Naomi Klein On Climate Deniers “They Think Their Wealth Will Protect Them”

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Trish Nelson


In discussing two types of climate change deniers, Naomi Klein says the only thing scarier than a climate change denier that doesn’t believe in climate change, is a climate change denier that does believe in climate change.  She explains how the wealthiest of the wealthy believe their wealth will protect them from the consequences of climate change as they use it as an excuse to create their own privileged inner circle of survivors.

#1 international and New York Times bestselling author Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine and This Changes Everything, makes the case for a Green New Deal, explaining how bold climate action can be a blueprint for a just and thriving society.  Her new book is On Fire.

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Yang: The Kids Are Not Alright

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Trish Nelson

Photo: Yang 2020 campaign website

As near as I can tell, few Iowa politicos are taking the Yang gang seriously even though the campaign raised ten million dollars the last quarter and seems to be gaining strength.  For my money, Andrew Yang gave the most interesting and compelling speech at the Liberty and Justice celebration in Des Moines Saturday night.

Yang is mostly known as the guy who supports a universal basic income, aka the Freedom Dividend and has been giving $1,000 a month to families around the country, but there is a method to his madness and that method is Math. A self-described numbers guy, he offers this view on why our state voted for Trump:

I’m a numbers guy and the reason why Donald Trump is president –  the reason he won your state by 8 points – is that we blasted away 40,000 manufacturing jobs right here in Iowa and you saw all of those towns go from blue to red as it happened. And that did not just happen here in Iowa. We did it in Michigan, Ohio,  Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri – all of the swing states that Trump needed to win…

How many of you have seen stores close where you work and live here in this state? And why are those stores closing?  One word answer: Amazon. Amazon is soaking up 20 billion dollars in business every year causing 30% of your stores and malls to close. How much did Amazon pay in federal taxes last year?  zero…  The most common job in your state is retail. A 39 year old woman making between 9 and 10 dollars an hour. When her store closes what is her next move going to be? I’m a numbers guy but you don’t need the numbers. Just look around your communities…

Acknowledging Iowa as one of the last places where Democracy works as it was intended, he offers a unique message to us about our value as Iowans and our responsibility in this election to turn the tide.

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Beloved Health Care Activist Loses Battle With Cancer

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Trish Nelson

We were so sad to learn that Robin Stone,  a much loved progressive activist from Manchester, passed away November 2nd.  She was a proud Democrat, who served most recently as chairperson of the Delaware County Democrats. She was a tireless advocate for health care.  She confronted Senator Grassley at a town hall about his continued support for repealing the Affordable Care Act. She was later a guest on Lawrence O’Donnell’s program, The Last Word on MSNBC.

If you would like to contribute to help Robin’s family pay for medical bills and costs associated with her treatment and care leading up to her passing click here to go to her GoFundMe page.

Here is Robin confronting Grassley about his support of ACA repeal.

Robin being interviewed by Lawrence O’Donnell.

And because the Republicans are still going after the ACA one way or another, this:

RIP, Robin.

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Ukraine Explained: Why Impeachment Is So Important

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Trish Nelson

Watch this five-minute comprehensive explanation of the Trump Ukraine scandal going back to Ukraine’s popular uprising resulting in Ukraine citizens electing a new government without ties to Putin.

“Trump didn’t pick Ukraine randomly. He knew he had huge leverage over the Ukrainians because they desperately need our support and aid to fend off the Russians. And that’s what makes this whole thing even more damning.”   – Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Thank You, Mr. Kaufmann

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Dave Bradley
bills passed by dem house 2019

An example of work for the people of this country that Democrats have passed in the House that has been blocked in the senate

This one had almost passed me by:  

October 14th:

Iowa Republicans are questioning the impeachment hearings against President Trump. On Monday, GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann led a group of protesters in Cedar Rapids demanding an end to the inquiry.

About a dozen Republicans rallied outside the office of Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer.

