well done. Here in WI big potato/corn country, we also have some established Dems fund raising among those rows of toxic agriculture. Money rules, information the only weapon.
Our newspapers, including the Milwaukee Journal, used to have terrific environmental reporting. Now it's USA Today pablum, including a paid piece in today's electronic version about "regenerative, sustainable" modern agriculture. Sponsored by Cargill.
As you say: “you might be thinking cancer and polluted water are bad, and what an opportunity for Iowa Democrats. If you are thinking that, just settle down and take a seat, buddy.” 🤮
A little early to conclude Wahls or other Democrats are "avoiding" talking about Trump's NIH order. We don't know its scope, how long it will last, or how much U Iowa funding is going to be impacted yet. It's only been a few days since that news broke and a lot has been happening here. I'm pretty confident Democrats are not going to give Trump a pass on cutting funds for cancer research.
I strongly disagree that Iowa Democrats are "as controlled" by Big Ag as Republicans or care just as little about cancer. To cite one of many examples, look at who is supporting the legislative effort to give pesticide manufacturers immunity from lawsuits. Not one Democrat voted for that bill in committee or on the Iowa Senate floor. All but four of the Senate Republicans voted for it. If it comes to the House floor, not one Democrat will vote for it but most of the Republicans will.
Can we not expect better from Democrats, of course we can and many people, including you, have been saying that for a long time. Yet here we are with the heir apparent governor candidate that by all appearances is captured by big ag. As far as Wahls, contrast his rhetoric on ethanol (substantial) to that on water quality (non existent). This while representing the most liberal county in Iowa. Summoning the courage to oppose the most objectionable of legislation (pesticide bill) should not count for much, IMO.
The long-running and high-dollar public relations campaign waged by Big Ag and Big Chem portray agriculture as the most squeaky clean, incredibly wholesome, family driven endeavor on this Green Earth.
How could something like THIS possibly contribute to pollution and cancer?
We drive by hundreds of thousands of acres of it every day, and the vast majority of us believe it MUST all be okay…
Culturally, Iowa is like a person suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome. Not just refusing to fight against the abuser and “rapist” but even protecting abusers. We do not hold big ag responsible for anything. We fatten our children like hogs on high fructose corn syrup and my local river, the Des Moines is toxic. The Rastetter Bros. INC. buy offices and go to fundraisers and smile. Ms. Lyons of the DNR bids you to keep buying those fishing and hunting licenses to keep the conservation officers in the field. And Iowans have the 2nd highest cancer rate - and the fastest number of new cancer cases.
Reynolds and her wrecking crew defund public schools with vouchers. We in rural Iowa do not have alternatives to our local schools. We loose our schools, our towns die - and the task of emptying the interior of the state of IA for Agribusiness is complete. No citizens secure, well-fed and well-educated remain to challenge Reynolds and the other handmaids of industrial agribusiness..
Curiouser and Curiouser ....I recently had a phone call AND email from Ms. Hart , whom I like, looking for money, which I will undoubtably send, if for no other reason than to slow down the Rapture-Addled-Praise-Jaaaheeesus-Shit-n-Ethanol loving juggernaut. And, in addition to our cows-free, prairie 35-acres it makes me FEEL like I'm doing SOMETHING. In my return email I took Ms. Hart to task a bit about this very subject and took your name in vain Chris. She recognized the problem and praised the work you have done raising the subject and how we must do better, etc....
But she knows better and so do I. It may be impossible for a Democratic environmentalist to ever be elected in Iowa in my lifetime, though at 70, a youth spent in riotous living and cancer everywhere maybe that won't be long!
Keep up the great work, I share every one of these gems. To Mrs. Phillips, Science Class 1968" See, I did NOT have to pay attention, Chris Jones DID for me!"
Hi Professor Jones -- I have been an addicted reader of your posts, book and missives since moving back to Iowa a couple of years ago. In the meantime, I've begun teaching college writing and rhetorical studies at a local CC. I would love to be able to recommend your writing to students to use as they learn to do proper academic research and also to learn the basics of critical rhetorical reading and thinking.
