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Open letter to readers: Today and tomorrow

By Lynda Waddington | 11.17.11

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.

ACS lockout continues; plan emerges to repeal sugar protections

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By Virginia Chamlee | 11.15.11

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.

Cain campaign: Farmers know more about regulations than EPA

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By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.15.11

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.

Mathis wins, Democrats maintain Senate control

Liz Mathis
By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11

The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.

Press Release

PR: Nation should work to address veterans’ challenges

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

BRUCE BRALEY RELEASE — As US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends, it’s more important than ever that our nation works to address the challenges faced by the men and women who fought there.

PR: Honoring veterans, help in hiring

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

CHUCK GRASSLEY RELEASE — A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces.

PR: In honor of America’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

TOM LATHAM RELEASE — No one has done more to secure the freedom enjoyed by every single American than our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services.

PR: Honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

DAVE LOEBSACK RELEASE — Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the service of generations of veterans and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made so that we may live in peace and freedom here at home.

Family of missing UI professor losing hope, issues statement

By T.M. Lindsey | 08.21.08 | 9:31 pm
Arthur H. Miller

Arthur H. Miller

The search for Arthur H. Miller in Iowa City’s Hickory Hill Park was suspended by the Iowa City Police Department tonight at 6 p.m. Although Miller’s whereabouts are still unknown, the ICPD reopened the park to the public.

Miller, the University of Iowa political science professor who was charged with four counts of soliciting bribes, was last seen Tuesday morning and was subsequently reported missing the following morning by his wife. According to police records, Miller allegedly offered female students better grades in exchange for sexual favors.

Based on a “cryptic” note he left behind police have said they suspect Miller is already dead, the Press-Citizen reported. Moreover, Miller removed a passport from a safety deposit box and updated his will in the days leading up to his disappearance, Iowa City Police Sgt. Mike Brotherton told the Press-Citizen.

Based on a formal statement released by Miller’s family tonight, it appears they are losing hope in his return as well:

Dear Iowans:

Today’s rain is not only slowing the search of our husband and father, it is also washing away our last hopes for Arthur’s return. It’s been a long way for him and, sadly, a very lonely way. During all these months he was trying to protect his family by not sharing all the pain and sorrow which were filling his heart. He was looking for some help outside but, unfortunately, did not find enough compassion and willingness to hear his story.

Arthur will always remain in the hearts of his wife, children, and family. Our memories of him would bring us to the library, where he was taking his son for Saturday’s story time, to the farmers market, where we would enjoy outdoor music performances and eat some freshly baked muffins, to all the wonderful games which he played with his sons at home, to daytrips which we took together with our children to see and teach them to appreciate a bigger world.

Professor Arthur Herbert Miller will be remembered as one of the most distinguished scientists in his area of research, a mentor to many who owe him their successful careers, a friend to many people who live in different countries and on different continents, a teacher who believed that independent thinking is one of the most important skills which should help develop his students.

The ordeal of the last two weeks has become unbearable for Arthur. He could not live with the thought that his name and reputation were smeared and associated with the thing which he believed he never had done.

As a family, we would like to ask the media to be considerate of our current situation and respect our privacy as we struggle through this difficult period in our lives.

Comments

  • desmoinesdem

    I am sorry to sound cynical, but I don't think you need a passport to commit suicide. It seems possible that his family is leading investigators to believe he is dead while he flees the country.

    Speaking of unbearable ordeals, it would be devastating to be an undergraduate or graduate student and have your professor suggest that a high grade depends on taking off your shirt.

    • susiesmith

      Political psychology is a funny subfield in poli sci departments that is often preoccupied with discussion of sex and intimate emotions. Should we be so surprised that Arthur Miller acted on his ideas, when administrators have historically done nothing to curb discussion by such profs that is borderline scandalous passing as academic research?

  • tmlindsey

    I agree. I had trouble making the logical leap from passport to sucide as well.

  • roseti

    How would they know what he took from his safety deposit box? If the family knew, they wouldn't tell investigators if they were abetting him.

    Ugly, sad story all the way around.

  • susiesmith

    Political psychology is a funny subfield in poli sci departments that is often preoccupied with discussion of sex and intimate details and emotions. Should we be so surprised that Arthur Miller acted on his ideas, when administrators have historically done nothing to curb class discussion by such profs that is borderline perversion passing as academic research?

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