Author Archives: bfialindathieman

A Letter To DFIA from Andrew Smith, Democratic Candidate for Iowa House District 40

Posted on July 9, 2004 by bfialindathieman
A Letter To DFIA from Andrew Smith
Democratic Candidate
Iowa House District 40


Gov. Howard Dean (left) with Andrew Smith in Iowa


Today, Iowa is in serious trouble on many fronts. There is a crisis of poverty. There is a crisis of drug abuse. There is a crisis in education. There are too few resources going to our police and firefighters, and our young people feel alienated from politics. Most of all there is uncertainty for the future.  We have some real serious problems ahead of us. But no matter what problems we face, I truly believe we can fix them, but we must never give up, or lose hope.

I'm am running for the Iowa House because it is now unmistakably clear that we can only change the disastrous and divisive policies being pushed at the Iowa Capitol only by changing the men and women who are now making them.

Andrew Smith
Democratic Candidate for Iowa House District 40


Dear DFIA Members,

Howard Dean changed my life. I first heard him speak in 2002 at the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner.  I was immediately taken by his honesty, his compassionate spirit, and his courage to speak his mind.  He obviously was not your typical politician.  He was one of us, and you could see it in his heart and soul.

Unfortunately, that may have been Dean's downfall because in today's world of plastic politics, candidates are not allowed to be “human” and to show real emotion and passion when under the constant microscope of the media.  

In 2002, I was angry and frustrated with my party. No Democrat was standing up to the Republicans or for what I believed in. I watched our civil liberties and cherished rights get trampled on. Civil rights were being tossed aside which had been forged with the blood of countless Americans… rights that were fundamental to our cherished Democracy. Yet despite the cries from many at the time, they fell on deaf ears. Few of our Democratic leaders stood up to question or challenge the appalling decisions that were being made and proposed by the Bush Administration; decisions which would damage the future of our public schools, our long-term foreign policy, and our economic stability. It was a tough time for those who stood for principle and progressive ideas… but then out of the darkness came Howard Dean.

Dean said, in a no-nonsense Harry Truman sort of way, what I was thinking. He gave me and millions of others a voice.  He made it ok once again to challenge Bush and his policies, and with real backbone, exemplified the spirit of a true patriot. </span Continue reading →

Posted in Candidates, Main Page | 1 Comment

Register Voters at Phone Parties All Over Iowa: July 11th

Posted on July 9, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Register Voters at Phone Parties All Over Iowa: July 11th This came in from MoveOn.org.  There are parties all over Iowa this Sunday and you are welcome to attend.  Click here to find a party near you! *    *    * … Continue reading →

Posted in Calls to Action, Local Events, Main Page | Comments Off on Register Voters at Phone Parties All Over Iowa: July 11th

Updates: Miles and Miles of Updates

Posted on July 9, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Updates: Miles and Miles of Updates The Dean/Nader Debate Schedule NPR to Carry Debate Live On-Air and On-Line NPR's Margot Adler will host the debate before a live studio audience on Friday, July 9, from 1:00 to 2:00pm, Iowa time, … Continue reading →

Posted in GLBT, Main Page | 1 Comment

Dennis Kucinich: Conscience of the Convention

Posted on July 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Dennis Kucinich: Conscience of the Convention I wish this article painted Dennis Kucinich in a better light.  And I hope he makes a big stink at the convention like he is promising to do, especially since it is highly unlikely … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page, National News, Progressive Community | Comments Off on Dennis Kucinich: Conscience of the Convention

The Dean/Nader Debate Schedule

Posted on July 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

The Dean/Nader Debate Schedule NPR to Carry Debate Live On-Air and On-Line NPR's Margot Adler will host the debate before a live studio audience on Friday, July 9, from 1:00 to 2:00pm, Iowa time, at the National Press Club in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dean News, Main Page | Comments Off on The Dean/Nader Debate Schedule

FRIENDSHIP PICNIC

Posted on July 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

FRIENDSHIP PICNIC SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2004, 3PM to 7PM 701 54th St., Des Moines (54th and Harwood, between Polk Blvd and 56th St), the Home of Jeff Goetz, Sally Troxell and Buddy Braveheart Refreshments will be served. COME MEET CHRISTINA … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Main Page | Comments Off on FRIENDSHIP PICNIC

The Des Moines Register Finally Sells Out Completely

Posted on July 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

The Des Moines Register Finally Sells Out Completely Box-office capitalism By REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD July 8, 2004 R. L. Fridley is not showing Michael Moore's “Fahrenheit 9/11” in his theaters. It might not be so noticeable if he were not … Continue reading →

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

Labor: Trouble at Tyson

Posted on July 8, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Labor: Trouble at Tyson Tyson Foods sued under RICO statute Corporate Governance News A lawsuit by former employees of Tyson Foods, Inc. against their employer may go ahead, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday. The four … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Labor, Main Page | Comments Off on Labor: Trouble at Tyson

A Second Look at Dennis Kucinich

Posted on July 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

A Second Look at Dennis Kucinich If there is one thing we can probably all agree on in this election year, it’s that we Dean supporters, especially those of us in Iowa, have been through the mill.  The caucus season … Continue reading →

Posted in Dean News, Main Page, Progressive Community | 7 Comments

Message to Dems: Ditch the Lipstick-and-Panties Pitch

Posted on July 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Message to Dems: Ditch the Lipstick-and-Panties Pitch AlterNet.org By Bella M. DePaulo If Democrats want to inspire single women to vote in November, they need to lose the cutesy marketing slogans and talk about the issues. It's election season, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Main Page, National News | Comments Off on Message to Dems: Ditch the Lipstick-and-Panties Pitch