Action Neededon CAFO Bill

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Legislative leadership continues to ignore the public clamor for fairer regulation of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Time to act on this is limited. The following information came to me today from a source inside the State Capitol. I hope you will read it and take a few minutes to...

Action Needed on Transportation Bills

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

For many reasons ranging from environmental to fiscal, transportation in America is at a crossroads. We can either (1) continue along the decades-old path of new highway construction at the expense of all else, or (2) shift our focus to maintaining...

Politics At Its Worst

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

I'M for Iowa focuses primarily on state-level issues. When the Legislature is in session, we help you let your voice be heard. We give kudos and criticism to Democrats and Republicans alike. ...

Kansas Governor Takes On Coal

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Pressure continues to build on Governor Culver. Across the state, but especially in Marshall and Black Hawk counties, people want him to speak out against the proposed coal-fired plants in Marshalltown and...

Eminent Domain Proposal Needs Your Help

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Several bills were offered in the Iowa Legislature this year to further refine Iowa's 2006 landmark eminent domain legislation. None were allowed out of committee. Three were resurrected in the House as amendments, but Speaker Pat Murphy refused to allow action on...

More Than CAFOs Stink

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

The Iowa state legislative session is more than halfway over, but in all honesty, any hope to see attention given to the regulation of CAFOs seems to have been eradicated with the dismissal of Rep. Mark Kuhn's addition/amendment to the odor regulation study in which he asked all new confinements to submit to meeting the air quality standards in a recent ISU study.

...

Funding Appeal

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Once a year - ok, maybe twice a year, if necessary - Lynn and I make a pitch for financial support for I'M for Iowa. It's the only fundraising we do, so it's pretty important. I'd like to ask each person receiving this update...

Secure This Fall's Election

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Kyle Lobner - former Fallon for Governor Communications Director now with Common Cause of Iowa - sent me an important e-mail message this morning. In a legislative environment where "we the people" seem to lose more battles than we win, it's encouraging to see real momentum on paper ballots. Kyle and others are working hard on that, and also on...

State Transportation Funding Update

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Last year, I'M for Iowa promoted the 2007 Iowa State University Wildness Symposium, organized by Mary Swander. The event was a watershed experience for me. Lynn and I had supper with Bill McKibben and then listened to him...

A Class Act Bows Out

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Well, my guy for president - John Edwards - dropped out this week. I was sad, of course, but really proud of the campaign he ran. The speech he gave in New Orleans announcing the end of his campaign was filled with hope and promise. You can read it...

Secure Our Voting System

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Running for Congress!

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I've decided to run for Congress. Lynn and I will continue to publish I'M for Iowa updates and maintain the I'M for Iowa website. Through those tools, we'll encourage...

Choose President with Rock, Paper, Scissors

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

I've heard lots of entertaining stories from this year's Iowa Caucuses, but none beat the following.

In my caucus, a handful of Kucinich supporters were not viable. I laid out my case why John Edwards should be their second choice. ...

Drag Your Carcass to the Caucus

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

With the Iowa Caucuses less than a week away, I want to strongly encourage you to participate. What Iowans do on January 3^rd is critically important, not just to America but to the world. ...

Why John Edwards?

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

First, I'd like to plug an event I'm co-hosting with Tom Carsner tomorrow, Wednesday, December 19^th, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Fair Grounds Coffeehouse, 345 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa...

A Christmas Reflection

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

First, I want to invite those of you in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area to join me this Saturday, December 15^thfrom 10:00 - noon at...

Water Quality Alert

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

First, I regret to have to tell you that the global warming plunge scheduled for December 8^th at Gray's Lake in Des Moines has been cancelled.

Second,...

Microsoft Lawsuit

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

In terms of our usual updates, this one will strike you as odd. Today, we're not advocating for an issue. Instead, we're helping you, Joe and Jane Average Citizen, participate in a class-action lawsuit that will land you $100 - $200 and help keep Corporate America more honest in the...

Go Jump In A Lake

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Seriously. I promise not to write about the global climate crisis every week. And I promise to keep today's Update short. But this is such an important issue that I have to bring your attention to an upcoming event that didn't make the Update last week. It's a special event, not just because it's important, but because it's fun . . . for some people . . . perhaps.

On December 8th,...

Update from November 15, 2007

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Every week - nay, every day - some new news on climate change hits the fan, underscoring the reality and severity of Earth's rising temperature. Yesterday, the Associated Press (AP) published a story entitled "Climate panel seen as too conservative." The article talks about the Intergovernmental...

Update from October 30, 2007

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday, I attended parts of the Livestock Odor Study Committee meeting. I did so because I'M for Iowa is part of the Coalition for a Healthy and Sustainable Iowa (CHSI), which is working for responsible regulation of hog confinements.

One presentation was from Dr. Sean Fitzsimmons, a Senior Environmental Specialist with the DNR's Air Quality Bureau. He basically told us: a) there are no odor...

Update from October 12, 2007

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

The headline of a short blurb buried in The Des Moines Register this week read "Greenhouse gas emissions already at critical level, scientist warns." The article should have been broadcast in bold across the front page. It referenced comments by a leading Australian climate change expert, Tim...

