23 Jan 2015

Former slave's eulogy for Lincoln to highlight Lincoln's Birthday celebration in Springfield

By Dave Blanchette
"Doing honor to the memory of our friend and liberator"

Frederick Douglass' impassioned eulogy to Lincoln to be presented by nationally-acclaimed actor at annual Abraham Lincoln Symposium banquet February 12

    SPRINGFIELD, IL- When Frederick Douglass spoke, people listened. He was a former slave who purchased his freedom and became one of Abraham Lincoln's most vocal critics and supporters at the same time. And when Douglass delivered a eulogy to the 16th President at the dedication of a memorial in 1876, the speech he made has come to be known as the most stirring remembrance of Lincoln's legacy ever made.

    That impassioned speech will be presented on Lincoln's 206th birthday, Thursday, February 12, by a nationally-acclaimed actor at the annual Abraham Lincoln Association Symposium Banquet. Fred Morsell, a veteran star of stage and screen, will headline the banquet and perform Frederick Douglass' famous speech, Eulogy to Lincoln. The New York Times praised Morsell's performance of a Douglass speech on PBS saying, "the standing ovation given to Mr. Morsell, whose sonorous voice stems in large part from his background as lyric baritone, is clearly and deservedly heartfelt."

    The banquet will be held at the President Lincoln Hotel in Springfield on Thursday, February 12. The reception starts at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $85 each and can be obtained online at www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org or by calling (866) 865-8500.

Parts of Douglass' speech continue to echo through time: "...under his wise and beneficent rule we saw ourselves gradually lifted from the depths of slavery to the heights of liberty and manhood...we saw that the handwriting of ages, in the form of prejudice and proscription, was rapidly fading away from the face of our whole country; under his rule, and in due time, about as soon after all as the country could tolerate the strange spectacle, we saw our brave sons and brothers laying off the rags of bondage, and being clothed all over in the blue uniforms of the soldiers of the United States responding to the call of Abraham Lincoln, and with muskets on their shoulders, and eagles on their buttons, timing their high footsteps to liberty and union under the national flag...

"Any man can say things that are true of Abraham Lincoln...He was a mystery to no man who saw him and heard him. Though high in position, the humblest could approach him and feel at home in his presence. Though deep, he was transparent; though strong, he was gentle; though decided and pronounced in his convictions, he was tolerant towards those who differed from him, and patient under reproaches. Even those who only knew him through his public utterance obtained a tolerably clear idea of his character and personality."

    The Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA) will also celebrate President Lincoln's birthday with its annual Abraham Lincoln-Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium that will begin on Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. at The Old State Capitol State Historic site with a keynote address by Dr. Matthew Holden, Jr., the Wepner Distinguished Professor in Political Science at the University of Illinois Springfield. His presentation is titled The End and the Beginning: Emancipation and Counter-Emancipation.

The Symposium on Lincoln's presidency in 1865 continues on Thursday, February 12 at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield. The 11 a.m. speakers will be James B. Conroy, author of Our One Common Country: Abraham Lincoln and the Hampton Roads Peace Conference of 1865 and fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society and Chris DeRose, award-winning author of Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President, as well as several other books. A round table featuring all of the Symposium speakers begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. These Symposium events are free and open to the public.

The Thomas F. Schwartz Symposium luncheon, which begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 12 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, features speaker Dr. Ronald White, Jr., author of A. Lincoln: A Biography a New York Times bestseller and Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, a New York Times notable book. The luncheon is $25 per person and reservations can be made online at www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org or by calling (866) 865-8500.

The Abraham Lincoln Association Symposium is co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The University of Illinois Springfield, The Old State Capitol State Historic Site and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. For more information about the Abraham Lincoln Association, visit www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org.

# # #

23 Jan 2015

2014/2015 Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness

By Craig Cooper
KEY MESSAGES:

  • The best way to prevent the flu is the influenza vaccine.

  • The best way to lessen complications of the flu is antiviral medication.

  • The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to stay home when ill.

All three strains currently circulating are covered by this year's vaccine - A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B.

  • Some of the A(H3N2) viruses circulating nationally and in Iowa are a drifted strain.

  • Although the drifted strain is not an exact match, the vaccine should provide partial protection.

Vaccination is still the best defense against the flu. IDPH and the CDC recommend all Iowans older than age 6 months receive the vaccine.

