THE PRAIRIE PROGRESSIVE Spring 2015 A NEWSLETTER FOR IOWA’S DEMOCRATIC LEFT

Cousins, Clerics, and the Constitution

hen the current Constitution of the Equal Protection clauses of the familial status of such person.” This the State of Iowa was debated United States and Iowa Constitutions is directly quoted from Iowa’s Civil Wand adopted in 1857, the first days as it pertains to zoning. Rights Statute. of the convention were rife with arguments of moving the convention Two bills are moving in the Iowa Leg- It has been difficult to get legislators from Iowa City because of the lack islature this year. House File 161 is a to listen to the argument that the of housing. Out-of-towners thought bill in the House of Representatives Ames Rental lawsuit is not the final the price of accommodations in Iowa that prohibits the regulation of rental word on this matter. The lawsuit City were not fair. Besides, as one property by a city based upon famil- was brought by landlords and they delegate stated, “Half of the members ial relationships. It has a partner in sued the city in the only way they of the Convention have to sleep three the Iowa Senate – Senate Study Bill could. Landlords could not use the in a bed, and two on a bunk.” 1218 (which will have a new name Civil Rights Statute to bring a law- and number after Prairie Dog sends suit because they would not have The cost of accommodations in Iowa this out to readers). The bills were standing (standing, or locus standi, City may still be steep, especially on identical at their inception, but SSB is the requirement that a plaintiff has weekends during the fall months, 1218 has been amended in Committee sustained or will sustain direct injury but otherwise, things have changed. to allow municipalities to restrict oc- and has the ability to have that harm Today, city governments in Iowa City cupancy based on familial status, but redressed). and Ames, and a few other college an exception may be granted by the towns would never allow more than board of adjustment. Four unrelated college students who three delegates to sleep three in a bed, have been denied the opportunity much less three in a house. Those Neither bill should be necessary. to rent a house, or who have been cities have ordinances that prohibit Iowa law already prohibits discrimi- evicted from a house, would have the a certain number of unrelated nation in housing based upon famil- standing to challenge the ordinance individuals from living under the ial and non-familial status of renters. of a city under Iowa’s Civil Rights same roof. Iowa Code section 216.8 clearly states Statute. But first the students would that it “shall be an unfair or dis- have to make a complaint to the Iowa A 2007 Iowa Supreme Court deci- criminatory practice for any person, Civil Rights Commission. After ma- sion, ARPA v. Ames (Ames Rental), owner, . . . to refuse to sell, rent, lease, neuvering through the bureaucracy of supposedly settles the matter in favor assign, sublease, refuse to negotiate, the state agency, the students would of the City of Ames and other munici- or to otherwise make unavailable, receive what is called a “right to sue” palities. An Ames ordinance limited or deny any real property or hous- letter. That allows them to proceed occupancy to certain homes in certain ing accommodation or part, portion, into district court. Going to district neighborhoods to “no more than or interest therein, to any person court is the first step in eventually three unrelated persons”. However, because of the race, color, creed, sex, getting the Iowa Supreme Court the legal question in this case was sexual orientation, gender identity, to side with renters and landlords. whether the Ames ordinance violated religion, national origin, disability, or Continued on Page 6

The Prairie Progressive • Spring 2015 • Page 1 qwertyuiop[]\ asdfghjkl;' zxcbnm zcvb QWERTYUIOP{}| ASDFGHJKL:"ZXCVBNM<>? Conquest and diplomacy on Netflix