Update from October 4, 2007

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Here's a generous plug for a conference planned for October 26 - 28 in Cedar Rapids. It's called "Sustainable Living, Renewable Resources and the Future," and will focus on local foods, green buildings, renewable fuels and grassroots political organizing.
Dear Friends,

This week four of us were privileged to have dinner with former Congressman, Dr. Bob Edgar. He was named President and CEO of Common Cause in May 2007. Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization. The group is committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as...

Update from September 20, 2007

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

A hearty thank you to Lynn Fox (who's with Fox Insurance Agency in Dallas Center) for mailing me a recent article from The Minneapolis Star Tribune. The article is about the late Senator Paul Wellstone (In The Name Of His Father, August 28), and it discusses Democrats who refer to themselves as...

Update from September 10, 2007

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

I'd like your help with four matters related to education.

1. VOTE IN TOMORROW'S SCHOOL ELECTION

Dear Friends,

This Friday, I'm hosting Mickelson in the Morning from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. on WHO Radio, 1040 AM. This is my third stint as guest-host, and this show will focus on . . . YOU! Call to talk about whatever pressing issue you want to discuss. I'll do my best to give every caller a chance to...

Update from August 28, 2007

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

This morning, I'm sitting at Sargent's Garage in Des Moines' inner city, waiting for an oil change for the van. Graham Gormley, one of the owners, is particularly hot under the collar. He's talking to me and reading big business and big government the riot act. "Corporations and Congress are like one entity anymore," rails Graham.

It's early and the gears operating my cranium haven't yet fully...

Update from August 25, 2007

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

CALLING ALL CANDIDATES!

If you live in one of Iowa's 950 cities, we need YOU to run for city council. The deadline to file to run is either August 30 (this coming Thursday) or September 20, depending upon your city. Filing requires a simple, notarized form and between 5 and 25 signatures. Call your city clerk or county auditor for precise details, and see...

Update from August 6, 2007

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CDT

"How I Spent My Summer Vacation (RAGBRAI)"�or "A Birds-Eye View of Community in Action" by Lynn Heuss

Not a terribly political heading, is it? Maybe not at first glance, but our RAGBRAI trip reminded me of the importance and many benefits of true community and why we all need to get or stay involved in politics.

We haven't sent an update for two weeks, so this one will be a bit longer. I hope you'll take the time...

Update from July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

An article in today's on-line version of Time Magazine really caught my attention, and I feel compelled to share it with you. It talks about Edwards' recent poverty tour, about the connection between poverty and health care, and tangentially about another ugly side to coal.

As always, I'm eager to have your feedback, and regarding the usual "Upcoming Events" section of this update, you can now find it on the front page of our...

Update from July 9, 2007

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Regarding tomorrow's vote on the proposed local option sales tax for Polk, Dallas and Warren counties . . . we've been asked to share our opinion on the matter. (For those outside the Des Moines metro, this may be relevant in your community some day, so please bear with us.) After lots of study and dialogue, we're recommending a "no" vote, but not without significant excitement about the plan itself.

Yes, we need to do a...

Update from July 4, 2007

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Ed will replace Jan Mickelson as the host of WHO Radio's morning talk show . . . well, at least for one show this week. We invite you to tune in Friday, July 6th from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. on 1040 AM to hear Ed moderate a debate between opposing sides of the "Yes to Destiny" sales tax proposed for Polk, Dallas and Warren counties. Regardless of where in Iowa you live, we invite you to call in and join the discussion. The debate itself...

Update from June 29, 2007

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, a group of leading Iowa environmentalists met with Chet Culver's staff to ask the Governor to help stop a proposed coal-fired plant in Waterloo. This request should be an easy one for the Governor, especially given a statement he made two months ago when he signed legislation establishing the Climate Change Advisory Council:

"Global warming is a real danger that threatens our very way of life, and it is our...

Update from June 21, 2007

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

In response to last week's Update, a friend wrote to say, "Good message -- but still not at the heart of the problem. The real problem is lack of spiritual connection, to each other, to the planet, to Life itself. Until this separation issue is addressed, everything else will be in vain. This has been the message of the sages throughout the ages, whether Buddha, Jesus, Moses, ML King or Gandhi."

Good point. ...

Update from June 14, 2007

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

My entrée into political work began in earnest in the mid-1980s over concern about the threat of nuclear war. To me at that time, the possibility of nuclear war presented the most serious challenge facing humanity. I cut my teeth as an organizer coordinating the Iowa stretch of the Great Peace March, a 3,000 mile trek of 600-plus...

Update from June 8, 2007

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Hello. This week's update is brought to you by Lynn Heuss.

We're launching our website today! You can find it at: www.imforiowa.com. It is a work in progress and, with your help, will continue to grow and evolve into a resource you will often use.

The home page will give you a brief explanation of...

Update from June 1, 2007

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

This month, our weekly update will announce the launching of a new website for An Independence Movement for Iowa (I'M for Iowa), analyze the recent legislative session, and make a pitch for you to run for office (that's right: YOU!).