  • Even if you have already had one strain of the flu, you can still get sick with the other two strains of the flu circulating in Iowa so vaccination would still be recommended.

  • It is not too late to be vaccinated. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last until May.

Seasons in which A(H3N2) viruses dominate tend to be more severe, with more hospitalizations and more deaths.

    • Those at highest risk of developing serious complications of the flu include the very young, very old, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions such as heart or lung disease. Beginning antiviral medications early for these individuals is particularly important.

      Antiviral medications are not a substitute for vaccination, but are an important second line of defense to treat the flu.

        • Most effective if started as soon as possible and within 48 hours of the beginning of flu symptoms. (If those with serious illness, those who are hospitalized or those at high risk of complications do not seek medical attention within 48 hours, starting antiviral medications is still recommended.)

        • Call your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of the flu.

        • Antiviral medications make influenza illness milder, shorter, and reduce the risk of ending up in hospital or dying from influenza.

        • Receiving antiviral medications quickly is especially important for those at risk of complications.

       

      The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death.

       

      ###

23 Jan 2015

This Weekend: A special program at GAHC

By G A H C

German American Heritage Center Presents:

Iowa Op Platt with Kathi Hofmann onSunday, January 25, 2015 at 2pm
This Sunday at GAHC we are showing a film from German Television about Scott County and its impressive German Heritage. The film is in German but we will be providing handouts in English of what is being said! Follow along or just enjoy the views of Scott County as seen by Germans!
Iowa op Platt
 is part of a series produced by the German NDR (Norddeutsche Rundfunk) TV station. Yared Dibaba and Julia Westlake traveled all around the USA as well as to Africa, Australia and South America talking to people with family connections to northern Germany and the Low German dialect.  In 2006 they visited Iowa. This 45-minute film features farmers Glenn Sievers and Bill Stohrjohan. Jack Schinkel, Lee Moeller and other members of the American Schleswig Holstein Heritage Society join them in Walcott.  Erna Cielecki shows them around the I-80 Truck stop. They also stop in Davenport at the German American Heritage Center.  DeWitt resident Karl Maass meets Yared and Julia in Manning, Iowa, at the Hausbarn he helped rebuild.
Mark your calendars for next weekend too! We are hosting Tami from Cotton Creek Mill in West Branch as she shares the history of her "signature" quilts and demonstrates new quilt products on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2pm!
23 Jan 2015

Illinois Air National Guard Band to perform free concert at Civic Center

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/21/2015)(readMedia)-- PEORIA, Ill. ? The Illinois Air National Guard (ANG) 566th Band of the Midwest will perform a free concert Jan. 28, at 8 p.m., at the Peoria Civic Center auditorium in Peoria, Illinois.

The band, conducted by Maj. Bryan Miller of Naperville, Illinois, will perform for the 2015 Illinois Music Education Association conference opening night as part of its community outreach mission.

The ANG Band Program trains and deploys professional Airmen musicians to foster patriotism in audiences within the U.S. and in forward-deployed locations. The band cultivates American cultural and military musical heritage.

"Audiences can expect a world-class show with exciting and dynamic music," said Miller.

More information about the ANG Band of the Midwest can be found at www.BandoftheMidwest.ang.af.mil and on Facebook at ANG Band of the Midwest (566th AFB). More information about the ILMEA conference can be found at http://www.ilmeaorg/events/15imec.

23 Jan 2015

ISU students volunteer with annual Iowa FIRST LEGO League Championship

By ISU Engineering College

AMES, IA (01/21/2015)(readMedia)-- Several ISU students volunteer every year with the Iowa FIRST LEGO League Championship, held at the Iowa State University College of Engineering.

Sara Dohrmann (senior in industrial engineering and engineering sales) of Davenport, Iowa

Emily Knight (junior in civil engineering) of Moline, Illinois


23 Jan 2015

William Penn University announces academic honors

By Amber Lake
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (January 21, 2015) - William Penn University is pleased to announce that [Name] of [City], [State] has been named to the President's List for the fall 2014 semester. To be included on the President's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

Wlliam Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa offers both post-secondary and adult education programs. Founded by Quakers in 1873, we strive to provide a vibrant learning community where all students grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually through academic, creative and athletic pursuits.

For more information, visit the university's website at www.wmpenn.edu or call 1-800-779-7366.

