Physician-Chef Points Out the Pros, Cons of 3 Suggested Changes

It's nothing new to the American consumer that food packaging emphasizes only part of a product's health story, and the fact that the nutritional labeling hasn't been overhauled in 20 years hasn't helped, says cardiologist and professional chef Michael S. Fenster, MD.

A proposed update, which could take a year or more to appear on store shelves, is being driven by first lady Michelle Obama, as part of her "Let's Move" campaign.

"Our current nutrition labeling is the same as that implemented in the 1990s, except with the 2006 addition of trans fats information. It's based on nutrition data and eating habits from the 1970s and 1980s," says "Dr. Mike," author of "Eating Well, Living Better: The Grassroots Gourmet Guide to Good Health and Great Food," (www.whatscookingwithdoc.com).

From the perspective of physician and foodie, he analyzes what's good about the first lady's proposed new label, and what could be improved.

• Good: Calorie counts would be displayed in a bigger, bolder font. Emphasizing calories allows consumers to think with a helpful "energy in / energy out" baseline. Do I really need the calories in this product when I could stand to lose a few pounds? That's a reasonably good question to promote.

***Basing the value of food primarily on calories over-simplifies the evaluation process. An energy drink may have zero calories, but it's not better for you than an apple, which may have 100 calories. We cannot overlook nutrition!

• Good: Serving sizes would be determined from real data reflecting the portions real people typically eat. A serving of ice cream is expected to increase from a half cup to a full cup, and a one-serving muffin would be 4 ounces instead of 2 ounces, reflecting the obvious fact that people generally consume the whole scoop of ice cream and the whole muffin.

***Food producers may simply change the size of pre-packaged portions to skirt the rules. Industry experts suggest some food manufacturers may just reduce the package size to make their labeling more seductive. When food is parceled into smaller packages, the price per unit usually increases - it becomes more expensive for consumers.

• Good: New labeling would have listed separately, "added sugar." The grams of sugar added, irrespective of whether it's pure cane sugar, corn syrup, honey, sucrose or any other source, would be shown as one listed value. This is good because it starts to get into the quality and composition of the food product, at least indirectly. Many public health experts say "sweet creep" has been a major contributor to obesity, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

***This will likely be wildly controversial, prompting aggressive lobbying efforts that may have already begun. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and other industry groups note that the current label already includes the total amount of sugar in the product. The food industry argues that natural sugar and added sugar are chemically identical and that the body doesn't differentiate between the two. However, a significant amount of research shows this is not completely true.

About Michael Fenster, MD

Michael Fenster, M.D., F.A.C.C., FSCA&I, PEMBA, is a board-certified cardiologist and former Assistant Professor of Medicine at the NEOUCOMM. Dr. Mike is a passionate teacher who has addressed numerous professional organizations and he has participated in many clinical trials. He has published original research featured in peer reviewed scientific and medical journals. He worked his way up to executive chef before medical school and later received his culinary degree in gourmet cooking and catering from Ashworth University; where he graduated with honors. He has combined his culinary and medical expertise to deliver delicious cuisine to delivers us from the disability and diseases of modern civilization through his Grassroots Gourmet™ approach to metabolic health.  Dr. Mike's first book  "Eating Well, Living Better: The Grassroots Gourmet Guide to Good Health and Great Food,"  is currently availability. His next book, The Fallacy of the Calorie is slated for release Fall 2014. (www.whatscookingwithdoc.com).

Greetings from Trumpet Blossom Café--

We hope this finds you well and that you're enjoying what promises to be the most anticipated Spring in recent memory. Time to get those seeds started; time to go back to wearing one pair of socks; time to smile a little bit wider when you walk out the front door in the morning!

We can barely put into words how excited we are about the great thaw of 2014...

So what's going on these days? Well, we have some pretty great events planned for this Spring and I'm here to tell you that I am really looking forward to seeing everyone out & about!

