Candidate for Congress

Illinois' 17th District

(Rock Island, IL) - Congressional Candidate Eric Reyes issued the following statement regarding the current attempt to eliminate Independent candidates for U.S. Congress.

"On June 25, 2012 we ?led our petition to be placed on the ballot for the general election on November 6, 2012.  Our petition met the requirements set forth by Article 3, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution, which states in its entirety, "All elections shall be free and equal."  Supporters of the democratic candidate have challenged our petition, in an attempt to disenfranchise voters and keep Eric Reyes off the ballot. Their lack of faith in their own candidate and the wisdom of the voting public is disturbing. As I've said all along, I have every intention of ?ghting this battle, on behalf of the voters, through the court system. These objectors have chosen to spend tens of  thousands of dollars in legal fees and to waste thousands of dollars of taxpayer money attempting to eliminate a choice the voters deserve to have. I'm certain the voters will remember which candidate didn't believe they deserved a choice this election."

Eric Reyes is a full-time attorney and father from Rock Island, IL. The only lifelong resident of the district in this election, Reyes graduated from Rock Island High School, Augustana College, and Northern Illinois University College of Law. He is also a former Assistant States Attorney.

For more information on Eric Reyes or his campaign, please visit his website: www.EricReyes.us.

###
The American Red Cross appreciates the many donors who have given blood since announcing an
emergency need for all blood types in late June. However, the Red Cross blood supply remains at
low levels and eligible donors of all types continue to be needed.

Vacations, summer schedules, and the mid-week Independence Day holiday have reduced the number of
donations. But the need is constant. Approximately every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood.

The American Red Cross' Live Life. Give Life. summer-long campaign is helping to raise
awareness about the constant need for blood and encourage regular donations. Presenting
donors between May 21 and September 5, 2012 will be entered automatically into the Live
Life. Give Life. promotion for a chance to win prize packages from GiftCertificates.com. Visit
redcrossblood.org/GiveWin to learn more.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an
appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for
patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required
at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states),
weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High
school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and
weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross
is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American

Live Life. Give Life.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

WASHINGTON, DC – Insisting that the use of drug-sniffing dogs by police to carry out warrantless searches of private homes favors canine sensibilities over citizens' privacy rights, The Rutherford Institute has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to declare the practice unconstitutional in violation of the Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures. In filing an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Florida v. Jardines, Institute attorneys cite mounting empirical evidence that narcotics detection dogs are unreliable and inaccurate. Institute attorneys also point out that the amount of time it takes for the dogs to carry out a detection sniff on the perimeter of a private residence constitutes a trespass under Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.

The Rutherford Institute's brief in Florida v. Jardines is available at www.rutherford.org.

"The specter of a police dog handler team with supporting armed backup at the front door of a private residence is a chilling scenario indicative of the entrenchment of a growing police state," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "If this Court permits warrantless dog sniffs of citizens' homes, it will unleash an Orwellian nightmare of intimidation, leaving no one safe from the prying sniffs of the American Police State."

The case arose out of an incident that took place in November 2006, when Miami police responded to an "anonymous" tip that marijuana was being grown at the residence of Joelis Jardines. After police surveillance of the Jardines home failed to reveal any incriminating evidence, the police brought in a drug-sniffing dog and handler to inspect the property at 7:30 a.m. The police handler walked the dog up to the front door on a leash and the dog allegedly "alerted" to the scent of contraband, which was reported to the investigating police who also approached the door and allegedly smelled marijuana. Using this information, the police obtained a warrant to search the Jardines residence, resulting in the seizure of marijuana plants. In court, Jardines' lawyer moved to suppress the evidence obtained under the warrant, insisting that the warrant itself was invalid because of its reliance on the alert by the drug-sniffing dog. On appeal, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the use of detection dogs at private residences raises significant privacy concerns. The U.S. Supreme Court, having ruled in previous cases that dog sniffs do not constitute "searches" for purposes of the Fourth Amendment, agreed to review the state court decision. In weighing in on the matter, attorneys for The Rutherford Institute argued against the reliance on drug-sniffing dogs as the basis for search warrants, pointing out that both anecdotal evidence and research show that dogs frequently signal false alerts and show sensitivity to handler bias. Institute attorneys also noted that the mere presence of the dogs on private property and the amount of time it takes for the dogs to alert to any alleged contraband constitute an illegal trespass. A better, more constitutional, alternative, as the Institute's brief makes clear, would be for police to obtain a search warrant prior to introducing dogs onto the scene for a perimeter sniff.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE ONLINE

