The Unknown Brutality & Savagery

In 10 countries, men, women and children are being killed as part of systematic "genocide, 'politicide' or mass atrocities," according to Genocide Watch's recently updated list.

In Syria, pro-democracy protesters and civilian bystanders are being bombed, shot and starved by their government's security forces; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 3 to 5 million civilians, mostly women and girls, have been raped and murdered; and in North Korea, labor camps house 500,000 domestic and political prisoners, and non-party members are starved and undergo forced abortions.

"Many people don't realize that genocide is occurring every day all over the world," says Renata Reinhart, author of In the Course of My Life (www.rexvita.com), an account of the little-known Soviet genocide of 2 million Eastern Germans in 1945, committed with the complicity of England and the United States.

"It's something we should all be deeply concerned about - any of us can become the next victims," Reinhart says.

One hallmark of genocide is that the perpetrators deny it, says Dr. Gregory Stanton, president of Genocide Watch and the International Association of Genocide Scholars. They use tactics such as questioning and minimizing the statistics; blaming renegade forces; claiming self-defense; and/or claiming deaths were inadvertent and not intentional.

Allowing the killers to deny the massacres ensures future slaughters, Stanton says.

"Studies by genocide scholars prove that the single best predictor of future genocide is denial of a past genocide coupled with impunity for its perpetrators," he says. "Genocide deniers are three times more likely to commit genocide again than other governments."

In the case of the 1945 ethnic cleansing of Eastern Germany, Russian soldiers were given license to launch a "Revenge without Mercy" on the civilian populations of East Prussia, Silesia, Pomerania and other parts of Eastern Europe, Reinhart says.

"It's documented; it's just been ignored, concealed and forgotten," she says, noting Nobel Prize-winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, a captain in the Red Army who witnessed the atrocities and recounted them in his poem, "Prussian Nights." A survivor of the slaughter, Margot Serowy, tells her story in paintings at MargotSoweryFineArt.com.

Anticipating Germany's defeat in World War II, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin considered the territories he would eventually claim and decided they should be cleared of all Germans, Reinhart says. Soldiers in the Red Army were encouraged to burn, loot, pillage, rape and kill to drive the Germans out of those areas beginning in January 1945.

"England's prime minister, Winston Churchill, was informed of the plan and referred to it - approvingly - in 1944 as 'these population transferences,' '' Reinhart says.  "Churchill personally ordered the massive bombing and destruction of East Prussia's capital Konigsberg for no justifiable strategic reason and a few months later, the British bombed and leveled Dresden, killing 30.000 to 40.000 civilians. These attacks helped pave the way for Stalin's genocide."

The "revenge" soldiers, she added, were supplied with food, trucks, Jeeps and other vehicles by the United States.

"Because the victims were German, it was all right to rape children and murder women. No one tried to stop it," Reinhart says. "And, apparently, it's all right to kill men, women and children in  Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Burma - the rest of the countries on the Genocide Watch list.

"We need to hold the perpetrators accountable. That's the first step to stopping these atrocities."

About Renata Reinhart

Renata Reinhart is the pen name of the author, a scholar of World War II history who spent years researching the Red Army's march across Eastern Europe in 1945. While the book is fictionalized as a memoir, the historical elements are accurate and based on numerous documented sources.

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

"The Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012" Mark-Up

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thank you Madam Chairwoman.  I appreciate all the work you and Ranking Member Roberts have put into this farm bill so far.  And while we still have a ways to go in the process, we are headed in the right direction.

The farm bill is never an easy process, and it certainly isn't any easier under the current budget conditions.  We are dealing with a broad range of issues that are important to Americans, from conservation to nutrition.  It's important we get a bill done this year.

Many of the members of this committee have come together in supporting what many farmers say is the most important piece of the safety-net, crop insurance.  We have worked for 30 years to make it an effective risk management tool.  And farmers have skin in the game with crop insurance, and that's good policy.

There has been a lot of debate about the programs this committee is going to create to replace direct payments.  I still have reservations about a Title 1 revenue program, and its potential interaction with crop insurance.  But I understand the reality that there is fairly broad support for a revenue program.

I commend the Chair and Ranking Member on providing a high level of defensibility to the Chairwoman's mark.  Accepting my proposal for a $50,000 payment cap on the commodity program is crucial to ensure that we all can go to the Senate floor and defend this bill.

