Paul raised most from active military, Romney tapped big banks
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - A recent independent analysis of candidates' campaign contributions reveals an interesting disparity between the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign and frontrunner Mitt Romney's campaign. Romney's top supporters appear to be made up of big banks while, unsurprisingly, Paul's top contributors were men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

"This fundraising analysis confirms Americans' beliefs about Ron Paul and their suspicions about Mitt Romney.  It is that Dr. Paul is extraordinarily popular and accepted by the everyman and by everyday heroes, while Romney relies almost exclusively on his big-business ties," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

According to the analysis, the top three organizations that employ Romney's supporters are Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse Group, and Morgan Stanley.  Reflecting his popularity with the everyman and our uniformed service men and women, the top three organizations that employ Dr. Paul's supporters are the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy.     

The study notes that the organizations themselves did not contribute.  Rather, "the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families."  The analysis suggests, then, that the use of PACs, bundling, subsidiaries and the like was not a feature of Dr. Paul's grassroots fundraising.

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Outraises all other Republican candidates combined, outraises Obama
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign raised more campaign donations from active military than all other presidential candidates?Republican or Democrat?including having raised more funds from this segment than all other GOP competitors combined, and more than incumbent President Barack Obama.

Dr. Paul, an Air Force veteran, raised more than $75,000 from active military in the third quarter.  This comes after Dr. Paul out-raised all GOP candidates - including all GOPers combined, and President Obama singularly - in the second quarter of this year.  Dr. Paul also outraised his GOP competitors in a head-to-head comparison during his 2008 run for the presidency.

This determination was arrived at using an independent campaign analysis of FEC filing data focusing on contributors who listed their occupation and employer when contributing.

"Ron Paul is the only candidate with a plan to end the growing number of unconstitutional undeclared wars, having an unclear connection to U.S. national security, end costly overseas nation-building that pays no friendship dividends, and stop subsidizing global security.  Instead Dr. Paul will bring our troops home, secure our borders and lead the nation in practicing a traditional Republican noninterventionist foreign policy," said Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"Let me also submit that Dr. Paul out-raising all candidates in military donations demonstrates that his 'Plan to Restore America' might sit well among voters who are active-military or veterans," continued Mr. Benton.
To view the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign's latest veterans-themed ad, click here.  To view its latest foreign policy-themed ad, click here.

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On Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the National Archives staff will be at the Davenport Main Street Library to do presentations on the soon to be released 1940 population schedules, land records, and naturalization records.   The National Archives and Records Administration preserves the permanent records of the Federal Government, including original historical documents, photographs, maps, and much more, from nearly 100 federal agencies.

Attend a magnificent presentation of information and learning by the director of Archival Operations for the National Archives at Kansas City, Lori-Cox Paul from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and then stay until we close at 5:30 pm to research your genealogy records! Reservations are not required.

According to the National Archive website, many people know the National Archives keeps the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also hold, for the public, military records, naturalization records, government agency records, and even the cancelled check from the purchase of Alaska. For more than seventy years, the National Archives has preserved and provided access to these records.

But don't think of this building as being in Washington D.C., although there is a facility there also, as there are over 50 facilities managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA.) All of the presidential libraries, including our own Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, are managed by the NARA.

For more information contact the Davenport Public Library at (563) 326-7832 or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

 

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Respected public opinion polling firm, Rasmussen Reports released a new report showing Herman Cain ahead of President Obama in a hypothetical general election contest, pulling in 43 percent compared with Obama's 41 percent.

"Cain now has the chance to make the case for why he should be the challenger to Mitt Romney," says Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports.

2012 Presidential Matchups: Oct. 14-15, 2011

Obama

41%

Cain

43%

Obama

49%

Gingrich

34%

Obama

49%

Perry

35%

Obama

43%

Romney

41%

Obama

42%

Johnson

27%

Obama

45%

Santorum

34%

Obama

44%

Paul

34%

Obama

48%

Bachmann

32%

Obama

43%

Huntsman

35%


"After I win the Republican nomination, I will beat President Obama in the general election.  The American people are tired of the failed economic policies of the current administration.  President Obama's plan to tax and spend our way out of this mess will not work," said Republican candidate Herman Cain.

Mr. Cain continued: "My '9-9-9 Plan' is resonating with America because it is fair, simple and a real solution to the economic situation we are in.  That is why more and more Americans are dropping their support for Obama and joining the Cain Train."

EPA Awards Almost $900,000 to University of Iowa Black Carbon Research

 

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $6.6 million in grants to eight universities in support of black carbon research. Black carbon is the sooty black material emitted from diesel-powered engines and vehicles, industries like brick kilns and coke ovens, traditional cookstoves, and other sources that burn fossil fuels or biomass. Black carbon can affect the climate in the near term, and like other types of fine particles, can cause serious health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Unlike greenhouse gases, which remain in the atmosphere for decades or centuries, black carbon particles only stay in the atmosphere for days or weeks. Therefore, reducing black carbon emissions could have a positive effect on our climate quickly.