Two Rivers - One WorldFriends of Vander Veer

From the Amazon

to the Great Mississippi -

Fishscale Girl's Adventures
at Vander Veer Botanical Park

Explore the delicate balance of nature through a variety of exciting summer programs being held at Vander Veer Botanical Park. Sponsored by Davenport Parks and Recreation and The Friends of Vander Veer, learn through the eyes of Fishscale Girl, who discovers that her Amazon River and the Mississippi River face similar challenges with major environmental problems such as pollution and erosion.

Fishscale Girl, a small doll made from an actual fish scale, is the main character in a series of pictures books written and photographed by Quad-City author Ann Hailey. Fishscale Girl moves from her home in the Amazon to Davenport, Iowa, and learns about the similarities and differences of her new and old homes.
Kickoff Event
fishscale girl 3
Friday, July 6 2pm
at Vander Veer Conservatory

Join us in kicking off Two Rivers - One World! Ann Hailey, local author of the Fishscale Girl series, will read her books at this free event for the public. The Conservatory Display featuring Fishscale Girl will be open to the public, as well. Refreshments will be served. A nature walk will occur at 3:00 p.m.

Fishscale Girl and the Disaster
fishscale girl 1

Saturday, July 21 at Vander Veer Park

Come discover how Fishscale Girl learns how animals survive natural disasters and come back to a destroyed habitat. The Fishscale Girl and the Disaster by local author, Ann Hailey, will be read in English and Spanish. The program is for ages 5-12 and will start at 10am on July 21st. Be at the Vander Veer Conservatory for all the fun activities. There is a $2 fee for the program.

 

Click here to register

Fishscale Girl: The Amazon vs. Great Mississippi

Saturday, August 4 at Vander Veer Conservatory

Join Fishscale Girl and explore the difference between the Amazon River and the Great Mississippi River. Fishscale Girl tells of her origin and how she came to be. The program will have interactive activities about both rivers and how we can protect both. Come to the Vander Veer conservatory on August 4th at 10am. Ages 5 - 12. Come join the fun for a $2 fee. Register Now!!

 

Click here to register

Other programs featuring Fishscale Girl


Check out "Let's Go Outside" backpacks from The Conservatory at Vander Veer. These backpacks feature lessons that take visitors throughout the Park and Conservatory.

 

Enjoy The Conservatory display, featuring an Amazon Tropical Rainforest Birds display, as well as a Disaster Scene from the Fishscale Girl series.

 

Experience the popular park programs My Little Wheelbarrow on July 11 and 18 @ 10am at Vander Veer Playground, and Wild Walks in the Park on July 16 at 1pm. These programs will feature Fishscale Girl in their lessons.

PLATTEVILLE, WI (07/02/2012)(readMedia)-- Mary DePauw from Port Byron, IL, earned academic honors for the spring 2012 semester at the University of Wisconsin- Platteville. Mary made the Chancellor's List by earning a 4.0 grade point average during the semester. Attainment of the Chancellor's list represents the highest academic achievement at UW- Platteville.

UW-Platteville, founded in 1846, is located in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin, near the Iowa and Illinois borders. The University, the fastest-growing four-year school in the 13-college University of Wisconsin System, enrolls approximately 7,500 undergraduate students.

Story by Jonathon Kirkham, Illinois National Guard Command Historian Intern

SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2012)(readMedia)-- Today commemorates the 19th anniversary of the Great Flood of 1993, which lead to Operation Wave Rider, the largest state active duty mission in the history of the Illinois National Guard. More than 7,000 Soldiers and Airmen were activated after heavy rains led to record flooding of the Mississippi, Illinois, Rock, Sangamon and Wabash rivers.

On July 1, Illinois Governor Jim Edgar alerted Maj. Gen. Donald Lynn, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard to prepare for a potential flood mission. Three days later, Lynn activated units for Operation Wave Rider.

Soldiers and Airmen provided support to 44 counties declared natural disaster areas by state and federal officials. Operations included security, levee maintenance and repair, sandbagging, search and rescue, water distribution, medical assistance and aviation support.