And I am pleased we are finally closing the loopholes in actively engaged.  My amendment, which was accepted into the modified mark, will help ensure farm payments go to farmers, not doctors, lawyers, and celebrities.

There is no justification for allowing nonfarmers to receive farm payments.  And that is particularly true in this current budget climate.  The payment limits reform in the Chairwoman's mark is something this committee should be very proud of.

I'm not going to ask for a vote today on my packer ban amendment, but I still want to say few things about it.

For too long, large meat packers have had an unfair advantage in the market place.  At some point, Congress has to address the fact that independent livestock producers are entitled to a level playing field.

One big step Congress could take to solve the competition problems is banning packer ownership of livestock.  As one packer executive once told me, packers own livestock so that when prices are high, they kill their own livestock, when prices are low, they buy from the farmer.

Banning packer ownership of livestock will help us ensure our livestock producers are able to compete in the marketplace.

Thank you Madam Chairwoman, and I look forward to moving an effective and defensible farm bill out of this committee.

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Breakfast and Workshop to be Held in Davenport May 9th

Davenport's Weed & Seed initiative is hosting a REALTOR Breakfast and Workshop on Wednesday, May 9th, 9-11AM at Jefferson-Edison School, 1027 Marquette Street. All real estate professionals are invited to attend.

The goal is to better acquaint professional realtors with the Weed and Seed District neighborhoods, and help them make the case to prospective property owners regarding investing and living in that part of the community.

"We know that today's real estate market is a challenging one, and we want to provide local agents with tools that can help them more effectively sell our wonderful part of the city, " said Marion Meginnis, resident and advocate of the Historic Gold Coast neighborhood, and event chair. Others assisting include local realtors Chuck Johnson, Markese Petersen and Veronica Pianca, along with Lorelei Pfautz of Friendly House, Rachel Mullins of the Davenport School District, area residents, and others.

In addition to breakfast, attendees will:

Get updates and a review on financial incentives for purchasing properties.

Meet neighborhood leaders and learn about neighborhood assets.

Learn about residential and business investment opportunities and new projects in the works.

Meet some new "SoLo" buyers and find out why they love living and working in the area.

Hear success stories from Davenport School success stories meeting school administrators and outstanding students.

In addition, Weed & Seed participants will listen as a REALTOR ROUNDTABLE shares thoughts of how residents and businesses can help REALTORS sell south of Locust.

Davenport Weed & Seed is a consortium of people and organizations living and working in Davenport south of Locust between Farnum and Division whose goal is to ensure a great quality of life for its residents. Members include residents, business people, redevelopment organizations, city & school staff and various service agencies.

Persons wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to Marion Meginnis (see contact info above) by April 30th. This Workshop is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and Trust, and by the Davenport Weed and Seed Program.
Thirteen Moline elementary school students have been chosen to receive an award from
the Hazel F. Van Arsdale Memorial Scholarship Fund administered through The Moline
Foundation.

The 13 elementary students are: Megan Pittington, Hannah Evans, Anna Riggins,
Yolanda Vargas, Symone Willey, James Sheese, Brianna Turner, Autumn
Glass, Jassaniah Leeson, Isabel Raya, Nick O'Donnell, Josephine Trenary and Justyn
Appleby.

The fund was started in honor and memory of Hazel F. Van Arsdale to perpetuate the
importance of music in elementary and secondary education. The fund supports two
types of annual awards. One award is given to selected elementary students, and one
scholarship is given to a high school senior. The 13 elementary students were chosen
by an individual school committee made up of teachers and music professionals through
The Moline Foundation.

Hazel Van Arsdale was a public school teacher for 36 years. She was known for her
strict, but fun, manner of bringing music into the classroom. She made sure all of her
students knew every verse of all of our patriotic hymns, and wanted them to strengthen
their music interest beyond elementary school. A fund was established and is now
administered through The Moline Foundation's scholarship program.

Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization
which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development,
the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City
region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a
current endowment fund of approximately $17 million. For more information contact
Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation Web site
at www.molinefoundation.org.

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Washington, DC - This morning, Thursday April 26th, 2012, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will testify before a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on expiring tax credits about the importance of extending the Adoption Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit for wind energy.

