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.
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.
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.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
[Commentary] There is a major bone of contention in my household — a familial femur if you will. It pits children against parents in disputes that have often ended with tears of frustration on both sides.
I refuse to buy Bratz dolls or any of the Bratz label accessories or toys. In case you haven’t already had the distinct misfortune of viewing one of these toys, Bratz dolls have wardrobes that include miniskirts, fishnet stockings and feather boas and are being marketed to girls as young as 4. Don’t like the “action” figures? Take your pick from Bratz Babyz, Bratz Kidz, Fashion Pixiez, Magic Hair, Bratz Spiderman 3, Bratz video games, Bratz alarm clocks, Bratz compact discs and, of course, the Bratz remote-controlled cruiser. If none of that strikes your fancy, there is always the new Bratz motion picture.
Despite three years of whining by my now 7-year-old daughter for one of the toys and numerous themed birthday party requests featuring the pint-sized sexpots, I have held firm in my belief that no good could come of playing with the glittery, scantily clad hunks of plastic from China. Research is on my side.
The American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls released a report in February that not only highlights sexual societal messages being sent to pre-teen girls but singles out the Bratz dolls by name: “It is worrisome when dolls designed specifically for 4- to 8-year-olds are associated with an objectified sexuality.”
The report found evidence that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising and media is harmful to girls’ self-image and health development.
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