appily Netflix has renewed and anti-war factions make their territory, his armies fighting John Fusco’s gorgeous and case. We are uneasy allies of Marco. galloping battles on their small thoughtful epic Marco His life depends on his staying in ponies into Central Asia, parts of HPolo for a second season. The the good graces of captor/mentor the Middle East, and East as far critics were harsh for good reason Kublai who is driven to conquest as Korea. Genghis’s heir, Ogedai, but viewers liked this medieval by his grandfather Genghis’s expanded further into territory Asian game of thrones created by ambition. We are thus always we know as the former Soviet screenwriter-novelist Fusco, and on the road to conquest, which Union. The geographic holdout filmed in Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and is executed as feudally as ISIS (so was the Song Dynasty in Southern Venice with nearly all non-American is peace, including slavery). Devout China. A gap of years occurred English-speaking cast. Muslim Vice-Regent Yusuf (Amr after Ogedai died until Kublai was Waked, major Egyptian film star), elected Khan and resumed Genghis’s A provocative side note to Fusco’s arguing for diplomacy, says egos quest to conquer the Song. Kublai project is a short Smithsonian destroy empires not armies. succeeded in 1276 aided in our documentary: Mystery Files:Marco fictional story by Marco’s knowledge Polo (on Netflix) that sheds doubt on Love gets short shrift in this tale, of Western war machinery. At that our assumptions about Polo. First, consisting of gauzily filmed writhing point, Kublai became the ruler of the adventures are not written by concubines and a few perfunctory the world’s largest contiguous land him but by one Rustichello of Pisa, love scenes -- the emotionally- empire reaching from Europe all a popular adventure novelist of the neutered titillation we have come the way East to the ocean; it was to time who claimed Marco described to expect of most cable series. An break apart in less than 150 years. his tales to him. A Venetian Marco exception is the genuine affection Polo did exist, but the records of his and respect between Kublai and That the weaknesses in this tale of life do not match up with events Empress Chabi -- you believe their Marco Polo mar its enjoyment only documented in China, scholars relationship. a little is a tribute to the success of say. Rustichello, who popularized the whole -- an unusually lovely and the Arthurian tales, is thought to The epic starts in Venice and engrossing portrayal of medieval have combined accounts of different follows the perilous 3-year caravan Chinese and Mongol politics and travelers and attributed them to of Polo’s (father, son, uncle) to culture. The weakness in chief is Marco, combining fact with fiction. Mongol capital city Cambulac (now Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco, a rising Beijing), a harrowing trek that young Italian star with vacuous The 90-million dollar first 10 wraps in half an episode. Arriving screen presence. There’s nothing episodes (looking worth every bit) in disfavor, Niccolo Polo barters in his eyes and his hollow affect of Fusco’s version of Rustichello’s the service of his son to Kublai in leaves a hole in the tapestry. But Travels of Marco Polo depict Polo’s exchange for continuing to trade in never mind Marco, Kublai himself conscription into the service of Kublai’s domain. Thus abandoned, (British actor Benedict Wong) rises Mongol ruler Kublai Khan as the Marco’s in-and-out of favor role as like a lion to occupy the center of Khan pursues his ambition to rule all servant/advisor begins. The Khan this story. Kublai’s interactions China. had a craven father (Tolui, 4th son with his family and subordinates of Genghis, who drank himself offer a striking portrait of A thoughtful if occasionally stilted to death). Kublai acknowledges curiosity, leadership, management, script is textured with believable Marco’s misery: “I was about your ruthlessness, and love. rivalries, relationships, and age when I knew I had to become the provocative discussion among man I wished my father were.” Joan Chen (American immigrant from fathers, sons, and ministers on the Shanghai) is formidable Empress merits of diplomacy versus war. If Kublai’s grandfather/role-model Chabi who manages her mate and you watch, do listen. The argument Genghis (d.1227) was the first feels particularly modern as the pro nomad chieftain to expand Mongol Continued on Page 5