 

Braley introduced legislation to extend the Adoption Tax Credit earlier this month.  More information is available at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/yo0

 

Braley has also pushed hard to pass a long-term extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind energy: http://go.usa.gov/yo8

 

TODAY, Thursday April 26th, 2012

 

Approx.                Braley Testifies Before House Ways and Means Committee

11:20am EDT      Testimony focuses on Adoption Tax Credit and Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit

Longworth House Office Building

Room 1100

Washington, DC

 

**LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE** The hearing will be live-streamed online at http://waysandmeans.house.gov

 

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Senator Chuck Grassley issued the comment below about his vote for the 21st Century Postal Service Act, S.1789.

"This legislation isn't perfect, but it takes steps to correct Postal Service problems that could result in mail delivery coming to a halt entirely, if not addressed.  Unless we help the Postal Service cut costs, the borrowing authority of the Postal Service will run out in the fall, and it will be unable to make payroll.  By acting now, and with this legislation, it's likely that fewer post offices will have to be closed and there will be more accountability regarding which offices are closed.   I voted for the bill, even if imperfect, to address a looming crisis now and avoid either a disruption in mail service or a taxpayer bailout, both of which would hurt the economy and take money out of the pockets of hard-working Americans."

The Arbor Day Foundation is offering a handy tree-care booklet designed to help people plant and care for trees.

Anyone can receive the Conservation Trees booklet simply by making a $3 donation to the Foundation.

Conservation Trees is a user-friendly booklet that features illustrations, colorful photos and easily understood descriptions.

"Conservation Trees is an ideal resource for tree planters throughout the country," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "It is important that people know how to properly plant and care for their trees.

"Taking care of existing trees is just as critical as planting new ones," Rosenow continued. "Trees clean the air, keep our water sources pure and conserve energy. Trees provide so many benefits to a community, and that's why it is so vital to take care of them."

The booklet provides details about the right way to plant and prune trees. It also includes tips on using shade trees and windbreaks to save on energy costs, attracting songbirds and creating a living snow fence.

To receive the Conservation Trees booklet, send a $3 check along with your name and address to: Conservation Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, or order online at arborday.org/conservationtrees.

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FURTHER REVIEW RESULTS

April 18, 2012

 

 

DENIED:

 

 

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME

 

 

 

10-0902

Black Hawk

Hoskins v. State

10-1299

Cerro Gordo

State v. Harrington

11-0136

Linn

State v. Shank

11-0273

Polk

State v. Pettinger

11-0345

Black Hawk

State v. Becker

11-0466

Black Hawk

State v. Crawley

11-0563

Clinton

State v. Zmuda

11-0773

Linn

State v. Nyabugulu

11-0863

Clinton

State v. Bouchard

11-0913

Des Moines

State v. Hodges

11-0937

Woodbury

In re Guardianship & Conservatorship of Sluyter

11-1167

Dubuque

Maiers v. Gansen

11-1180

Marshall

In re J.R.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRANTED:

 

 

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME

11-0389

Polk

Hall v. EAB

10-1742

Muscatine

State v. Howard

 

 

 

Further Review Results

April 18, 2012

Vice-Chairman of House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to Deliver Plenary Address

The Heartland Institute is pleased to announce Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) will join more than 40 speakers, scores of scientists, and some 500 attendees at the Seventh International Conference on Climate Change, which runs from Monday, May 21 to Wednesday, May 23 at the Hilton Chicago hotel.

Sensenbrenner is vice-chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, NASA, NOAA, and several other federal agencies. He joins a speaker line-up addressing the theme "Real Science, Real Choices" that includes:

  • Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic
  • Dr. Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 mission
  • Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 mission
  • Harold Doiron, former NASA scientist
  • Thomas Wysmuller, former NASA scientist
  • Joe Bastardi, chief forecaster, WeatherBell (formerly with Accuweather)
  • Roger Helmer, MP, Britain

See full list of speakers and a detailed description of the conference below.

What: Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-7)

Theme: Real Science, Real Choices

Where: Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

When: Monday, May 21 - Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Media: Open to all media. Request press credentials here.


The Heartland Institute will host the Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-7) from Monday, May 21 to Wednesday, May 23, immediately following the NATO Summit also taking place in Chicago. Heartland will be joined by dozens of think tank cosponsors and hundreds of scientists who understand the need for a real debate about the causes, consequences, and policy implications of climate change.


Real Science, Real Choices

This year's conference theme is "Real Science, Real Choices." The program features approximately 60 scientists and policy experts speaking at plenary sessions and on three tracks of concurrent panel sessions exploring what real climate science is telling us about the causes and consequences of climate change, and the real consequences of choices being made based on the current perceptions of the state of climate science.