I'm afraid the way you approach writing about these important subjects makes it nearly impossible for young, inexperienced (and, thus, generally conservative) students be convinced of your credibility, views and the facts you share. Believe me, there are a lot of us in Iowa who feel as frustrated, angry and outraged about that state of Iowa's soil and water and overall environmental degradation. How can we communicate what the facts and well-informed suppositions are without alienating (or trolling) folks who aren't very sophisticated readers?
thanks for the comment and for your loyal readership. My response to your 2nd paragraph follows.
You're addicted to the posts for a reason(s). gonna go out on a limb here and say it's maybe because science and data are presented in an understandable way, supported by humor, irony, and metaphor. Yes, the humor does often come at the expense of the people I see causing the problems here in Iowa. That is by design. I'm trying to affect change, and mockery is a powerful tool for change. If a person or student doesn't have the courage to read something they might disagree with, then I would say there isn't much hope for them as a writer, or a citizen for that matter.
As far as my credibility, I published extensively as a scientist while still employed and since then my work has been published in Iowa and national publications. I'm really not seeing much reason to change my approach, to be honest.
There is a sign for money and it’s called the $. The $ precedes numbers that are used for many purposes. Unfortunately, the state of Iowa spends $’s in many different ways. I dream of them being used to counter the traffic “going the wrong way on a one-way street.”
It seems, for example, endless $’s contribute to distressing agricultural issues. It’s quite likely a third grader could tell us we have corresponding environmental problems especially with water and the second highest cancer rate in the nation. There are better ways for us to live on this land and with our animals.
It’s not my purpose to dribble the endless examples of spending $ in this state. These $’s I dream of would instead enrich a better life for all of us, not just for a few. john carver
i think we are done son, the beautiful clear blue waters of the missouri up here in pierre, sd are unrecognizable by the time they flow through council bluffs/omaha...
well done. Here in WI big potato/corn country, we also have some established Dems fund raising among those rows of toxic agriculture. Money rules, information the only weapon.
Our newspapers, including the Milwaukee Journal, used to have terrific environmental reporting. Now it's USA Today pablum, including a paid piece in today's electronic version about "regenerative, sustainable" modern agriculture. Sponsored by Cargill.
As you say: “you might be thinking cancer and polluted water are bad, and what an opportunity for Iowa Democrats. If you are thinking that, just settle down and take a seat, buddy.” 🤮
A little early to conclude Wahls or other Democrats are "avoiding" talking about Trump's NIH order. We don't know its scope, how long it will last, or how much U Iowa funding is going to be impacted yet. It's only been a few days since that news broke and a lot has been happening here. I'm pretty confident Democrats are not going to give Trump a pass on cutting funds for cancer research.
I strongly disagree that Iowa Democrats are "as controlled" by Big Ag as Republicans or care just as little about cancer. To cite one of many examples, look at who is supporting the legislative effort to give pesticide manufacturers immunity from lawsuits. Not one Democrat voted for that bill in committee or on the Iowa Senate floor. All but four of the Senate Republicans voted for it. If it comes to the House floor, not one Democrat will vote for it but most of the Republicans will.
Can we not expect better from Democrats, of course we can and many people, including you, have been saying that for a long time. Yet here we are with the heir apparent governor candidate that by all appearances is captured by big ag. As far as Wahls, contrast his rhetoric on ethanol (substantial) to that on water quality (non existent). This while representing the most liberal county in Iowa. Summoning the courage to oppose the most objectionable of legislation (pesticide bill) should not count for much, IMO.
"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
How will we answer our Grandchildren's question years from now, "why didn't you people listen?"
Good question
The long-running and high-dollar public relations campaign waged by Big Ag and Big Chem portray agriculture as the most squeaky clean, incredibly wholesome, family driven endeavor on this Green Earth.
How could something like THIS possibly contribute to pollution and cancer?
We drive by hundreds of thousands of acres of it every day, and the vast majority of us believe it MUST all be okay…
OK, are we in Iowa just screwed? Is there anything an activist can do that will make a difference?