The Prairie Progressive • Spring 2015 • Page 2 Stompers, Mugwumps, and a Spoonful

he good timey sounds of jug novelty element. Vaudeville-blues recorded in 1940, is driven by the band music – infectious and singer Sara Martin and “The Father syncopated rhythms of Washboard influential – have enjoyed of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers, Sam. Tpopularity since its beginnings in the both employed jug band ensembles. “spasm” and “novelty” bands that Some of the biggest names in jazz, There was a revival in the late 1950s developed in New Orleans in the late blues, and swing worked in these and early 1960s in the United States. 19th and early 20th Century. “novelty” bands: Louis Armstrong, Gus Cannon’s “Walk Right In” was Johnny Dodds, Clarence Williams, a #1 hit for The Rooftop Singers in The spasm bands not only featured King Oliver, Willie “The Lion” Smith, 1963; the only time a jug band song improvisation on a wide variety of Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Condon, topped the charts. This sparked the standard musical instruments, but the Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Eddie formation of a number of jug bands instruments themselves were often Lang, Red McKenzie, Jack Teagarden, that reached national prominence: the homemade and improvised – like Frankie Trumbauer, Muggsy Spanier, Orange Blossom Jug Five featuring the jug in place of a tuba or upright and Glenn Miller. Dave Van Ronk, the Jim Kweskin bass. Hence the name, “Jug Band.” Jug Band, the Even Dozen Jug Band, Homemade instruments like the jug, The Memphis area jug bands were The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and washboard, spoons, and one-string more firmly rooted in country many others. Jug band music was ‘bucket’ bass have a long tradition blues and earlier African-American experiencing a revival in Europe as in both early African American and traditions. Groups such as Jack Kelly well, where it was called “Skiffle.” white American cultures. and his South Memphis Jug Band, The word “skiffle” – meaning “rent Jed Davenport’s Beale Street Jug party,” a house party with admission These early New Orleans jug bands Band, Noah Lewis’ Jug Band, Will to raise money to pay the rent – expanded to other regions like Shade’s Memphis Jug Band, and Gus originated in 1920s Chicago. Memphis and Louisville by the turn Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded the of the 20th Century, playing jazz great songs that became the basis for Jug band music certainly influenced and blues long before the music the later jug band revival: “Stealin’,” rock & roll. The Even Dozen Jug Band was recognized and labeled as “Jug Band Music,” “On the Road featured John Sebastian, who later such. Jug bands played on the Ohio Again,” “Whoa, Mule,” “Minglewood formed The Lovin’ Spoonful, and and Mississippi riverboat paddle Blues,” “Walk Right In,” and many Steve Katz, who became a member of wheelers and in many southern night others. Blues great Ma Rainey’s tub- Blood, Sweat & Tears. Maria Muldaur clubs. They were in vaudeville, on jug band featured the first recordings was in the Even Dozen and the Jim the streets, and in traveling medicine of slide guitarist Tampa Red, who Kweskin Jug Bands before embarking shows. These bands created a colorful later formed his own Hokum Jug on a solo career as a blues/jazz and and exciting aspect to country blues, Band. Blues legends Big Bill Broonzy country artist. Zal Yanovsky had classic jazz, country & western, and and Memphis Minnie cut a few sides been a member of The Mugwumps hillbilly musics. each backed up by their own jug Jug Band before joining The Lovin’ bands. Spoonful. Fellow Mugwumps Cass In the 1920s, some of the first jug Elliot and Denny Doherty went on bands to record were: Clifford Hayes The Great Depression of the 1930s to become famous as one half of (Louisville Jug Band, Old Southern and the devastating effect of radio The Mamas and the Papas. Mother Jug Band, and Dixieland Jug on record sales reduced the output McCree’s Jug Champions – featuring Blowers); Earl McDonald (The Ballard of jug band music to a trickle. The Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Ron Chefs, the Original Louisville Jug sound of the washboard and tub bass, “Pigpen” McKernan – evolved into Band); Buford Threlkeld (Whistler’s however, lasted into the 1940s as an the legendary rock band The Grateful Jug Band); and the Birmingham integral part of the “Bluebird Beat” Dead. Country Joe and the Fish began Jug Band of Ben Curry (aka Ben in Chicago, a form of vaudevillian- as The Instant Action Jug Band. Covington) and Jaybird Coleman. rooted classic, country, and Delta Mungo Jerry, who had evolved from Many of these bands played popular acoustic blues. Slide guitarist/ an earlier blues group, Good Earth, dance band jazz, using the jug as a singer Bukka White’s “Fixin’ to Die,” Continued on Page 4