Despite the extensive damage, Soldiers and Airmen proved valuable assistance to the disaster relief and cleanup resulting in zero loss of life. By Dec. 1, only 33 Guardsmen remained in the hardest hit areas to provide additional security.

Campaign Announces July is Veterans for Obama Month

 

DES MOINES - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley announced the Veterans & Military Families for Obama Steering Committee.  He was joined by two members of the Committee Marc Wallace from Des Moines and Sarah Petersen from Sioux City.

 

The President knows that we owe our veterans and their families the care they were promised and the benefits they have earned. The Steering Committee will engage fellow veterans across the state about the importance of this next election. They will help lay out the choice between President Obama and Mitt Romney's plans and what they really mean for veterans and their families.

 

"The men and women who serve in our military make incredible sacrifices to keep America free and strong," Braley said. "President Obama understands that the debt we owe our veterans is more than just gratitude - it's giving them opportunity and care when they return home.  That's why he's worked so hard to jumpstart veterans hiring, improve educational opportunities, and strengthen mental health care for our vets."

 

President Obama:

·         Kept his promise and ended the war in Iraq. When he took office there were over 140,000 combat troops serving in Iraq; today there are none.

·         Refocused our efforts on dismantling and defeating Al Qaeda, brought Osama bin Laden to justice and began bringing our troops home as we transition security responsibility to the Afghan people.

·         Signed two tax credits into law to encourage businesses to hire unemployed veterans and those with service-connected disabilities.

·         Implemented and improved the most comprehensive educational benefit for veterans since the original GI Bill of 1944.

·         Boosted the Veterans Affairs budget to ensure that as record numbers of veterans enter the VA health system they receive timely access to the highest quality benefits and services.

·         Made it easier for veterans suffering from PTSD to get the benefits he or she needs and every VA medical center provides services for veterans suffering from PTSD.

·         Ended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Our military is stronger and safer now that patriotic gay men and women no longer have to live a lie in order to defend the country they love.

 

"The President knows that we have a sacred trust with our veterans and their families the care they were promised and the benefits they have earned," said Petersen. "That's why he is committed to ensuring that veterans can find work when they return home, receive the health care and benefits they've earned and have the chance to get a college education through the post-9/11 GI Bill. As millions of our servicemen and women return home from war, now more than ever we must fulfill our duty to them."

 

From providing education and job opportunities for our veterans to ensuring they have the health care they deserve, President Obama will fulfill our commitment to our service members.

 

"Veterans know President Obama has their backs - but they're left to wonder what Mitt Romney would do as Commander-in-Chief," said Wallace. "Romney doesn't seem to care about honoring the sacred trust America has with veterans and their families. Judging from his record, policies and promises, he would break that trust. In Romney's 160-page, 59-point plan for jobs and economic growth, veterans weren't mentioned at all. Not once."

·         As Massachusetts governor, Romney cut veterans' programs by hundreds of thousands of dollars in his first month in office, and he even tried to cut the funding for veterans by more than 11 percent in his first budget.

·         The Congressional Republican budget, which Romney endorsed as "marvelous" would -- if applied across the board -- slash funding for Veterans' Affairs by $11 billion a year

·         Romney suggested privatizing veterans' health care making veterans use vouchers to buy health care - even though that would leave many veterans unable to pay for the essential health care they earned and need.

As part of today's Steering Committee launch, the campaign announced that July is Veterans for Obama Month.  Campaign staff and volunteers will show their support at 4th of July parades and events this week.  Additionally, veteran-to-veteran phone banks will be hosted to allow people to share their stories and to share the accomplishments of the Obama Administration in providing for those who serve. Iowa veterans and family members will arrange and host local events and house parties to bring veterans together to celebrate their service, discuss the next election, and get them involved in the campaign. The first event will take place in Polk County on July 19.

 

The members of the Veterans and Military Families for Obama Steering Committee include :

·         Billy Langham, Ames: Retired Air Force Master Sargent who worked in the NSA and spent 15 years overseas; in countries including Italy, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Korea, and England. Upon returning, he worked in manufacturing and project management.

·         Lucas Beenken, Belmond: Served in the National Guard and used the GI Bill to attend Drake University. During his senior year, Lucas was deployed to Iraq. He went on to complete his Master's Degree at Drake and was elected to the Wright County Board of Supervisors. Lucas led the Pledge of Allegiance at the President's grassroots event in Des Moines this May.

