16 Sep 2011

Braley, Cummings Demand Investigation of News Corp. on Heels of 9/11 Anniversary

By Kira Ayish

Braley and Cummings Lead Eight Oversight Committee Democrats in Calling for Investigation

Washington, DC - Amid allegations that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation sought to hack the telephones of September 11th victims and other U.S. citizens, Congressmen Bruce Braley (IA-01) and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (MD-07), joined by six other Oversight Committee Members, called on Chairman Darrell Issa today to investigate the allegations.

Rep. Braley previously sent two letters to Chairman Issa, one with fellow Committee Member John F. Tierney, following reports that the company and its subsidiaries may have bribed foreign law enforcement officials and potentially hacked the phone lines of U.S. citizens. Chairman Issa has not responded to either of these letters.

Since these requests, the Justice Department reportedly has opened a preliminary criminal investigation into these allegations, including whether the actions of News Corp. officials may have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

"As you know, we have just observed the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our nation and these victims deserve to know whether they were targeted in this offensive and potentially illegal manner," the letter said.  "We request that the Committee at least take preliminary steps to determine how to proceed, such as meeting with the September 11th families, consulting with the Department of Justice, and pursuing other measures the Committee has utilized in many other investigations."

"I'm extremely disappointed that Chairman Issa has not responded to my repeated calls for an investigation of News Corp," said Rep. Braley. "I'm pleased that Ranking Member Cummings and six Oversight Committee members have now joined me in calling for this investigation. Yesterday, our nation observed the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The victim's families of these horrific attacks deserve to know whether their loved ones were targeted in this offensive and potentially illegal manner."

"The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a responsibility to protect the interests of U.S. citizens against the illegal actions of corporations, regardless of their political leanings," the letter said.

A copy of the letter is copied below and a link is available here: http://go.usa.gov/0PP

 

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Dear Mr. Chairman:

We are writing again to request that the Committee investigate recent allegations of illegal actions by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, including in particular allegations that the company sought to hack the telephones of September 11th victims and other U.S. citizens.

This is the third letter that has been sent to you on this topic.  The first letter was sent on July 13, 2011, by Congressman Bruce Braley, and the second letter was sent on July 28, 2011, by Congressman Braley and Congressman John Tierney.  Both letters are attached for your review.  It is unacceptable that you have not even replied to these previous requests.  As you know, we have just observed the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our nation and these victims deserve to know whether they were targeted in this offensive and potentially illegal manner.[1]

Since these previous requests were sent to you, the Justice Department reportedly has opened a preliminary criminal investigation into these allegations, including whether the actions of News Corporation officials may have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.[2] We do not want to interfere unduly with this ongoing investigation, but we request that the Committee at least take preliminary steps to determine how to proceed, such as meeting with the September 11 families, consulting with the Department of Justice, and pursuing other measures the Committee has utilized in many other investigations.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a responsibility to protect the interests of U.S. citizens against the illegal actions of corporations, regardless of their political leanings.  We hope you will provide a response to this request as soon as possible, and we thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley                         Elijah E. Cummings

John Tierney                        William Lacy Clay

Jim Cooper                         Peter Welch

John Yarmuth                        Christopher Murphy

[1] See, e.g., Phone Hacking:  9/11 Victims 'May Have Had Mobiles Tapped by News of the World Reporters', Daily Mirror (Nov. 7, 2011).

[2] Justice Dept. to Probe if News Corp. Hacked Sept. 11 Families, NPR (Aug. 24, 2011) (online at www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/08/24/139927904/justice-dept-to-probe-if-news-corp-hacked-9-11-families).

Office of Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01)

1727 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

(P) 202.225.2911

(F) 202.225.6666
25 Aug 2011

WIU-QC 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION"

By Tami Seitz

MOLINE, IL-- As part of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities' 100th anniversary celebration, set to begin in 2012, WIU-QC staff are calling on Quad Cities-area references to search their photo albums and memory banks.

The WIU-QC Anniversity Committee is seeking photographs and/or media and information related to WIU's presence in the Quad Cities (students and instructor photos; building shots; etc). The anniversary committee is also looking for individuals to interview who may have attended classes at Villa de Chantal and other original WIU sites; who had a relative attended WIU classes in the Quad Cities many years ago; and former professors and students who taught or attended classes in the Quad Cities; etc.

Photos/information and interviews will be used to create a documentary of WIU's history throughout the years in the Quad Cities to air on WQPT. WIU University Television and University historians/archivists will produce the documentary.

Slides, photographs, videos and stories will be collected, copied and returned to the original owners, who will receive a photo credit for the contribution(s). Electronic photos and video files are also welcomed.

To contribute photos and other information by Dec. 30 , contact Tami Seitz at

(309) 762-9481 or TS-Seitz@wiu.edu. Photos, at least 300 dpi JPEG format, should be emailed to Seitz.