Culturally, Iowa is like a person suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome. Not just refusing to fight against the abuser and “rapist” but even protecting abusers. We do not hold big ag responsible for anything. We fatten our children like hogs on high fructose corn syrup and my local river, the Des Moines is toxic. The Rastetter Bros. INC. buy offices and go to fundraisers and smile. Ms. Lyons of the DNR bids you to keep buying those fishing and hunting licenses to keep the conservation officers in the field. And Iowans have the 2nd highest cancer rate - and the fastest number of new cancer cases.
Reynolds and her wrecking crew defund public schools with vouchers. We in rural Iowa do not have alternatives to our local schools. We loose our schools, our towns die - and the task of emptying the interior of the state of IA for Agribusiness is complete. No citizens secure, well-fed and well-educated remain to challenge Reynolds and the other handmaids of industrial agribusiness..
Curiouser and Curiouser ....I recently had a phone call AND email from Ms. Hart , whom I like, looking for money, which I will undoubtably send, if for no other reason than to slow down the Rapture-Addled-Praise-Jaaaheeesus-Shit-n-Ethanol loving juggernaut. And, in addition to our cows-free, prairie 35-acres it makes me FEEL like I'm doing SOMETHING. In my return email I took Ms. Hart to task a bit about this very subject and took your name in vain Chris. She recognized the problem and praised the work you have done raising the subject and how we must do better, etc....
But she knows better and so do I. It may be impossible for a Democratic environmentalist to ever be elected in Iowa in my lifetime, though at 70, a youth spent in riotous living and cancer everywhere maybe that won't be long!
Keep up the great work, I share every one of these gems. To Mrs. Phillips, Science Class 1968" See, I did NOT have to pay attention, Chris Jones DID for me!"
Hi Professor Jones -- I have been an addicted reader of your posts, book and missives since moving back to Iowa a couple of years ago. In the meantime, I've begun teaching college writing and rhetorical studies at a local CC. I would love to be able to recommend your writing to students to use as they learn to do proper academic research and also to learn the basics of critical rhetorical reading and thinking.
I'm afraid the way you approach writing about these important subjects makes it nearly impossible for young, inexperienced (and, thus, generally conservative) students be convinced of your credibility, views and the facts you share. Believe me, there are a lot of us in Iowa who feel as frustrated, angry and outraged about that state of Iowa's soil and water and overall environmental degradation. How can we communicate what the facts and well-informed suppositions are without alienating (or trolling) folks who aren't very sophisticated readers?
thanks for the comment and for your loyal readership. My response to your 2nd paragraph follows.
You're addicted to the posts for a reason(s). gonna go out on a limb here and say it's maybe because science and data are presented in an understandable way, supported by humor, irony, and metaphor. Yes, the humor does often come at the expense of the people I see causing the problems here in Iowa. That is by design. I'm trying to affect change, and mockery is a powerful tool for change. If a person or student doesn't have the courage to read something they might disagree with, then I would say there isn't much hope for them as a writer, or a citizen for that matter.
As far as my credibility, I published extensively as a scientist while still employed and since then my work has been published in Iowa and national publications. I'm really not seeing much reason to change my approach, to be honest.
Again, thanks for reading.
Struck it out of Kinnick Stadium on this one my friend! Well done. The cropaganda runs deep in both parties unfortunately.
My simple letter to the papers
The $ is for Dollars
There is a sign for money and it’s called the $. The $ precedes numbers that are used for many purposes. Unfortunately, the state of Iowa spends $’s in many different ways. I dream of them being used to counter the traffic “going the wrong way on a one-way street.”
It seems, for example, endless $’s contribute to distressing agricultural issues. It’s quite likely a third grader could tell us we have corresponding environmental problems especially with water and the second highest cancer rate in the nation. There are better ways for us to live on this land and with our animals.
It’s not my purpose to dribble the endless examples of spending $ in this state. These $’s I dream of would instead enrich a better life for all of us, not just for a few. john carver
i think we are done son, the beautiful clear blue waters of the missouri up here in pierre, sd are unrecognizable by the time they flow through council bluffs/omaha...