I started a clinical trial two weeks ago at the U of I. Not sure if it’s the meds or the news that’s affecting my blood pressure but I’m definitely curious to talk to my Onc tomorrow.
As to the current Dems, always amazed at their “surveys” sent as a excuse to troll for donations, no discussions about Iowas water, DNR, and seemingly nonchalant eye fluttering over the fiasco we call nursing homes.
I'm one of those who spent more than an hour on the phone with Rob for one of his fundraising calls and we gave, only because once again, better of two evils. Nothing will change in Iowa ag so long as it owns both parties. Thank you Chris, for doing what you do.
Welp Now I gotta add this to my latest substack too. Excellent piece, Chris. Also, there are people here in Polk county who DO want to make some changes with democrats.
Did not know that about Rob Sand. MAGA farmers will be pleased to know there's no more avian flu threat, since public health warnings have now been prohibited.
What does it take to fight big money and jelly-spined politicians?
Rock on Chris. We need your words. I was told before the general election to choose between the lesser of two evils. Why must that be even a choice? Can we find a candidate that is willing to speak truths that all Iowans need to hear?
I have a few thoughts about Tom Vilsack and big ag and Summit Ag. I'm sure you've written about this before. Austin Frerich sure has in his book, Barons. I learned more from my friend Austin at the recent Iowa Farmer's Union Conference.
Thank you, Chris Jones and anyone who helps you keep keeping on.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I've lived in Cedar Rapids most of my life. This is heartbreaking, and angering beyond what I can express. Thank you for your work on this, Chris and Unnamed Colleague.
I'm in Coralville and I can only find quarterly reports for Nitrate. Is there any source or option for more consistent Nitrate data? How about the UI? I'm also trying to get fertilizer/pesticide/herbicide application reports from facilities management. paige.liebrecht@gmail.com
Coralville may only be required by DNR to monitor drinking water nitrate quarterly because their source of water (bedrock aquifer) has been shown to be consistently low in nitrate. UI on the other hand is likely monitoring nitrate at least monthly and probably more because of high nitrate in their source, the Iowa River. I'm not an authority about the application reports you refer to but I will ask.
Just read the Iowa Capitol Dispatch article about the infuriating DNR decision on Bloody Run Creek.
"In the document, DNR said water use at the facility would not adversely affect surrounding landowners, would not “unreasonably impair” the long term quantity or quality of water available, and that the water-use permit would be in the “best interest of the people.”
“The DNR finds that providing water for livestock care serves the best interests and welfare of Iowans … In brief, agriculture is a pillar of Iowa’s economy, generating revenue, taxes and creating jobs,” the memorandum read.
I'd like to know how they are going to gather evidence over time that the water quality will not be "unreasonably impaired." WTF does that mean?! Also, have they done an impact analysis on exactly how and who benefits from this facility? Our elected officials are so concerned about tax payers when it concerns our university programs or what our local governments determine are good for their communities, but when it comes to agriculture, those programs don't require scrutiny. It's very similar to their view on police accountability. Their are certain groups that are above accountability. So many of us just don't question this.
Your comments about Iowa Democrats rings true here in Washington County. I volunteered during the last election cycle, particularly for the candidate who was running against House Representative Heather Hora. Rep. Hora and her husband raise swine and own a string of CAFOs in this part of the state. In the last election the Democratic Party in Washington County (like most counties) got their asses kicked. However, it did not deter the county party from having its end of the year gathering. In December I received the following invitation:
Step It Up for Democracy
Annual Pork Loin Fundraiser Dinner
To me sponsoring a pork loin dinner seemed inappropriate given the loss to a CAFO advocate, so I wrote the following response to the invite.
We live in a county that produces more hog manure than almost any other county in the United States, and the results are reflected in the water and air quality, as well as our degraded land. Nevertheless, I have not seen any Washington County Democrats willing to tackle this issue of greed and the corporate infrastructure. As Art Cullen wrote in his column: " Our production system is predicated on safety but is built around keeping millions of birds wing-to-wing, or packing thousands of porkers in tight, and then spreading their infected waste on land all around us." You should read his entire essay. The recent elections were discouraging. The response of the Democrats is depressing.
There was never any reply from the Washington County Democratic Party, although when I spoke with the campaign manager of the candidate who ran against Heather Hora, I did receive this admission: It's a fact that our legislators "even" Dems, are weak on environmental protection, and pork is ingrained into Iowa culture such that connecting the dots--from daily choices to what's happening in our environment--can go unnoticed without a prompt like yours."
I have been prompting for years, but Iowa Democrats don't listen to me; they do, however, listen to Big Ag.
“The reward for participating in a movement for social justice is not the prospect of future victory. It is the exhilaration of standing together with other people, taking risks together, enjoying small triumphs and enduring disheartening setbacks—together. I have never been on a team. But I want to be on this team. Soooooo. Much
I started a clinical trial two weeks ago at the U of I. Not sure if it’s the meds or the news that’s affecting my blood pressure but I’m definitely curious to talk to my Onc tomorrow.
As to the current Dems, always amazed at their “surveys” sent as a excuse to troll for donations, no discussions about Iowas water, DNR, and seemingly nonchalant eye fluttering over the fiasco we call nursing homes.
