NIT – Apparently, the State of Iowa’s Human Rights Commission intends to dictate to Iowa citizens how a Human Rights violation might be discussed or submitted to any entity other than itself.
NorthIowaToday.com recently added a page to its site, titled “Human Rights Violations“. Like any major news organization, NIT is very, very interested in the activities going on in the main community it covers – that being Mason City. Our news team is keen to hearing from the citizens about any and all newsworthy incidents. We felt that this page – equipped with a data intake form – would be an excellent addition to our news gathering efforts, so, the page was built. It clearly informs anyone who visits that if they have a Human Rights violation, they could contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission – we even link to pages in their web site. It also says they could contact NIT using our form, and that we might investigate and we might even publish a story based upon our findings.
Pretty straightforward, it would seem, and 100% legal. Is there a problem with giving folks a second alternative to help them achieve satisfaction – perhaps even justice, of some kind – after they have potentially been wronged?
Apparently, yes, to some folks, especially those who always had something to gain by shutting down the local Mason City Human Rights agency.
The word coming back to NIT this week is that certain folks in town are worried sick about our Human Rights Violations page. Our source disclosed that “Once they (those habitually accused of violating people’s rights) beat Lionel (Foster) and shut him down, they thought ‘game over, we’re in the clear.'”
The source is apparently referring to business leaders and certain landlords in town who have been called to the carpet over the years, accused of violating people’s Human Rights. Dating back to the 1980’s and even earlier, this same group of Human Rights tramplers have engaged in dirty tricks and backroom games, deals and plots designed to silence those who have had their rights violated. The main way to accomplish that has always been to stop and make nearly impossible the filing of claims against them. They know these folks are typically poor, socially and politically disconnected, and won’t get lawyers to take their cases. The only agency that would help them was the Mason City Human Rights department and commission.
Now that that agency has been turned into a fiasco by thugs in City Hall – the wolves are now guarding the henhouse, some might say – the voice of the oppressed was choked dead – or so the wolves thought.
Now, NIT has joined the fray, seeking to hear from the oppressed. We offered to allow these folks to tell us their stories, to get to the truth, find out if their complaints are valid. Maybe even report on our findings, if they are OK with that.
That’s where the trouble started.
A source told NIT that the “elite” in town are worried sick about our Human Rights Violations page.
Why should they be worried?
As stated earlier, the voiceless now have a voice again. No, we can’t level a fine. We can’t sue in court (not on these matters, at least). But we can take the case into the court of public opinion, where YOU become the judge and the jury.
And that’s unacceptable – actually, terrifying – to these folks who thought they won this game when they crushed our Human Rights agency.
Now, our source is saying that someone from this group of “elites” took our Human Rights Violations page and referred it to the state’s Iowa Civil Rights Commission, in an attempt to cause trouble for NIT. The source says, the elites want our page deleted, gone, erased – much the same way this group would like to see the entire, massive NorthIowaToday.com and its folk hero publisher obliterated.
After the state got a look at our page, an official – Don Grove, the “acting Executive Director” with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission – sent NIT a letter this week, demanded changes. You can read the letter below.
Now, all due respect to Mr. Grove. But, anyone with any common sense will read this letter and understand that his requests are dubious at best, if not paranoid and senseless.
Mr. Grove doesn’t like it that NIT links to pages in his agency’s web site. He says the pages are “outdated”. Well, Mr. Grove, allow NIT to suggest that you repair and or fix your misleading and out-dated website before you blame the public for linking to it and reading it.
State bureaucracy at its finest, folks.
He also contends that our page somehow confuses folks about whether they filed a complaint with his agency.
Really, Mr. Grove, NIT is clearly branded as “NIT”, not “Iowa Civil Rights Commission”. Only a drunken buffoon who has drunk more than four Moscow Mules and a case of imported European beer would think they were on your website when they are on NIT.
Mr. Grove apparently either thinks the public is extremely naive and stupid, or he’s trying to cause trouble and hassle for NIT after a phone call from someone in Mason City who wants our page taken down.
Either way, we like the page just as it is, and Mr. Grove’s letter is unconvincing.
