Opinion : Writer questions Pettengill\'s words

A small group of activists protested Congressman Steven King's appearance at the county Republican dinner Saturday night in Newhall. One reason that King agreed to speak at the event according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette as King stated was to "help me move the political center to the right." Republican's wrap themselves around the Constitution, but the reactions from some of those arriving seemed to question our right to protest. One person even suggested that we were not local. For the record, all except one of the group live in Benton County and she resides in Buchanan County. My family lived in rural Newhall when I was growing up. I attended the Newhall School and graduated from Benton Community. We were particularly concerned for another person's health when he became so irate at us that he was screaming and calling us all sorts of things. However, the most significant event was the appearance of Representative Dawn Pettengill. When one of the union members in attendance asked Pettengill for support, I stated that they were talking to the wrong person because Pettengill's actions and voting record speak otherwise. However, to my surprise, she told the AFSME union member that indeed she does support unions. Do her Republican supporters know that she publicly states she disagrees with one of the things that Republicans are supposed to hate-unions? Pettengill is either lying to the union members or lying to her Republican supporters because you cannot be for and against something at the same time. Or is she just good at spinning her opinions to fit her audience. Either way, if I were a Republican, I would be asking her what she actually believes and if she really is a true Republican or a Democrat in sheep's clothing.