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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.

Public forum - Iowa legislature - over same sex marriage - Episcopal pastor speaks
Photo by Tyler Kingkade, Iowa Independent

Video from public forum over gay marriage ban

By Tyler Kingkade | 02.01.11 | 7:00 am

DES MOINES — A constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships and any formal recognition of same-sex relationships was the topic of Monday night’s public hearing in the Iowa House.

The more than 100 speakers who signed up to have their voices heard included many religious leaders on both sides of the issue, business persons, parents and college students. One such college student talked about being raised by two women, but felt he would make any parent proud.

A former Republican state senator advocated against the gay marriage ban. And while many people cited the struggle for women’s and civil rights, one speaker, an African-American, greatly disagreed with the comparison.

Below are videos including just some of the highlights from Monday’s discussion.

Video 1:

Video 2:

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Comments

  • Anonymous

    what MANY people do NOT realize is…………this RIGHT WAS Already Established…..period! ..and Since then….100′s & 1000′s HAVE MARRIED……..do you really think you’re going to NULLIFY thier Marriages? No..you won’t……the ONLY thing this could wound up doing….is OPENING IOWA up to Expensive Litigation $$$$$…Paid BY the Taxpayers…..MILLIONS of Dollars of Tax Payer Money..that could Fund Much needed things People Need….and while that happens..it WILL pit Iowan against Iowan / neighbor against neighbor …and Forver RUIN the Reputation of IOWA……Wow, somethng to be really proud of…huh Iowa? Pathetic……Hey GOP…WHERE’S THE JOBS???????

  • Anonymous

    If I could testify at the hearing I’d say this: Preserve the traditional definition of marriage for the collective welfare of society; provide a safety net for the wayward out of unconditional love of humanity. I believe that just as the biblical eunuch in Jesus time was either born that way, made that way by man, or chose to be one, so it goes in our age relative to homosexuality. Jesus said, those who can accept this will but that not all can accept this. Jesus understood so well the human condition — his focus was on restoring the fallen human condition to attainment of spiritual wholeness because the physical body is but temporary housing. Christians mean well in attempting to preserve marriage – one flesh – between one man and one woman. [Exactly how do two males or two females become 'one sanctified flesh' and thereby sanctify their offspring?] The church’s concern is the sanctification of children – as it should be. Christ’s concern is saving souls for eternal life and sexual immorality (of all types) corrupts ones spirit and destroys flesh. He could neither be for or against homosexuality because in His Kingdom there is no male, nor female; and no marriage. I wish the government would stay out of the ‘marriage’ business. I wish gays would be happy with ‘civil unions’ for their own protection from hurt and disease. Marriage is a holy sacrament and civil unions are socially responsible. God’s choice cannot be legislated because it is a heart condition.

    • Anonymous

      It’s kind of hard to know how to respond to this much gibberish. If the flesh is temporary housing, and gender doesn’t exist in Heaven, why would it be wrong to love someone of the same gender on Earth? Apparently God doesn’t mind… But if civil unions are good, why is marriage bad?

      • Anonymous

        Well, I’m glad that you did respond in spite of my gibberish. I agree that my first post, and possibly this one too, could be written better. I believe ‘holy matrimony’ is what God has ordained the church to do so that offspring of two believers are sanctified (assured citizenship in heaven until they are old enough to seek for themselves). Same-sex unions, by design, are incapable of reproducing. What then would be the need for a ‘holy matrimony’? Civil Unions, like divorce, are socially moral ways of dealing with the non-holy aspects of life choices. (I am not being a moral elitist here either as I was joined in holy matrimony to a person that I divorced – we had no children. I later had a civil ceremony performed by a JOP and had several children.) I don’t doubt that same-sex couples can feel one in spirit and flesh – but the fact is that they aren’t one in flesh. To pretend they are is ridiculous and appears to mock what God has ordained and in my opinion also results in one partner playing an unnatural role (or become subjected to a lie). All who have a hand in that are guilty of the mockery and leading others astray.

        What goes on Earth is NOT what goes in Heaven. The parable of the Wedding Feast that Jesus tells in Matthew 22 is pretty clear about what happens to those who attempt to get to heaven without understanding and adhering to certain ‘customs’ of heaven. I feel strongly that we should accommodate civil unions for social reasons – mainly for the children that gays are adopting and parenting to belong to a unit of support that is official. Is it God’s way? No. Is it a better way than continuing endless debate and controversy? I think it is.

        • Anonymous

          But this is you Imposing your religion on others and on the state. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s….no one is asking you or ypur church to abandon what is, in your mind, God’s!

          There is a state license for and entitlement to the legal status of married. It does not have anything to do with sanctifying marriage; it just makes it a legal, recognized contract. That is what this legislative battle is about; the legislature attempting to exclude gays from access to this legal right. And now it’s become the legislature attempting to sully our Constitution by adding their discriminatory amendment.

          Churches can decide individually whether they wil sanctify same sex marriage; no one is overruling that authority. But some churches have decided they do recognize and sanctify these marriages.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QYNBVIS6VBMTWA6AIKY64NSEDA danny

    Is this a ban only on gay marriage…or the abolition of civil unions as well?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QYNBVIS6VBMTWA6AIKY64NSEDA danny

    Is this a ban only on gay marriage?..or also on civil unions between 2 people..

    • Anonymous

      Both. No form of homosexual relationship would be recognized.

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