Farm bill debate as price slump hits farmers and relief efforts
Washington grapples with commodity prices and the 1996 farm bill. President Clinton touts a $250 million wheat relief gift to aid impoverished nations, while farmers face prices near half of 1996 levels. Critics urge reopening the farm bill, arguing fixed payments favor big traders. supporters back the Clinton relief and farm safety measures for 1998.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Clinton
Richard Lugar
R-Ind
Lugar
Agriculture Committee
Congress
Joyner-Kersee Delivers Indomitable Finish at Goodwill Games
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, aged 36, dominated the heptathlon at the Goodwill Games outscoring rivals and outlasting younger athletes. The Olympic gold medalist, famed for endurance and asthma control, retires to East St. Louis to boost local revival efforts after a storied 15-year U.S. track career.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ackie Joyner-Kersee
William C. Rhoden
New York Times
Joyner-Kersee
Dedee Nathan
Joyner- Kersee
Federal hate crime bill faces limits and concerns
The piece argues the Hate Crime Prevention Act of 1998 expands federal jurisdiction over bias crimes, risks federal overreach, and may divert scarce resources from core federal duties. It notes few ideologically driven bias crimes occur, cites Texas prosecutors in a white-on-black killing, and questions federal intervention when state laws suffice. It also highlights FBI resource constraints and political pressure on federal agencies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James B. Jacobs
Kimberly Pottern
U.S. Senate
Congress
Texas
FBI
U.S
Sens
Edward Kennedy
D-Mass
Arlen Specter
R-Pa
Ron Wyden
D-Ore
Justice Department
Harassment and Violence Against Gays Question Iowa City Ethics
A letter from Patricia Harvey chair of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission condemns assaults and homophobia. It cites an incident outside a local establishment and notes the city ordinance protects sexual orientation for over two decades, urging Community intolerance of discrimination.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
Patricia Harvey
Human Rights Commission
Letters from Cedar Rapids readers spar over religious letters
A reader complains about excessive Bible thumping letters on homosexuality in the Gazette opinion page. She urges more civil, thoughtful discourse and less partisanship, signing as Susan Arnold from West Branch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Godzette
Jesus
Cedar Rapids
Coral Ridge Mall
Gazette
Starr wasteful spending critique of Starrs Clinton inquiry
Cedar Rapids reader T Lgg ampbell accuses Kenneth Starr and his team of wasting taxpayers money after noting Deputy Chief of Staff Harold Ickes testified for 20 minutes with only basic questions. The letter questions the value and cost of the Starr investigation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kenneth Starr
Clinton
Harold Ickes
Starr
Ickes
Persecuted Bahais and religious freedom appeal
The writer laments the execution of a Baha i in Iran and voices concern for four Baha is on death row and fifteen in prison. She urges support for religious freedom and calls readers to contact representatives, highlighting historic appeals by U S presidents and the need for unity across faiths. Jan Tomkins Cedar Rapids Mary McDowell Hiawatha.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Iran
Clinton
Reagan
Bush
Gore
Jan Tomkins
Monks Call for Peace Over Hog Farm Odor Near Monastery
Dorothy Marie Hennessey appeals for unity and restraint as hog farm stench near New Melleray Monastery, Iowa, stirs tension between residents and developers. The letter urges prayer, nonviolence, and coexistence, referencing Monastery life and centuries of visitors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Catfish Creek
Nagasaki
Iowa
New Melleray
Ireland
Chicago
Thomas Merton
Dorothy Marie Hennessey
Cedar
Readers’ Letters Policy Clarifies Submission Rules
The Gazette invites letters up to 300 words and requires name, street address, and daytime phone number. Only the writer’s name and hometown will be published. Submit to Cedar Rapids Gazette Box 511 Cedar Rapids IA 52406 or by fax or email at the provided addresses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
dassthaMhdasm
Also Mentioned on This Page
We Hladky
Ken Slaughter
Dale Larson
Jerry Elsen
Mark Bowden
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
JJK
Southern Illinois University
Center For Research In Crime and Justice
New York University School of Law
Kimberly Potter
Centeros Angeles Times
the Gazette
VNA
Susan Arnold
West Branch
T. L
Ampbell
Mary McDowell
Hiawatha
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