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.
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Eastern Iowa residents have received a telephone poll on same-sex marriage in which caller ID shows the same Washington, D.C. phone number, several recipients tell the Iowa Independent.
In some cases, the first voice on the recorded call is U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Kiron). Similar calls were reported in central Iowa last week.
Residents have reported that their caller ID reads “FRNKCMPN” or “WASHINGTON, D.C.” along with the phone number 202-461-3452. In some cases, the caller is a representative of the National Organization for Marriage, a conservative group against same-sex marriage. In other cases, however, the call begins with a welcome message from King.
The automated survey questions are similar, if not exact, on each call. Those who answer are asked if they are a registered voter. The answer to the following question, which asks if the person supports marriage as being between only one man and one woman, is a deal-breaker. If the person chooses “no,” the call returns to a recording of King offering his thanks and noting that the call was paid for by the National Organization for Marriage. Those who answer yes are given additional survey questions and more information about “the fight for traditional marriage.”
The survey calls appear to have begun Tuesday and are continuing in the area today. Last week, similar calls from the same number were reported in central Iowa. Prior to and during that time residents in Connecticut also reported receiving calls regarding same-sex marriage from this number. The same phone service was also used to promote “tea parties” earlier this month.
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