·         Art Heyderman, Bettendorf:  Served 3 years active duty, including a tour in Vietnam, and for 27.5 years in the Reserves. Art was a member of Corps of Engineers, working in both research and development and as a nuclear weapon specialist and spent many years as an Army civilian.

·         Will Overstreet, Cedar Falls: A life-long Iowan, Will is a member of the Iowa National Guard.  He was deployed to Afghanistan, and currently is a teacher with the Waterloo School System.

·         Jerry Huffman, Cedar Rapids: Served 20 years in the U.S. Army, serving in many locations including the Aleutian Islands, Japan, Korea, Turkey, and Honduras.

·         Amanda Irish, Coralville: Enlisted in the Marine Corps weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, feeling compelled to serve her country. Amanda is a leader of the University of Iowa Veterans Association and is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in human physiology and pre-medicine.

·         Sam Reno, Des Moines: From 1990 to 1996, Sam served in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the Rock Island Arsenal Recruiting Command and 4th Marine Division General Support Maintenance Company. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from Drake University and is a Neighborhood Team Leader for OFA in Northwest Des Moines.

·         Marc Wallace, Des Moines: Served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps and the Iowa National Guard.  Marc is a prosecutor in the Marion County Attorney's Office and the Iowa Public Defender's Office. In 2008, Marc was the State Chairman of Iowa Veterans for Obama.

·         Ron Healey, Dubuque: Served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. Ron is retired from Deere & Company and has been working with veterans through the UAW veterans group and the Veterans and Military Families for Progress, which is concerned with suicide prevention and issues facing returning service members.

·         Stan Klein, Lu Verne: In 1965, Stan went to Vietnam on the U.S. Army's 3rd plane into the country.  He served as a Captain in Vietnam for a year and remained in the Guard Reserve for 23 years. He currently is farming in Northern Iowa.

·         Jake Krapfl, New Vienna: Served in the U.S. Army, seeing two tours of duty in Iraq as a Paratrooper. He is currently an English and writing instructor at Northeast Iowa Community College.

·         Terry Phillips, Riverside: Joined the Navy at 17 in 1965 and was based in Hawaii and served on a number of ships in a communications capacity. Terry returned to graduate from the University of Iowa and started his own business as a contractor.

·         John Pomberg, Salem: Served in the Navy from 1967-1988 in the Tonkin Gulf, Persian Gulf, Southern Atlantic, and Caribbean on air craft carriers and destroyers. John currently works for the Iowa Department of Corrections.

·         Larry Olk, Sheffield: Served in U.S. Army in Vietnam in 1968 in the 2ND Field Forces. Larry is retired from a civilian military career and serves as the Franklin County Democrats Chair.

·         Sarah Petersen, Sioux City: Military wife whose husband served two tours overseas

To learn more about Veterans & Military Families for Obama go to www.barackobama.com/veterans.
Expert Points to Science-Validated Answers in Ancient Texts

Thanks to popular documentaries and programs like "Fearless Planet" and "Through the Wormhole" on TV's Discovery and Science Channel, studying the universe is no longer reserved for academicians in lecture halls.

"Because filmmakers and producers have made it entertaining and present science in language everyone can understand, there's an increased interest in the genesis of the universe, and its future," says Sanjay C. Patel, (www.SanjayCPatel.com), author of God Is Real, a book that explores similarities between modern science and ancient cosmology.

What many people don't realize, says Patel, is that ancient Indian yogis, Israelites and early Christians all agreed on the origins of life and the universe. Moreover, new studies indicate many of their ancient beliefs correspond with the findings of modern science
For instance, the scientific age of the universe is 13.7 billion years old, says Patel. When comparing this age to the Bible, if it is divided into six equal days spanning 2.28 billion years each, biblical Genesis's timeline across all seven "days" suddenly corresponds with past and future episodes in our galaxy and Earth. In total, 21 major correspondences emerge.

One among them is the following timeline:

Science says: the Sun and moon formed about 4.6 to 4.5 billion years ago.

Bible says: On Day 4 - "God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night." This would be 4.56 billion years ago. (2 days or eons ago since we are currently at the beginning of day 7.)