They say she should follow the will of Iowa voters and not those of high ranking Democrats. That is, even though she doesn’t sit on any of the committees looking into actions of President Trump.

“This was a district that was won by Donald Trump. This is a district where if you look at what the polling states, that does not believe that this particular impeachment…is necessary. So in this particular case, we are questioning who is Abby’s boss,” Kaufmann said.

In a statement to CBS2/ Fox 28 news, Finkenhauer says she respects all Iowans’ voices and her top priorities are elevating Iowan’s and their concerns, but she must also uphold the Constitution and her oath of office to protect and defend our democracy.”

Staging a demonstration showing unquestioning loyalty to a president who admittedly broke the law by actively seeking something of value (supplying dirt on an opponent) for his campaign from a foreign government is against the law. That is illegal by itself without throwing in the quid pro quo of withholding funds already appropriated by Congress from that government in the Ukraine until the president got what he wanted. 

Supporting a president who flaunts the law like that would, I hope, in the very near future become toxic as testimony is given publicly in the impeachment inquiry phase. While supporting a president who has little regard for our (that means us and our country’s) laws becomes toxic, standing up for the constitution and the laws of our country should make Finkenauer shine for her patriotism.

On one hand the leader of the Republican Party in Iowa is standing for an individual and a party over the country. On the other hand Congressmember Finkenauer is standing for the constitution and our laws as the ultimate measure to be reckoned with.

I believe all good Iowans will understand this when the stories of what this president has been doing to subvert our country. He has already proudly in front of cameras bragged about trying to extort Ukraine’s president before lying that he didn’t, even though the transcript of the phone conversation supports the extortion story.

Following that the president openly called on China to make up some dirt on former VP Biden. This was also in open defiance of the law. All of this just on the Ukraine matter. We aren’t even talking about the many other crimes and misdemeanors the president has committed in his 2.75 years in office. Hard to believe someone would proudly back an administration that throws babies in cages, that obstructs justice at every turn, that actively seeks to take healthcare from our own citizens and that still refuses to abide by the emoluments clause of the constitution while turning his presidency into a major cash cow.

So keep protesting, Mr. Kaufmann. Your protest only serve to highlight the good and honorable job that Ms. Finkenauer is doing. It also highlights that there will be times when a member of congress will have to follow the constitution for the sake of our country. Your protests once again shines the light on Finkenauer’s choice to follow her oath of office to uphold the constitution. 

And by the way, who started a trade war that has put Iowa’s farmers in deep financial straits? Wasn’t that the same person who signed off on allowing oil companies to quit blending ethanol into their gas? While not impeachable errors those two decisions have hurt Iowa badly.

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Sunday Funday: Fall Some Direction Edition

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Dave Bradley

Here we go again. Along with changing the clock you get to listen to my semi-annual complaining about changing the clock. What an insane system. We will now go through two weeks of people being all goofed up because the time on the clock doesn’t match the time in their minds and bodies. So we go through re-adjustment that will just about be complete when it will be time to change again.

All this so some folks can barbecue an hour later in the summer and candy companies can sell more Halloween candy in the fall.

This year we (our family) have an extra layer of confusion. One daughter has moved into a state that (of all the sanity) DOES NOT change its clocks. Not in the fall, not in the spring, not for any old thing. I have warned her not to be surprised if I lose track of time,  her time and my time, and call her in the middle of the night someday. Or the middle of somebody’s night anyway.

Well, one thing is for sure, spring or fall the Donald mob will keep the crime up.