 

"This research on black carbon will provide valuable information about the impact of black carbon on climate change," says William Sanders, director of EPA's National Center for Environmental Research. "An increased understanding of the impact black carbon has on climate change will better protect people and the environment."

 

EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program awarded nine grants to support research to study the role and effects of black carbon. The research will analyze the impacts of black carbon on air and water quality, investigate the behavior of black carbon aerosols in the atmosphere, and develop innovative tools such as computer models to look at black carbon deposits on snow. Black carbon deposited on snow and ice hastens melting by directly absorbing sunlight and by darkening the surface, which reduces the amount of light reflected back to space. The research also examines the aging of black carbon in the atmosphere.

 

Award recipients include the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Carnegie Mellon University; University of California, Irvine; University of California, Riverside; University of Iowa; University of Washington; University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Rutgers University.

 

More information on the black carbon research projects: www.epa.gov/ncer/blackcarbon

 

University of Iowa project team will receive $895,432 for their black carbon research project.

 

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Catholic school was one of only 7 Iowa schools to win 2011 US Education Department Blue Ribbon 

 

Davenport, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) visited students today at Davenport's St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School to recognize the school being named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education.  Only seven schools in Iowa received the award this year, including St. Paul's.

Braley met with members of St. Paul's student council before addressing the school's students in an assembly.

"My mother was a schoolteacher in my hometown, and my wife teaches high school in Waterloo - so you could say I have education in my blood," Braley said.  "Being named a Blue Ribbon School is no small achievement - only 305 schools in the entire country earned the distinction this year.

 

"Every school in Iowa should strive for this level of educational excellence.  After all, a world-class education is the foundation of our kids' future.  Quality schools lay the groundwork now for good-paying jobs and a stronger economy tomorrow."

 

Being named a Blue Ribbon School means meeting one of two criteria:

 

  1. High-performing schools. Schools that are ranked among each state's highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments, or, for private schools, that score at the highest performance level on national tests.
  1. High-performing high-risk schools. Schools with 40 percent or more of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by national tests.

To be named a Blue Ribbon School, a school must be nominated for the distinction by the top education official in its respective state.  The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools in each state.

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MONTICELLO, IOWA–An AmeriCorps NCCC team is spending nine weeks at Camp Courageous of Iowa in Monticello, Iowa working as camp counselors with special needs adults.

From September 6th through November 8th, "Cedar Three" is serving as camp counselors to help promote a safe and enjoyable week for campers with disabilities.  As camp Counselors they are working with other staff to lead groups of 4 to 5 campers. Work ranges from assisting campers with various camp activities to aiding with personal care.

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. Camp Courageous was founded in 1972 when 40 acres of land was donated for the establishment of a camp for the disabled. The following year, five buildings were built from donated labor and materials. By 1974 the camp had opened and totaled 211 campers. Today the camp is open year-round, has over 150 acres of land with 14 buildings, and annually serves over 6,000 campers, ranging in age from 1 to 105. Camp Courageous runs solely on donations.  Due to the popularity of the camp, many people with disabilities are put on a waiting list. By having an AmeriCorps NCCC team of ten people serve as camp councilors, over 100 people have been taken off of the waiting list.

This is not the first time Cedar Three has volunteered at Camp Courageous. The team painted staff dormitory rooms in March as part of their first project working together. During their three day stay, they had the opportunity to get familiar with the campus and meet some of the campers. Cedar Three also had the opportunity to spend time with the campers at the weekly dance that takes place on Thursday nights.

According to Team Leader Drew Simmons, Cedar Three Corps Members were apprehensive of the personal care aspect of the project because they had not had experience with it before but have accustomed to the process, "Everyone was nervous at first because it was something they had not done before, but they have been doing a great job. It's not easy work but it means so much to the campers and other counselors that they are getting this kind of help."

According to the Camp's Volunteer Director Shannon Poe, Cedar Three has been a big help, "They have been a great addition to the camp staff and they are wonderful with the campers. It's always great to have AmeriCorps NCCC come and help us out because we don't get as many volunteers as we would like to."

After serving as camp counselors, Cedar Three will travel back the main base in Vinton, Iowa to conclude their Corps year with a graduation date of November 17th.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley today introduced comprehensive legislation that will strengthen money laundering statutes and will make it more difficult for terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminal organizations to finance their operations by using loopholes to easily transfer money around the world.  Grassley introduced the bill with Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.

"Every day there are terrorists and criminals who are looking for new ways to move their funding operations and evade authorities.  Our laws must keep pace with the new and emerging trends these people exploit to fund their endeavors," Grassley said. "We have to hit them where it hurts most, in their pocketbooks, and we can't do this if we do not give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to stop the flow of illicit money."

