Tip of the hat to http://all-hat-no-cattle.blogspot.com
This conversation was live yesterday on the Substacks of Heather Cox Richardson and Adam Schiff
Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack…
Find Senator Schiff on Substack here: https://substack.com/@senschiff
In Iowa, we’re kind of concerned about cancer due to our high cancer rates. Check out Iowa Starting Line’s investigative series, Cancer in Iowa
Why would Donald Trump want to end cancer research?
Maybe because…
“Both as vice president and again as president, Joe Biden emphasized cancer research more than any modern American political leader. The Democrat’s White House made his cancer “moonshot” a leading administration priority.” – Steve Bennen
Go to the link at BidenWhiteHouseArchives.Gov. for the full statement. Here it is in part:
The Biden Cancer Moonshot: Ending Cancer As We Know It
Ending cancer as we know it is core to President Biden’s Unity Agenda, a set of priorities that Americans from every walk of life can support. The President and First Lady drove a whole-of-government response, including the formation of the first-ever Cancer Cabinet, bringing together more than 20 cabinet agencies, departments, and offices. The Biden-Harris Administration has delivered meaningful action, improving cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship for the American people.
The Biden Cancer Moonshot achieved groundbreaking accomplishments:
Made extraordinary investments and took historic actions to prevent cancer—including protecting 100 million Americans from exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals, and taking action to decrease smoking, the single largest driver of cancer deaths;
Expanded efforts to catch cancer early when it is easiest to treat, bringing cancer screenings to more communities and recovering from 10 million screenings missed during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Created a new research agency—the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)—and delivered investments to drive innovative ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer, and reach more people and communities; and
Delivered first-ever reimbursable navigation services to improve the experience of millions facing cancer and improved access to and affordability of cancer care for all Americans.
Now it makes more sense. Not that much DT does has to make sense. Even Chuck Grassley said his tariff policy was “stupid” this week. But it’s no secret that Trump is still deeply insecure when it comes to anything Joe Biden. It isn’t hard to find loads of articles about this by doing a simple Google search.
Most people may not know yet as I didn’t, that we’re not just talking about cuts to cancer research, like a round of DOGE budget cuts. No, DT has apparently been methodically and thoroughly sending his teams of so-called experts out to dismantle the infrastructure of cancer research, according to this excellent reporting discussed on Rachel Maddow’s show on Monday.
“Rachel Maddow talks with Jonathan Mahler, staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, about his reporting on the concerted effort by the Trump administration to destroy America’s global leadership in cancer research. What constituency supports Donald Trump sabotaging work that not only saves lives but supports countless American jobs?” MSNBC/youtube.com
Take a listen, as the talking heads like to say.
Kathy Dolter Photo: dolterforcongress.org/
Laura Belin at Bleeding Heartland has been interviewing Democratic candidates running for office in 2026. You can find the interviews on the Bleeding Heartland YouTube channel along with a summary of the interview and transcript. They are a good way to get to know the candidates.
Today I would like to share Laura’s interview with Kathy Dolter, Democratic candidate running for congress in IA-02, currently held by Ashley Hinson who has decided to run for U.S. Senate.
Here are a few quotes and highlights from this interesting conversation.
“I was an Independent until 4 months ago.”
“I’m going to try to attack policies, not people.”
“I myself am pro-life but I believe in a woman’s right to choose.
“The number one issue I keep on hearing is about the contempt for the constitution.”
“They’re always shouting fraud, waste and abuse, well, I don’t think there is fraud, waste and abuse, right? I believe they haven’t found any. I think they just are on message – fraud waste and abuse, fraud waste and abuse. And I think we have to have a counter message which is cruelty, corruption, and contempt for the constitution.”
“I took an oath to the constitution. I would protect the constitution of the United States against all enemeis foreign and domestic. I believe in the constitution and I believe that congress right now is not doing its part to live up to what it says its roles and duties are in the constitution. I think that is very worrisome and I would work to change that. And I don’t mind advocating and going up against the big guys. I’ve done it all my life.”
If you would like to find out more about Kathy Dolter, volunteer with her campaign or help her out with a donation, visit her website at dolterforcongress.org
September 17 is Constitution Day. It’s the day that marks the birth of American democracy — the day that the foundational rules of our rights and freedoms were signed into law.
But Constitution Day is about more than just history.
Our Constitution belongs to everyone, and it should work for everyone, but that means it must also be preserved by everyone.