- 30 -

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Bettendorf, IA

Carmen Wetzel

Davenport, IA

Margaret Doud
Amy Roefer
Erica Smigo
23 Jan 2015

ISU STUDENTS NAMED TO FALL SEMESTER DEAN'S LIST

By TheLink Delivery Service

AMES, Iowa (January 21, 2015) - More than 7,980 Iowa State University undergraduates have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2014 fall semester Dean's List.

Students named to the Dean's List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.

Students listed below who qualified for the Dean's List are from your area.

- 30 -

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, CURRICULUM Bettendorf, IA

Michelle Lee Anderson, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Alison Marie Aquino, Kinesiology and Health
Hannah Kristine Bankson, Elementary Education
Elizabeth Claire Bartlett, Animal Ecology
Megan Lynn Beck, Mechanical Engineering
Reid Chandler Behrens, Civil Engineering
Katelyn M. Bell, Industrial Engineering
Alaina Marie Berkenbosch, Pre-Business
Jamie Marie Blaser, Event Management
Laura K. Blaser, Biology (AGLS)
James Dewey Boddie, Software Engineering
Kellen Matthew Bohn, Kinesiology and Health
Zachary P. Bowerman, Political Science
Shelby Ann Brandt, Marketing
Isaac G. Bries, Electrical Engineering
Jared Michael Brown, Marketing
Maria Frances Brown, Engineering
Kailey Victoria Bueker, Elementary Education
Kelly Marie Butcher, Psychology
Dallas Donnell Carter, Mechanical Engineering
Griffen Gerald Clark, Software Engineering
Anne B. Cramond, Supply Chain Management
Michael Anthoney Day, Industrial Design
Nicholas Richard Deasy, Architecture-Professional Degree
Kathleen Dilley, Elementary Education
Rachel Erin Dolehanty, Elementary Education
Tyler Frank Dunlavy, Mechanical Engineering
Kaitlyn Marie Dvorak, Kinesiology and Health
Dillan P. Dwyer, Mechanical Engineering
Zachary J. Edwards, Accounting
Brendan David Elizondo, Interdisciplinary Studies
Safwan Elkhatib, Kinesiology and Health
Kierstyn Feld, Pre-Architecture
Evan Nolan Foley, Computer Engineering
Kevin Lee Garter, Forestry
Ian Casey Graham, Mathematics
Jeffrey Curtis Haacke, Management Information Systems
Alexander James Hanson, Journalism and Mass Communication
Allison Marie Harmon, Elementary Education
Andrew J. Hartman, Computer Engineering
Andrew Russell Healey, Construction Engineering
Lucy Gladwin Heiderscheit, Psychology
Colin David Helland, Mechanical Engineering
Kyle Craig Hollenback, Aerospace Engineering
Sarah Wade Huber, Electrical Engineering
Tessa Nicole James, Dietetics (H SCI)
Ellen Bernice Justis, Music
Jennifer Leanne Klindt, Agricultural Business
Benjamin Michael Krause, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Alexander Ernest Krist, Civil Engineering
Christopher Ross Lamphier, Supply Chain Management
Michelle J. Larsen, Industrial Engineering
Anne Elyse Leners, Mechanical Engineering
Andrew M. Lensch, Construction Engineering
Kera Linn, Dietetics (H SCI)
Lance Tyler Lipovic, Graphic Design
Sarah Maikon, Open Option (LAS)
Margaret Maneca Martens, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Jennifer Lynn Martin, Psychology
Maxwell Ryan McDaniel, History
Jill Christine Mekalson, Hospitality Management
Alexander C. Menke, Mechanical Engineering
Tyler Benjamin Meseke, Biology
Amanda Lauren Miller, Kinesiology and Health
Austin J. Miller, Mechanical Engineering
Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Genetics (LAS)
Wage Franklin Miller, Electrical Engineering
Mary Kate Misak, Event Management
Catherine Helen Mullen, Biology (AGLS)
Sean Keller Mullen, Mechanical Engineering
Mary Nuernberger, Veterinary Medicine
Emily M. Oswald, Psychology
James Vance Park, Biology
Ashley Marie Parry, Open Option (LAS)
Regina Annette Pauly, English
Nathaniel Allen Perk, Mechanical Engineering
Kyle Robert Perkins, Pre-Business
Erica Mae Peterson, Chemical Engineering
Katelynn E. Piotter, Early Childhood Education
Tobey Charles Pribyl, Mechanical Engineering
Rimjhim Rawat, Software Engineering
Lexie Renee Reed, Animal Science
Erin Kathleen Robinson, Mechanical Engineering
Holly Marie Schroeder, Kinesiology and Health
Caleb D. Schulze, Electrical Engineering
Emily Jean Schwake, Animal Science
Grant Bradley Sherrard, Animal Science
Hunter Cole Sickels, Political Science
Amrinder Singh, Biology (AGLS)
Jacob Oliver Smidt, Aerospace Engineering
Patrick Hadley Smith, Biology
Dylan Andrew Snyder, Materials Engineering
Joshua C. Thompson, Mathematics
Mallory Michelle Till, Pre-Business
Erin Cathleen Toohey, Biology (AGLS)
Emory Stephen Traicoff, Mechanical Engineering
Sara Ann Turke, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Heather M. Vandewostine, Veterinary Medicine
Kevin Michael Wagner, Psychology
Mengyu Wang, Aerospace Engineering
David Clay Weinstein, Software Engineering
Karson Gene Westerkamp, Elementary Education
Hannah Lyn Whitty, Kinesiology and Health
Kelsi Shea Wolever, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Robert W. Wright, Industrial Engineering
Marcelious A. Wyatt, Construction Engineering
Samantha Christine Zust, Kinesiology and Health