Major developments on the science front since the last ICCC took place last summer in Washington, DC include publication of a new report by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) updating its 2009 report, Climate Change Reconsidered, and a new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on extreme weather events and climate change.

The past year was marked by major retreats in the U.S. and other developing nations from government subsidies and investments in solar and wind power. The widely publicized bankruptcies of companies including Solar Trust of America and Solyndra, and slow economic growth and fiscal crises afflicting many European countries, have forced policymakers around the world to reconsider the costs and consequences of basing energy choices on fear of man-made global warming.


Climategate and Fakegate

On November 22, 2011, a second batch of emails among scientists working at the University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit was released by an unknown whistle-blower. "Climategate II" revealed prominent scientists concealing data, discussing global warming as a political cause rather than a balanced scientific inquiry, and admitting to scientific uncertainties that they denied in their public statements.

Like an earlier release of emails on November 19, 2009, on the eve of the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Climategate II caused an uproar in the scientific community and a further drop in public belief in man-made global warming. But a series of friendly investigations of the Climategate affair, along with the timely expiration of the statute of limitations for the offense of failing to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests, spared the scientists involved from any legal penalties.

On February 20, 2012, another global warming scandal broke, this one involving criminal behavior that is likely to be much more difficult to cover up. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, confessed to using fraud to obtain confidential corporate documents from The Heartland Institute and arranging for them to be posted online. The scandal became known as Fakegate because Gleick also circulated a fake memo he claimed outlined Heartland's "climate strategy."

In his confession, Gleick said "a rational public debate is desperately needed." We agree, which is why we have repeatedly invited scientists with wide-ranging views to speak at these conferences. Indeed, we even invited Peter Gleick to speak at a Heartland event, an invitation he turned down on the very day he began his fraud.


Confirmed Speakers

Dennis Avery, senior fellow, Hudson Institute
Joe Bastardi, chief forecaster, WeatherBell
Alan Carlin, U.S. EPA (retired)
Robert "Bob" Carter, James Cook University (Queensland, Australia)
Walter Cunningham, astronaut, Apollo 7
Harold Doiron, former NASA scientist
Willis Eschenbach, former consultant, U.S. Agency for International Development
William "Bill" Gray, Colorado State University (emeritus)
Kenneth Haapala, Science and Environmental Policy Project
Tom Harris, International Climate Science Coalition
Howard Hayden, professor of physics (emeritus), University of Connecticut
Roger Helmer, MP, Britain
Craig Idso, founder, Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change
Madhav Khandekar, Journal of Natural Hazards
Vaclav Klaus, president, Czech Republic
Donna Laframboise, feminist, author
Craig Loehle, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
Sebastian Lüning, author, Die Kalte Sonne (The Cold Sun)
Ross McKitrick, associate professor of economics, University of Guelph
Tim Patterson, professor of geology, Carleton University
Jim Sensenbrenner, U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin
S. Fred Singer, University of Virginia (emeritus)
Willie Soon, astrophysicist
Leighton Steward, PlantsNeedCO2.org and CO2IsGreen.org
Brian Sussman, author, Climategate and Eco-Tyranny
Anthony Watts, WattsUpWithThat.com; chief meteorologist, KPAY-AM, Chico, CA
Thomas Wysmuller, former meteorologist, Royal Dutch Weather Bureau


ICCC History

Past conferences have taken place in New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, and Sydney, Australia and have attracted nearly 3,000 participants from 20 countries. The proceedings have been covered by ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, the BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Le Monde, and most other leading media outlets.

Past ICCCs have featured presentations by members of Congress, Czech President Vaclav Klaus, and scientists who view themselves as "skeptics" as well as "alarmists." Atmospheric scientist Scott Denning, who believes in man-made global warming, spoke at ICCC-4 in 2010 and ICCC-6 in 2011. Hear his remarks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkL6TDIaCVw


Attendance Information

ICCC-7 is open to the public. Registration is required. More information is available at the conference Web site. For media credentials, register here or contact Tammy Nash at tnash@heartland.org or 312-377-4000. For more information about The Heartland Institute, visit our Web site or contact Jim Lakely at jlakely@heartland.org or 312/377-4000.

Get Twitter updates of the conference by following @HeartlandInst and the hashtag #ICCC7.

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