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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

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Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

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  • Friday, January 09, 2009

    IOWA FOCUS: Blogs, Darwin Day, Alternative Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Groups and Events

    DARWIN DAY 2009 EVENTS: Feb. 12, 2009 (not all events on the same day)

    Darwin's 200th birthday, to be celebrated by the GLOBAL community as a toast to the common good of all humanity. We will all want to develop events to Celebrate Darwin, Science and Humanity and come together as one human family in appreciation of verifiable knowledge that has been acquired solely through human curiosity and ingenuity. Scientific knowledge has been of great value to all of us.

    Darwin Days
    Date and Time: 2009-02-10 09:45:00
    Address:
    University of Northern Iowa campus, Maucker Student Union
    Cedar Falls/IA 50614, UNITED STATES

    Activities:
    A 4-day celebration of Darwin's 200th birthday. Speakers, displays, exhibits, games, birthday cake.

    Sponsor: University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers

    Contact: Dr. David Whitsett
    Email: whitsett_at_cfu.net


    BLOGGING IOWA:

    Bleeding Heartland is a community blog for Democrats and progressives in the state of Iowa. I find this a very good source of Iowa news.

    Blog for Iowa is a progressive source of information in Iowa.

    Iowa Independent

    Progressive Populist: The Independent Journal from the Heartland

    LeftyBlogs Iowa is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across Iowa.

    Iowa Liberal


    Some Stories of Interest:

    China is getting tired of loaning the U.S. money: Further impact from years of Republican mismanagement of our economy. The US is becoming a bad investment!

    Action: Demand more public input on coal plant in Marshalltown. Think about that toxic coal waste spill in Tennessee. Think about that happening right in Iowa. Coal is not a very good solution for America's energy needs. And Iowa is nearly perfect for wind and biofuels, so why build coal plants??

    Iowa Democrats supported fair pay for women. Republicans, of course, didn't support women's right to fair pay.

    Jim Hightower to be Keynote Speaker at American Corn Growers Association Convention in Coralville

    Roundup of recent Grassley news and speculation

    For victims of the Cedar Rapids flood, the budget crisis is hitting home...the horrible legacy of Republican mismanagement of America. This is why the Republican Party is about as unpopular as can be: Iowa GOP still sinking, says party treasurer. And on a related flood note: Cedar Rapids/Linn County flood statistics

    An Early Look at Iowa 2012: Lots of good details here...including redistricting after the next census. And it includes new reasons for Boswell to finally, FINALLY retire. Now is not a good time for a weak Democrat who always barely sqeaks by re-eletion to be our incumbent.

    A Republican for Transportation Secretary and more reaction to Obama's cabinet picks: Sounds like a pro-Amtrak and pro-public transit Republican may just be a good idea for Transportation Sec.

    Gov. Culver cuts spending across the board by 1.5 percent...this is better than the 8% cuts in things like healthcare that my Governor in NY is proposing!

    Cedar Rapids forum highlights plight of same-sex couples in Iowa...and on a related note: Attorneys Conclude Iowa Supreme Court Arguments in Gay Marriage Case...and even more on this: Iowa Supreme Court & the Case for Equal Marriage Rights

    Iowa Department of Natural Resources should strictly limit pollutants from proposed coal plant...and on a related note: Methyl mercury and coal fired power plants in Iowa

    From Daily Kos comes this preview of Iowa Politics 2010:

    It's possible that incumbent Republican Sen. Charles Grassley could get his first serious opposition in years. He had been considered pretty safe, but following a big win in Iowa, Democrats smell blood.

    Former Governor Tom Vilsack could take him on, as could second-term Rep. Bruce Braley or Lt. Gov. Patty Judge.

    Alternatively, Grassley might retire, a scenario which could lead Republican Rep. Tom Latham - who holds a slightly Democratic-leaning district - to run for the seat.

    Democratic Governor Chet Culver appears well positioned for reelection, though that will depend largely on the quality of his opposition.



    Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture:

    The Leopold Center is a research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. It was established under the Groundwater Protection Act of 1987 with a three-fold mission:

    *to conduct research into the negative impacts of agricultural practices;
    *to assist in developing alternative practices; and
    *to work with ISU Extension to inform the public of Leopold Center findings.

    In 2002, a vision statement was adopted: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation.

    Sustainable Farming Connection: Where farmers find and share information

    Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization -- founded in 1943 -- that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy. SWCS has over 5,000 members around the world. They include researchers, administrators, planners, policymakers, technical advisors, teachers, students, farmers, and ranchers. Our members come from nearly every academic discipline and many different public, private, and nonprofit institutions


    Peace Vigils:

    Weekly Anti-War Vigil at Nollen Plaza
    Every Thursday
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    Nollen Plaza, 3rd and Locust Des Moines, IA
    Contact: Wendy Vasquez
    Please join us for this weekly witness against the war.
    For more information, contact Wendy Vasquez at 515-771-8656.

    Women for Peace Knitters
    Supporting the peaceful arts of knitting and crocheting. This group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 am at Prairiewoods, 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha. (Group also meets fourth Tuesdays each month at Marion Public Library, 7-8:30 pm., Marion.) For more information call 377-3252.

    Cedar Rapids Peace Vigil
    Women for Peace, Iowa, meet each Saturday at noon at the corner of 1st Avenue and Collins Road.


    And for those who are focused on combining fun and politics, here are the local Drinking Liberally groups in Iowa:

    Ames, Iowa
    * Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
    * Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown)
    * The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
    * Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Des Moines
    * Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
    * The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut)
    * Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

    West Des Moines
    * Third Friday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
    * Tonic, 5535 George M Mills Civic Pky (within West Glen Towncenter)
    * Hosted by Cassie Sampson, Mikael Brown and Jenny Irlmeier, wdsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Eating Liberally
    * Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
    * Continental Wine Bar, 428 E Locust St
    * Hosted by Marcus Walsh and Tricia Kell, desmoines (at) eatingliberally.org

    Iowa City, Iowa
    * Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
    * The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington StBlg

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