Update from May 24 2007

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

I've been active in the Iowa Caucuses since 1987, and this is by far the best field of Democratic candidates I've ever seen. While it's no secret that I'm backing John Edwards, progressives are all over the board regarding candidate preference. Many feel it's still too early to commit.

Update from May 17, 2007

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

April is my favorite month. Usually, I'm imprisoned at the Statehouse. For the first time in fifteen years, I did something in April other than grind through the closing weeks of a legislative session. Lynn and I hit the road, and the journey brought...

Update from April 12, 2007

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Attention to the major problem of global climate change is heating up, so to speak. The issue has grown in prominence after a number of recent events: (1) the release of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluding that human activity is largely responsible for the problem, (2) a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court...

Update from April 6, 2007

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Lynn and I have spoken and written about VOICE (campaign finance reform) and CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) legislation extensively over the past three months. The response from you and many other concerned Iowans has been tremendous, and both HF 805 (VOICE) and HF 873 (CAFO restrictions) remain live rounds.

...

Update from March 30, 2007

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Did you catch the interview between Katie Couric and John and Elizabeth Edwards earlier this week? Over the past year, I have come to admire and respect John and Elizabeth. Not only do their politics resonate with me, but on a personal level they resonate as well.

Update from March 23, 2007

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Despite overwhelming support from citizens and community leaders, two of the most important pieces of legislation of the 2007 session are on life support at the Statehouse. HF 805 (SF 553), the Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections law...

Update from March 16, 2007

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Dear Friends,

Like many Americans, I'm increasingly concerned about global warming. With the recent release of a special report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there is no longer any doubt: the scientific community is united on the reality of the...

Update for March 6, 2007

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

I'm giving a talk this Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Student Center, 1150 28^th...

Update for February 23, 2007

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

In this update, I want to limit our conversation to two things: (1) my support for John Edwards, and (2) campaign finance reform legislation before the Iowa House.

JOHN EDWARDS

Many if not most of you know...

Update for February 15,2007

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

After a balmy start to the New Year, February has blessed us with deliciously cold weather. "Real winter," as I like to call it. Lately, I've even had to alter my practice of biking to meetings. Yet whenever possible, I've been walking or busing -...

Update for February 8, 2007

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

A NEW VOICE!

I'd like to introduce myself, Lynn Heuss, and tell you why I'm involved with I'M for Iowa.

Update for February 1, 2007

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

As the first month of the 2007 legislative session ends, it's encouraging to see the Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) initiative receiving serious attention. More and more Iowans are weighing in on the issue. About 75 people from 15 counties came...

Update for January 25, 2007

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Over the past week, the work that Lynn, Carol and I have focused on includes organizational restructuring, constituent service (more on this next week), candidate recruitment and legislative action. In this week's update, I want to talk about the latter - specifically, a bill setting up a system for voluntary public-financing of...

Update for January 19, 2007

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all of you who responded to last week's update kicking off I'M for Iowa. It seems we've tapped a niche that needs filling, judging by the wealth of commentary we received.

At...

Update for January 11, 2007

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 CST

Dear Friends,

For those of you who have been asking, "So, Ed. What are you going to do next?" . . . drum roll please!

Out of the ashes of my gubernatorial campaign a phoenix arises. We're calling it I'M for Iowa, which is an acronym for an Independence Movement for Iowa. Building on the resources that assembled during my campaign for governor, I'M for Iowa provides a new vehicle for me, my co-workers and YOU to...

An Independence Movement for Iowa (I'M for Iowa) : Releases

Action Neededon CAFO Bill

Action Needed on Transportation Bills

Politics At Its Worst

Kansas Governor Takes On Coal

Eminent Domain Proposal Needs Your Help

More Than CAFOs Stink

Funding Appeal

Secure This Fall's Election

State Transportation Funding Update

A Class Act Bows Out

Secure Our Voting System

Running for Congress!

Choose President with Rock, Paper, Scissors

Drag Your Carcass to the Caucus

Why John Edwards?

A Christmas Reflection

Water Quality Alert

Microsoft Lawsuit

Go Jump In A Lake

Update from November 15, 2007

Update from October 30, 2007

Update from October 12, 2007

Update from October 4, 2007

Update from September 20, 2007

Update from September 10, 2007

Update from August 28, 2007

Update from August 25, 2007

Update from August 6, 2007

Update from July 19, 2007

Update from July 9, 2007

Update from July 4, 2007

Update from June 29, 2007

Update from June 21, 2007

Update from June 14, 2007

Update from June 8, 2007

Update from June 1, 2007

Update from May 24 2007

Update from May 17, 2007

Update from April 12, 2007

Update from April 6, 2007

Update from March 30, 2007

Update from March 23, 2007

Update from March 16, 2007

Update for March 6, 2007

Update for February 23, 2007

Update for February 15,2007

Update for February 8, 2007

Update for February 1, 2007

Update for January 25, 2007

Update for January 19, 2007

Update for January 11, 2007