Loras College Republicans

New Year

2007-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

Last Night

2006-10-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

Last night right here in Dubuque, Mike Whalen dominated the debate between opponent Bruce Braley. During the course of the night, Bruce Braley reminded me of a used car salesman. He was able to look every person in the eye promise them the world and turn around giving them a rotting banana. Braley made a promise to be a career politician and that he feels Iowa's first needs to be one of Washington's society. I'm personally calling out Mr. Braley right here, right now.

Bruce, who are you lying too?? You will become part of the Washington political machine within days. How about calling for term limits?? If you are serious about getting your agenda passed, why don't you say i'll do my job in 3 terms? Because we all know you are going to Washington for the rest of your career. You do not want to admit that you are going there for the rut. We need to step up hard core right now and help Mike!!

CRs in the First District, it is time to start phone banking and walking. Mike needs your help in anyways.

New School Year

2006-09-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back Ladies and Gents to the 2006-2007 School Year. It has been a crazy summer and I need to play a little catch up. With out further ado, let the posting continue!!

Mr. Kennedy the post is yours......

2006-04-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

As I stated earlier, all the candidates were emailed a couple of questions to answer. Below are Mr. Kennedy's answers. His comments are red:

What is your Name?

Brian Kennedy

Which office are you seeking?

United States House of Representatives

Why are you running for this office?

To wage a campaign of change from the floor of the United States Congress.

Why are you the best person for the job?

I have the experience to not only win the campaign, but be ready on day one to make a real difference.

Whom do you most admire in politics?

Congressman Steve King. .

Why?

Because he always puts principle ahead of politics.

If you could meet any three (3) living or past Presidents, whom would they be?

Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln

Why?

Because each acted for causes greater than their self interest.

What would be your best advice for college students or young people in general who are interested in political careers?

Be a happy warrior! Compete hard, but do it with good cheer.

My Hero is.....

2006-04-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz) visited Dyersville last week to help support us.

He talked about issues ranging from education to immigration. While his hero is Jack Bauer, you Mr. McCain are my personal hero. What were your favorite moments from the visit?

Mr. Mosley

2006-04-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mr. Leon Mosley visited our campus last Tuesday.

Mr. Mosley has been invited to participate in this blog. Hopefully over the course of the next couple of weeks we will here some of his thoughts about the upcoming midterm elections.

Breaking News From Texas

2006-04-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tom DeLay will not run for his congressional seat this term:

Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), a primary architect of the House Republican majority who became one of the most powerful and feared leaders in Washington, told House allies tonight that he will resign from the House rather than face a reelection fight that appears increasingly unwinnable.
The decision came just three days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony C. Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, telling federal prosecutors of a criminal enterprise being run out of DeLay's leadership offices. Rudy's plea agreement did not implicate DeLay in any illegal activities, but by placing the influence-buying efforts of disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff directly in DeLay's operation, the former aide may have made an already difficult reelection bid all but out of reach.

Ethics are a pain but are needed, Lets just hope that Rep. DeLay enjoys his retirement.

Issue Open Thread

2006-04-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

What Issues currently going down in Washington and Des Moines (and Springfield if it affects you) Do you care Most about and Why?

More Filing Info

2006-04-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Federal Government also requires that Federal candidates file monthly. The Federal Election Comission can be located HERE.

Disclosure in Iowa

2006-04-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

The State board of Election Rules can be found Here.

351—11.1(68B) Filing requirements and procedures.
11.1(1) All persons who are required to file a personal financial disclosure statement with the board pursuant to Iowa Code section 68B.35(2) shall file the statements with the board on or before April 30 of each year following a year during which the person holds a designated position, without regard to the length of time the position was occupied by the person. A person who fills a designated position in an “acting” capacity shall also file a personal financial disclosure statement in the subsequent year. A person who held a designated position who leaves that position or state employment shall have a continuing obligation to file the statement for all years or portions of a year the position was held prior to termination. A person who held a designated position who leaves that position prior to the end of a calendar year and does not immediately assume another designated position shall file the statement for the current year with the board within 30 days after leaving the designated position.

This law about talks about when the disclosure in Iowa takes place. April 30th or before.

Service Project Highlights

2006-04-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Accoring to Brady the Service Project was a success with 5 cars and alot was accomplished!

Nice Job CRs keep up the good work!!

Open Day Thread

2006-04-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Opening Day Open Thread.

President Bush is throwing out the first pitch of the Cubs v. Reds Game, That will be on WGN at 1:10, But...

Who is your favorite team and how are they going to do?

John Kerry Does not Like

2006-03-28T08:38:00.000-08:00

Good Old Smoking Gun:Click on the Image for a better view of it.

(Hat Tip: The Smoking Gun)

Extra Extra

2006-03-28T07:33:00.000-08:00

Chief of Staff Andrew Card has resigned his position. Its already been a long day in Washington and its 9:30:

"After five-and-a-half years, he thought it might be time to return to private life and this past weekend, I accepted Andy's resignation," Bush said. "Andy Card has served me and our country in historic times," including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, economic ups and downs and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bush said.

