Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
Gronstal Earns a Mouth Scrubbing at Capitol Wednesday!
By swords&ploughshares
It's official, Iowa Democrats who turned out in record numbers this year to deliver the historic control of the Iowa House, Senate and Governorship to Democrats for the first time in over 30 years, can now rest safe that their leadership has abandoned them.
At today's VOICE Rally at the Capitol in Des Moines, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal stunned Iowa citizens advocating Clean Elections with his arrogance and use of obscenities.
A group of women and elderly men had gathered in the Rotunda after a peaceful rally calling for an end to the use of big money in Iowa's political campaigns, when Gronstal, who has been called "the most powerful man in Iowa politics," came strolling by.
Seizing upon the chance to speak with "the powerful one," members of the group caught his attention and began asking him where he stood on the issue.
When told of the citizen's concerns about how corporate money was impacting elections, Gronstal told them that's the way things work. When asked about the chance of Clean Election legislation reaching the floor he flatly said, "Not a chance."
Gronstal then went on a rant about how "naĂŻve" these Iowans were, thinking that big money could be removed from Iowa elections, warning that "Republicans could just outspend us (Democrats) with a 527."
When someone in the crowd asked Gronstal about the half a million dollars that he raised during the last election cycle and doled out to Democratic candidates, he scoffed at the figure, saying, "I raised twice that much!"
Eventually some 20 citizens gathered around Gronstal, eager to hear the bill's fate during the final days of the 2007 session. What many of them heard was not only disheartening, but ultimately insulting.
Rather than listen to their reasonable concerns about the influence of money in politics, Gronstal arrogantly claimed that the votes for Clean Elections "weren't there." When a woman challenged this claim, Gronstal launched into her. "I make the decisions of what bills come to the floor…I'm the best vote counter in this building. I got 25 years of experience."
At some point, an older gentleman interrupted the Senate Majority Leader, saying, "You're nothing but a Republican in Democrat clothing."
Like a petty tyrant who has finally been called on his bad behavior the Senate Majority Leader lost it. Gronstal squared off with the older gentleman and said, "That's the lowest blow that anyone's ever dealt me. You can kiss my ass!"
Visibly shaken, Gronstal stormed off. He walked a short distance away from the group and then lifted his head up to the top of the Capitol and SHOUTED "F*ck You!" A large group of elementary school children were touring the Rotunda while this was happening.
Inappropriate behavior at the Capitol is not unusual, but somebody with the title of Senate Majority Leader should not be allowed to speak to Iowa voters in such a vulgar manner especially while young children are nearby. The office and the Senate of Iowa deserve better.
If you're appalled at Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal's behavior, contact the Iowa Senate and demand that Gronstal issue a public apology.
E-mail: michael.gronstal@legis.state.ia.us
Home Telephone: 712-328-2808
SENATE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3371
HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3221
Find Your Legislator and their email address by visiting www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg
Demand a public apology. Iowans expect more from their leaders.
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Thursday, April 19
Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 19 Apr 2007 09:01 AM CDT
Iowa House to Debate Global Warming Law
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 19 Apr 2007 08:37 AM CDT
Iowa House to Debate Global Warming Law
By Mark Langgin House Democrats are moving forward with a landmark piece of legislation to bring the debate about limits on greenhouse gas emissions to the State of Iowa. Senate File 485 is being floor managed by Representative Donovan Olson. This bill creates a “greenhouse gas registry” similar to those found in other states and requires the Environmental Protection Commission and the director of the Department of Natural Resources to quantify the potential for emission of greenhouse gases by applicants for permits for electric power generating facilities. The registry is considered the first step towards creating a system for carbon emission permit trading in the State of Iowa. This bill represents a mainstream and responsible approach to developing a comprehensive plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, Republicans have taken an extreme position on this particular bill. For example, during the committee meeting on the bill, Representative Duane Alons made a comparison between Iowa in 2007 and ancient Mayan cultures. He argued that global warming would be good for Iowa. He believes that ancient Mayans were giants – taller & stronger than modern men and women. He argues they were giants (and this is a good thing) because of warm temperatures. Ancient cyclical warming helped Mayans become giants! Republicans are trotting out the same tired arguments against doing anything to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They argue that if we decrease CO2 emissions we will decrease crop yields in Iowa – ignoring the impact of insects, drought, and shifting rainfall patterns on crop yields. The scientific consensus is that CO2 induced warming will devastate agricultural production in Iowa – and around the world. Please spread the word if you have any questions – consult the attached bill summary. Legislation Details: Greenhouse Gas Registry. DNR will establish a voluntary greenhouse gas registry for the purposes of cooperating with other states in tracking, managing, and crediting entities in the state that reduce their generation of greenhouse gases or provide increased energy efficiency. DNR will develop a mechanism to coordinate the information obtained in the inventory with the greenhouse gas registry. The greenhouse gas registry must be made available via internet by January 1, 2009. Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council The bill requires DNR to create an advisory council consisting of 18 voting members serving three year staggered terms, and four nonvoting, ex-officio members. The four nonvoting, ex-officio members will be from the General Assembly. The voting members are to be appointed by the Governor. The must include a representative of: § University of Iowa Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research § University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education § Iowa Farm Bureau § Iowa Public Transit Association § Rural Electric Cooperatives § Investor owned utilities § Municipal Utilities § Iowa Utilities Board § One association with environmental interests or activities § One association with conservation interests or activities § International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) § Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) § Iowa Energy Center § Iowa Renewable Fuels Association § Office of Consumer Advocate of the Department of Justice § Local Government § Director of the Office of Energy Independence in the Office of the Governor § Manufacturer of equipment used for alternative energy production The advisory council must develop multiple options designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emission including one option that would reduce emissions by 50% by 2050. The advisory council must also develop short-term, mid-range, and long-term scenarios designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the advisory council must establish a baseline year for the purpose of calculating reductions in statewide greenhouse gas emissions. The advisory council must submit such proposal to the General Assembly and the Governor by January 1, 2008. Each year, by September 1, DNR must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the greenhouse gas emissions in the state for the previous calendar year and the future trends in emissions. The first report is due by September 1, 2008, for the 2007 calendar year. Mark Langgin - Administrative Assistant Democratic Majority Leader's Office Office: (515) 281-3054 Cell: (319) 290-8780 mark.langgin@legis.state.ia.us GoogleTalk: MarkLanggin |
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