A behind-the-scenes political friend once told me, "Iowans eat their young when it comes to politics." Vilsack didn't get as far as we'd like in his environmental efforts, but he worked with a Republican legislature his entire tenure. Our former Governor, for example, vetoed legislation enacted by the statehouse that would have disbanded the EPC after the fishable / swimmable regulations. He appointed EPC commissioners who were decidedly in favor of more water quality regulation. He hired Jeff Vonk and gave him leeway to seek enforcement measures against CAFOs. OK, the Power Fund was nothing but corporate welfare, and biotech is absolutely a double-edged sword, but that was what all the states were doing at the time. Has anybody paid attention to the job performance of our present Governor? Could anybody seriously question that Culver is absolutely in bed with the Farm Bureau? Vilsack never embarrassed himself the way the Big Lug doesn't even understand it's wrong to hold government meetings at Farm Bureau headquarters. Why don't we start congratulating our former Governor instead of criticizing him? Vilsack will be making appointments of assistant secretaries, on down. We are wasting an incredible chance for access and influence if Iowa Sierrans continue to eat their young. Donna Buell Vilsack appointee to the Environmental Protection Commission 2003-2007 _____ From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phyllis Mains Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 6:16 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Fwd: Sierra Club Praises Nominations for Interior, Agriculture So much for the official Sierra Club Response to Obama's environmental choices. For me personally I feel Hope goes up in Smoke! Phyllis ____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on college degrees. <http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2142/fc/PnY6rw1U6Sdt11PQXPt5JddAUBNyFpL 8hp0ka4wFX1OPdOVpDYVOZ/> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp