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Open letter to readers: Today and tomorrow

By Lynda Waddington | 11.17.11

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.

ACS lockout continues; plan emerges to repeal sugar protections

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By Virginia Chamlee | 11.15.11

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.

Cain campaign: Farmers know more about regulations than EPA

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By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.15.11

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.

Mathis wins, Democrats maintain Senate control

Liz Mathis
By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11

The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.

Press Release

PR: Nation should work to address veterans’ challenges

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

BRUCE BRALEY RELEASE — As US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends, it’s more important than ever that our nation works to address the challenges faced by the men and women who fought there.

PR: Honoring veterans, help in hiring

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

CHUCK GRASSLEY RELEASE — A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces.

PR: In honor of America’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

TOM LATHAM RELEASE — No one has done more to secure the freedom enjoyed by every single American than our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services.

PR: Honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

DAVE LOEBSACK RELEASE — Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the service of generations of veterans and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made so that we may live in peace and freedom here at home.

Independent Filing Period Begins

By John Deeth | 07.28.08 | 6:04 am

The filing period for third party and independent candidates trying to qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot begins Monday, and at least two independent congressional candidates could make the cut.

The filing period runs through August 15, which is also the deadline for Democrats and Republicans to file some of the 36 uncontested races for the Iowa legislature.

In the 4th Congressional District, third place Democratic primary finisher William Meyers appears to be moving ahead with an independent campaign, and newcomer Brian White is planning a run in the 2nd Congressional District.

On the presidential level, Iowa usually sees about eight candidates on the ballot, though a whopping 14 qualified in 1992. Green Party activist Holly Hart was working the Ped Mall of downtown Iowa City Saturday night, and said she thinks the Greens will gather the 1,500 signatures needed to get nominee Cynthia McKinney on the ballot.

Libertarian Bob Barr and independent Ralph Nader are also likely to qualify. Nader and McKinney are expected to draw votes away from Barack Obama, while Barr is expected to take votes from John McCain.

Comments

  • Peter

    The Gop is lucky that, its not Barr and Paul. there is a movement to run Paul with Barr on the LP ticket. If this happens McCain can kiss any chance at the white house good by. THere is even a site that was created for this purpose http://www.BarrPaul08.com
    I am much more interested in why these candidates are not coming up with more detailed plans about fixing our economy or this energy crisis that we find our selves in. You can compare all of the candidates plans at http://www.pickeneplan.com Its unfortunate that the best plan comes from someone who isnt even running for office at all. The best Plan comes from t Boone Pickans or at least my oppinion. You should compare the plans at the above link. This late in the process I still am not sure who I am voting for. McCain is too busy taking falls, did you see him fall on the video, lol heres the link http://www.Mccanes.com and Obama is too busy smoking victory Cigars http://www.TheObamaPlan.com so they need to get to coming up with solid plans to fix this mess.

  • Peter

    The Gop is lucky that, its not Barr and Paul. there is a movement to run Paul with Barr on the LP ticket. If this happens McCain can kiss any chance at the white house good by. THere is even a site that was created for this purpose http://www.BarrPaul08.com
    I am much more interested in why these candidates are not coming up with more detailed plans about fixing our economy or this energy crisis that we find our selves in. You can compare all of the candidates plans at http://www.pickeneplan.com Its unfortunate that the best plan comes from someone who isnt even running for office at all. The best Plan comes from t Boone Pickans or at least my oppinion. You should compare the plans at the above link. This late in the process I still am not sure who I am voting for. McCain is too busy taking falls, did you see him fall on the video, lol heres the link http://www.Mccanes.com and Obama is too busy smoking victory Cigars http://www.TheObamaPlan.com so they need to get to coming up with solid plans to fix this mess.

  • Jessica V. Cortez

    Shame on Sprite and Root Beer for “siphoning” drinkers away from Coke and Pepsi.

    We were just fine in this country without other soda flavors. The “ego” of some of those OTHER, alternative sodas. Don’t they know that everybody just wants a choice between TWO sugar-filled mega sodas: Coke & Pepsi. Get over it. No Dr. Peppers, either. Or Hansen’s sodas, god forbid. And, certainly nothing diet.

    And water. Ralph Nader = filtered drinking water (i.e., good for ridding the body of toxins).

  • Jessica V. Cortez

    Shame on Sprite and Root Beer for “siphoning” drinkers away from Coke and Pepsi.

    We were just fine in this country without other soda flavors. The “ego” of some of those OTHER, alternative sodas. Don't they know that everybody just wants a choice between TWO sugar-filled mega sodas: Coke & Pepsi. Get over it. No Dr. Peppers, either. Or Hansen's sodas, god forbid. And, certainly nothing diet.

    And water. Ralph Nader = filtered drinking water (i.e., good for ridding the body of toxins).

  • http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com Gail

    Jessica, great comment.

    I posted it at http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com

    I was ready to rip this article for the paragraph you mentioned, but then saw what you wrote and thought: How can I say it any better than that?

  • http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com Gail

    Jessica, great comment.

    I posted it at http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com

    I was ready to rip this article for the paragraph you mentioned, but then saw what you wrote and thought: How can I say it any better than that?

  • Pingback: One response to “spoiler” arguments

  • John Deeth

    I see I have offended some with the phrase “take votes away from.” Which is almost funny, given my long track record of covering third party candidates and issues more than any other Iowa blogger not actually affiliated with such a party. The party status lawsuit, a long interview with an independent congressional candidate, the story of the first Green to register in the state, the only coverage anywhere of Cynthia McKinney’s December visit to the state… nope, one phrase that doesn’t follow the dogma and I’m the bad guy.

    Did any other media outlet in the state, traditional or otherwise, even *notice or mention* the beginning of the filing period? Or follow up the next day with a story on a possible Green congressional candidate? Didn’t think so.

  • John Deeth

    I see I have offended some with the phrase “take votes away from.” Which is almost funny, given my long track record of covering third party candidates and issues more than any other Iowa blogger not actually affiliated with such a party. The party status lawsuit, a long interview with an independent congressional candidate, the story of the first Green to register in the state, the only coverage anywhere of Cynthia McKinney's December visit to the state… nope, one phrase that doesn't follow the dogma and I'm the bad guy.

    Did any other media outlet in the state, traditional or otherwise, even *notice or mention* the beginning of the filing period? Or follow up the next day with a story on a possible Green congressional candidate? Didn't think so.

  • http://www.greenpartywatch.org Ronald Kane Hardy

    DEETH!

    I come to defend you as a former 30+ year resident of Iowa, as the co-chair of the Wisconsin Green Party and as a Delegate to the Chicago GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention that proudly chose Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente to carry our Green banner this year (as well as the blogger formerly known as Babblemur and current Editor in Chief to greenpartywatch.org).

    Greens of America, stay your swords of justice! Lay down your throwing stars of equality and nun-chucks of ecological wisdom! John Deeth is the greatest Iowa Political Blogger Ever! He was the only Iowa blogger to cover McKinney’s swing through Iowa in December 2007 and the only Iowa blogger to cover the lawsuit that forced Iowa to allow voter registration for Greens and Libertarians. Deeth, although a Democrat, has a long record of providing impartial and fair coverage to the Iowa Green Party and the Greens in general. I have been a faithful (on and off) reader of Deeth for years.

    John Deeth is a unique and special kind of blogger and I truly feel that he should be forgiven for suggesting that third party candidates “draw votes from” or “take votes from” the corporate Democratic-Republican Party of America. He meant no slight in this, and he should be forgiven.

    This is the only time I have ever invoked my “green” authority on a blog in a comment, and I do mean it. John Deeth is a great blogger. Don’t piss him off.

    Ron Hardy
    http://www.greenpartywatch.org
    http://www.wigp.org

  • http://www.greenpartywatch.org Ronald Kane Hardy

    DEETH!

    I come to defend you as a former 30+ year resident of Iowa, as the co-chair of the Wisconsin Green Party and as a Delegate to the Chicago GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention that proudly chose Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente to carry our Green banner this year (as well as the blogger formerly known as Babblemur and current Editor in Chief to greenpartywatch.org).

    Greens of America, stay your swords of justice! Lay down your throwing stars of equality and nun-chucks of ecological wisdom! John Deeth is the greatest Iowa Political Blogger Ever! He was the only Iowa blogger to cover McKinney's swing through Iowa in December 2007 and the only Iowa blogger to cover the lawsuit that forced Iowa to allow voter registration for Greens and Libertarians. Deeth, although a Democrat, has a long record of providing impartial and fair coverage to the Iowa Green Party and the Greens in general. I have been a faithful (on and off) reader of Deeth for years.

    John Deeth is a unique and special kind of blogger and I truly feel that he should be forgiven for suggesting that third party candidates “draw votes from” or “take votes from” the corporate Democratic-Republican Party of America. He meant no slight in this, and he should be forgiven.

    This is the only time I have ever invoked my “green” authority on a blog in a comment, and I do mean it. John Deeth is a great blogger. Don't piss him off.

    Ron Hardy
    http://www.greenpartywatch.org
    http://www.wigp.org

  • Jessica V. Cortez

    Mr. Deeth,

    So, you are not a bad guy. Thanks for clarifying your position on third parties/independents.

    That being said, I challenge you – - since you have a voice – - to be one of the very first outside of Pennsylvanian state borders to tell the story of Bonusgate.

    Respectfully,
    Jessica V. Cortez

  • Jessica V. Cortez

    Mr. Deeth,

    So, you are not a bad guy. Thanks for clarifying your position on third parties/independents.

    That being said, I challenge you – - since you have a voice – - to be one of the very first outside of Pennsylvanian state borders to tell the story of Bonusgate.

    Respectfully,
    Jessica V. Cortez

  • http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com Gail

    I feel really bad now.
    (see how I turned the whole thing to being about me? :) )

    Seriously, I’m glad to hear that you are a journalist who is respectful of third parties, Mr. Deeth.

    Thank You!

    Gail

  • http://www.gailstails.blogspot.com Gail

    I feel really bad now.
    (see how I turned the whole thing to being about me? :) )

    Seriously, I'm glad to hear that you are a journalist who is respectful of third parties, Mr. Deeth.

    Thank You!

    Gail

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