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25 Aug 2011

Ron Paul to Appear on Fox News Sunday

By Ron Paul 2012 in Iowa
Also makes the rounds at the Fox Business Network
LAKE JACKSON, Texas -  Ron Paul, 2012 Republican candidate for president, will appear on the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. 

The appearances will occur over the next few days beginning today, Wednesday, August 24th and ending Sunday the 28th.

Details of the appearances are as follows.  All times Eastern.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Lou Dobbs Tonight
Fox Business Network

Thursday, August 25, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Varney & Co.
Fox Business Network

Sunday, August 28, 2011
9:00 a.m. (check local listings)
Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace
Fox News Channel

Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC. www.RonPaul2012.com

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25 Aug 2011

***Talk Radio Alert***: Bruce Fein to act as Ron Paul campaign surrogate

By Ron Paul 2012 in Iowa
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - Constitutional and international law expert Bruce Fein, who now serves as a senior advisor to the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign, will be available for radio interviews regarding news of the day.

Radio producers interested in booking Mr. Fein are asked to contact the Ron Paul campaign's media booker Megan Stiles by emailing her at megans@ronpaul2012.com.

Mr. Fein served as associate deputy attorney and general counsel to the Federal Communications Commission under President Ronald Reagan.  He served as Research Director for Republicans on the Joint Congressional Committee on Covert Arms Sales to Iran, and on the American Bar Associations Committee on Presidential Signing Statements.  He has been a Visiting Fellow for Constitutional Studies at the Heritage Foundation and an adjunct scholar at American Enterprise Institute.  He has advised numerous countries on constitutional reform, including South Africa, Hungary and Russia.

Mr. Fein graduated from Harvard Law School with honors in 1972.  He has worked in and out of government in Washington, D.C. for 39 years, and penned a weekly column for The Washington Times for more than two decades.  He is a frequent witness before Congress.

He is the author of Constitutional Peril:  The Life and Death Struggle for our Constitution and Democracy, andAmerican Empire Before The Fall.

Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC. www.RonPaul2012.com

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23 Aug 2011

Woman who went from local radio to national TV to speak next month in the Quad Cities. Clinton, Iowa, native Krista Voda of TV's SPEED channel to keynote Quad Cities Sports Commission luncheon

By Phil Roberts

Quad Cities (Aug. 24, 2011) -- Clinton, Iowa, native Krista Voda has come a long way. From humble beginnings in local broadcasting, she became the first woman to host a NASCAR pre-race show on television and, earlier this year, was named one of the Top 10 most influential women in NASCAR.

Voda, who has covered racing extensively for cable TV's Speed channel and worked as a pit reporter for NASCAR races seen on FOX and FX, will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at a luncheon to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Quad Cities Sports Commission.

At the luncheon, Voda will discuss her career, tell behind-the-scenes stories from national motorsports broadcasts and answer audience questions.

The luncheon takes place at the Starlite Ballroom at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport, and the public is invited to attend. A buffet lunch is being served at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon.

Tickets are just $15 each and are available by mail. Checks payable to the Quad Cities Sports Commission may be mailed to: Quad Cities Sports Commission, Attention: Joe Taylor, 1601 River Drive, Suite 110, Moline, IL 61265.

Voda, who also has worked as a sideline reporter for NFL and BCS football games on FOX, attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a BA in broadcast journalism and business communications. She has an extensive radio background and also worked at KWWL-TV in Waterloo and WLEX-TV in Lexington, Ky. In addition, Voda has done public relations work for various sports teams.

Funding for the Quad Cities Sports Commission is used to bring youth and amateur sports tournaments to the Quad Cities area.

-30-

19 Aug 2011

Author David W. Dorris Book Signing Events

By Nicholas Depew

WHEN: 8-27-11 

TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hy Vee Food Store, 1823 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA 52807

AND

WHEN: 9-10-11

TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hy Vee Food Store, 1823 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA 52807

AND

WHEN: 9-24-11

TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Book Rack, 3937 41st Avenue Dr Moline, IL 61265-1000

WHAT: David W. Dorris, a resident of Davenport, IA, will be available to sign copies of his Inspiration & Personal Growth book, Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It.

Fear not, for in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, author David Dorris shows you how to approach life's problems and that making the right choices is easier than you think. Life is like a baseball game where the pitcher is constantly throwing you curveballs. As this is the case, do you want to simply be a spectator, or do you want to get in the game and face life head-on? Although it may sound simple sometimes, life is not an easy game to play. There are many challenges to overcome and many choices you have to make. None of you have a choice as to how you come into the world; however, you do have a choice as to the kind of life you live. Follow David in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, and find out for yourself how you too can knock life's curve balls out of the park.

19 Aug 2011

Braley to Attend Book Launch in Honor of Ed Thomas

By Kira Ayish

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will join the Ed Thomas Family Foundation for the book launch of The Sacred Acre, the Ed Thomas Story.  The Ed Thomas Family Foundation was started in the wake of the shooting death of Ed Thomas in 2009.

