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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.

King: Marriage debate will mobilize Iowans for GOP

By Douglas Burns | 08.13.08 | 3:09 pm

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, says the gay marriage issue — which played a pivotal if not decisive role in the 2004 presidential election — is lurking for November.

King told CNSNews.com that Iowans care deeply about preserving traditional marriage and the issue is likely to mobilize voters:

“Here we are with the Democratic National Party conducting an assault directly on marriage that throws out everything we have known in 6,000 years of history,” King told CNSNews.com.

“I don’t think they [the people of Iowa] really believe it yet. They don’t take it seriously. They don’t understand the depth of mobilization. They won’t believe it will happen,” he added.

But King added that if Iowa’s own DOMA law, which is currently facing a challenge in the Iowa Supreme Court, is repealed, opposition to ending DOMA on the national level may gain momentum.

“When the people of Iowa see pictures of same-sex couples kissing on the steps of their churches, they will mobilize,” said King. “That’s when the Democratic Party’s advocacy becomes a problem.”

Comments

  • daddysteve

    This republican doesn’t give a damn about an issue(or lack thereof) like DOMA. We are faced with real problems like credit deflation and military misadventures. How about a half TRILLION deficit added to 9 TRILLION national debt. But if we keep the gays in the closet then everything will be alright.

  • daddysteve

    This republican doesn't give a damn about an issue(or lack thereof) like DOMA. We are faced with real problems like credit deflation and military misadventures. How about a half TRILLION deficit added to 9 TRILLION national debt. But if we keep the gays in the closet then everything will be alright.

  • Gary

    Iowa is the place i always visit on my holidays to the states. I believe Iowa to be one of the most beautiful states of North America. The world has bigger problems than gay marriage, and I don’t see how gay marriage should affect straight marriage. Here in the uk people do not seem affected by this issue. Nor do i think that Iowans would flock to see a same sex couple kissing their first kiss outside a church. Afterall, once the initial media hype is over, it will be yesterdays news.

  • Gary

    Iowa is the place i always visit on my holidays to the states. I believe Iowa to be one of the most beautiful states of North America. The world has bigger problems than gay marriage, and I don't see how gay marriage should affect straight marriage. Here in the uk people do not seem affected by this issue. Nor do i think that Iowans would flock to see a same sex couple kissing their first kiss outside a church. Afterall, once the initial media hype is over, it will be yesterdays news.

  • Susan

    Well, I don’t know.

    I’m paying more than $4 a gallon for gas.
    What I spend at the grocery store keeps rising like a hot air balloon on a summer day.
    I am one layoff away from losing health insurance and access to medical care.
    Some of my neighbors still have sons and daughters in Iraq more than five years after the invasion at the cost of billions of dollars.
    We don’t dare get too uppity with the Russians over invading Georgia or with the Chinese over enabling genocide in the Sudan, because they are our bankers now, and if they call the loan we’re in deep doo.

    Come to think of it, the prospect of gay people kissing really is the most important issue we could talk about in this election. Thank heaven we have a congressman who understands that, and whose only legislative accomplishment is a bill underscoring the importance of Christmas to Christians.

  • Susan

    Well, I don't know.

    I'm paying more than $4 a gallon for gas.
    What I spend at the grocery store keeps rising like a hot air balloon on a summer day.
    I am one layoff away from losing health insurance and access to medical care.
    Some of my neighbors still have sons and daughters in Iraq more than five years after the invasion at the cost of billions of dollars.
    We don't dare get too uppity with the Russians over invading Georgia or with the Chinese over enabling genocide in the Sudan, because they are our bankers now, and if they call the loan we're in deep doo.

    Come to think of it, the prospect of gay people kissing really is the most important issue we could talk about in this election. Thank heaven we have a congressman who understands that, and whose only legislative accomplishment is a bill underscoring the importance of Christmas to Christians.

  • Brian

    King is a joke. He doesn’t care about actually representing his constituents but rather making ridiculous statements so he get the headlines. Not to mention he is scared to debate his challenger Rob Hubler. I encourage all to visit Rob Hubler’s website and see what real representation will look like.

  • Brian

    King is a joke. He doesn't care about actually representing his constituents but rather making ridiculous statements so he get the headlines. Not to mention he is scared to debate his challenger Rob Hubler. I encourage all to visit Rob Hubler's website and see what real representation will look like.

  • Jim

    Note King’s evocation of “pictures of same-sex couples kissing on the steps of their churches”.

    Neither DOMA nor the efforts to overturn/repeal DOMA have any authority whatsoever with regard to same-sex marriages in churches. DOMA can only forbid same-sex marriages from being recognized by the state, and its repeal would only permit same-sex marriages to be recognized by the state.

    Under DOMA, some churches nevertheless already do recognize same-sex marriages, and DOMA can’t forbid that. If DOMA was repealed, some churches would still refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, and state or federal law can’t force them to recognize those marriages.

    King’s lumping the two together, as if they weren’t completely severable concepts, is yet another example of his chronically sloppy thinking on almost any issue he addresses. It’s also more particularly an example of his chronic unwillingness to recognize the crucial constitutional distinction between church and state.

  • Jim

    Note King's evocation of “pictures of same-sex couples kissing on the steps of their churches”.

    Neither DOMA nor the efforts to overturn/repeal DOMA have any authority whatsoever with regard to same-sex marriages in churches. DOMA can only forbid same-sex marriages from being recognized by the state, and its repeal would only permit same-sex marriages to be recognized by the state.

    Under DOMA, some churches nevertheless already do recognize same-sex marriages, and DOMA can't forbid that. If DOMA was repealed, some churches would still refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, and state or federal law can't force them to recognize those marriages.

    King's lumping the two together, as if they weren't completely severable concepts, is yet another example of his chronically sloppy thinking on almost any issue he addresses. It's also more particularly an example of his chronic unwillingness to recognize the crucial constitutional distinction between church and state.

  • Randall Haugen

    What about we Jail all those who have committed Adultery Steve? i mean if you are going to be all righteous and all..BTW that includes John McCain.

  • Randall Haugen

    What about we Jail all those who have committed Adultery Steve? i mean if you are going to be all righteous and all..BTW that includes John McCain.

  • daddysteve

    Randall If I’m the steve you’re referring to, I think you misunderstand what I was saying. I was basically crying about fiscal irresponsibility being a greater threat than dudes kissing in public. Much greater.

  • daddysteve

    Randall If I'm the steve you're referring to, I think you misunderstand what I was saying. I was basically crying about fiscal irresponsibility being a greater threat than dudes kissing in public. Much greater.

  • Steel Medic

    King has failed the 5th district in creating jobs, lowering taxes, providing better healthcare, reducing crime, drawing in tourists, stopping illegal immigration, advancing highway 20, providing better education and working for small businesses.

    The only thing he has left is fear tactics… kinda sad.

  • Steel Medic

    King has failed the 5th district in creating jobs, lowering taxes, providing better healthcare, reducing crime, drawing in tourists, stopping illegal immigration, advancing highway 20, providing better education and working for small businesses.

    The only thing he has left is fear tactics… kinda sad.

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