My answer would be "YES" this is the work the Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club is
capable and willing to do.  Although I would also remind folks about honey
and vinegar and that attracting supporters through vinegar is usually
ineffective.  Disagree without becoming disagreeable.  And then can go home
and take a shower if necessary.

 

On the other hand, Sierra Club is not above the recession.  The economic
downturn has hit Sierra as much as everybody else, so we have to work
smarter, cheaper and more efficiently.  Sierra Club has started moving to
new mediums of communication - more online, more social networking, more
collaborating with other chapters and nonprofits to accomplish our goals.
The advantage of this listserv is that anyone can say what's on his/her
mind.  Some of the mediums, like social networking on Facebook, expand this
advantage, join up if you're not already there.  Some communications, like
the action alerts you can expect during the legislative session, are
intended to make it easy for Sierra Club members to take action and
participate in the grassroots communications.  Iowa Chapter is just starting
on these new electronic messaging methods - so please look for these new
options and get involved - the chapter executive committee cannot do it
alone.  We need everybody's participation.

 

Donna

 

 

  _____  

From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Thomas Mathews
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 11:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Obama and Iowa

 

President Obama got his start on the road to the White House right here in
Iowa, at the caucuses, in January 2008.

 

It's ironic, therefore, but not surprising, that the issues most important
over the long term to Iowa were never mentioned during caucus campaigning or
during the rest of the primary and election season.

 

I am referring to land use, meaning protection of Iowa farmland from urban
sprawl "development"; transportation, meaning whether we continue to build
more highways and thus destroy--by means of the urban sprawl which highways
promote--even more Iowa farmland, or invest instead in enviromentally sound
modes of transportation such as railroads; and agricultural biotechnology,
which has made Iowa arguably the most genetically engineered place on earth,
and which is literally shredding the web of life.

 

Recent events, such as today's speech by Mr. Obama at a highway construction
site, in which he called for more road building to stimulate the economy and
create jobs, and the appointment of Tom Vilsack, a fervent supporter of the
agricultural biotech industry, as Secretary of Agriculture, do not bode well
for Iowa's future.

 

On the eve of Lincoln's 200th birthday it is being widely noted how our
Civil War president was continually growing in thought and wisdom. We know
that Mr. Obama looks to Lincoln as an inspiration. We remember too that
Franklin Roosevelt once told a group of progressive activists (I paraphrase)
that I agree with what you want me to do, now make me do it.

 

With pressure from the right people, it is likely that President Obama, like
President Franklin Roosevelt, can be made to do what is right. Doing what is
right for Iowa, and for the world, must include, in my opinion, dealing with
the issues I have touched on above. This will mean work, a lot of work. 

 

Is this work that the Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club is capable of, and willing
to do? 

 

Thomas Mathews

Des Moines, Iowa

(Central Iowa Group)

 

  _____  

The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music
takes <http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi00000002>  you there.

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