Check out the calendar on our website:
http://trumpetblossom.com/?page_id=25

Or on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TrumpetBlossomCafe/events

I want to make sure to tell you about the new menu too!! We're getting ready to head into the best part of the year for local veggies and it's time to make some changes to our menus so that we can get the best out of what our home has to offer. (Don't worry, the reuben will always be on the menu.) I want to keep most of it a surprise but I will say that we're working on an amazing (and gluten-free) baked mac & cheese for the dinner menu, made with a creamy cashew-roasted winter squash sauce that'll be topped with crispy cornbread and lightly-dressed fresh veggies. We acquired a few hundred pounds of winter squash last year and diligently roasted, peeled, pureed, and froze it so we can enjoy it all summer 'til it comes around again! There are tons of other new items in the works so make sure to come by and get the last taste of your favorites from the winter menus and leave room for your new favorites come Spring. We're aiming for the new menu to debut when April begins.

JOIN US IN MARCH:

Yoga Dinner -- Event I
We are bringing back the Spring Yoga Dinner series, which will start this Sunday March 9th at 5:30 pm. The lovely & talented Sarah Driscoll will lead a one-hour hatha yoga class after which I will make you a delicious organic vegan 3-course meal! Beginners (to yoga & vegan food) are always welcome & encouraged to participate. Please bring a yoga mat & any props you normally use but do let us know if you need to borrow a mat?no worries! Please email me if you have any questions about our Yoga Dinners. My email is trumpetblossom@gmail.com

Wine Dinner -- Event II
We're also hosting our first Wine Dinner in partnership with Okoboji Wines. Our wine rep, Brandon, will be guiding you through four courses of wine we've selected, each paired with some tasty dishes we'll prepare especially for the evening. Our good friend, Pete Balestrieri, will also be joining us to lend a delightful saxophone soundtrack to the evening. It promises to be a cozy and informative night so make your reservations soon. (Call 319-248-0077 or email me!)

March Concerts --
We have a couple great shows this month (Low Forms from Duluth on March 14 and Speedy Ortiz from Massachusetts on March 20) and we're planning our first ever Drink & Draw night on Thursday March 27th. Drink & Draw is basically just what it sounds like and we're in the process of figuring out a theme for the night and some fun prizes and maybe some live music to draw by as well. Stay tuned and please be sure to check out our Facebook page for more details about upcoming shows.

APRIL 2014

Iowa Ingredients -- Event III
As some of you may know, I was lucky enough to be asked to be a part of Iowa Public Television's Iowa Ingredient last year. The crew came here to tape some segments and I traveled to Des Moines for the studio portion of the show. It was quite the time and I had to get over some silly-ish fears about being on television and being made the center of attention, if only for a minute. The whole experience was a blast and everyone was so, so kind. The episode is set to air on Friday April 11th at 6:30 pm on IPTV. You can learn more about the show at their website: http://www.iptv.org/iowaingredient/

I'll make sure to remind you again soon because self-promotion is another thing I've had to wrap my head around since this whole adventure began! (That whole modest Midwesterner thing is quite true.)

Second Anniversary Party -- Event IV
And lastly, mark your calendars now for our Second Anniversary Party on Saturday April 19th!! Details to follow but plan for a full day and night of food, drinks, music, friends, and FUN! Thank you to each & every one of you who has helped us along the way the past two years. I can't believe it's been that long already! It's been amazing and is only getting better!

Don't forget?join us on your birthday for a free dessert! Just show your server your ID and the birthday dessert is on us! If you're not into sweets, you can always enjoy a fresh-squeezed juice or a fruit smoothie.

Thanks for hangin' in there this winter, Iowa City (and beyond), and we'll see you soon!

Take care & thanks for reading,

Katy Meyer, chef/owner Trumpet Blossom Café

310 E. Prentiss St. :: Iowa City, IA :: 319-248-0077
http://www.trumpetblossom.com

Governor Secures State Resources After Denial of FEMA Funding Appeal; Aid Will Help Local Governments Recover

SPRINGFIELD - Following federal denial of urgently-needed disaster assistance, Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $45 million state relief package to help Illinois local governments recover from the deadly November tornadoes. This assistance was assembled at the Governor's direction following the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denial of the state's appeal for federal disaster assistance for local governments.

The relief package will provide much-needed aid for impacted municipalities, including Washington, Brookport, Gifford, New Minden, Diamond, Coal City and East Peoria. All local governments in the nine counties impacted by the historic tornadoes will be eligible for assistance. The counties are: Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford.