However, to show that NIT listens and always favors cooperation, we did add to our disclaimer that NIT is not affiliated with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
We are hoping for even more citizens to use our Human Rights Violations page in the future. While we have only received a few completed forms so far, the information we have received has been extremely interesting – and potentially, newsworthy.
Stay tuned to see what our reports may bring.
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Why would anyone care that there is a link for this? When someone goes online to find the pertinent paperwork it’s sometimes difficult to find. Nothing wrong with providing a service to the community.
You beez carefull their anon, this hear publisher don’t takes to kindly to when youse point out dem truths.
He don’t make no misteaks, just ax him.
Onlys da poeples outs to gets him does.
if your friend instructed his staff to keep this hush hush and not talk about it, what gives him the right to be blabby abby..? he should have held himself to the same standards and simply reply ‘no comment’ to any questions asked… maybe his head will be one of them Rolling
You wouldn’t think you would need a warning label on a hair dryer.
By the way, you may notice Mr. Grove mis-spelled my last name. Kinda takes away from the credibility of the guy who wrote such an important letter.
Your articles are rife with misspellings and grammatical errors. Should we take that into account when reading through your folk hero postings on your massive website?
Who cares? This is not a damn English Class. It is a blog with no room for snobs like you.
So when Marquardt points out someone else’s spelling error and states that “takes away from the credibility of the guy” that is OK.
But when someone else points out Marquardt’s errors, that is snobbery.
Flawed logic.
And after Marquardt refers to himself as a “folk hero”, that pretty much throws any credibility is out the window.
You jealous, bro?
I have never known Matt to point out anyone’s errors until this assault on him. I think he is pissed and rightfully so. If you have a beef with Philly take it out on him not on Matt. You are just lucky he lets a snobby troll like you on his site. I agree with Philly on one thing, the Anonymous name should be barred. Also, if you do not subscribe you should not be allowed to comment. That is not fair to the ones who do pay. Just my opinion of course.
Really, I only pointed out the name mis-spell because a name is more important than a simple, common word. I mean, really, my name is everywhere on NIT. It’s nine letters long. He typed and printed the letter, to be mailed, no less. He obviously scoured NIT for information. I assume he gets paid a healthy wage by you and I to do this sort of thing (bother citizens with frivolous requests?) Seriously, if he’s going to essentially use my tax dollars to send me a snide letter, at least get my name right.
Ya, right.
Only small people need to make themselves look big, Marquardt.
Your ego far exceeds your talents and abilities.
And LVS, Marquardt is quite capable of defending himself, he doesn’t require any assistance from this website’s resident bootlicker & toady.
Oh so it is a blog to you? Who was it that chastised me for referring to it as a blog not too far back? They insisted it be called a news service (which I believe it is). Actually I believe it’s a blog, forum and news service rolled into one.
Still here? You’re so full of crap. You said you were leaving. Just another lie.
The name your mom gave you is also rife with mis-spellings and grammatical errors, which is one reason you can’t remember it. The other reason is, you got no courage. Go look in your bathroom mirror and try and look yourself in the eye this morning and see if you turn away.
Matt-I am certainly not a lawyer, but I would say as a member of the press )And you are) you are well within your rights to have such a page and Mr. Grove can go pound sand. It is nothing but a blatant attempt to intimidate you and as you have not broken any laws there is nothing they can do. At least you have the satisfaction of knowing you have gotten someone worried. Philosopus is another issue and should not be addressed in this format. “Anonymous’Don’t put his back against the wall or…
Interesting.
Looks like Marquardt is filtering comments that he does not want to hear.
Would you let someone walk into your business and blast baseless BS into your face? If you did allow such, you’re a fool. I don’t need to tolerate such behavior. Take it over to the Glob, or that idiot farm at KIMT. You won’t get the opportunity here.
I think your site is losing some credibility because you allow a psychopath to monopolize your site. It’s beginning difficult to take this site seriously anymore.
Your comment has nothing to do with this story. The fact that you have a feud with another individual is the real issue at hand. You both have taken your feud to the pages of NIT, and I no longer appreciate that. I suggest you both clean up your act if you wish to continue to be able to visit this web site. Is that clear?