The Prairie Progressive • Spring 2015 • Page 3 Stompers, Mugwumps and a Spoonful Continued from Page 3 was initially a jug band. Jesse Colin Sebastian’s “Younger Girl,” which swagger, sensitivity, and creativity Young of The Youngbloods’ first used the melody of Gus Cannon’s of jug band music contributes to its hit was “Grizzly Bear,” a jug band “Prison Wall Blues;” and “Jug Band long-lasting popularity in its own standard. Music” by The Lovin’ Spoonful. right, and continuing influence on popular music and culture.  Tributes to jug band music can even Today there is an ever-growing be found in pop-rock, including interest in jug band music with bands Michael “Hawkeye” Herman “Willie and the Poor Boys” by around the globe, jug band festivals, grew up in Rock Island Creedence Clearwater Revival; and competitions. The infectious joy,

Hoovering in Iowa

he Iowa Democratic Party’s Without increased buy-in from local as it is that Senator Ernst wears an coordinated campaign has been activists, progressive election wins Americans for Prosperity pin at a blessing and a curse, and it’s are unlikely. public events, Republicans have Ttime to blow it up and start over. become masters of campaign finance 2 Republicans were surprised by laws, giving them an advantage As much as one believes progressive the Democratic organization of the the coordinated campaign couldn’t elected officials would provide better 2006 and 2008 campaigns. They match. Because of its structure, the policy and governance for the vast caught up. I used to laugh at Team coordinated campaign made poor use majority of Iowans, the message Nussle’s efforts to organize phone of third party resources. Tom Steyer’s is not getting out. Republicans are banks and canvasses in 2006, but NextGen Climate took a drubbing suppressing the wackiness in extreme no more. The 2014 general election from liberal bloggers in 2014, and elements of their party enough to stands as evidence that Republicans some of the criticisms were rightly garner substantial and winning do more than take money from placed. In a time of the Citizens support in the electorate. billionaires. They improved their United ruling, Democratic leaders ground game. must figure out how to better Here’s a reminder: 2014 brought us balance outside resources to advance Joni Ernst, Terry Branstad and Steve 3 Democrats failed to articulate Democratic issues, while walking King. 2016 will be more of the same a coherent message. Where the legal tightrope of campaigns not unless we change our politics. Republicans made significant inroads coordinating with third parties. is their effectiveness of identifying Based on discussions with my stakeholders in government and The key to winning future elections neighbors and local progressive offering solutions. They framed lies outside application of strategies activists, there are four reasons the solutions as bipartisan, but the core and tactics developed in the 2000s. It coordinated campaign should be message that won elections is the is in winning the hearts and minds of blown up: sense of belonging their campaigns our friends and neighbors, and helped create. The coordinated articulating a progressive message 1 There is limited buy-in from local campaign’s focus on canvasses and that makes sense in the context of real activists to the coordinated campaign. get out the vote efforts on targeted lives. It has always been that way, but Campaign choices – locating voters, left messaging to others, and the coordinated campaign seems to resources like paid staff, offices, a broad sector of the electorate on have forgotten.  house parties and mailers – are made the table. Republicans have been by others and some decisions don’t Hoovering these voters up. – Paul Deaton lives in Solon make sense. There has been a clear disconnect from precinct politics that 4 Democrats don’t get the role of used to be a Democratic strength. third party resources. As annoying

