Capital punishment debate unwarranted in Iowa
The Gazette editors urge lawmakers not to reinstate the death penalty, arguing it is costly and ineffective as a deterrent. They note FBI data, a high murder rate in death penalty states, and cite Iowa’s strained judicial funding, staffing shortages, and racial disparities as reasons to focus on other justice issues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
FBI
Polk County
John Sarcone
Iowa
Missouri
U.S. Supreme Court
Stephen Breyer
Judicial Branch
Thegazette.com
Community Letters on School Artwork and Justice System Critique
Readers express outrage over a Linn-Mar High School artwork labeled freedom of speech and argue it promotes nudity. The letter questions community values and condemns what the writer sees as censored discussion and “educated decisions.” The second portion accuses Cedar Rapids judges and prosecutors of manipulating juror knowledge and overreaching powers, urging reforms against corruption and excessive legal push by officials and big interests. The writer, Herman Lenz of Sumner, signs the piece.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linn-Mar
Marilyn Pleiness
Cedar Rapids
Founding Fathers of
America
Herman Lenz Sumner
Republicans cling to immigration fault lines for political gain
Roma Harrop argues Republicans refuse a fix to immigration, preferring to wield deportation threats and tax cut rhetoric. She recalls 2013 bipartisan reform efforts, Boehner’s inaction, and the public’s desire for a respectful, lawful program. Democrats should not aid Trump, she writes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
John Boehner
America
Congress weighs extending surveillance powers amid partisan splits
Iowa columnist Adam Sullivan reports House support for extending the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, despite privacy concerns and mixed Democrat votes. The piece notes Rep. Dave Loebsack, Rep. Steve King, and Rep. David Young voting in favor, amid criticism of executive overreach and Fourth Amendment implications.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ongress
U.S. House
FreedomWorks
Cato Institute
Demand Progress
American Civil Liberties Union
U.S
Dave Loebsack
House
Iowa
Steve King
David Young
Our Republic
Trump
Indivisible
Congress
Ted Cruz
Owa
Loebsack
Justin Amash
R-Mich
Rod Blum
Blum
Barack Obama
Republic
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Community Letters
Mike Luckovich
Ors Syndicate
Froma Harrop
Mexico
Donald Trump
U.S. Senate
4Roma Harrop
AT Liberty
Adam Sullivan
Adam. Sullivan
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