Davenport, IA

Ellen Kathleen Argo, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Jessica Lynne Bennett, Journalism and Mass Communication
Kayla Marie Boche, Interdisciplinary Studies
Emily M. Brimeyer, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Joshua Jerome Byrne, Animal Ecology
Alissa Calsyn, Genetics (LAS)
Courtney Ann Clevenger, Elementary Education
Kaitlin Rose Clevenger, Event Management
Neal Robert Crooks, Aerospace Engineering
Walter Jeffrey Dedoncker, Civil Engineering
Elizabeth Marie Doebel, Mathematics
Kate Marie Fennelly, Marketing
Samuel Richard Fer, Materials Engineering
Jason Lee Fredericks, Management Information Systems
Mackenzie M. Garlock, Chemical Engineering
Bridget Mary Garnica, Advertising
Derek Roger Geiken, Mechanical Engineering
Sydnie N. Gengler, Chemical Engineering
Christine Megan Gulasy, Pre-Industrial Design
Kylie Kathleen Hamerlinck, Pre-Business
Travis John Hattery, Chemical Engineering
Matthew Joseph Heinrichs, World Languages and Cultures
Jiselle Alexa Henderkott, Public Relations
Samuel M. Hipple, Mechanical Engineering
Andrea Marie Holtman, Elementary Education
Reed Andrew Jennings, Civil Engineering
Jacqueline Blake Johnson, Pre-Computer Science
Malcolm Andrew Kelly, Mechanical Engineering
Joseph Valarius Kern, Construction Engineering
Thomas David Kimler, Electrical Engineering
Mary Katherine Kirk, Psychology
Emerald Patricia Klauer, Graphic Design
Joseph Edward Kopacz, Mechanical Engineering
Kathryn A. Leidahl, Pre-Business
Matthew John Luebbe, Materials Engineering
Amanda Margaret Malin, Political Science
Lindsay Renee Matthews, Meteorology
Joseph McGovern, Computer Engineering
Vanessa Lynn McNeal, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Paige M. Mercer, Animal Science
Danielle Robin Moore, Biological Systems Engineering
David Edward Moore, Supply Chain Management
Shawn Nguyen, Industrial Engineering
Claudia Nicole Nuci, Early Childhood Education
Elspeth Morgan Petersen, Chemical Engineering
Zachary Richard Petersen, Construction Engineering
Julie Pham, Open Option (LAS)
Alex James Pogue, Computer Science
Brylee S. Raupp-Timmons, Computer Engineering
Caleb Anthony Redman, Computer Engineering
Louis Alonzo Redmond, Software Engineering
Brad James Ryan, Chemical Engineering
Hope Elizabeth Scheffert, Software Engineering
Kristina Seier, Biology
David Michael Severson, Electrical Engineering
Michael Shepard, Management Information Systems
Aaron Wayne Stechmann, Industrial Technology
Melanie Stoss, Chemistry
Sally Ann Stringham, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Kendall Gene Tawney, Animal Science
Jessica Nichole Thomas, Graphic Design
Nguyen Le Tran, Electrical Engineering
Thao Tam Tran, Interior Design
Jesse Benjamin Trujillo, Mechanical Engineering
Cale James Unzicker, Pre-Architecture
Kayla Christine Vance, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Sarah Jane Vance, Graphic Design
Madison K. Walker, Biology (AGLS)
Kelley Danielle Wallace, Kinesiology and Health
Katherine Michelle Walton, Psychology
Kelsie Deanne Witt, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Connor S. Young, Biology

