Author Archives: bfiachadthompson

Rural Communities Hit Hardest By Hunger

Posted on September 23, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Rural Communities Hit Hardest By Hunger The 2005 Annual Report of the charity Bread for the World shows something that we might consider to be surprising:  90% of the poorest counties in America are rural and 20% of rural children … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off on Rural Communities Hit Hardest By Hunger

Smithfield, Iowa Settle Packer Ban Lawsuit

Posted on September 20, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Smithfield, Iowa Settle Packer Ban Lawsuit In a bit of “end of the week” news last week, Smithfield announced a settlement with the State of Iowa that would lift the ban on Smithfield owning hogs to contract to growers. Smithfield … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Farming, Iowa in the News, Main Page | Comments Off on Smithfield, Iowa Settle Packer Ban Lawsuit

Steve King: Having It Both Ways

Posted on September 13, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Steve King: Having It Both Ways There seems to be an odd theme in the “conservative camp” these days that is boiling to the surface in the aftermath of Katrina: What's Good Enough For Me, Isn't Good Enough For Thee … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Iowa in the News, Main Page | Comments Off on Steve King: Having It Both Ways

Hurricane Evacuees Arrive in Iowa

Posted on September 9, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Hurricane Evacuees Arrive in Iowa From the Des Moines Register: About 200 people or more evacuated from areas hit by Hurricane Katrina will arrive in Des Moines today, state officials say. The first group 18 evacuees from New Orleans arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page | Comments Off on Hurricane Evacuees Arrive in Iowa

“Ideology And Real Life”

Posted on September 6, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

“Ideology And Real Life” The aftermath of Katrina continues, as it should with all of the images we've been exposed to over the past week.  Kevin Drum wrote an excellent post about the rather fundamental disconnect we suffer when looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Main Page | Comments Off on “Ideology And Real Life”

Katrina Relief Information

Posted on September 1, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Katrina Relief Information “There's nothing wrong with America that can't be fixed by what's right with America.” – Bill Clinton. If you're like me, you've somewhat quit paying attention to the political news and notes lately to pay attention to … Continue reading →

Posted in Calls to Action, Main Page, National News | 1 Comment

Educational Disparity In Iowa

Posted on August 30, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Educational Disparity In Iowa If you looked at the Des Moines Register today, you have every right to be confused.  Two items concerning education popped up. On the bad news front:  A list of Iowa's schools that need help (according … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Main Page | 1 Comment

Iowa State #2 – In Student Debt

Posted on August 25, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Iowa State #2 – In Student Debt This morning's Iowa State Daily had a rather shocking back-to-school statistic:  Iowa State ranked second in the nation among public institutions in highest debt among graduates, according to a recent survey. Iowa Board … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page | 1 Comment

Ed Fallon Places 2nd At State Fair

Posted on August 16, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Ed Fallon Places 2nd At State Fair As August rolls on, we turn the “Candidate Watch” to the State Fair.  Many times you'll see just staged photo ops and a few recycled stump speeches.  One thing I don't recall:  seeing … Continue reading →

Posted in Candidates, Ed Fallon, Humor, Iowa in the News, Main Page, Progressive Community | Comments Off on Ed Fallon Places 2nd At State Fair

Odds ‘n’ Ends

Posted on August 12, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Odds 'n' Ends From the desk today, there were a few items that caught my eye: High School Student Athlete Standards:  This morning's Des Moines Register reported on yesterday's meeting of the State School Board and the 5-4 rejection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page | Comments Off on Odds ‘n’ Ends