I'M for Iowa
By Lynn Heuss
This week four of us were privileged
to have dinner with former Congressman, Dr. Bob Edgar. He was named
President and CEO of Common Cause in May 2007. Common Cause is a
nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization. The group is committed to
honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen
participation in democracy.
Bob
was elected to the US House in 1974, the first Democrat in 82 years in
his district. He ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1986 against
Arlen Specter. That race fueled his frustration with the undue
influence of money in politics and he became an active supporter of
clean elections and campaign finance reform, issues that have be en
Common Cause's hallmark.
Our
dinner conversation centered around politics, obviously. Much of the
talk was about VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections) legislation,
since he was in Des Moines to address that subject and the federal
equivalent offered by senators Durbin and Specter.
At
one point the conversation moved to presidential politics and how many
candidates are framing their message around “Change” and “Hope.” Bob
admitted that itÂ’s a positive way to frame a message, but he also
pointed out the need to address the culture of fear that has grown more
prevalent in recent years. “What if,” he said, “one of the
presidential candidates said, ‘I’m not afraid of terrorists. I’m not
afraid of our healthcare crisis. IÂ’m not afraid of the global warming
crisis.’?”
Clearly,
Bob did not mean statements like these should be made out of hubris, or
pretension, or especially to give a false sense of security. His point
was that we donÂ’t need to be afraid, and itÂ’s time for our leaders to
say it out loud! Too many times fear is used by politicians to either
paralyze us into inaction or to convince us of the need for violent
action. What it should do is mobilize us into positive action for the
common good.
Yes,
there are very serious issues that need to be confronted: our broken
relationships with leaders of many nations, the Iraq War, the
healthcare crisis, global warming, the growing gap between AmericaÂ’s
rich and poor, a shrinking middle class, ending racism, fighting
discrimination. Yes, these issues will require thoughtful solutions.
But weÂ’ve been mired in the slough of despair and fear for years, and
we need to remember and re-learn how to think and act with hope and
optimism.
There
is every reason to have hope and to live without fear! ItÂ’s one of the
reasons Ed and I support John Edwards. I know you hear this a lot
through our updates, but we believe in him and what he can accomplish
as President. John Edwards has spent his life and career fighting on
behalf of people who have no voice, and thatÂ’s exactly what heÂ’ll do as
President. In Iowa, weÂ’ve got legislation pending by that very name,
VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections).
Ed
and I were very excited this week to learn about Senator Edwa rdÂ’s
decision to accept public financing for his campaign. HeÂ’s never taken
money from PACs or Washington lobbyists and the public financing
decision underscores this longstanding commitment to getting big money
out of politics.
In
our September 4th update, Ed wrote to encourage people to consider
running for office and several of you are! WeÂ’ll be joining two who
took the plunge, Molly Cantrell-Kraig of Muscatine, and Conner Anderson
of Clinton, at fundraisers this weekend (see our website for details: www.imforiowa.org).
We are excited that they, and others, are pursuing this avenue of
service. We need leaders who have the strength of character to fight
for the people, who can stand up to corporate interests.
But
we know not everyone has the time, or inclination, to be an elected
official. Fortunately, there is something for everyone to do and weÂ’ll
continue to share information about our growing network of grassroots
efforts across the state. For now, here are a few:
•
If youÂ’re interested in campaign finance reform at the state level
(VOICE) you can contact Adam Mason (CCI) at adam@iowacci.org.
•
If you want to work for the federal clean elections bill
(Durbin-Specter) you can contact Kyle Lobner (Common Cause) at
KLobner@commoncause.org.
•
Are CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) the issue thatÂ’s most
important to you? Please conta ct me at imforiowa@gmail.com.
•
What about the abuse of eminent domain? ThereÂ’s a new coalition
formed and you can contact them at info@IowansForPropertyRights.com .
•
If urban sprawl and the paving over of Iowa farmland are your concern,
please contact Stephanie Weisenbach of 1000 Friends of Iowa at
programs@1000friendsofiowa.org.
•
Several groups weÂ’re affiliated with work for an end to the Iraq War,
so let us know if youÂ’re interested in this issue and weÂ’ll send you
information on local contacts.
•
Is an end to poverty the issue youÂ’re passionate about? Along with
John and Elizabeth EdwardsÂ’ OneCorps America
(http://blog.johnedwards.com/onecorps), we know several additional
groups throughout the state and we can try to put you in touch with
local activists.
Thanks
for reading and please write to ask for additional resources if there's
another issue you're interested in, or to share information about other
activists and/or groups in your area fighting for the common good.
DonÂ’t be afraid of those who pander fear and please, take action to prove it!
