iowa underground blog

I know there has been plenty of attention given to Dick Cheney’s hunting accident, which will probably be repeated in the comments section again.

Something noted today in the Charlotte Observer: this is pretty much what to expect when “hunting” takes a secondary role to “shooting”.

Aspects of Vice President Dick Cheney’s quail hunt make ethical hunters and hunter safety instructors cringe.

From reports, we know that this hunting party consisted of three hunters and, thus, three guns. This is highly unusual and generally seen as unsafe. Nearly every hunting preserve I know of here in the Southeast restricts upland bird hunt parties to two guns, for obvious reasons: one hunter takes the left side, one the right side. There is generally a dog and a guide (the dog handler), who is very careful to stay behind the guns after the dogs go on point.

Three-gun bird hunts do happen, but should be avoided. If there are three guns, the hunters have to be especially well aware of each other at all times, which clearly didn’t happen when Cheney shot his hunting partner.

As with nearly everything in American culture, the “image” has become far more prevalent than the reality. In this case, it seems that Cheney – ever promoting the rough-and-tumble “Western” image didn’t follow what most people in the area consider to be safe (or ethical) hunting practices. Instead, a group of three “elites” were driving around the countryside, hopped out of the car and started shooting at low birds without paying attention to where the rest of the hunting party is.

Incidents like this are giving responsible hunters a bad name – anyone living in rural Iowa can probably tell you stories about guys like this wanting to hunt on thier land – and guys like this also being the reason that land owners are more and more willing to restrict access to “hunting” parties because of irresponsibility.

Addendum: Remember that all Iowans born after 1967 need to pass a Hunter Education course before obtaining a valid Iowa hunting license. Hunting is most definitely a valid (and in the days of deer overpopulation – needed) sport – as long as hunters are respectful of property rights and practice safe hunting techniques.

More discussion here.

• Sousy

What the Democratic Party Stands For – Howard Dean’s Answer in 30 secs

One: American jobs that will stay in America, using energy independence to generate those jobs.
Two: A strong national defense based on telling the truth to our citizens, our soldiers and our allies.
Three: Honesty and integrity to be restored to government.
Four: A health care system that works for everybody just like they have in 36 other countries.
Five: A strong public education system so we can bring optimism and opportunity back to America.”

Memorize it, tell your friends, and work on the grassroots level to get it done.

-pstans

David Yepsen writes in today’s Des Moines Register about the “partisan attitudes” of Iowa’s teachers:

The Iowa State Education Association has become way too partisan. It’s basically a subsidiary of the Iowa Democratic Party, and that partisanship is hurting education in the state.

While teachers have every right to form a union or campaign, the ISEA needs to rethink strategies. No interest group in a state as closely divided as Iowa can expect to be effective if it works only one side of the street.

...

They’ve come a long way since the days when ISEA operative George Brown, a Republican, helped win passage of the state’s public employee collective bargaining law from a Republican Legislature. And they’ve come a long way since they endorsed Republican Terry Branstad for re-election in 1990.

I think the comparison to the Branstad endorsement bears some thought from a different perspective: what happened to the Iowa GOP? Well, strangely enough – not much. Terry Branstad rolled out a rather comprehensive plan near the end of his time in office that was a very thoughtful approach to Iowa’s educational system. Naturally, nearly everything Branstad proposed was shot down by the GOP-led Iowa Legislature.

Since that time – what has changed about the position of the Iowa GOP in terms of educational support and improvement?

Not Much.

Mr. Yepsen – the answer here is very simple: either the state’s education system can move forward in addressing the issues of the 21st century (better trained teachers, better math/science education, emphasis on early education), or we can spin our wheels talking about vouchers, public displays of piety and corporal punishment.

Which direction do you think the teachers union and the state should support?

Addendum: The Register also reports on the real issues the state’s education system is facing this morning.

In June, 75 high school physics teachers in Iowa will be eligible for retirement.

Although it isn’t clear how many of them will leave the classroom, only 12 college graduates stand ready to step into their shoes, according to state Department of Education projections.

The answer to Iowa’s math and science teacher deficit lies in a series of financial incentives to recruit and retain more, Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey told the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

One thing is very obvious: demagouging the teacher’s union will do nothing to address this very real – and very important – problem.

Addendum II: More discussion here.

• Sousy

Molly Ivins wrote a great article last week calling for Democrats to stand up and fight. After today’s events in the Senate, the article gains even more importance.

Here are some quotes.

The recent death of Gene McCarthy reminded me of a lesson I spent a long, long time unlearning, so now I have to re-learn it. It’s about political courage and heroes, and when a country is desperate for leadership. There are times when regular politics will not do, and this is one of those times. There are times a country is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief.

We are hungry for the truth, yet there are so few who have the platform and are using that platform the good of the average American.

The majority (77 percent) thinks we should do “whatever it takes” to protect the environment. The majority (87 percent) thinks big oil companies are gouging consumers and would support a windfall profits tax. That is the center, you fools. WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

Who are they afraid of?

