We wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the generous coverage of One River Mississippi provided by the River Cities' Reader. The article, photos, map, and survey printed in the June 21 issue provided clear and accurate information. The cover was dynamite, as well! The countdown ads that began in May helped to create early interest in this event. Thanks for being with us every step of the way.
A big thank you to the 100-plus performers and volunteers who participated in One River Mississippi on June 24; it was the largest river connection in history!
Seeing more than 2,000 viewers line the river banks and Centennial Bridge gazing at our national treasure, the Mississippi River, was just awesome. We all live on the watershed, so we all own riverfront property! We hope that our performance encouraged everyone to take better care of the river.
This amazing event would not have taken place without the enthusiastic support of our many community partners.
We wish to thank: WVIK 90.3 FM for broadcasting our music; Bill Gretten from the Army Corps of Engineers, Lock Master Steve Felderman, and Chris Cowles of the Arsenal Police for their assistance on the Arsenal Island; River Action Incorporated and Partners of the Scott County Watershed for their environmental programming; Quad City Rowing Association, Bill Boom, Dr. Myron Fields, Scott Schadler of Celebration Belle, and the River Stone Group for providing the vessels that made the "water dance"; the Rhythm City Casino, Casino Rock Island, and Modern Woodmen of America for letting us perform on their properties; the Coast Guard and the Illinois State Conservation Agency and all of the area law-enforcement agencies for making this a safe event on land and water.
Our generous funding came from the Alcoa Foundation, The Isle of Capri Casino, River Cities' Reader, Riverboat Development Authority, the Iowa Arts Council, the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, and Wells Blue Bunny Ice-Cream Company. And finally, to Mark Fowler, the Rock Island glass artist who owns Liquid Fire, for hosting a one-of-a-kind post-party for One River Mississippi. Hundreds of folks got together on the river as one community. A special treat for all to savor was watching Mark create a piece of glass that was inspired by One River Mississippi. Fantastic!
If One River Mississippi motivated you to become a better river steward, we encourage you to call River Action today. River Action is an amazing organization that has been dedicated to the vitality and prosperity of the Mississippi River for the past 22 years.
Johanne Jakhelln
Choreographer
Joedy Cook
Project Manager
(Editor's note: The River Cities' Reader was a sponsor of One River Mississippi.)
Disarming Citizens in Louisiana
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, certain federal agencies confiscated the firearms of citizens of the State of Louisiana. This violated our Second Amendment, deprived these citizens of the right to keep and bear arms, and rendered them helpless against criminal activities. (See "Homeland Security Leviathan" at The New American: http://www.thenewamerican.com/artman/publish/article_3614.shtml.)
The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 5013 in the U.S. House of Representatives and S. 2599 in the U.S. Senate) would prohibit such unlawful activities in the future. Federal agents could not seize any legal firearm nor disarm any person authorized to carry a firearm simply because they are operating in an emergency situation.
Furthermore, this legislation would prevent would-be tyrants from opening a loophole in the Second Amendment by branding any situation an "emergency." Concerned citizens who value their freedom should immediately contact their U.S. representative and both U.S. senators to urge them to pass this Protection Act.
Alex Randis
Northridge, California
