Monthly Archives: September 2004

Gay Activists in GOP Refuse to Endorse Junta

Posted on September 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Gay Activists in GOP Refuse to Endorse Junta New York Times The board of Log Cabin Republicans, the largest group for gay men and lesbians in “the party,” voted overwhelming last night against endorsing [junta-puppet and malaprop-prone] George W. Bush … Continue reading →

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Iowa Fair Trade Campaign: Stop Outsourcing Our Future!

Posted on September 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Iowa Fair Trade Campaign: Stop Outsourcing Our Future!


The Iowa Fair Trade Campaign seeks to bring Iowans together to work for new rules for the global economy that respect workers, family farmers, immigrants, the environment, human rights, and democracy.

Groups and individuals in Iowa have worked for fair trade and global justice for many years. During the months proceeding the 2004 Iowa Presidential caucuses, we came together as the Iowa Fair Trade Campaign to insure that trade was discussed by the Presidential candidates, to present a common statement to the candidates on trade issues, and to persuade them to embrace this position.

A network of over 200 individuals representing labor, family farmers, the faith community, immigrants, students, environmentalists, and others “birddogged” the Presidential candidates throughout the state, and all the candidates campaigning in Iowa embraced our basic requests before the Iowa caucuses. The Iowa Fair Trade Statement was endorsed by 25 Iowa organizations, outlining a common position on what responsible trade agreements should include.

The Iowa Fair Trade Campaign is working to stop the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and the expansion of the World Trade Organization (WTO). We seek, instead, a new set of rules for the global economy that will insure that all Iowans, not just a few, benefit from trade and trade agreement.
 
Plan for September and October 2004

The IFTC will educate, organize, and mobilize citizens in Iowa to oppose the corporate global trade agenda and support new rules for global trade and investment agreements that protect the interests of workers, the environment, family farmers, consumers, human rights, and democratic processes.   A major educational component will be the holding of 'town hall meetings' called 'Stop Outsourcing Our Future!'  Each town hall meeting will be co-sponsored by IFTC member groups, with panelists representing as many of our constituencies as possible.  Public participation and suggestions for citizen action will be a major part of each town hall meeting.

The Iowa Fair Trade Campaign currently has scheduled five town hall meetings.  They will be held at the following locations and times.

Waterloo, Sept. 13, Center for the Arts, 7-8:30 pm

Marshalltown, Sept. 27, Iowa Valley Community College, 7-8:30pm

Mason City, Sept. 29, Public Library, 7-8:30 pm

Keokuk, Sept. 30, Public Library, 6:30-8:00 pm

Muscatine, Oct. 2, Muscatine Commuity College, 10:30-Noon

Please spread the word about these meetings and let Iowa Fair Trade Campaign organizer Dave Leshtz know if you'd like to have such a meeting in your part of the state.  Co-sponsors and panelists are being identified.  Suggestions are welcome.  Contact Dave at dleshtz@ia.net or 319-621-4205.

Current co-sponsors include Iowa Farmers Union, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, many labor councils, League of Rural Voters, Americans for Democratic Action, and Iowa Conference United Methodist Church.

To read the Iowa Fair Trade Coalition’s Statement on Trade Agreements in its entirety, click on “more >>” below.
Continue reading →

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Bush v. English Language

Posted on September 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Bush v. English Language I don't usually copy things directly off Blog for America, but this was just too good to pass up.  My thanks to Mike Yedinak over at DFA for compiling the latest Bushisms for us to laugh/cringe/cry … Continue reading →

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It’s GOOD to Vote Early: Get Your Iowa Absentee Ballot Here!

Posted on September 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

It's GOOD to  Early Get Your Iowa Absentee Ballot Here! by Linda Thieman Conventional wisdom tells us that this year, the party that brings in the most absentee ballots will be the party of victory.  And casting an absentee ballot … Continue reading →

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Iowa Legislature: Special Challenges for Today’s Special Session

Posted on September 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Iowa Legislature: Special Challenges for Today's Special Session Iowa Policy Project Job Quality, Accountability Missing from Discussions at Statehouse DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa legislators need to keep job quality and fiscal responsibility in mind [today] when they return for … Continue reading →

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Teachers Arrested at Cedar Rapids Bush Event

Posted on September 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Teachers Arrested at Cedar Rapids Bush Event by Joel D. Miller Sat, 4 Sep 2004 Dear Democrats & Democratic Supporters: Yesterday (Friday) was a sad day for democracy and education in Cedar Rapids. Our First Amendment rights (see attached email … Continue reading →

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Dismal Turnout Greets Cheney in Clear Lake

Posted on September 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Dismal Turnout Greets Cheney in Clear Lake Sharpshooters on the water tower in Clear Lake protect the faux V.P. from the lack of a crowd yesterday. by Linda Thieman Pseudo-vice pResident Dick Cheney dropped by Clear Lake yesterday afternoon to … Continue reading →

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Misleader Makes Series of Misjudgments

Posted on September 6, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Misleader Makes Series of Misjudgments Washington Post With the election just [under two months] away, there is a puzzle: How did a [mis-]leader who was once so formidable become so vulnerable? In small ways, the answer is an accumulation of … Continue reading →

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Iowa’s Foundation in Education …and the Radical Right is Letting it Crack!

Posted on September 6, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Iowa's Foundation in Education …and the Radical Right is Letting it Crack! by Darrell Lewis Last week, the Iowa quarter was released to much fanfare.  It has a famous Grant Wood painting on it and the theme is Foundation in … Continue reading →

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Working Blues: Labor Day in Iowa, 2004

Posted on September 6, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Working Blues: Labor Day in Iowa, 2004 Iowa Policy Project Distressing Pattern in Iowa Jobs Picture MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – On the weekend of Labor Day 2004, Iowans are still waiting for a recovery from the 2001 recession, with jobs … Continue reading →

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