Other interesting correspondences:

Science says: Volcanic fire scorched India about 118 million years ago. Nearby oceanic volcanoes submerged about 100 million years ago. These submarine volcanoes suck in seawater through cracks and pores and remove salt from the water. They then expel the desalinated water back into the ocean through hydrothermal vents.

Ancient Yogis said: Volcanic fire scorched India about 120 million years ago. Related volcanoes in the ocean south of India submerged about 117 million years ago. "The submarine Fire exists in the ocean. It drinks the seawater and removes its saltiness. It then expels the desalinated water from another opening."

For those who believe 2012 marks an end - be it because of the Mayan Long Calendar's end or some other prophecy - Patel offers this far-future convergence:

Science says: In about 2 billion years time, Earth will be so hot there will be no life on it. Volcanism will be common and the planet's surface will be scorched by the fire of lava and sulfur.

Ancient Yogis said: In about 2.35 billion years time, there will be no life on Earth due to volcanic fire.

Bible says: in about 2.28 billion years - by the end of day 7 - life on Earth will end in volcanic fire and brimstone (sulfur).

Patel has found 121 points of agreement across 30 years of analysis and research based on expert translations of yoga literature dating back to 1500 B.C., biblical texts which date back to about 1000 B.C., and translations of the Talmud - an equally ancient biblical tradition.

"So many correspondences cannot be coincidence," says Patel, whose research has appeared in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Marine Scientist in the United Kingdom.

About Sanjay C. Patel

Sanjay C. Patel studied theology, Sanskrit, ancient cosmology, advanced yoga and meditation techniques, among many other subjects, earning a degree in Divinity at the BAPS Swaminarayan Ashram in India. He continued studies of modern science and ancient spiritual texts for 30 years. His discoveries regarding the convergence of science and ancient texts were published in mainstream science journals and presented at the 22nd International Congress of History of Science in Beijing.

PLATTEVILLE, WI (07/02/2012)(readMedia)-- University of Wisconsin-Platteville graduate student Clementine Uwineza of Davenport, Iowa, earned a Master's degree in Project Management.

UW-Platteville awarded 965 diplomas, including 124 master's degrees, during its 188th commencement ceremony.

UW-Platteville, founded in 1846, is located in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin, near the Iowa and Illinois borders. The University, the fastest-growing four-year school in the 13-college University of Wisconsin System, enrolls approximately 7,500 undergraduate students.

Tamms offer would compete with effort to open Thomson as a federal prison

[WASHINGTON]  - Governor Pat Quinn's offer last week to sell a state prison in southern Illinois to the federal government could doom a two-year effort by Illinois' Congressional delegation to create more than 1,100 jobs in northwest Illinois by opening the vacant Thomson Correctional Center as a federal prison.

In a letter to the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons released Friday, Quinn said the 14-year-old Tamms supermax prison - which still houses state prisoners - would be a valuable addition to the federal prison system. Quinn's offer to sell the Tamms Correctional Center comes on the heels of ongoing efforts by U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL), Bobby Schilling (R-IL) and other members of Illinois' Congressional delegation to ink a deal for the federal government to purchase the vacant state prison in Thomson, IL and open it as a maximum security federal prison, creating more than 1,100 much-needed jobs in northwest Illinois.

"With his new offer to sell the Tamms state prison to the federal government, Gov. Quinn may have doomed our efforts to open Thomson as a federal prison and create more than 1,100 jobs in northern Illinois," Manzullo said. "In these very tight financial times, we have been working hard to find the federal money needed to buy Thomson, and now the Governor has thrown a new option on the table that will compete with our efforts. The federal government certainly doesn't have the money to buy two state prisons in Illinois."

"The Illinois delegation has been working closely to find a bipartisan way to advance Thomson Prison," Schilling said. "But to really move this forward, we need the Governor to focus in on and join us in our efforts. I remain optimistic that we can get Thomson opened, and will continue working to see it through."

The operation of Thomson as a federal prison is expected to create more than 1,100 jobs and provide $19 million in local labor income and $61 million in local business sales each year. Total local economic impact, both direct and indirect, is expected to be at least $202 million each year. That annual economic impact would provide more than $20 million in direct federal income tax revenue, $6.2 million in direct state income tax revenue, and $3.8 million in sales tax revenue.

###

Pages