Bush, Cheney and Co. will continue to play the patriotic bully card just as long as you let them. I’ve said it before: War brings out the patriotic bullies. In World War I, they went around kicking dachshunds on the grounds that dachshunds were “German dogs.” They did not, however, go around kicking German shepherds. The MINUTE someone impugns your patriotism for opposing this war, turn on them like a snarling dog and explain what loving your country really means. That, or you could just piss on them elegantly, as Rep. John Murtha did. Or eviscerate them with wit (look up Mark Twain on the war in the Philippines). Or point out the latest in the endless “string of bad news.”

Do not sit there cowering and pretending the only way to win is as Republican-lite. If the Washington-based party can’t get up and fight, we’ll find someone who can.

This article is even more important after today’s failed filibuster, where 19 so-called Democrats showed no guts and failed to stand up and fight. Progressive Democrats now know who is fighting for them. There are 25 or so Senators, the chair of the DNC, the former Vice President Al Gore, a couple news anchors (Olberman/Stewart/Moyers), a great radio network in Air America Radio, and a lot of people in the blogosphere.

The line is drawn in the sand. Now we need to get out there in our towns and start organizing from the ground up. Let’s find those candidates who will stand p and fight. Maybe they are living in your neighborhood or they might even be looking at you in the mirror each morning.

Remember: “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

We are lucky here in Iowa, We have a race for Governor going on and there is a diverse group of candidates to meet any tastes. There are 2 competitive US House races in Districts 1 and 2 that will be heating up soon. There are also some strong grassroots organizations that are active such as ICCI, ICAN, and DFA groups in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities. Des Moines has a strong progressive coalition as well.

Get out there, grab a friend, and make your voices heard.

-pstans

A big thank you to Chris Woods of Political Forecast for live-blogging the Thomas Frank lecture at Drake.

Another big ‘thank you’ to the Drake University and Des Moines labor communties for sponsoring the event.

Please join us in discussion on the forums.

Also, please note that Thomas Frank will be speaking at Iowa State on February 8th, 2006.

Date/Time: Wednesday, 08 Feb 2006 at 8:00 pm
Location: Sun Room, Memorial Union
Contact: lectures@iastate.edu
Phone: 515-294-9934

• Sousy

From the Des Moines Register:

Just as members of the national 9/11 Commission last month lambasted the federal government for moving too slow to identify critical assets, national-security experts continue to question some of the choices on Iowa’s list.

Included are the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, the Boone Railroad Museum, the De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, and the Grotto of the Redemption shrine in West Bend.

A decision by emergency-management officials to keep a watchful eye on food-production facilities resulted in critical-asset designations for Sprouts Unlimited Inc., a vegetable producer in Marion; Snappy Popcorn Co. in Breda; and a Krispy Kreme drive-through in Clive.

“Food-borne illnesses, whether they’re naturally introduced or terrorist-introduced, are of a concern,” Miller said. “It is a method of attack that the terrorists have at least given some thought to.”

• Sousy

Interesting story via Media Channel on editorial cartoonists and the like who’ve begun blogs this year and increased interaction w/ their readership as a consequence.

By Dave Astor
Source: Editor and Publisher

At least three syndicated creators started blogs this fall—joining a small but growing group of cartoonists and columnists who have taken that online plunge. Syndicated creators already have a public forum via their newspaper features, so why a blog, too? The reasons are many.

“I’m finding that, creatively, it might be the most fun I’ve had doing anything,” said “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams, who began his blog Oct. 25. The United Media cartoonist explained that composing short blog entries—containing personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories about how his syndicate edits “Dilbert,” and other topics of interest—is easier than writing a book and less confining than writing a comic strip that has room for only a few words and certain restrictions on what Adams can say.

“There’s no one checking my work in the blog, and no limit to what I can write within the confines of PG,” said Adams, whose blog can be accessed at Dilbert.com.

Mike Luckovich, who launched a blog Oct. 14, has a forum to offer his opinions as a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Creators Syndicate. He said one purpose of the new blog (at AJC.com) is to give his readers a forum, too. “I can comment, so why can’t they?” noted Luckovich.

The cartoonist added that a blog allows him to bring certain things to the attention of readers. For instance, Luckovich said he was thinking of posting a 1990s cartoon lampooning President Clinton to show that he satirizes politicians in power—not just Republicans, as some of Luckovich’s conservative critics claim.

Akron Beacon Journal/Creators editorial cartoonist Chip Bok said his “Bokbluster” blog, which launched Oct. 11 at his paper’s Ohio.com site, has several benefits. “Sometimes readers don’t understand my cartoon, and this gives me an opportunity to confuse them more by explaining it in writing,” he joked, adding that the blog allows him to link to old cartoons when they apply to a new event, promote his books and appearances, and more…

Oh, that Dilbert guy writes funny enough cartoons I suppose but you knew he was just another corporate shill, right? Check out Norman Solomon’s book The Trouble With Dilbert to learn more about that dynamic.

Someone care to translate this?

• tristero

Rex Sorgatz of ‘Fimoculous’ fame has doggedly compiled what is surely the largest collection of year-in-review type links to be found anywhere online. You can judge for yourself here. If you find something terrifically interesting drop a line, won’t ya?

-tristero

Via DrewMiller.net: The drink list from the DNC Christmas Party.

Through sheer happenstance, I was invited to the DNC Christmas Party. Once again, mostly interesting to me, but I think some readers might get a kick out of the drink list:

Here I am on page one. (Hopefully!) I finally found the ‘Write’ button.

-th74

Hoping it works this time!