Lynn Heuss
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Saturday, September 29
Friday, September 28
Maude Mulls Abortion
by
Sam Garchik
on Fri 28 Sep 2007 01:16 PM CDT
Maude Mulls Abortion
By Karen Kubby As part of the Iowa City Public Library's Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival, the Public Issues and Education Committee of the Emma Goldman Clinic will host a screening and discussion about an episode of Maude on Tuesday, October 2 at 7pm in ICPL Room A. Maude, the socially controversial, sometimes radical sitcom featuring a strong female lead character played by Bea Arthur, ran on CBS from 1972 to 1978. In an episode that ran early in the series, the 47-year-old Maude finds out that she's pregnant and decides, with her husband Walter, that she would have an abortion that had just been made legal in New York state. After the screening of this episode, a discussion will be facilitated by Board members of the Emma Goldman Clinic. Refreshment will be provided. For more information, contact Karen at (319) 337-2112 or go to <http://www.emmagoldman.com/>www.emmagoldman.com Thursday, September 27
USW National Day of Action
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 27 Sep 2007 01:06 PM CDT
USW National Day of Action By IFL Join local union activists for a Home Depot informational picket on Saturday, September 29, 2007. 7,000 United Steel Workers (USW) forestry workers are fighting for their lives in British Columbia. Since January of 2005, 65 workers have been killed. An average of 25 workers are killed each year in the coastal forestry industry of British Columbia. On July 21, 2007 about 7,000 loggers and mill workers went on strike at more than 30 companies in the forestry industry on the coast of British Columbia in Canada. This strike is about worker safety and job security, not economic issues. The companies want: the right to impose long and unpredictable hours for work, the right to contract out more union jobs, and to be able to avoid paying negotiated severance benefits to workers. Please consider supporting these striking USW workers by participating in "informational" pickets at a Home Depot store. The three actions scheduled in Iowa are listed below and additional information is included in the attached pdf. file. *Saturday, September 29 10:00 a.m. to noon 4900 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Thank you for your support of these striking USW workers. For more information call 515-953-0783. Wednesday, September 26
Rep. Loebsack to join Dems in UI Homecoming Parade Friday
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 26 Sep 2007 10:24 AM CDT
Rep. Loebsack to join Dems in UI Homecoming Parade Friday
By Rapid Response, IA We just found out that Congressman Loebsack will be joining us this Friday for the UI Homecoming parade! So throw on your blue Loebsack for Congress tee and come walk with Dave Loebsack, the Johnson County Democrats, and the U. Dems this Friday night. Here's the parade info. Everyone is invited to walk with the Johnson County Democrats and University Democrats in the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade this Friday night. Parade starts at 5:45, but we need people there by 5:15 at the intersection of Washington and Dodge Streets. Spread the info to everyone possible. Johnson County Democrats and University Democrats will be walking in one gigantic mass. We are entered as the University Democrats under 1 Float, Entry #89. The lineup will be all of us together! Again, try to be there by 5:15 at the intersection of Washington and Dodge Streets in Iowa City. Questions, contact Atul Kakhasi anakhasi@yahoo. See you there, Trish and Atul Tuesday, September 25
Choice Under Attack In Iowa
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 25 Sep 2007 10:48 AM CDT
Choice Under Attack In Iowa By Elizabeth Dilley I am a UCC minister in SW Iowa. Just today, I came across a good article about the (hopeful) death of Abstinence-Only education funding, and thought it might be appropriate to post on blogforiowa. I'm not sure exactly how it works to post stuff onto the website directly, especially links to other pages, so I thought it best to email you first. If there's another way to do it, I'd be happy to learn. Also,
the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Iowa will host an
All-Options Clergy Counseling Training for clergy of any faith
tradition on October 18th. It is co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood of
Greater Iowa. The training will include topics regarding parenting, adoption or abortion, from a supportive, non-coercive, faith-based foundation without bias for the woman and her spouse, partner, or parents. Accreditation for this training will be provided by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Intended audience: clergy and youth ministers of any faith tradition Location: Connie Belin Conference Center, 1168 6th Avenue Des Moines Date & Time: October 18, 2007 from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm Cost: $15.00 This training is sponsored by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Iowa and Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa. Send registration in care of: ERC Training Manager Or email registration to: erctraining@ppgi.org P.O. Box 4557 Des Moines, IA 50305 Peace, Rev. Elizabeth Dilley First Congregational United Church of Christ Red Oak, IA 51566 I ALSO RECEIVED THIS FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD... Did you know that young women heading back to college this fall are seeing a dramatic increase in their birth control pricing? Pill costs have skyrocketed from an average price for a month's supply of birth control for college women from $5-$10/pack to $40-$50/per pack. Did you know that these price increases may delay or even prevent young women from accessing birth control due to the inability to afford these high costs? Did you know the United States Congress can easily and quickly act to remedy this problem – but so far has refused to do so?
