February 28, 2017

What do you think about this idea: Reality is a Simulation

This facinates me. Could we be living in a ultra high tech simulation?

February 23, 2017

GOP Gerrymandering: Death Grip on Democracy

This video details how the GOP has a lock on House and Senate races in both houses for this decade and probably the next. Can the democrats block this?

Thanks to rurallib for leading me to this excellent blog and video from Blog for Iowa: http://www.blogforiowa.com/

February 23, 2017

Iowa Senate Passes Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

"Pro-life and pro-choice supports turned out at the Iowa State Capitol to voice their thoughts as the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that blocks family planning funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.

Rejecting passionate pleas from supporters of reproductive rights, the Republican-controlled Iowa Senate voted Thursday to block public funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, praised Planned Parenthood, saying it does more than any other medical provider to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

“We have a high quality provider that patients like and they want to continue to have access to those services like anyone would," Bolkcom said. "This bill says 'no' to these women. The real purpose of this bill is to punish Planned Parenthood because they provide services to women seeking legal access to an abortion. What is ironic about Senate File 2 is that it will result in thousands of unplanned pregnancies and many, many more abortions."

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/02/amid-heated-rhetoric-iowa-senate-votes-halt-planned-parenthood-funding/97378012/
E Pluribus Unum

February 22, 2017

Ram anti-union bill through first, Legislative Coffee later

" Under the new legislation, unions representing the state’s teachers, nurses, correctional officers and employees at facilities like the Glenwood Resource Center will only be allowed to negotiate wages. Workers will no longer be able to collectively bargain for benefits - such as health insurance and vacation time – or working conditions related to work schedules, overtime pay and employee evaluation procedures. The legislation also prohibits unions from collecting dues through payroll deduction and requires every union to be recertified before negotiations can take place.
The legislation was passed swiftly with strong partisan support from Republicans, who control both houses of the Iowa Legislature for the first time in two decades. Democrats, labor unions and other opponents have accused Republicans of intentionally keeping the public in the dark about the legislation before fast-tracking the bill through committee votes. Content of the bill was made public Feb. 7 with a vote for final passage in the Senate taking place nine days later.
A member of the audience at Saturday’s briefing questioned why Sieck and Costello failed to mention the potential for a collective bargaining bill at their Jan. 21 legislative briefing in Glenwood, a community with a significant number of public employees.
“Why are we having a meeting after the fact, after this has been pushed through?” she asked."


http://www.opinion-tribune.com/content/legislative-briefing-attracts-overflow-crowd

My note: A member of this crowd also noted that Governor Branstad was in the Des Moines Register with a picture as he signed this bill. One of the Koch brothers was broadly gleaming over his shoulder. I will post if I can find this article. Shock and Awe comes to Iowa.

February 14, 2017

Question: If Trump did business with Russia...

did he have to file tax returns with Russia and would it be noted on his US tax returns??

Show us Trump's tax returns!

February 9, 2017

For a Laugh: What It's Been Like Since the Election

What It's Been Like Since the Election:

Wondering if this is too true to be funny?

Nah- It's funny.

Thanks to uponit7771 who originally posted this. Thought it should be in the Video & Multimedia forum.

February 8, 2017

'Nuther Dumb Question...

Will Senator Sessions be able to vote for his own nomination as Attorney General??
If he can isn't that some sort of conflict of interest??