  1. As if Rudy Giuliani doesn’t cause enough trouble with his mouth, now he accidentally calls reporters using his what?
  1. Britain’s exit from the EU (Brexit) has once again even delayed. What is the new Brexit date?
  1. According to White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham who was “was totally unequipped to handle the genius of our great president.”?
  1. What presidential library is under threat from wild fires in California?
  1. The man who gave the world the taco pizza died last week. Joe Whitty was the founder of what Midwest pizza chain?
  1. Friday night was the annual Iowa Democratic Party’s Liberty and Justice Celebration fundraiser in Des Moines. What name did this event used to go by?
  1. What famous New Yorker declared last week that he was changing his residency from New York to Florida?
  1. The teachers’ strike in what major US city was settled Thursday?
  1. What Democratic presidential candidate revealed a Medicare for All plan Friday claiming that middle class taxes will not go up at all?
  1. November 3, 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first inhabited space flight with a little what name Laika on board?
  1. In an hour long Sunday morning rambling speech, The Chosen One claimed he had killed the head of what terrorist group?
  1. Kenny Heslep is the soon to be ex-husband who posted naked photos on conservative internet websites of what California congress member that caused her to resign her congressional seat?
  1. What social media giant banned political ads Wednesday?
  1. Perhaps one of the biggest highlights of the World Series, who got loudly booed by the crowed in Washington, DC Sunday?
  1. Washington won the World Series this year. How long had it been since a Washington team won the World Series?
  1. An Iowa woman was killed Sunday when shrapnel from an inadvertently created pipe bomb struck her in the head at what kind of a party?
  1. In a truly creepy story out of Missouri, the state health director tracked the what of Planned Parenthood clients?
  1. The Mayor and Chief of Police of what city boycotted a visit to their city by the Chosen One?
  1. In an amazing bit of real life irony, who went on Fox News and called out Hunter Biden for making money off his father’s name?
  1. In a speech before GOP donors, the Chosen One said that what person in his life wouldn’t cry if he were shot?

Donald Trump could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone and freelance Drunk Driving Poster Boy and professional moron Matt Gaetz would harass the living f*ck out of the detectives trying to do their jobs. – Jeff Tiedrich

Answers:

  1. Butt
  1. January 31st
  1. Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly
  1. The Reagan Library
  1. Happy Joe’s 
  1. Jefferson-Jackson day dinner
  1. The Chosen One
  1. Chicago
  1. Elizabeth Warren
  1. Dog
  1. ISIS
  1. Katie Hill
  1. Twitter
  1. The Chosen One
  1. 95 years ago in 1924.
  1. A gender reveal party
  1. Their periods – this was so he could calculate if anyone may have had an abortion
  1. Chicago
  1. Donald Trump, Jr.
  1. His current wife Melania

The Craven (90sec)

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Beyond The Impeachment Headlines, Things Get Scary

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Dave Bradley

9 minutes:

In September and October Tokyo withstood major blows from 2 typhoons which would have been category 5s if the typhoon scale went that high. Yet despite these blows, Tokyo and surrounding environs were relatively unscathed. Considering that typhoons and earthquakes are part of life in Japan, the people of Japan have made a collective agreement to prepare for the inevitable disasters.

In contrast, we see not only California but much of the western US enduring more frequent and more intense wildfires. As climate change gets worse, the fires get worse. We have known about the coming climate change for over 50 years, we have been warned. We have done nothing to prepare for what is coming.

Many have heard that we have 11 years left before we reach climate change tipping points. We have already passed many tipping points. Evidence of climate change shows itself in the streets of Miami, the forests of the west and the incredibly hot summers of Asia and Australia where the Darling river has pretty much dried up as they head into another summer.

So while headlines on the huge scandal in our government grab our attention and focus, according to a study produced by the US Army War College, climate change will be the catalyst for some dramatic changes in the US and the world in the next twenty years or so. The study was commissioned by the Pentagon to measure whether the US military would be able to function in the coming chaos.   

As it is now, the military will not be able to function in the coming chaos, the report concluded. The countries various systems are so interconnected that as one collapses we will have the literal domino effect.

interconnectedness of services

interconnectedness diagram from US Army War College study

The picture that the study presents of the coming chaos is truly frightening. Both vice.com  and dailykos.com have summary stories on the study.