Card, 58, has also made great legislative achievements on issues such as education and Medicare, and he helped confirm two Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, the president noted.

Time will need to pass before everyone realizes how big of a move this is. Mr. Card, you have done much for the party and the office. Thank you for your service and enjoy the time off.

Meeting Tonight

2006-03-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

Big News coming from the board,

The meeting as usual will be Tuesday night at 8:45 in the Kehl Room. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

With Austin resigning, a new secretary must be elected. Anyone interested is encouraged to run for it Tuesday night. Prepare a brief speech on why you are the best candidate.

The tickets for the Senator McCain event will be handed out at this meeting! So, if you want to attend come to this meeting!

Update on T-Shirts and Flag Pole.

State Wide newspaper info, and also positions available!

(taken from EMail)

Candidate Forum

2006-03-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Recently I invited all the candidates to post a message on this blog, The offer is still valid, although nobody has responded.

Open Thread

2006-03-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

Who is your favorite candidate running for Congress? Why?

Meeting Notes From 3/14/06

2006-03-14T18:56:00.000-08:00

Meeting Notes for 3/14/06

1. Tee Shirts are coming, sell them and make money
2. Jeff flagpole update. 1 estimate on existing lightpole is about $500
3. Light fixture on Hoffman would cost about $1000
4. George raised objection, which is standard
5. Jeff gave location change for flag pole, South East Corner of Hoffman
6. Donated Flag from person running for State's Attorney
7. School will take care of flag after the initial
8. Rusty came and talked about his and Neil's campaign
9. Senate has voted to increase student fees.
10. Rusty discussed fee increases
11. John McCain is coming to Dyersville
12. Event is co-hosted by Steve Luckan
13. 7:30 Am. April 13th
14. Country Junction
15. George Allen, Saturday

Meeting

2006-03-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Meeting Tonite 8:45 in the Kehl Room, Bring your friends, girlfriends or your friends girlfriends

GMail

2006-03-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

I've got 20 Invites From GMail. First Come, first serve.

2006-03-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am going to have to take a blog day off. Long day in springfield

Right to Life begins in South Dakota

2006-02-28T06:16:00.000-08:00

The first state to step to the plate and actually do something about this hot topic:

South Dakota's state senate voted on Wednesday for an abortion ban aimed at giving the conservative-tilting Supreme Court an opening to overturn rulings granting women the right to the procedure.

Only an unlikely veto by Republican Gov. Michael Rounds could prevent the legislation from becoming law, people on both sides of the issue said.

(Hat tip: Mainstream Iowan)

Ethanol Fun time!!

2006-02-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest issues facing the country today is the dependancy on foreign oil. Many people are looking toward the farms and the corn of Iowa to help reduce those needs. Well, we may need to look farther...

Ever since farmers started selling their corn to be fermented into alcohol for motor fuel, the ethanol business has wrestled with the question: Is it a waste of energy to make energy from corn?

Recent studies could put that question to rest.

But they also raise a new problem for corn ethanol: It appears to be a lot more energy-efficient — and better for the environment — to make ethanol from corn stalks, rather than the corn itself.

Two previous studies by David Pimentel at Cornell University and Tad Patzek at the University of California-Berkeley concluded that it took more energy to grow corn and process it into ethanol than the alcohol was worth.

This is a great issue facing the nations and it is good to see that both sides of the aisle can agree on something. The research needs to move foward and hopefully will. Everyone has to do their part and continue on the right path toward correction.

Big Government...No good

2006-02-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Iowa government, we would like you to reduce the size of your grip over my life. I know you feel presure from the left to spend, spend, spend, and than take away my rights, but you know, it would not be cool. In fact, please try your hardest to stay out of my life.

Iowa lawmakers are unlikely to ban smoking in the workplace or prohibit teen drivers from using cell phones.

Proposed laws requiring the registration of beer kegs and banning the sale or rental of violent movies to minors also appear to have reached a dead end in the Legislature.

Scores of bills are about to fall by the wayside this week — roughly the midpoint of the 2006 session — as the Legislature winnows its workload in an effort to adjourn by the middle of April.

Stem Cell California Style

2006-02-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

Does California understand their role in this society? Honestly folks (Read this):

Human embryonic stem cells are created in the first days after conception and give rise to organs and specialized tissues in the body. Scientists hope someday to use stem cells to replace diseased tissue, but many social conservatives, including President Bush, oppose the work because human embryos are destroyed during research.

When voters approved Proposition 71 in November 2004, creating the institute, stem cell scientists anticipated new traction to a field hamstrung by federal limitations on funding.

The Bush administration caps the federal funding at about $25 million annually and has imposed strict research guidelines that scientists say limit advances.

Proposition 71 authorized the institute to dole out an average of $300 million in research grants each year over the next 10 years. But 15 months later, the agency has yet to hand out a dime because of its legal troubles.

The people of California need to learn to follow the rules of the law that each of the other states do. Stem cell has the potential to be an exciting new science but there needs to be a check on those who yield this amazing power. Limits are not the end of the science but they place a level of respect and obligation upon those who are yielding it.