Hoping for the best with trial Scott
https://cedarrapidsgazette-ia.newsmemory.com/?publink=1238ac571_134f832
I'm one of those who spent more than an hour on the phone with Rob for one of his fundraising calls and we gave, only because once again, better of two evils. Nothing will change in Iowa ag so long as it owns both parties. Thank you Chris, for doing what you do.
"Just think what an honest and insightful and courageous politician could do with these issues."
Why Did the Obamas Fail to Take On Corporate Agriculture?
By MICHAEL POLLAN
OCT. 5, 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/09/magazine/obama-administration-big-food-policy.html
Thank you for sharing this. I am a fan of his books but hadn’t read this before.
Welp Now I gotta add this to my latest substack too. Excellent piece, Chris. Also, there are people here in Polk county who DO want to make some changes with democrats.
But….how are we supposed to stay hydrated in this state? Seriously though, how do you personally consume water?
Signed,
Hopeless in Des Moines
Another excellent piece by Chris, and Jason asks a good question.
Any recommendations regarding home reverse osmosis systems to remove nitrates vs drinking only bottled water (bottled in plastic)?
Did not know that about Rob Sand. MAGA farmers will be pleased to know there's no more avian flu threat, since public health warnings have now been prohibited.
What does it take to fight big money and jelly-spined politicians?
Rock on Chris. We need your words. I was told before the general election to choose between the lesser of two evils. Why must that be even a choice? Can we find a candidate that is willing to speak truths that all Iowans need to hear?
I have a few thoughts about Tom Vilsack and big ag and Summit Ag. I'm sure you've written about this before. Austin Frerich sure has in his book, Barons. I learned more from my friend Austin at the recent Iowa Farmer's Union Conference.
Thank you, Chris Jones and anyone who helps you keep keeping on.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I've lived in Cedar Rapids most of my life. This is heartbreaking, and angering beyond what I can express. Thank you for your work on this, Chris and Unnamed Colleague.
I'm in Coralville and I can only find quarterly reports for Nitrate. Is there any source or option for more consistent Nitrate data? How about the UI? I'm also trying to get fertilizer/pesticide/herbicide application reports from facilities management. paige.liebrecht@gmail.com
Coralville may only be required by DNR to monitor drinking water nitrate quarterly because their source of water (bedrock aquifer) has been shown to be consistently low in nitrate. UI on the other hand is likely monitoring nitrate at least monthly and probably more because of high nitrate in their source, the Iowa River. I'm not an authority about the application reports you refer to but I will ask.
Just read the Iowa Capitol Dispatch article about the infuriating DNR decision on Bloody Run Creek.
"In the document, DNR said water use at the facility would not adversely affect surrounding landowners, would not “unreasonably impair” the long term quantity or quality of water available, and that the water-use permit would be in the “best interest of the people.”
“The DNR finds that providing water for livestock care serves the best interests and welfare of Iowans … In brief, agriculture is a pillar of Iowa’s economy, generating revenue, taxes and creating jobs,” the memorandum read.
I'd like to know how they are going to gather evidence over time that the water quality will not be "unreasonably impaired." WTF does that mean?! Also, have they done an impact analysis on exactly how and who benefits from this facility? Our elected officials are so concerned about tax payers when it concerns our university programs or what our local governments determine are good for their communities, but when it comes to agriculture, those programs don't require scrutiny. It's very similar to their view on police accountability. Their are certain groups that are above accountability. So many of us just don't question this.
Your comments about Iowa Democrats rings true here in Washington County. I volunteered during the last election cycle, particularly for the candidate who was running against House Representative Heather Hora. Rep. Hora and her husband raise swine and own a string of CAFOs in this part of the state. In the last election the Democratic Party in Washington County (like most counties) got their asses kicked. However, it did not deter the county party from having its end of the year gathering. In December I received the following invitation:
Step It Up for Democracy
Annual Pork Loin Fundraiser Dinner
To me sponsoring a pork loin dinner seemed inappropriate given the loss to a CAFO advocate, so I wrote the following response to the invite.
We live in a county that produces more hog manure than almost any other county in the United States, and the results are reflected in the water and air quality, as well as our degraded land. Nevertheless, I have not seen any Washington County Democrats willing to tackle this issue of greed and the corporate infrastructure. As Art Cullen wrote in his column: " Our production system is predicated on safety but is built around keeping millions of birds wing-to-wing, or packing thousands of porkers in tight, and then spreading their infected waste on land all around us." You should read his entire essay. The recent elections were discouraging. The response of the Democrats is depressing.
There was never any reply from the Washington County Democratic Party, although when I spoke with the campaign manager of the candidate who ran against Heather Hora, I did receive this admission: It's a fact that our legislators "even" Dems, are weak on environmental protection, and pork is ingrained into Iowa culture such that connecting the dots--from daily choices to what's happening in our environment--can go unnoticed without a prompt like yours."
I have been prompting for years, but Iowa Democrats don't listen to me; they do, however, listen to Big Ag.
Iowa is filled with financial prisoners, including politicians. Thank God for those who are able to speak the truth, Thank you Chris!
I’d vote for you Chris!
“The reward for participating in a movement for social justice is not the prospect of future victory. It is the exhilaration of standing together with other people, taking risks together, enjoying small triumphs and enduring disheartening setbacks—together. I have never been on a team. But I want to be on this team. Soooooo. Much