"Our tornado-ravaged communities need help and they need it now," Governor Quinn said. "While it's disappointing that our request for federal disaster relief was denied due to outdated rules, the state of Illinois is committed to providing assistance to communities that need it. Recovery won't happen overnight but this aid will help people rebuild their lives."

The state's multi-agency relief package for local governments includes assistance from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

DCEO will provide up to $19.1 million in state and federal funds to be used toward disaster recovery. These commitments include :

·            Up to $10 million in state funds to local governments to rebuild tornado-damaged infrastructure.

·            Approximately $4.5 million of the agency's Community Development Assistance Program allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be directed toward housing repair and reconstruction for low-income residents.

·            An additional $3.6 million is expected from HUD this summer to address unmet housing needs from communities impacted by last spring's flooding or November's tornadoes.

·            The DCEO Office of Employment and Training will supply up to $1 million in Rapid Response funding which will provide paid work experience to individuals to assist with disaster cleanup and recovery efforts - $138,875 of these funds are already being used for this purpose in Brookport.

·            Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization funds are available to eligible recipients for a variety of storm-related issues including temporary shelter, transportation, utility reconnection, heating and air conditioning replacement, coats and blankets, insulation repair, generators, re-weatherization of damaged homes and technical assistance. The amount of funding available will depend on the number of eligible LIHEAP and weatherization households seeking assistance.

IDOT will provide up to $10 million for communities to repair storm-damaged infrastructure. IDOT continues to work with communities to identify eligible transportation infrastructure needs.

IFA, the state's infrastructure bank, will immediately make available up to $4.5 million in below-market rate loans to finance repairs constituting capital expenditures to publicly owned and operated facilities that sustained damage in the tornadoes, not otherwise covered by insurance. Due to the legal and credit requirements of each individual project, the IFA will work through the Governor's Response Team with individual local governments in the tornado-ravaged communities.

IEMA will provide $3.55 million to help municipalities pay for costs already incurred for items such as debris removal, emergency protective measures and overtime payments. This assistance comes from state General Revenue Funds.

IEPA will set aside up to $5.35 million in low-interest loans through the Illinois Clean Water Initiative to repair damaged water systems in impacted communities.

IHDA will provide $2.5 million in emergency rehabilitation assistance to approximately 50 low-income households affected by the severe storms. Eligible homeowners will receive up to $40,000 in assistance to pay insurance deductibles or provide home repairs. The assistance comes from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

For information on how local government can benefit from the relief package, please visit Ready.Illinois.gov.

The Governor recently addressed the National Journal's Disaster Forum in Washington, D.C. to push for needed changes to the FEMA disaster aid criteria. The Governor is working with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Illinois' congressional delegation to pass legislation that would give FEMA a clearer, more substantive formula when evaluating natural disasters. It will modify a flawed system that places small and rural communities in highly populated states at a disadvantage in the federal disaster declaration process. The bill assigns a specific weight to each of the factors already used by FEMA and adds other economic factors for the agency to consider when determining whether or not an area should receive federal assistance.

"FEMA has gotten it wrong in Illinois not once but twice," Senator Durbin said. "The federal government can't be expected to help after every weather event, but the damage I saw in Central Illinois convinced me that we need to be doing more. Senator Kirk and I have a bill?introduced in the House by members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation?that would fix FEMA's funding formulas so communities in downstate Illinois are no longer at a disadvantage when disaster strikes. I am encouraged by Governor Quinn's commitment today to help make these communities whole again and will be working with my colleagues to advance the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act and identify any additional federal funding opportunities."

Shortly after the deadly storms on Nov. 17, 2013, Governor Quinn surveyed the damaged areas and activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the deployment of state resources and personnel in support of local response and recovery efforts. While federal assistance for local governments has been denied, just nine days after the storms the Governor successfully secured federal aid for families and businesses in 15 counties which has topped $23.5 million, including FEMA grants of more than $2.6 million and $21 million in low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Attorney General Provides Guidance that Any Prohibition on Marriage Equality is Unconstitutional

SPRINGFIELD - Attorney General Lisa Madigan today provided guidance to every county clerk in Illinois that marriage equality should be the law of Illinois effective immediately.

Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement on the state's immediate recognition of marriage equality for all:

"Nobody should have to wait for equal rights when it comes to love. I encourage every county clerk in Illinois to quickly follow the Attorney General's guidance.

"Following this guidance, the Illinois Department of Public Health will now accept all marriage licenses issued by any county clerk in Illinois."

Under current law, the public health department helps ensure that new marriages comply with state laws.

Last month a federal court ruled that all couples who are married in Cook County will receive the rights and protections of marriage effective immediately, rather than having to wait until June 1, the initial effective date of the historic legislation.

Governor Quinn pushed for marriage equality throughout the 2013 legislative session. He signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act on Nov. 20 at the UIC Forum in Chicago in front of a crowd of thousands, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality.

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IOWA CITY, IA (03/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Chelsea White, a native of Maysville, IA, has been named to the University of Iowa's Dean's List for the 2013 fall semester.

Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the Dean's List for that semester.

Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine may qualify for the Dean's List with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college.

College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses must have a total of 12 semester hours of earned credit, with eight semester hours of graded credit with a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley
Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee
On Nominations and the State of the Senate
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Mr. President,
Several weeks ago, on February 12th, as Washington D.C. braced for a snowstorm and the Senate rushed to finish its business before the President's Day recess, the senior Senator from Arkansas came to the floor to offer a Unanimous Consent request to confirm a district court judge from his state. 

Before he made the request, I spoke with that Senator - who to his credit, was one of only three Democrats to vote against the so-called Nuclear Option last November. 

Although I was sympathetic to his desire to see his home state judge confirmed, I objected to his request to bypass the procedure the Majority adopted in November, including recorded cloture and confirmation votes. 

I did so based on principle.  I did so because, after 52 Democrats voted to strip the Minority of its rights, the very least we could do is ask the Majority to utilize the procedure they voted to adopt. 
After all - the simple fact of the matter is that the Minority can no longer stop nominees.  That was the whole point of what they did in November.

So the Senator from Arkansas offered his Unanimous Consent request, and I withheld my consent.  We had our exchange on the floor. 

But we did so courteously.  As senators should.

Later that evening, the Majority Leader came to the floor and made another Unanimous Consent request.  Senator Cornyn objected, for the same reasons as I had.  Thereafter, the Majority Leader exercised the power that he alone possesses to move these judges, and filed cloture on four district court nominees. 

That set up several votes for last Monday evening.

That evening, during our side's hour of debate time - and that's all we have anymore on district court judges, one hour of debate time for each side - I spoke on the current state of the Senate with respect to the legislative process. 

I spoke about how the Founding Fathers intended the Senate to operate.  I spoke about how the Senate used to operate. How it should operate.  And sadly, how it does operate.

I spoke about how the Majority Leader routinely files cloture on bills before debate has even begun.  I spoke about how in today's Senate - in what is supposed to be the world's greatest deliberative body - United States senators from great states all over this nation are shut out of the process. 

As our side's hour of debate time neared its end, the distinguished Chairman of our committee asked if I would yield him a few minutes of our time. 

I of course agreed to extend him the courtesy. 

I extended him the courtesy even though I knew he'd use that time to argue against everything I'd just said. 

I extended him the courtesy because I know he'd do the same for me.  And, as a matter of fact, he has done the same for me. 

That's the United States Senate.  We're courteous to each other.  Even when we disagree.

As I said, that was Monday night. 

On Tuesday morning, we had a series of stacked votes related to those district court nominees.  We had several cloture votes, as well as confirmation votes. I voted against cloture - along with many of my colleagues.  I don't presume to speak for my colleagues, but I voted against cloture to register my objection to a process arrived at via brute force.

We also had roll call votes on each nominee. 

But the Majority Leader wasn't content to simply use the procedures he led his caucus to adopt last November. 

He wanted voice votes rather than recorded roll call votes on those lifetime appointments.

I objected.  And I exercised the right of a United States Senator to ask for a roll call vote of yeas and nays.  I supported each of the nominees on final confirmation.  Some of my colleagues opposed them.  But even if the votes had been unanimous, the right to demand a recorded voted is one the most basic and fundamental rights of a United States Senator. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with exercising that right --  especially on a lifetime appointment.