Click here to write a letter to the editor of your local paper - talking points to help you draft your letter are located to the right of the box where you type your letter. Your opinions and comments matter and Iowa members of Congress need to hear that Iowans overwhelmingly support affordable birth control access. See News stories related to this issue: Monday, September 24
A 10 min. Youtube video clip of the DM Peace Fair
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 24 Sep 2007 09:26 AM CDT
A 10 min. Youtube video clip of the DM Peace Fair
By Roger Routh A Youtube video clip of the Iowa Peace Network and the American Friends Service Committee co-ordinated to organize this second annual United Nations World day of Peace Fair in Des moines. Many booths of groups who promote peace in the world were represented. Dancing and music, as well as information and fun was in plentiful supply. Check out the Youtube broadcast of the Peace Day here! Saturday, September 22
Iowa PIRG: Victory! We Prevailed Over Big Pharma
by
Sam Garchik
on Sat 22 Sep 2007 08:36 AM CDT
Iowa PIRG: Victory! We Prevailed Over Big Pharma
By Meshawn Ayala, Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director Thanks to your activism a strong prescription drug safety bill passed the U.S. House and the Senate is poised to pass the same bill. This is the strongest drug safety bill to pass Congress in decades. It includes all of our safety priorities including our top priority which requires drug companies to make public the results of all of the safety studies they do - good or bad - on the internet so that doctors and patients know the risk associated with a drug. However, the Bush administration still must sign the drug safety bill. You can help make sure that the president doesn't capitulate to the wishes of Big Pharma by refusing to sign the bill. Join me in telling President Bush to sign the drug safety bill. To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your browser: https://www.uspirg.org/action/health-care/strong-bill?id4=ES Then help spread the word by forwarding this message to your family and friends! Background The drugs in your medicine cabinet will soon be safer because Congress passed strong drugs safety legislation. The House and Senate hammered out an agreement on a final drug safety bill earlier this week and the House passed it on Wednesday. The Senate will pass the identical bill, but the President, who has sided with the pharmaceutical industry and their goal of weak drug safety reforms, still must sign the bill. The pharmaceutical industry has opposed many of the safety reforms in the bill, but in the end there were too many headlines about dangerous drugs and Congress had to act. We're glad they did. Our top drug safety priority passed. Drug makers must release the results of their safety studies on-line. No more hiding unflattering or dangerous results. This will help patients and doctors figure out if the drug's risk is worth its benefits. The bill also authorizes the FDA to issues fines of up to $10 million for drug makers who fail to complete follow-up drug safety studies. Drug makers used to routinely ignore follow-up studies. The threat of this stiff fine should get their attention. The bill includes other good safety provisions such as strengthening conflicts-of-interest rules at the FDA and increasing by $225 million the budget for follow-up drug safety studies. These studies are extremely important for people taking drugs for years at a time to control chronic conditions. Together we can make sure this legislation is signed into law. Join me in telling President Bush to sign the strong drugs safety legislation passed by Congress. To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your browser: https://www.uspirg.org/action/health-care/strong-bill?id4=ES Sincerely, Meshawn Ayala Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director MeshawnA@iowapirg.org http://www.IowaPIRG.org Friday, September 21
AAI President James Zogby to Speak Across Iowa on U.S. Policy in the Middle East and What Iowans Can Do About It
by
Sam Garchik
on Fri 21 Sep 2007 04:35 PM CDT
AAI
President James Zogby to Speak Across Iowa on U.S. Policy in the Middle
East and What Iowans Can Do About It: Lecture Series to Hit Major Iowa
Colleges, Universities Next Week
By Andy Sabino Arab American Institute (AAI) President James Zogby will be speaking across Iowa next week, giving a series of talks on U.S. policy in the Middle East and on how Iowans can effectively raise these policy issues as presidential candidates campaign in the state. The trip is Zogby’s second this year to the first caucus state, where AAI has been working to promote issues of concern to the Arab American community in the presidential elections. AAI’s Iowa efforts are part of its broader, national “Yalla Vote 08” campaign to promote Arab American involvement in the presidential elections and elevate issues of particular concern to Arab Americans. Concerned Iowans have been working throughout the year to promote discussion on reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process on the presidential campaign trail, as former President Jimmy Carter suggested in his April speech in Iowa City. Zogby last visited Iowa in April, speaking in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines. Zogby will first deliver his talk, entitled “The Mess We’re In: How U.S. Leaders Have Failed Us in the Middle East and What You Can Do,” at the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23. The event is not open to the public, but is open to the press. Zogby will also speak at the Iowa City Public Library as part of the University of Iowa International Mondays series, at Iowa State University as part of the Iowa State World Affairs Lecture Series, at Kirkwood Community College, at the University of Northern Iowa, and at Grinnell College. These college and university events are free and open to the public. A complete listing of Zogby’s speaking engagements is below: The events below are free and open to the public Mon., Sept. 24 12 p.m. Iowa City Public Library 123 S Linn St. Iowa City, Iowa Part of the University of Iowa International Mondays series. 2:30 p.m. Kirkwood Community College Cedar Hall, Room 234 6301 Kirkwood Blvd., SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 8 p.m. University of Northern Iowa Maucker Union Expansion 1227 W. 27th St. Cedar Falls, Iowa Tuesday, Sept. 25 12 p.m. Grinnell College Rosenfield Center, Room 209 Grinnell, Iowa 8 p.m. Iowa State University Memorial Union Sun Room Ames, Iowa Part of the Iowa State World Affairs Lecture Series. MORE INFO Visit www.aaiusa.org/zogby_iowa_tour About the Arab American Institute Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities. For more information on AAI, please visit www.aaiusa.org or call 202-429-9210. |
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