Yearly Archives: 2005

Costco: The New Anti-Walmart

Posted on July 27, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

Costco: The New Anti-Walmart I am in the process of trying to recruit Costco to come to Iowa so we will have a socially responsible alternative to shopping at Sam's Club or Walmart. Will keep you posted of any developments … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Greed, DFQC, Jobs, Labor, Main Page, National News, Progressive Community | 4 Comments

Top Ten Problems within the Labor Movement

Posted on July 26, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

Top 10 Problems within the Labor Movement by Ralph Nader From Commondreams.org   Rose Ann DeMoro is the Executive Director of the California Nurses Association (CNA) – the country's fastest growing union. Since 1992, union membership has grown from 13,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Calls to Action, Choice, Civil Liberties, Corporate Greed, Education, Environment, Jobs, Labor, Main Page, National News, Progressive Community | Comments Off on Top Ten Problems within the Labor Movement

Vilsack: Democrats Must Unify

Posted on July 26, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Vilsack:  Uniting The Democratic Party This morning while driving into work, I heard WOI cover Tom Vilsack's first speech to the Democratic Leadership Council – where Vilsack spoke about the need to unify the Democratic Leadership Council.   (Article below from … Continue reading →

Posted in Jobs, Main Page | 2 Comments

Two Key Unions, SEIU and Teamsters, Leave AFL-CIO

Posted on July 26, 2005 by bfialindathieman

Two Key Unions, SEIU and Teamsters, Leave AFL-CIO by Harold Meyerson, Washington Post Tuesday, July 26, 2005 Yesterday's announcement by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that they were quitting the AFL-CIO was no … Continue reading →

Posted in Jobs, Labor, Main Page, National News | Comments Off on Two Key Unions, SEIU and Teamsters, Leave AFL-CIO

College Campuses: The Last Frontier For The Right

Posted on July 25, 2005 by Trish Nelson

College Campuses:  The Last Frontier For The Right Alternet.org By David Halperin, WireTap Conservatives have been mobilizing college students for the last 30 years. It's accepted as a given among much of the media and public that American campuses are … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, GOP, Main Page | Comments Off on College Campuses: The Last Frontier For The Right

LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! NO, IT’S A PARTICULATE!

Posted on July 24, 2005 by bfialindathieman

LOOK!  UP IN THE SKY!  IT'S A BIRD!  IT'S A PLANE!  NO, IT'S A PARTICULATE! by Molly Regan Had a good cough lately and not sure what caused it?  Well, there's a good chance it could be one of those … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Calls to Action, Environment, How You Can Help, Main Page, National News | Comments Off on LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! NO, IT’S A PARTICULATE!

Counterpoint Extra: Introducing the “Hyman Index”

Posted on July 24, 2005 by Trish Nelson

Counterpoint Extra:  Introducing the “Hyman Index” The rational counter to “The Point,” “The Counterpoint” critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country. by … Continue reading →

Posted in Counterpoint, Humor, Main Page, Media Bias | Comments Off on Counterpoint Extra: Introducing the “Hyman Index”

Des Moines GOP Official, Linked to Rev. Moon, Allegedly Harasses California Journalist

Posted on July 23, 2005 by bfialindathieman

Des Moines GOP Official, Linked to Rev. Moon, Allegedly Harasses California Journalist by John Gorenfeld Last week I made a phone call to Des Moines to ask a man about a Web domain my family wants and he owns. The … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Guest Posts, Iowa in the News, Main Page | Comments Off on Des Moines GOP Official, Linked to Rev. Moon, Allegedly Harasses California Journalist

Honoring Those Who Go Before Us – Dick Fallow

Posted on July 23, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

Honoring Those Who Go Before Us
Dick Fallow – 08/23/20

by Caroline Vernon

It has been in my heart for some time to share the stories of various individuals who have committed their hearts and minds in service to this great country as well as their fellow man. It is not the first mile of compulsion or duty that will transform man and his world, but rather the second mile of free service and liberty- loving devotion. So it is with gratitude and reverence that I am compelled to share the first of many profiles in courage with Blog For Iowa. Dick Fallow was an easy first choice for me. If ever there was a second-miler… Dick is the man!

Dick Fallow was born in Hartford, Connecticut on August 23, 1920, to parents Gladys Bennett and Everett Fallow. The youngest of three children (one sister, one brother), Dick grew up on the East Coast during the Great Depression. As a young man he worked various jobs before enlisting in the American Field Service during WWII. The AFS consisted of many people who were unable to go into combat but wanted to be of service by helping the allied forces. Dick served as an ambulance driver for two years, assigned to the 8th British Army – most of their troops were primarily in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England. Although they were technically not allowed in combat, these drivers were often under fire. After the war, the AMS went on to promote peace and understanding among people through student exchange services.

After his stint with the AMS, Dick joined the United Electrical and Radio Workers Union in 1945. It wasn’t long before the organization realized Dick’s talents and put them to good use. Dick was a Business Union Rep – a boomer – someone who went around to different job sites, assisting with organizing and various campaigns. This brought him to Sioux County in NW Iowa in the late 40's, where he met his wife, Mickey, of 47 years. Dick and Mickey were married in 1951, and later moved to the Quad Cities in 1952 where they settled in order to raise their three daughters. At that time Dick joined with the local AFL-CIO.

By 1967, the AFL National Staff recruited Dick to help coordinate national efforts in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Dick continues to have long-standing associations through the National Federation of Labor as well as the National Alliance of Retired Americans. He officially retired in 1988, but those of us who know him realize he never REALLY retired. He continues to compel and inspire his colleagues of many years as well as the younger generations. Dick believes, above all else, dignity and fairness on the job is most important; “We’re all in this together – combined, we all can make a difference”.
Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Liberties, Corporate Greed, DFQC, Education, Jobs, Labor, Main Page, Progressive Community | Comments Off on Honoring Those Who Go Before Us – Dick Fallow

Iowan Tom Dorr Confirmed for USDA Post

Posted on July 22, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Iowan Tom Dorr Confirmed for USDA Post A former Iowa farmer, Tom Dorr, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the Undersecretary for Rural Development, four years after his initial appointment in 2001. The Senate voted 62-38 Wednesday to … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Farming, GOP, Iowa in the News, Main Page | 1 Comment