Moline, IL

Evan Daniel Aubry, Landscape Architecture
Allison Michelle Boyle, Elementary Education
Ashley Michelle Dodson, Psychology
Aubrey Elizabeth Foulk, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Kara Elizabeth Hutton, Communication Studies
John Daniel Kerch, Industrial Technology
Rajath Krishnan, Pre-Computer Science
Morgan Taylor McCarthy, Mechanical Engineering
Danika Marie Schroeder, Linguistics

Rock Island, IL

Ryan Joseph Bush, Industrial Design
Charles Thomas Eagle, Mechanical Engineering
Raul Hernandez, Mechanical Engineering
Julianna C. Jespersen, Animal Science
Joseph Michael Johnson, Mechanical Engineering
Sydnie Odel McNeal, English
Andria Marie Mendoza, Kinesiology and Health
Jordan Chase Turnbull, Statistics
23 Jan 2015

Yuriko Yamaguchi: Interconnected in Art, Nature, Science and Technology

By Natalie Dunlop

Davenport, Iowa (January 21, 2015) - Starting Saturday, the Figge Art Museum will present the work of artist Yuriko Yamaguchi in the exhibition titled: Yuriko Yamaguchi: Interconnected in Art, Nature, Science and Technology.

 

A native of Japan and longtime resident of Washington D.C., Yamaguchi creates organic, web-like sculptures from nets of wire and resin forms cast from dried curls of potatoes, onion ends, leaves and seed pods found in nature. She scours the neighboring woods and local grocery stores in search of these aesthetically pleasing forms that she dries and cuts up until they bear only a passing resemblance to their former selves. She then creates a silicon rubber mold from the material she collects and mixes liquid resin with color dye, which she then pours into the mold.

Biological in origin but no longer natural, the resin pieces that she produces embody the delicate balance that exists between various dualities: the familiar vs. the unfamiliar, synthetic vs. natural, realism vs. abstraction, death and decay vs. life and rejuvenation. Through her art, she seeks to explore the constantly fluctuating but ever-present "interconnections" that bind us to one another and to the natural world.

According to Yamaguchi, "I [create] works that remind people that we are all connected in many overlapping webs woven out of the common forces that affect the human condition: family origin, economic stressors, religious beliefs, nature, time, place and technology. After all, we are only human beings who were born and will die, only to be replaced by others in the community of man."

Yamaguchi takes on a holistic world view that sees all existence as intrinsically interrelated. Social concerns, politics, technology, ecological issues and other aspects of our reality must not be understood in isolation, but within a broader context and her work resists definitive interpretations.

Yamaguchi currently teaches sculpture at George Washington University. She has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Field Museum in Chicago, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Ise Contemporary Art Museum in Japan and many others. Her artwork also is included in major museum collections both in the U.S. and abroad.

This exhibition will be on view January 24-May 31, 2015 and an exhibition catalogue will be available in the Museum Store. 

This project is made possible by a grant to EICCD from the U.S. Institute of Museum & Library Services.

Companion Programming:

Opening Reception & Artist Talk

Friday, January 23, 2015

5:30 p.m. Opening Reception

7 p.m. Yuriko Yamaguchi Talk

Mingle with artist Yuriko Yamaguchi and fellow Figge members at the opening reception. Yamaguchi will speak at 7 p.m. and provide insight into her artistic process.

Artist Talks

7 p.m. Thursday, May 7

Area artists will reflect on the work of Yuriko Yamguchi

Weekend Tours

1:30 p.m. February 1, 7, 15, 28

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-END-
23 Jan 2015

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Government Effort to Crack Down on Whistleblowers, Sides with Air Marshal Concerned About Public Safety

By John W. Whitehead

WASHINGTON, D.C. ?In a 7-2 ruling in Department of Homeland Security v. MacLean, the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the federal government's attempts to eviscerate protections for employee speech under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). In upholding a federal air marshal's claim that he was improperly fired by the Transportation Security Administration after he leaked to the media a plan by the TSA to remove air marshals from long distance flights as a cost-savings measure, the justices affirmed a lower court ruling that federal agencies may not issue regulations that remove the protections of the WPA for certain information, requiring exemptions be specifically approved by Congress.