Before we had that recorded vote, I took the opportunity to remind my colleagues of how well this President is doing with respect to getting his judges that he nominates confirmed by the United States Senate.  Specifically, I informed everyone that thus far this Congress, we've confirmed 50 of President Obama's judicial nominees.  By way of comparison, at this point in President Bush's second term, we had confirmed only 21 judicial nominees. 

Those numbers compare district and circuit nominations.  That's the benchmark both sides typically use.

Those are basic, unassailable facts.

In response, the Majority Leader described our request for recorded votes as "a waste of taxpayer time." 

And then he concluded his brief remarks by saying this: "I would suggest to my friend the senior Senator from Iowa that he not believe his own words because they are simply not true."

That was on Tuesday. 

Two days later on Thursday evening the Majority Leader came to the floor and proffered a Unanimous Consent request for several district court judges.  Senator Moran was on the floor at the time and objected for our side. 

Thereafter, the Majority Leader filed cloture on 4 district court judges and the nominee to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights division.

A few minutes later, the Majority Leader returned to the floor so he could, as he described it, "say a few words about the man who does all the objecting around here - or a lot of the objecting." 

He then proceeded to quote extensively from a speech I delivered in 2005. 

He then accused me of violating senatorial courtesy during floor consideration of the immigration bill because I objected to consideration of amendments approved by Democrats, without assurances that we would vote on amendments that members on my side wanted to offer. 

Even if some of the amendments the Democrats wanted had bipartisan support, I was the Senator standing up and defending the right of our members to offer amendments.  Even controversial amendments.  

To be clear.  I was prepared to vote on any Democrat amendment, provided that Republican amendments were not restricted.

The Majority Leader then concluded his highly discourteous remarks by saying this: "the Senior Senator from Iowa, he's talking out of both sides of his mouth and the people of Iowa should check this out.  [They should] see what he says and what he does."

Given how inappropriate these remarks were, and that they roughly coincided with several other inappropriate comments the Majority Leader made last week, I feel compelled to respond.

Let me start by reviewing briefly how we arrived where we are today.  As I said, the Majority Leader quoted from a speech I delivered in 2005.  

For the benefit of my colleagues who weren't here at the time, that was back when the Democrats were indiscriminately filibustering a host of President Bush's highly qualified nominees for the circuit courts. 

And make no mistake, the Democrats were utilizing the filibuster on judges to an extent never witnessed before in our nation's history. 

During this time period, they were filibustering 10 different circuit court nominees.
So like I said, the Majority Leader quoted from a speech I delivered during that debate, on May 23, 2005. 

What he failed to mention is that 6 days earlier, on May 17, 2005, he said this on the Senate floor regarding the nuclear option:

"It appears that the Majority Leader [referring to Senator Frist] cannot accept any solution which does not guarantee all current and future judicial nominees an up-down vote.  That result is unacceptable to me because it is inconsistent with the Constitutional checks and balances.  It would essentially eliminate the role of the Senate minority in confirming judicial nominations and turn the Senate into a rubberstamp for the President's choices."

I'm not going to re-litigate that fight today, except to say this.  At the time, Republicans, myself among them, were arguing those nominees should be afforded up and down votes. 

But as the quotation I just read demonstrates, the Democrats refused. 

At the end of the day, our side lost that debate. 

We didn't believe judicial nominees should be subjected to a 60 vote threshold.  But nor did we believe that we should play by two sets of rules. 

So when the roles were reversed and there was a Democrat in the White House, Republicans utilized the tool as well.  The only difference was that we used it much, much more sparingly.  

But the Democrats, of course, didn't like being treated to the tactic that they pioneered.  So, they began to threaten to utilize the so-called Nuclear Option. 

A lot of negotiations ensued between our side, and the Majority Leader.  And again, I'm not going to review every detail.  But as any member of this body can tell you, the result of those negotiations was this: We relinquished certain rights regarding nominations. 

For instance, District Court nominations used to be subject to 30 hours of debate time.  They are now subject to only 2 hours. 

In exchange for relinquishing those rights, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate gave his word that he would oppose ANY EFFORT to use the Nuclear Option. 