The Prairie Progressive • Spring 2015 • Page 4 Conquest and Diplomacy on Netflix Continued from Page 2 his harem with skill. Prince Jingim Farming for the future (Australian Remy Hii), the handsome heir, was given a Chinese name and owa imports 90 percent of its food, easements, farmers will always enjoy otherwise reared to prepare him for according to Crossroads Resource a lower price for the land since it will Center. Our food supply is depen- eventual rule over a united Chinese be restricted from development and Ident on petroleum whether it’s the conventional agriculture. Either way, empire. Jingim’s jealousy of his miles it travels or the chemicals we local food markets and their farm- father’s attention to Marco waxes and spray on it. We’re going to change ers will remain close to one another wanes as he matures into warrior and that with local healthy food by secur- as communities grow around them, diplomat - Marco and Jingim provide ing the very land beneath our feet. providing a successful farming model some fireworks as this relationship for the future. develops. We launched Sustainable Iowa Land Trust after two years of research and Some of the key leaders involved in If we only get half-baked love networking, building a veritable SILT’s founding include Jean Lloyd- stories, the action that does dominate Who’s Who of Sustainable Agricul- Jones, Joe Bolkcom, Denise O’Brien, the screen most affectingly is the ture across the state while collecting Bobby Kaufmann, Jeff Kaufmann, Les domestic and political interplay wisdom, advice and models from Beck, Dick Schwab, Francis Thicke, at both the Mongol and Song around the country. SILT was also Lucie Laurian, Fred Kirschenmann courts. The court of the Chinese Song invited to speak to the Slow Money and many others listed at silt.org. has its hawks and doves dominated National Gathering in November The organization already has one by Jia Sidao, Singaporean actor Chin 2014, where attendees voted to give farm committed, with more than Han, the maniacal ‘cricket minister’ the group a $20,000 interest-free loan. 1,500 acres of land donations and obsessed with the killing tactics of another 1,500 in easement donations Land speculation continues to drive the Praying Mantis, which he uses under discussion in its first month of land prices up and while driving to deadly effect. The escalation existence. young local food farmers out of the of tension and intrigue between market because they can’t compete For more information, visit silt.org or Kublai and Sidao increases as war with either development pressure call 319-774-3496.  approaches -- assassination attempts, or commodity price pressure. SILT’s wild goose chases, episodes of model changes all of that: On land – Suzan Erem lives on the mighty torture, battle, and failed diplomacy donated to SILT, qualified farmers Cedar River with her husband Paul march forward to the inevitable will enjoy long term, inheritable Durrenberger. They are co-authors final confrontation. Watch it unfold leases while gaining equity in the of Class Acts: An Anthology of Service on Netflix for many hours of visual house, barn and business that they Workers and Their Unions. pleasure and topics of war and peace own. On land that SILT protects with  – Lee Liberman lives in Brooklyn (New York). She reviews films and TV at trustmovies.com.

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I wouldn’t think it would get that far, transportation—public transportation, another? Will DNA samples have but I also realize that when a govern- foot, or bicycle—than a vehicle.” to be procured? I’m comfortable ment body is involved in a lawsuit with the government knowing it will use unlimited resources (tax The rationally-written dissent offers ‘approximately how many people’ live dollars) to go as far as necessary to get more common sense arguments, such in a particular building; I am not okay its way. as: “As another court has articulated with the government knowing “who” under a similar ordinance, ‘twenty lives in a particular building. This is not just about college students. male cousins could live together, Finally, two unrelated mothers with Justice David Wiggins, in his dissent motorcycles, noise, and all, while two children each, living together, in Ames Rental, wrote: “Families three unrelated clerics could not’.” would violate these ordinances. today, especially ones with teenagers, That raises a funny question. Would The concept of restricting unrelated are just as likely as a group of unrelat- a convent be excluded from the people from living together is ed persons to have numerous vehicles ordinance because all the residents are outdated. The best solution to this parked outside their home. In fact, sisters? battle between cities and landlords it in a college community like Ames, to repeal these archaic ordinances.  students, the unrelated persons most This last thought provokes another targeted by the ordinance, are more question. How do you prove that – Marty Ryan can be reached at likely to rely on alternative means of you are related or not related to Public Policy Advocates, iowappa.com

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The Prairie Progressive • Spring 2015 • Page 6