One simple excerpt pretty well sums the study up:

Changing levels of rainfall put the U.S.’s energy grid at risk. Over 7.3 billion people currently inhabit the planet, a little more than half of which live in cities.82 In the United States alone, ten cities contain more than one million people, and more than 35 with a population of over 500,000.83,84 The power grid that serves the United States is aging and continues to operate without a coordinated and significant infrastructure investment. Vulnerabilities exist to electricity-generating power plants, electric transmission infrastructure and distribution system components. Power transformers average over 40 years of age and 70 percent of transmission lines are 25 years or older. The U.S. national power grid is susceptible to coordinated cyber or physical attacks; electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks; space weather; and other natural events, to include the stressors of a changing climate.85,86

Effects of climate abnormalities over time introduce the possibility of taxing an already fragile system through increased energy requirements triggered by extended periods of heat, drought, cold, etc. If the power grid infrastructure were to collapse, the United States would experience significant

• Loss of perishable foods and medications

• Loss of heating/air conditioning and electrical lighting systems

• Loss of computer, telephone, and communications systems (including airline flights, satellite networks and GPS services)

• Loss of public transportation systems

• Loss of fuel distribution systems and fuel pipelines

• Loss of all electrical systems that do not have back-up power87 

For those who have been paying attention, the conclusions of this report should hardly be surprising. I remembered that the Bush II administration spent a good amount of effort to bury a similar study in 2007 and 2008. In attempting look that study up, I discovered that this new study is but one in a long list of military climate impact studies that go back to the late Reagan and early Bush I administrations. 

As far as I remember most of these studies have seldom seen the light of day. We certainly have not acted on any. Now we are facing the literal sword of Damocles with the very worst possible person we could possibly get heading the government. 

Climate change will definitely affect Iowa, especially the agricultural sector. We need representatives in our statehouse and at the national level that understand what is truly happening, not someone who regurgitates talking points.

Posted in #trumpresistance, Blog for Iowa, Climate Action, Climate Change | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Some Questions For Ernst At Her Town Hall Meeting In Muscatine Saturday

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Dave Bradley

Image (3) Ernst-Msg-on-Braley-Website-300x154.jpg for post 25590

Also, Progress Iowa reports on reactions from Iowans on Ernst and Grassley voting to end pre-existing conditions coverage

In case you missed it, Senator Ernst will be holding a town hall meeting in Muscatine Saturday at:

12:30 PM at the 

Central Middle school

901 Cedar Street 

Muscatine

Here are a few questions I hope someone asks:

  • Why did you vote against a resolution to end pre-exiting conditions after you have openly said you favor covering pre-existing conditions?
  • Is “calling for firing the head of the EPA” the strongest response you can muster to fight the president’s allowing of oil companies to no longer blend ethanol into the gas?
  • As a potential juror in an impeachment trial, isn’t voting for a resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry open you to charges of prejudice in this case?
  • Are you doing anything of substance to bring an end to the tariff war with China that was started by Mr. Trump? In the name of open government please tell us what it is you are doing?
  • Is it okay for the President to withhold military aid in exchange for interference in our 2020 elections?

Image (1) progress-iowa.jpg for post 17381

Progress Iowa checks in with reactions of Iowans to potentially losing pre-existing coverage based on votes by Ernst and Grassley:

Iowans Hold Ernst, Grassley Accountable for Pre-Existing Conditions Vote

Ernst and Grassley’s Vote Will Harm Iowans With Pre-Existing Conditions

Iowans speak out, delivering petition signatures in support of protecting nearly 1.3 million in the state to the offices of Senator Grassley and Senator Ernst in Waterloo, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids Thursday.

After the Senate held a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Resolution, Iowans rallied together on Thursday to condemn Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley for voting ‘no’ and failing to protect the health care of Iowans with pre-existing conditions. Events were held outside the Senator’s offices in Des Moines, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids on Thursday, and constituents delivered hundreds of signatures on a petition condemning the vote.

The resolution that Ernst and Grassley voted against would curb the Trump administration’s health care sabotage and block the expansion of junk health insurance plans, which discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions and leave patients paying more for care. Ernst and Grassley say they care about protecting the 1,288,400 Iowans with pre-existing conditions, but this vote show they are putting a partisan political agenda ahead of their constituents.