On January 27, 2011, the Majority Leader said this on the Senate floor: "I will oppose any effort in this Congress or the next to change the Senate's rules other than through the regular order."

Notwithstanding that promise, at the beginning of the next Congress, we were once again on the receiving end of threats regarding the Nuclear Option.  And once again, on January 24, 2013, after a lot of negotiations, the Majority Leader again gave his commitment. 

Here is what the Majority Leader said on the floor of this chamber:
"Any other resolutions related to Senate procedure would be subject to a regular order process, including consideration by the Rules Committee."

That commitment mattered.  It mattered to me.  It mattered to my colleagues.  We relinquished certain rights.  In exchange for extinguishing those rights, we received a commitment from the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

And remember, colleagues.  This is the United States Senate.  Not only are we courteous to one another.  We keep our word.

10 months after making that commitment, on November 21, 2013, the Majority Leader and 51 other Democrats voted to invoke the Nuclear Option. They chose to adopt a new set of procedures for confirming judges.

So that is how we got where we are today. 

And yet, three months later, when the Minority has the audacity to insist that the Majority utilize the procedures they voted to adopt, the Majority Leader comes to the floor to level an ad-hominem attack. 

Amazingly, given the commitments he made at the beginning of the last two congresses, he accused me of speaking out of both sides of my mouth. 

The fact of the matter is there is absolutely nothing wrong with demanding debate time and roll call votes - especially on lifetime appointments to the Judiciary.  And especially after the Majority chose to adopt these very procedures just last November. 

That's not "a waste of taxpayer time," as the Majority Leader called it.  It's representative government.

And while I'm on the subject of the floor procedure, let me say this about the legislative process we've been following on the floor.  

I spoke at length on this subject last Monday - just as I have on several other occasions.  I've been highly critical of the process we follow these days on the floor. 

But I've always tried to avoid making my criticisms personal. I've always tried to be courteous. 
But there is no getting around this fact:  it's nothing short of a travesty that great senators from all over this nation must go to the Majority Leader to ask permission to offer amendments.

Proud senators from proud states. 

Republican senators and Democrat senators. 

Conservative senators.  Liberal senators. 

Northerners and Southerners. 

Appropriators and Authorizers. 

Hawks and Doves. 

All of these senators have been reduced to this:  They are forced to come before one individual, on bended knee, to ask permission - PERMISSION - to offer amendments. 

That is NOT as it should be in the world's greatest deliberative body.

So am I highly critical of the legislative process we undergo on the floor?  Absolutely I am.
But I didn't criticize the Majority Leader in a personal or discourteous way.  I didn't accuse him of "talking out of both sides of his mouth," as he did me. 

I wasn't attacking him personally: I was defending the rights of 99 other senators.

And what, exactly, is the Majority afraid of, anyway?  Taking a few hard votes? 

We're paid to take hard votes.  We're sent here to exercise our best judgment on behalf of our constituents. 

That's how our Republic is designed.

It does not have to be this way. 

Consider how amendments are handled in the Judiciary Committee, for example. 

Our Chairman DOES NOT tell us what amendments we're allowed to offer.  Nor does he tell us how many amendments we're allowed to offer. 

He controls the agenda.  But WE get to offer amendments.

As a result, every single member of our committee - whether they like it or not -- contributes to the process. 

The Chairman controls the agenda.  The Minority offers amendments.  And the Majority has to vote on those amendments.  That's the process. 

That's what happens when you have a Chairman who respects the rights of United States senators.

There is absolutely no reason we couldn't take the same approach on the floor.

Now, let me mention one other thing about what the Majority Leader said the other night, because I found it particularly offensive. 

Immediately after accusing me of "talking out of both sides of my mouth," the Majority Leader suggested that the people of Iowa should pay attention to what I say and what I do.

Let me tell you something. 

The people of Iowa know who they've elected to the Senate.  They know that ever since I was first sworn-in to this body in January of 1981, I have fought all day, every day, to represent them. 

I know my constituents, and they know me. 

I go to constituent meetings in every one of our 99 counties every year. 

I talk to my constituents.  I read their mail. 

And I know, for instance, how hard Obamacare has been on families in my state. 

