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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The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Bob Vander Plaats
As The Iowa Independent reported Tuesday morning, video surfaced of a March Family Leader whistle stop in Audubon in which an audience member relates an off-color joke to Vander Plaats, who finds the exchange humorous and remarks, “Oh shoot, that’s pretty good.”
“Tell Vander Plaats to quit bullying Iowans,” reads the message from One Iowa to supporters.
“Vander Plaats has made it clear — the way he plans to win is through derogatory language. There is a name for people like that — Bully. And, we cannot allow him to continue this mean-spirited and harmful campaign. … Vander Plaats and the Family Leader may think they can get national media attention by bullying our families, but they are wrong.”
Troy Price, executive director, said, “Mr. Vander Plaats has said he loves all Iowans, and that he is only speaking the truth. Well, if he is telling the truth when he says that he is not mean-spirited, then he should apologize quickly for his actions.”
Under a headline of “Shame on you, Bob!” petition signers are asked to agree to the following personal letter to Vander Plaats:
Dear Bob,
Throughout the debate on marriage, you have claimed that you want to have a civil discussion on the issues affecting loving, committed gay and lesbian Iowans. Yet, as you continue to use hurtful and derogatory language, you are showing more and more that you are not interested in a civil debate, but only furthering your political career. Your comments have hurt not only gay and lesbian Iowans, but all Iowans, and have made our state a joke throughout the country.
Mr. Vander Plaats, you do not speak for me, and I demand that you issue an apology to gay and lesbian Iowans for your hurtful comments and actions.
“Iowans deserve better than this,“ said Price. “Outrageous and derogatory comments like these have no place in the conversation on marriage. We ask that all Iowans stand up to the bullying tactics of Bob Vander Plaats and his supporters, and sign our petition demanding an apology.”
The Iowa Independent requested comment from Vander Plaats and/or The Family Leader prior to our first report on the video. At the time of this update, no response had been received.
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