A number of Iowa leaders released statements in support of protecting pre-existing conditions:

Jennifer Konfrst, Iowa State Representative, representing Clive and Windsor Heights:

“In my conversations with Iowans, health care is always a key concern. Iowans deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing pre-existing conditions will be covered if they change plans, and junk plans are no good for Iowans. We should fight to expand coverage, not allow plans like this to come in and make things worse.” 

Claire Celsi, Iowa State Senator representing Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Cumming:

“Iowans are scrambling to find health insurance that they can afford so in their desperate scramble, they will try anything. The junk policies being sold in Iowa are creating confusion and ultimately higher medical costs for families. When a healthcare crisis occurs, they find out how worthless these plans really are. We must protect Iowa consumers from products that are not real health insurance.”

Chris Schwartz, Black Hawk County Supervisor, State Director of Americans for Democratic Action Iowa:

“These junk insurance plans have no place in America, as progressives have an honest debate about how to improve health care by either adding a public option or moving to Medicare for all, Ernst and Grassley seem hellbent on punishing our family, friends, and neighbors who have preexisting conditions. The thing is there are over 1.3 million Iowans with preexisting conditions and come next November we won’t forget Ernst and Grassley’s constant attacks on our health, safety and well being.”

Dan Royer, Executive Director of One Iowa Action: 

“LGBTQ people are more likely than the general public to have pre-existing conditions due to health care access barriers. By voting against these crucial protections, Senators Ernst and Grassley have endangered the lives of nearly 1.3 million Iowans, a disproporationate number of whom are LGBTQ. We urge LGBTQ Iowans and allies to contact the senators and hold them accountable for this irresponsible vote.”

Emily Holley, Executive Director of Iowa Voices:

“Senators Ernst and Grassley had the opportunity yesterday to stand up for Iowans with preexisting conditions, and they failed. We’re here today to amplify the voices of the nearly 1.3 million Iowans, including myself, with preexisting conditions. We need health care that meets our needs, and we need our leaders to fight for us.”

In addition, Iowans told their own stories about the need for health care protections after signing the petition promoted by Iowa Voices, Americans for Democratic Action Iowa, AFSCME Council 61, Indivisible Iowa, Iowa Federation of Labor – AFL-CIO, Iowa State Education Association, One Iowa Action, Protect Our Care Iowa, and Progress Iowa.

Here are just of the few of the stories shared by Iowans:

Zeb from Urbandale:

“My brother has had type 1 diabetes since he was a child. Without protection against pre-existing condition denial, he would be either bankrupt or dead. These protections save lives.”

Renee from Iowa City:

“I have multiple sclerosis and my son has Autism. We have very expensive pre-existing conditions! Thanks to the ACA for making it possible for us to get health insurance!”

Jim from Greenfield:

“I am a diabetic, with high blood pressure, and am legally blind in one eye. If insurance companies are no longer mandated to cover pre-existing conditions, how am I supposed to get access to health care? This decision hurts many many, Iowans, and we will remember this at the ballot box.”

Posted in #trumpresistance, 2020 election campaign, Affordable Care Act, Blog for Iowa, Charles Grassley, Farming, Joni Ernst, Progress Iowa | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Last Stop For Joni

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Trish Nelson

photo/Bloomberg

From the desk of Joni Ernst:

This Saturday, November 2, I will be in Muscatine County to host a town hall meeting as part of my 99 County Tour !

Town hall meetings are a great opportunity for me to visit with folks in the area and hear about the issues most important to them. I hope to see you there!

This will be my last 99 County Tour stop of 2019.

Saturday, November 2, 2019
Muscatine County Town Hall Meeting
12:30 PM
Central Middle School Auditorium
901 Cedar Street
Muscatine, IA 52761

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Alternative Media: The Al Franken Podcast

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Trish Nelson

A really fun listen.  Enjoy.

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