The Ed Thomas Family Foundation continues the legacy of Ed Thomas by supporting young adults through family, faith and football. There will be a book signing and inter-squad football game following the book signing.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

WHAT: Rep. Braley to attend book launch in honor of Ed Thomas

WHEN: FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 6:30-7:30 PM CDT

WHERE: Aplington-Parkersburg High School, 610 N. Johnson Street, Parkersburg, IA 50665

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18 Aug 2011

Mike Whalen, Business Leader & Author to Sign Books at the Bettendorf Public Library Actual Car Lemonaid Will Be On Display

By Nicholas Depew

Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 9:00am - 3:00pm 

Mike Whalen will be at the Bettendorf Public Library this Saturday, August 20th from 9:00am - 3:00pm signing his book "Lemonaid: The Little Car That Helps Kids".  Lemonaid is the story of the little car that fulfilled a dream of helping kids. This book was written after Whalen, President & CEO of Heart of America Group, saw the commitment of local business leaders that got together to race a car identified as a "lemon" in an effort to raise money for the Wildwood Hills Ranch located in St. Charles, Iowa.

Mike's work with the Wildwood Hills Ranch, a year round non-profit organization he co-founded nearly ten years ago, is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth.  Since its inception, the ranch has served nearly 10,000 children. In April 2011, Whalen received the prestigious 2011 National Restaurant Neighbor Award for demonstrating exemplary community service and charitable works through his work with the ranch.

Stop out at the Bettendorf Public Library and see the real car Lemonaid, meet the author and purchase an autographed copy of Lemonaid along with a plush toy retailing for $20.  Books and plush toys are also on sale at Total Detail - Utica Ridge Road in Bettendorf, Iowa;  Bettendorf Office Products - Middle Road in Bettendorf, Iowa; and The Machine Shed Restaurant located off of I80 (Exit 292) on Northwest Boulevard.  Proceeds from the book and plush sales will benefit the Wildwood Hills Ranch.

# # #

15 Aug 2011

Author David W. Dorris Book Signing Event

By Nicholas Depew

WHEN: 8-20-11

TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Theo's Java Club, 213 17th St., Rock Island, IL 61201

WHAT: David W. Dorris, a resident of Davenport, IA, will be available to sign copies of his Personal Growth book,  Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It.

Fear not, for in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, author David Dorris shows you how to approach life's problems and that making the right choices is easier than you think. Life is like a baseball game where the pitcher is constantly throwing you curveballs. As this is the case, do you want to simply be a spectator, or do you want to get in the game and face life head-on? Although it may sound simple sometimes, life is not an easy game to play. There are many challenges to overcome and many choices you have to make. None of you have a choice as to how you come into the world; however, you do have a choice as to the kind of life you live. Follow David in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, and find out for yourself how you too can knock life's curveballs out of the park.


For more information, contact Megan Palmer at 888-361-9473 or mpalmer@tatepublishing.com

01 Aug 2011

Media Link, Inc. Brings New Account Manager on Board

By Jake Glimco

Rock Island  , IL / July 25, 2011 - Media Link, Inc. (MLI) is proud to announce and welcome back Jessica Fink, a former MLI intern, as the company's newest Media Link Software and Government Account Manager. In this role, she will oversee the exciting launch of our new media-buying software and be responsible for maintaining our current and perspective Government Contracts, as well as forging better relationships with existing accounts.

Ms. Fink brings to the table an extensive background in the news industry, formerly serving as a Government and Politics reporter for The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers. Her breaking news coverage and emphasis on the K-12 education beat provided a credible information source   Quad   City   readers could easily turn to for relevant, critical and current local news.

Ms. Fink began her journalism career as a student at   Black   Hawk   College   while serving as a general reporter for The Chieftain newspaper and BHC's Broadcast Club. Her time spent as a city reporter for Northern Illinois University's daily student newspaper, The Northern Star, helped further hone her writing, editing and communication skills. She graduated from NIU with a B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Organizational/Corporate Communications.

Following her news reporting stint, Ms. Fink joined Fanfare Sports Marketing, a national leader in the promotional products industry for high schools and middle schools nationwide. There, she gained valuable hands-on experience through helping advertisers effectively target the high school student market segment and satellite audience of parents, faculty and alumni.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Media Link team again," said Ms. Fink. "The growth this company has seen over the years is outstanding, and I look forward to contributing to their mission of helping clients achieve continuous success in their marketing efforts."

"I am thrilled to have someone of Jessica's caliber join our team and stay in our area.  As we add more positions to our agency, I'm happy to keep some of our local talent in this area", said Natalie Linville-Mass, President of Media Link, Inc.

Media Link, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping clients develop strategic marketing plans tailored specifically to their company's unique and individual needs. For more information, contact Natalie Linville-Mass at (309) 786-5142.

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