In an amicus curiae brief filed in the case, attorneys for The Rutherford Institute argued that government agencies should not have the power to unilaterally determine what kind of information federal employees are forbidden from disclosing, asserting that this would further tip the balance toward agencies, allowing them to exploit their rulemaking powers to target legitimate whistleblowers acting in the interest of public safety.

The Supreme Court's opinion and The Rutherford Institute's amicus brief in DHS v. MacLean are available at www.rutherford.org.

"Ironically, while the Department of Homeland Security continues to push its 'See Something, Say Something' campaign urging Americans to report suspicious behavior to the police, call it in to a government hotline, or report it using a convenient app on their smart phone, the government doesn't take kindly to having its dirty deeds publicized and, God forbid, being made to account for them," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute and author of A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State. "Unfortunately, this is par for the course for the Obama administration, whose actions, ranging from its reliance on secret courts, secret laws and secret surveillance in order to sidestep the rule of law to its relentless pursuit of whistleblowers, fly in the face of its claims of transparency."

Having formerly served in the U.S. Air Force and as a border patrol agent, Robert J. MacLean volunteered to serve as an air marshal in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Air marshals are federal law enforcement agents who travel undercover aboard commercial airliners. In July 2003, MacLean and other air marshals were briefed about a specific and imminent terrorist threat to long-distance flights. Despite the warning, less than three days later, MacLean and other air marshals received a text message from their superiors cancelling all overnight missions, thereby removing air marshals from long-distance flights. Believing the text message to be a mistake, MacLean contacted his superiors who confirmed the message and told MacLean this was being done to save money on overnight hotels, overtime and other travel allowances. After failed attempts to raise his concerns with independent investigators, MacLean alerted an MSNBC reporter to the government's plan to remove air marshals from many flights. The news report aired without identifying MacLean. The story produced outrage in Congress, and the DHS soon rescinded its order. MacLean's role as a whistleblower was revealed three years later, at which time, the TSA fired him for disclosing "sensitive security information" (SSI). Although the text message removing air marshals from long distance flights was not classified as SSI when it was sent, the DHS issued an order classifying it as SSI retroactively. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit sided with MacLean, ruling that he was entitled to argue that he was protected by whistleblower laws after he was fired by the TSA in 2006. However, lawyers for the Obama administration disputed that ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming that it effectively permits individual federal employees to override the TSA's judgments about the dangers of public disclosure.

This press release is also available at www.rutherford.org.

23 Jan 2015

Quad Cities River Bandits, Genesis Knock Flu Out Of The Park On Jan. 31

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Jan. 21, 2015 -- The Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities program has already immunized nearly 48,000 children and adults in the region against seasonal influenza since fall and will try to knock flu out of the park on Jan. 31 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Genesis and the Quad Cities River Bandits, a Flu-Free Quad Cities partner, will provide 500 adults flu vaccinations free from 9-11 a.m. in the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park as part of Community Day.

The free flu shots will be part of a morning of family fun and educational activities.

The River Bandits will be hosting a job fair for all seasonal positions and will be auditioning singers to sing the National Anthem at home games during the season.

Genesis will be offering free blood pressure screenings, physical therapy screenings and information about physical therapy services, jump analysis for kids, and a special throwing clinic for young baseball and softball players.

Genesis physical therapist Karl Stratman works with young pitchers, coaches and parents to help prevent injuries from improper technique. The clinic will start at 10 a.m.

Genesis will provide the free flu vaccinations in response to an active and early flu season. The effectiveness of this year's vaccine has been negatively impacted by the "drifting'' of one strain, but there are three other strains present that the vaccine does help protect against.

"Even if the vaccine is only 23 percent effective (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), that is 23 percent better than zero if you don't receive the vaccine,'' said Lisa Caffery, infection control coordinator, Genesis Health System. "Flu shots are still the best way to prevent getting the flu. If you haven't had a flu shot, it is possible to get more than one strain of flu during flu season."

"The flu shot can also make a difference in the length and severity of your flu if you do get any of the strains.''

Later on Jan. 31, the Quad City Mallards will wear special "throwback'' jerseys and those game jerseys will be auctioned after the game to support Flu-Free Quad Cities.

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