspective on radio
airwaves. I no longer listen to any local station (except KUNI-NPR)
because they just make me sick.
PLEASE bring PR to this area. PUHLEEZE!
Just have enough power to reach to Des Moines please.
I think this is a great idea and probably will make money for any station that makes such a change.
I listen to NPR at WSUI Iowa City and would like to have an Air America
station there too, so they could enjoy the same wonderful programming
we have in Davenport.
The Quad Cities already has an Air America Radio station at Davenport,
IA - WKBF-AM 1270. If they can do it, we can do it!
Click here to sign the petition and add your own comment.
Listen to Air America Radio online.
Click here
or click on Blog for Iowa's Fight Media Bias sidebar (on the left) to download
the flyer called "How to Bring Air America Radio to Your Local
Community" and get started! [in Word doc format]
Click here for the original post on Dailykos
If you would like to be part of organized media reform efforts in Iowa, please consider joining Iowans for Better Local TV or RapidResponseIowa.
To find out more, click here
Friday, February 17
New Report: In Iowa, Straight Students Harassed for Having Gay Friends
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 17 Feb 2006 04:00 AM CST
 New Report: In Iowa, Straight Students Harassed for Having Gay Friends
Iowa Pride Network
According to a new study released last week by the Iowa Pride Network,
a significant percentage of straight students are harassed and bullied
in Iowa high schools simply because they have friends that are lesbian,
gay, bisexual or transgender.
Ryan
Roemerman, Director of the Iowa Pride Network, detailed the study’s
findings. “The majority of straight student allies in Iowa high
schools are extremely distressed when hearing the words “gay” or
“queer” used in a derogatory way (such as, “That’s so gay”) and
confirm that Iowa’s LGBT students are being specifically targeted for
harassment and assault.”
Key findings from the 2006 Iowa Pride Network Straight Student Ally Report:
Straight student ally’s experiences confirm that LGBT students are frequently the target of homophobic remarks in school:
*94% of straight allies in Iowa reported hearing homophobic remarks frequently in their schools.
*72% of straight allies report that teachers only some of the
time or never intervened when homophobic remarks are made in their
presence.
*57% of straight allies reported they were pretty much or
extremely upset when hearing the words “gay” or “queer” used in a
derogatory way (such as, “That’s so gay”).
Straight student allies are significantly less likely to be the target of threats, harassment and assault than LGBT students.
*43% of straight allies reported some incident of having their
property stolen or deliberately damaged, such as their car, clothing or
books, compared to 59% of LGBT students.
*38% of straight allies reported some incident of having had mean
rumors or lies spread about them in their school, compared to 91% of
LGBT students.
*25% of straight allies reported some incident of sexual
harassment (such as sexual remarks made toward them or someone touching
their bodies inappropriately) at their school, compared to 67% of LGBT
students.
Download the complete report here in PDF format.
View a summary of the report online here.
The Iowa Pride Network
or prideNet, fights bigotry and intolerance against LGBT students in
Iowa. The Iowa Pride Network works directly with students, empowering
them to start and enhance Gay-Straight Alliances in their high schools
and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support
mentoring and educational opportunities. In addition, the Iowa Pride
Network educates policy makers and educators on issues facing LGBT
students and advocates for the interests of these students on the state
and local levels.
|
|