So I find it personally offensive for the Majority Leader to come to the floor -as he did last Wednesday - and accuse Americans - including my constituents - of telling lies when they share their stories about how Obamacare is impacting them. 

So, last Thursday evening the Majority Leader came to the floor so he could, as he described it, "say a few words about the man who does all the objecting around here." 

Well, Mr. President.  Do I object?  You bet I do. 

So do the rest of my committee members.  And so does the rest of our caucus.

We object to the authoritarian way this Senate is being run.

We object to being shut out of the legislative process.

We object to dismissing constituent stories about Obamacare as lies.

We object to taking to the floor of the United States Senate to attack fellow citizens as "un-American" because they have the audacity to exercise their First Amendment rights.

And yes, we object to discourteous ad hominem attacks on Senate colleagues because they choose to exercise their right to demand roll call votes on lifetime appointments.

It should stop.  The Senate should return to being the greatest deliberative body in the world.

I yield the floor.

ATLANTA, GA. (03/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Darsani Reddy of Moline, Ill. was named to the Honor List of Oxford College, the two-year liberal arts division of Emory University located in Oxford, Ga., for the 2013 fall semester.

Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher to be named to the Honor List.

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. Emory encompasses nine academic divisions as well as the Carlos Museum, The Carter Center, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, Georgia's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

The City of Davenport and Hargreaves Associates will host an open workshop on Thursday March 13, 2014. Two different sessions will be offered - The first at Noon at the Hotel Blackhawk (200 E 3rd Street, Davenport, IA) in the Gold Room and the second at 5:30PM for "Happy Hour" at the Freight House (421 W River Drive, Davenport, IA) in the Community Room, with the Workshop program beginning at 6PM.

The Hargreaves-led team returns to Davenport for meetings and public input related to the downtown Davenport riverfront. The scope of RiverVision 2014 encompasses a larger area (Fifth, to the north, and from Iowa St to Warren St), reinforcing connections to Credit Island, north to Vanderveer Park, and above the Lock & Dam, providing the City of Davenport with an opportunity to further transform the central riverfront from parking to public space.

High public attendance is anticipated for this third Workshop in a series of four, and will involve a discussion of possibilities for transforming the riverfront, with public input instrumental to shaping anticipated changes.

The public is encouraged to attend!

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DES MOINES - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that his office is accepting applications for the United States' military academies for the class beginning summer of 2015.  Senator Harkin will nominate up to ten Iowans for every opening he has at each academy, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy.

"Each year I look forward to recommending many outstanding young Iowans to the service academies. It is a genuine honor," Harkin said.

Our nation's military academies offer Iowans educational opportunities for young people interested in military service. Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Harkin enjoyed a successful military career. He joined the Navy and served as a jet pilot after graduating from Iowa State University in 1962.

Senator Harkin uses a competitive method to screen applicants, including the evaluation of ACT or SAT scores, high school grade point average, leadership abilities, and physical aptitude.  Harkin has also appointed an academy selection committee that conducts personal interviews with academy finalists.

Interested individuals should complete Senator Harkin's Service Academy Nomination application which can be found on his website at www.harkin.senate.gov/students/academy.cfm. Any additional questions should be directed to his Academy Nomination Coordinator, Tom Larkin, at 319-365-4504.

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DAVENPORT, IA?Just in time for spring cleanup season, iLivehere® wants to help you and your friends make a difference where you live! Here's how it works, in five easy steps:

1. See a dirty spot. It could be in your neighborhood, near your church or workplace, or even at school.

2. Get together with your friends, colleagues, or neighbors to plan a cleanup.

3. Visit www.ilivehereqc.org?the new, mobile-friendly iLivehere Website?to request cleanup supplies. iLivehere provides free cleanup bags, tongs, gloves and safety vests to volunteers who want to make a difference by cleaning up. (Helpful referrals to other environmental organizations also are provided, when appropriate.)

4. Report the results of your cleanup online at www.ilivehereqc.org.

5. Smile, knowing that you made a difference!

iLivehere, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate in Scott County, Iowa, empowers you with information, activities and resources for becoming a better steward of our environment. Learn more at www.ilivehereqc.org or by calling (563) 386-9575.

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