I support clean water. I do believe that was reported that if Chris had used a different platform for his blog instead of the U of I's the money would not be pulled. i don't support blackmail for sure BUT I like the whole story. When I asked him once at a mtg if true the question was dodged.
Here's a link to the site with the monitors. It's free for the public to see. I wonder if writing to the mayor of Pella will help. We do want to keep Red Rock clean.
This is such important reporting, Dr. Bob! Thank you. I remain baffled by the practice of failing to recuse from legislation benefiting them or family members. Further, intimidation is a terrible look.
Bob--I have a little correspondence with ISU regarding the Strategy which I would like to share with you, but am not sure how to send you a private e-mail.
Removing funding for water testing effectively stops Iowans' learning what works and does not work in improving our water quality. Iowa might as well stop keeping track of how many promised jobs are actually created by our business handouts, number of nursing home closures/cases of abuse, or stop reporting on public health monitoring of private wells or other public health threats.
I wrote him a while ago. No reply or inadequate reply as I recall. I also wrote the president of the Board of Regents with my concerns abut censoring scientists a year or two ago. Ignored.
Thank you Bob, for this report. I have been following Mr. Jones’ blog and have learned a lot from it. Nobody needs to agree with his opinion that farmers have a license to pollute, but everyone should want independent measurements(AND REALISTIC GOALPOSTS) for the Iowa Nutrient Management Strategy
and any other water quality efforts. Iowa also needs an all out effort to adequately encourage cover crops….much more aggressive in nature than the small payments available now. Without goals, independent measurements, independent research funding, AND increased conservation cost-share payments, Iowa will just be lost in a bunch of name-calling and political nonsense and lawsuits. We need real leaders, not corporate yes-people or green- washers.
This is such an important and infuriating story. When I read that Chris Jones was leaving the University and had taken down the blog, the odor of something rotten was in the air (and water). Thank you for giving us the rest of the story. A few years ago I attended a forum in which Sen. Ken Rozenboom told the audience there was nothing wrong with Iowa's waterways. They will continue to lie and misconstrue. Without the science we have nothing to contest the lies.
Thanks you for the detailed education on the Bloody Run saga and reminding me of the company dog the first sergeant eventually kicked after the pissed-off Colonel's wife sent him out the door in stoney anger--it all flows downhill. One of the memorable memes I heard when working in the rotunda a few years ago (as a "required-to-register" lobbyist for a grassroots women's health initiative): "Don't poke the bear!"
That the bear can still be aroused and become vengeful is apparent and I suppose will still be even when the political winds eventually change. Meantime I encourage Professor Jones to continue his writing in a different venue and Bob Leonard to keep us posted on both Bloody Run and Jones.
I support clean water. I do believe that was reported that if Chris had used a different platform for his blog instead of the U of I's the money would not be pulled. i don't support blackmail for sure BUT I like the whole story. When I asked him once at a mtg if true the question was dodged.
Here's a link to the site with the monitors. It's free for the public to see. I wonder if writing to the mayor of Pella will help. We do want to keep Red Rock clean.
https://iwqis.iowawis.org/app/?fbclid=IwAR10TTXdui2yRMzcftxTelhAXJlPsCa4HSNq_n7fMqVlC_hCIfxTp-09dI0
This is such important reporting, Dr. Bob! Thank you. I remain baffled by the practice of failing to recuse from legislation benefiting them or family members. Further, intimidation is a terrible look.
I noticed a nice guest essay by Randy Evans in the Register....regarding the removal of funding for the stream monitoring.
My email is rdwleonard@gmail.com thanks
Just read it. Randy always does a great job.
Bob--I have a little correspondence with ISU regarding the Strategy which I would like to share with you, but am not sure how to send you a private e-mail.
Removing funding for water testing effectively stops Iowans' learning what works and does not work in improving our water quality. Iowa might as well stop keeping track of how many promised jobs are actually created by our business handouts, number of nursing home closures/cases of abuse, or stop reporting on public health monitoring of private wells or other public health threats.
great point!
Thank you!
I wrote him a while ago. No reply or inadequate reply as I recall. I also wrote the president of the Board of Regents with my concerns abut censoring scientists a year or two ago. Ignored.
Taught at Pella HS briefly. Now governor's adviser.
https://iae.education.uiowa.edu/dr-jeff-weld
Thanks Cathy. If you get a reply, let us know. Not holding breath.
Great interview. Senator Cindy Winckler references the issue in her newsletter.
Thanks. I'll check it out.
Another angle to this is how much funding is going on for measurements of hypoxia in the Gulf…. and what are the politics regarding that research.
Excellent thought.
Thank you Bob, for this report. I have been following Mr. Jones’ blog and have learned a lot from it. Nobody needs to agree with his opinion that farmers have a license to pollute, but everyone should want independent measurements(AND REALISTIC GOALPOSTS) for the Iowa Nutrient Management Strategy
and any other water quality efforts. Iowa also needs an all out effort to adequately encourage cover crops….much more aggressive in nature than the small payments available now. Without goals, independent measurements, independent research funding, AND increased conservation cost-share payments, Iowa will just be lost in a bunch of name-calling and political nonsense and lawsuits. We need real leaders, not corporate yes-people or green- washers.
This is such an important and infuriating story. When I read that Chris Jones was leaving the University and had taken down the blog, the odor of something rotten was in the air (and water). Thank you for giving us the rest of the story. A few years ago I attended a forum in which Sen. Ken Rozenboom told the audience there was nothing wrong with Iowa's waterways. They will continue to lie and misconstrue. Without the science we have nothing to contest the lies.
Thanks Jan. Ken says this at nearly every public meeting.
Thanks you for the detailed education on the Bloody Run saga and reminding me of the company dog the first sergeant eventually kicked after the pissed-off Colonel's wife sent him out the door in stoney anger--it all flows downhill. One of the memorable memes I heard when working in the rotunda a few years ago (as a "required-to-register" lobbyist for a grassroots women's health initiative): "Don't poke the bear!"
That the bear can still be aroused and become vengeful is apparent and I suppose will still be even when the political winds eventually change. Meantime I encourage Professor Jones to continue his writing in a different venue and Bob Leonard to keep us posted on both Bloody Run and Jones.
Bob, I can't wait for your Substack column!
Here it is!
When I heard that he'd resigned I suspected that something like this was going on. Thanks for bringing it out into the open.
Thank you for your stellar reporting!
Good reporting, Bob!