Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
On the heels of being named Iowa Chairman for Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul’s campaign, Dr. Drew Ivers was awarded the “Friends of the Family Award” by the Iowa Christian Alliance. Ivers received the award at the ICA’s fall banquet Sept. 29, just days after taking over the Paul’s Iowa reins. Ivers was introduced to the audience by ICA President Steve Scheffler, who he had previously served with Ivers on the Iowa Republican Party’s Central Committee. Scheffler and Ivers also shared a connection with the ICA: Ivers chaired the state-wide Pat Robertson organization in 1998, which led to the creation of the initial 1989 Christian Coalition of Iowa (now the ICA).
Given the Paul campaign’s run-in with the ICA over its decision not to invite him to its GOP presidential forum in June – an event cosponsored by the Iowans for Tax Reform — the irony of Paul’s new Iowa chair winning the “Friends of the Family Award” will not be lost on Paul’s fervent supporters. The apparent snub only served to inspire the Ron Paul Revolutionaries as they descended upon Des Moines in droves to attend a counter-rally next door, which garnered more attendees than the forum itself. Moreover, a recording of the event was posted on the internet and has been used to bolster the movement’s recruitment efforts.
When asked in a telephone interview about the ICA’s decision not to invite Ron Paul to the forum, Ivers told the Iowa Independent that he had met with Scheffler and had worked things out. “Steve told me there were some differences within the two coalitions sponsoring the event,” Ivers said. “Steve told me there was a communication breakdown that led to Ron Paul not being invited to the event. He also assured me that these issues have been worked, and I take him for his word on this matter.”“As many evangelicals sort out their concerns about Israel and the Middle East, I want to advance Congressman Paul’s long-held opposition to our troublesome foreign aid policy, which is contrary to our forefathers admonitions to avoid foreign entanglements,” Ivers said after the event. “Such aide in the Middle East frequently has negative consequences. And as Dr. Paul reiterates, we need justice for 911, not an endless War in Iraq which most Americans now oppose. As a combat veteran who has experienced this all before, I know Ron Paul is right. It is time to bring the troops home.”
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