So this year, on Constitution Day, we’re kicking off a year-long campaign to educate and engage communities across the country — and equip them to strengthen our constitutional democracy.
We’re working with lawyers, educators, veterans, and other concerned community members to host discussions about our founding document and discuss threats to our democracy.
And we’re encouraging those who have sworn to uphold and defend our Constitution to re-commit to their oaths and stand strong against forces that are attempting to tear down our democracy for their own gain.
Featured speakers:
The panelists will discuss current threats to the Constitution, the significance of the Constitution to our daily lives, and how we all can work to uphold the Constitution.
RSVP for Wednesday’s discussion right away >>
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Early in the century, when he was U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, former Senator Doug Jones prosecuted Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr. and Bobby Frank Cherry, who as members of the Ku Klux Klan participated in the 1963 bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four girls. Here Jones talks to Heather Cox Richardson about the bombing, justice, healing, and what lessons we can take from the bombing and its aftermath today.
HCR writes about this time period in her Substack today, the anniversary of the bombing.
Including things that didn’t get covered last week.
Follow Heather Cox Richardson –
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson
instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/podcast
We got this press release from AFSCME Council 61 contact Melissa Speed concerning an action that will take place next Wednesday September 17 in Fort Madison:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 10, 2025
Contact: Melissa Speed
Phone: (515) 246-1517 ext#605
Email: MSpeed@afscmeiowa.org
Union Leaders Rally in Fort Madison to Stop Privatization of Prison Healthcare
Des Moines, IA – The State of Iowa has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hand prison healthcare over to a for-profit corporation. In other states, privatization has failed – leading to worse care, unsafe conditions, costly lawsuits, and higher taxpayer bills.
AFSCME Council 61 will hold an informational protest urging the State of Iowa to keep prison healthcare; Safe, Accountable and PUBLIC.
WHAT: ‘Say NO to Privatizing Prison Healthcare!’
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 | 12:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.
WHERE: Fort Madison, IA | H Street between 8th & 9th Streets
WHY:
SPEAKERS:
MEDIA RSVP: Media personnel are encouraged to RSVP by contacting:
Melissa Speed at (515) 246-1517 ext# 605 or MSpeed@afscmeiowa.org.
About AFSCME Council 61
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 61 represents 40,000+ public employees across Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Our members include law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health professionals, school support staff, emergency responders, and many others who provide vital public services. We also represent home health care and childcare providers, along with private sector workers at Prairie Meadows, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Des Moines University, and ABM in Marshalltown, Iowa.
2 minutes:
I will note here that the National Endowment for the Humanities who presented the above has been marked for elimination by the Felon In the White House (FIWH) next year. By that time we are not sure if the constitution will still be in effect. Our history seems to already be in revision. Never forget what George Orwell taught us:
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” You know those in control today have some quibbles with reality that they want to settle.
Tuesday is Mexican Independence Day with celebrations beginning on Monday. That also ushers in Hispanic Heritage month which goes from September 15th to October 15th. Seems ironic, doesn’t it?
We will try to include questions on those topics, although it is hard to get past the headlines these days.
A) With the Charlie Kirk murder dominating the headlines we almost missed what staple of Americana at nearly the same time Wednesday?
B) Big news on Monday was the BLS downsizing of jobs by what considerable number for the period April 2024 to March 2025?
C) Dr. Don Jeffrey Meldrum of Idaho State U. died last week. He was an anthropologist and was known for his almost singular studies of what probably mythical creature?
D) On Fox News(?) Friday the FIWH let it be known that the next city to be invaded and occupied (illegally) by his admin will be what?
E) In the light of the Kirk murder we should remind you that a couple of weeks ago the FIWH revoked what former senior government official’s secret service detail?
F) What are the four rights enumerated in the First Amendment to the Constitution?
G) Carlos Acutis became the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. He was known by what nickname?
H) Did Jeffery Epstein’s birthday book contain a suggestive drawing by the FIWH as earlier reported?
I) And the winner of the “daddy loves me best” in the Rupert Murdoch family is who?
J) Winning tickets for the third largest Powerball jackpot were bought in what states last week?
K) Which amendment to the constitution outlawed slavery?
L) Russian drones made an incursion into what NATO country’s airspace this week while Russia in turn threatened what other NATO country?
M) Showing the US what it should have done in an attempted coup, what country found its former leader guilty of plotting a coup and sentenced him to 27 years in prison?
N) The fight for Mexican Independence began on September 15th & 16th in what year?
O) Speaking of NATO, which major NATO power had its government collapse last week?
