Category Archives: Iowa in the News

ICLU Files Freedom of Information Act Against FBI

Posted on December 3, 2004 by bfialindathieman

ICLU Files Freedom of Information Act Against FBI

Iowa Civil Liberties Union

ACLU Launches Nationwide Effort to Expose Illegal FBI Spying on Political and Religious Groups

In Iowa, ICLU seeks disclosure of surveillance records of both federal and state law enforcement

DES MOINES – Citing evidence that the FBI and local police are illegally spying on political, environmental and faith-based groups, the American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates today filed multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests around the country to uncover who is being investigated and why.

“The FBI is wasting its time and our tax dollars spying on groups that criticize the government, like the Quakers in Colorado or Catholic Peace Ministries in Iowa,” said ACLU Associate Legal Director Ann Beeson. “Do Americans really want to return to the days when peaceful critics become the subject of government investigations?”

Ben Stone, executive director of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, which is among the state affiliates participating in the effort, said that the ICLU is involved because of what the U.S. Attorney's office did to Des Moines peace activists in February of this year.

“Ten months ago, citizens subpoenaed by the government courageously stood in the public square in an effort to convey to the world that they would not be intimidated,” Stone said.  “In the face of their resistance, the U.S. Attorney backed down. The ICLU's filing today of FOIA, privacy act, and open records requests on behalf of our clients represents the next step in our struggle to defend the right of free speech against government intimidation,” he added.

The requests were filed by the national ACLU as well as its affiliates in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Oregon.  The national ACLU FOIA names the central FBI agency as well as bureaus in New York, Washington, D.C., California, Michigan, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Additional ACLU affiliates are expected to file another round of FOIA requests in early 2005.  
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Who Wants to be a Governor?

Posted on November 29, 2004 by Trish Nelson

Who Wants to be a Governor? by Thomas Beaumont, Des Moines Register Nussle says Republicans have failed to galvanize the faithful NOV 28, 2004 Republicans lost the last two [gubernatorial] elections because the nominees' resumes failed to inspire Iowans, [Bob] … Continue reading →

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Iowa Litter May End Up Back in the Ditch

Posted on November 26, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Iowa Litter May End Up Back in the Ditch Des Moines Register Stores don't want messy returns. Give redemption centers a chance, but if litter mounts, require grocers' participation. Fareway [and now some HyVee stores] began telling customers at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Iowa in the News, Main Page | 2 Comments

Iowa Gubernatorial Race, 2006: Progressive Ed Fallon Throws Hat into Ring as Sally Pederson Bows Out

Posted on November 25, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Iowa Gubernatorial Race, 2006: Progressive Ed Fallon Throws Hat into Ring as Sally Pederson Bows Out by Linda Thieman Progressive State Representative Ed Fallon (D-Des Moines) announced Wednesday that after a lengthy exploratory campaign, he has made his decision and … Continue reading →

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

12 Things Progressives Can Be Thankful For This Year

Posted on November 25, 2004 by bfialindathieman

12 Things Progressives Can Be Thankful For This Year by Linda Thieman Thanksgiving can be a bit of a touchy subject in the progressive community.  One can never assume that everyone will simply gather ‘round the turkey or the tofurkey … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Posts, Iowa in the News, Main Page, National News | 1 Comment

DFIA Gathering Honors Kennedy’s Legacy

Posted on November 24, 2004 by bfialindathieman

DFIA Gathering Honors Kennedy’s Legacy By Linda Cook , Quad City Times  Thanks to Molly Regan, DFIA Makes the QC Times! “My call is to the young of heart, regardless of age,” the candidate said Sunday afternoon. The young man … Continue reading →

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

Vilsack Drops Bid for DNC Chairman Job

Posted on November 22, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Vilsack Drops Bid for DNC Chairman Job by Thomas Beaumont, Des Moines Register However, Vilsack IS still in the running for current Governor of Iowa for the next two years, we hear Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack withdrew his name today … Continue reading →

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Fourth Straight Month of Job Growth for Iowa

Posted on November 20, 2004 by Trish Nelson

 Fourth Straight Month of Job Growth for Iowa The Iowa Policy Project Unemployment Rate at 12-Year High as Growing Numbers Seek Work MOUNT VERNON, Iowa [Nov. 18, 2004] – Iowa posted its fourth-straight monthly increase in nonfarm jobs in October … Continue reading →

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Toxic Acid Dribbled Across Iowa

Posted on November 19, 2004 by Trish Nelson

Toxic Acid Dribbled Across Iowa The Des Moines Register Rail inspectors missed 250-mile toxic leak A train that dribbled toxic acid across more than half of Iowa [last week] went unnoticed by a safety net of government agencies and railroad … Continue reading →

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Iowa Caucuses in Jeopardy?

Posted on November 17, 2004 by Trish Nelson

    Iowa Caucuses in Jeopardy? by Dawn M. Mueller   http://www.dailykos.com Daily Kos has two threads up [Monday] and [Sunday] night about Tom Vilsack and the Iowa caucuses.  The upshot is that Vilsack, if DNC chair, would try to prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page | 6 Comments