Archive | January, 2008

Bare Buttocks Before 10? That’ll cost ya.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is fining ABC $27,500 for each of the 52 stations in the Mountain and Central time zones that aired an episode of NYPD Blue in February 2003 that showed “a woman’s nude buttocks.” Added up, the fine is $1.43 million (or $715,000 per cheek). “Although ABC argues, without citing any [...]

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Sunday Linkfest & Earworm

Although this post typically starts with the week’s earworm, there’s much more important business at hand: There’s another battle underway on the FISA front, set to explode tomorrow afternoon — and our presidential hopefuls who also hold seats in the U.S. Senate haven’t decided if returning to beltway to defend our rights is more important [...]

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A Tale of Two Whispers

There is currently plenty of buzz about a curious whisper during the most recent Republican presidential debate held Florida and broadcast by MSNBC. The whisper happens just as host Tim Russert is ending a question and directly prior to the answer given by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Although MSNBC posted a news item about [...]

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Harkin’s Statement in Support of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is a co-sponsor of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and provided the following statement to the Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee hearing today in support of the bill. It is astounding to me that, in the 21st century, women are paid only 77 cents for every dollar their male counterparts [...]

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How the Linn County Races Are Shaping Up

With the filing periods for Linn County supervisor, sheriff or auditor looming just around the corner, several residents have already taken steps to request candidate packets from the Linn County Auditor’s office. March 3 is the first day for partisan candidates in the above races to file nomination papers for the offices listed above. Nomination [...]

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Iowa Unemployment Rate Continues Slow Climb

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is up again — now at 4 percent for December 2007 — and has officials pointing to ripples from the housing crisis. “The statewide unemployment rate followed the national trend in December, and increased to the highest level for the year,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Workforce Development. “The current [...]

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Brownback Uses Roe Anniversary as Money Pitch

In his first direct email to supporters since leaving the race for the White House, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, has used the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade as a fund-raising catalyst for his political action committee (PAC). The email, prepared and paid for by the Restore America PAC, a group identified as Brownback’s “leadership [...]

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Iowa Woman Gives Thanks for Daughter — and for Choice

While millions of Americans are either celebrating or grieving the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision today, 25-year-old Katie Wilkins credits the law for the 5-year-old girl playing outside her kitchen window. It’s been nearly six years since Wilkins, a recent college graduate, locked herself in her parents’ bathroom [...]

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MLK Day Statements

The text of statements, thus far received, in reference to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Congressman Bruce Braley: “On this day our nation reflects on the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the long struggle for civil rights in the United States. Because of Dr. King’s work, a nation where people are judge [...]

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Culver Poised to Proclaim from Both Sides of Mouth

“If you want to be important, wonderful. If you want to be recognized, wonderful. If you want to be great, wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you will be your servant… You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant.” – Dr. [...]

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