P) What state will offer free child care to all families regardless of income starting in November?
Q) Marshalltown, Iowa has recorded an unusual outbreak of what disease since the beginning of September?
R) How many times does the word “democracy” appear in the constitution?
S) The case of the “fake” Electors came to an end in what state last week when a district court judge tossed the case because she saw no intent to commit fraud?
T) What state is now set to become the first to remove school vaccination mandates?
I will include more Hispanic Heritage Month questions next week.
Let me get this straight: The same Supreme Court that ruled colleges CAN’T use race in the admissions process has just ruled that law enforcement officers CAN use race to conduct raids and detain people. You can’t make this up. – Victor Shi
Tip of the hat to http://all-hat-no-cattle.blogspot.com
Answers:
A) A school shooting at Evergreen High in Denver
B) 911,000
C) Bigfoot
D) Memphis. He has already started the preliminary invasion of Chicago
E) Former VP Kamala Harris.
F) Speech, press, religion and assembly. Looks like the current administration is 0 for 4 on compliance
G) God’s influencer
H) why, yes it did
I) Lachlan Murdoch – looks like he gets to run the company if daddy ever dies
J) Missouri and texas
K) 13th
L) Drones flew into Poland airspace while Putin made some threats against Finland.
M) Brazil.
N) 1810
O) France
P) New Mexico
Q) Legionnaires Disease
R) 0
S) Michigan – this does not bode well for 2028
T) Florida
From an anonymous Facebook poster “I do not support what happened to Charlie, but Charlie supported what happened to Charlie.”
Tip of the hat to Paul Krugman’s substack of 9/12/25
Just to remind you how Miller-Meeks represents her district here she is running from Social Security Works director Alex Lawson who wants to ask here about her vote to drastically cut Medicaid: (45 seconds)
Rep. Miller-Meeks (from Facebook 10 AM Friday morning) (captured before the post was marked unavailable)
The University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom should live up to its name by honoring a true defender of free speech and open debate.
Charlie Kirk dedicated his life to advancing intellectual freedom, empowering students, and challenging the cancel culture mob that seeks to silence dissent.
That’s why I strongly support renaming it the Charlie Kirk Center for Intellectual Freedom, a lasting tribute that would inspire generations of Iowans to stand boldly for liberty and the truth.
Miller-Meeks is totally out of touch with Iowans, who she supposedly represents to the federal government. Miller-Meeks is proposing that a center dedicated to intellectual freedom be renamed for a person who mission in life was to spew hate and dehumanize those he despised. Those he despised included a majority of humanity. Kirk made his living on hate.
Naming anything beyond a toilet after Charlie Kirk would be a travesty and show a complete misunderstanding of what the man stood for. Instead of shoving radical right wing ideology down the throats of hard working Iowans, Miller-Meeks should do her job and work to end water and air pollution, get health care for all Iowans (she voted to drastically end Medicaid), work to secure funding for education, health care including Medicare and Medicaid and create markets for Iowa’s farmers.
This is probably the most blatant example of Miller-Meeks true self – an exceptionally radical right winger and defender of the Felon In the White House. She is far, far to the right of voters in her district. She has made it very plain that she represents Trump and Trump only and her constituents are little concern to her.
Just to give an idea what kind of thinking Charlie Kirk represented that Miller-Meeks is so enamored of that she wants to put his name on a public institution, I give you this:
found on democraticunderground.com
I had no intention of talking about the death of Charlie Kirk beyond noting that the eternal message of “live by the sword, die by the sword” had once again been proven true. However, Miller-Meeks egregious proposal just stirred something in me.
Hopefully, Iowans will finally understand what Miller-Meeks true nature is and put her out to pasture. There are some great alternatives running in the Democratic Party who will actually do the job of representing our needs and beliefs to the national congress.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island unveils the inner workings of the Climate Denial industry.
This video is 32 minutes long, but well worth the time to watch. Listen to Senator Whitehouse explain how money in politics has set up a world in which our way of life and our lives in general are imminently in danger. Listen as the Senator also explains how Republicans have tied their policies to that money and given the climate denial industry everything it wanted at our expense.
I believe this is a video you will want to share with friends and neighbors:
After watching this I hope many are inspired to ask candidates like Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra why they have voted to destroy our future at the hands of the climate denial industry.
Remember that while your attention is focused on your own day to day problems and possibly on the current president’s anti-American policies, members of congress have been slowly handing the country over to the wealthy to destroy. In the next election cast your vote against those who will sell you out for a song.
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