Trump's boasts draw laughs in Scottish parliament

In a typically blunt display, the New York property tycoon [Trump] told a [Scottish] inquiry into renewable energy to stop the wind power efforts in the country's north.

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The Reddit road from Des Moines to 'Rome'

[James] Erwin’s rise from Redditor to screen scribe has been well documented, most recently in a Wired story, so here’s the short  version: [...] By the end of the day 250,000 people have read [Erwin's] posts, among them Adam Kolbrenner, literary manager for M …

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Repeal DOMA and end the exclusion of American families

Just like most Americans, April 15th inspires dread. The forms and the deductions and the complications are all a nightmare, but it is more difficult because my spouse and I are gay. Because Iowa recognizes our family and our marriage, we file as married on our state return. B …

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The scale of the universe

A fascinating program that allows us mere, insignificant humans to explore everything under the sun--and things even beyond it--from smallest to largest.

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Social safety net is necessary for Americans

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Offended by religious group's highway blessing, atheists 'scrub' it away

Atheists in Polk County symbolically scrubbed away at a major highway leading into the county Saturday. The were removing a blessing placed there a year ago by a group of religious leaders.

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Latest of Obama's knotty problems

President Barack Obama is a sharp dresser. But his preference for European style ties where the diagonal stripes go from top left down to bottom right rather than the more common American style going from top right down to bottom left might not be a good idea.

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Iowa View column from Bob Vander Plaats: A better lesson - Sex is right only after marriage

This week there is a conference that will bear our governor’s name and title [...] This conference comes complete with the distribution of condoms and “safe sex” kits to our 14- to 18-year-old students and provides “transgender friendly restrooms.” …

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The fight over reproductive rights: Liberals aren't trying to make anyone use birth control

The air is still thick with outrage over President Barack Obama’s attempt to require all employers to provide insurance coverage for people who desire (or need) birth control.

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Chain-email disregards facts, perpetuates intolerance

A couple days ago, I received a chain email [...] The email states, "Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terrorist attacks." The email goes on  …

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Where has the birth control furor been?

Four related articles: Where has the birth control furor been?: Employer requirement for contraception coverage approved in Iowa in 2000

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Just to be clear: This is a Christian nation

It is time to remind leaders and those who want to be president that our nation is a Christian nation and should be declared as such. It has been from the very beginning.

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Checking the Fact Checkers on Herman Cain and Godfather's Pizzas (parts 1 through 3)

Part 1

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Iowa disability rights group drew state scrutiny after leader criticized [Iowa Governor] Branstad

Emails show Gov. Terry Branstad’s chief of staff made specific inquiries as to how the state could essentially shut down Disability Rights Iowa, a privately run, federally funded agency that advocates for the disabled.

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Deficit hawks can't have it both ways

Two articles (credit given to Carloz for this technique): Deficit hawks can't have it both ways

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Stand up to Herman Cain's bigotry

It is time to stop giving Herman Cain’s unapologetic bigotry a free pass. The man and his poison need to be seen clearly and taken seriously.

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Ugandan minister speaks out on LGBT issues

The Rev. Mark Kiyimba was forced to leave his Ugandan home in March for his safety. The gay-rights activist, now in the United States, stood before a captivated church crowd Sunday morning to discuss Uganda's gay rights issues.

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The tyranny of 'family values'

We are set for a barrage by yet another set of candidates for president who will surely pontificate on the subject of "family values." The "family values" espoused in past elections put our candidates on a very high place from which to fall.

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Why U.S. is not a Christian nation

But Jefferson penned another phrase, arguably his most famous after those from the Declaration of Independence.

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Majority of Iowans approve of same-sex marriage, survey shows

The majority of Iowans support same-sex marriage, according to a survey conducted by graduate students at Drake University.

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[Iowa] House OKs abortion bill with strictest rules in U.S.

In addition to removing the health of a mother as one exception a doctor could use to bypass abortion restrictions, the legislation would essentially bar abortions after what is typically considered the 18th  week of pregnancy.

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Lawmaker to student lobbyists: "Leave the circus to us"

"You [students] just put forth the effort to be part of political propaganda in a political circus," Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, R-Dixon, said during a hearing at the Statehouse. "I do not like it when students actually come here and lobby for funds; that's just my opinion.

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to Prevent Same-Sex Couples Hospital Visitation Rights

Gov. Scott Walker believes a new law that gives gay couples hospital visitation rights violates the state constitution and has asked a judge to allow the state to stop defending it.

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