Grassley said his bill fixes one of the most egregious money laundering loopholes that allows prepaid access cards, or cash cards, to cross international borders without facing any scrutiny.  For example, criminals can put thousands or even millions of dollars on these cards, and not have to declare it as they cross the border.  Grassley's legislation would require the cards to be reported to border authorities if the card holds more than $10,000.

In addition, the bill addresses concerns that bulk cash smugglers continue to use loopholes in federal laws to evade prosecution.  The bill also works to fix procedural and definitional problems to combat money laundering, such as dealing with comingled funds, prosecutors being able to charge money laundering as a course of conduct, allowing wiretaps as an investigative tool for money laundering cases, and reverse money laundering operations.

It also addresses the Supreme Court decision in Cuellar v. United States, which created a loophole in the bulk cash smuggling statute, by incorporating a recommendation the Supreme Court proposed to ensure that drug smugglers are not allowed to break the law without consequence simply by evading knowing the full plan of the smuggling operation.

Here are the major points of the legislation.

  • Simplifies the predicate offenses that give rise to money laundering offenses,
  • Makes it a crime to participate in "reverse money laundering," or knowingly transporting money or goods used or meant to be used in money laundering,
  • Removes inconsistent language that created an ambiguity as to whether a defendant had to have knowledge that funds were involved in illegal activity in general or a particular type of criminal activity,
  • Strikes the requirement that the government prove a defendant knew the purpose and plan behind transportation of laundered money, closing a loophole that allows mules to transport laundered money or goods with impunity,
  • Makes prepaid access devices, such as stored value cards, subject to anti-money laundering reporting requirements,
  • Fixes the ambiguity of how to treat the commingling funds and clarifies that a case can aggregate a series of closely related transactions under the $10,000 threshold to meet the requirement of $10,000 in criminally-derived property,
  • Adds a definition of "money transmitting business" to clarify that it applies to more than just storefront businesses.
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Moline, IL...State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) will be in Morrison this Saturday, October 22 to discuss issues affecting the city with local leaders and constituents.

 

The public is invited to join Representative Morthland at Happy Joe's to speak with him personally at 4PM.

 

What: Pizza Forum with Rep. Morthland

When: Saturday, October 22, 4PM CST

Where: Happy Joe's, 109 W Main St, Morrison, IL 61270

 

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A news conference held this morning at the East Point Metro Facility, 1201 14th Avenue, East Moline, Illinois announced the establishment of a new foundation for the community of East Moline.

Chairman of the newly formed East Moline Foundation, Doug Reynolds said, "I grew up, went to school and had my business in East Moline. I want to give back to the community. This can be accomplished by creating a foundation. Other communities have a foundation...now East Moline will have one too. We have many needs that need to be answered." The group also announced a Leadership Challenge Grant of $108,000 that will match all gifts made to the East Moline Foundation in the next year. The amount of the fund signifies the 108 year old history of the City of East Moline as it was established in 1903.

Co-founder Ben Ryan, Jr. noted, "Many loyal East Moline natives toil at their life's work only to  find that, when finally successful, no entity is available for promotional or  charitable gifts specifically directed to East Moline.  An East Moline  Foundation will alleviate this short coming and fill a need long overdue for a city of our history and size."

At this morning's news conference, Bob Baecke said, "During the many years which East Moline has been incorporated as a city, there has never been a foundation established for charitable gifts.  We now have that opportunity and we are hopeful that the citizens of East Moline will join with us in making the East Moline Foundation a success for the future of our city."

East Moline attorney, Bill Phares, noted, "East Moline has, for many years, lacked a permanent organization to independently evaluate community goals and needs. We have needed a way to solicit contributions to fund programs to achieve those goals and meet those needs. The East Moline Foundation will serve as this permanent organization for the citizens of East Moline.

The East Moline Foundation will be led by an initial Board of Bob Baecke, Bill Phares, Ben Ryan, Jr. and Doug Reynolds. Other citizens will be encouraged to join the work and leadership of the East Moline Foundation. Donors and volunteers should contact: William Phares, P.O. Box 457, East Moline, IL 61244-0457 (309) 796-0170

Leaders also acknowledged the partnership with The Moline Foundation as the East Moline Foundation will be formed as an affiliate fund with their neighboring community foundation to the west.

The Moline Foundation Board Chairman Jon Tunberg said, "It's a special day for East Moline and Moline and one that will influence lives in our communities for years to come."

As a charitable foundation, The East Moline Foundation will offer a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause such as education or the environment, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. The East Moline Foundation will provide funding to health, human services, education, community, workforce and economic development development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of East Moline and the surrounding area in the Illinois Quad Cities. The East Moline Foundation will receive and administer charitable gifts, grow an endowment fund, and handle additional funds to benefit donor wishes. It will also serve as a catalyst and convener to bring about solutions to problems affecting quality of life in the community.



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