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The flier is signed with the name of a local man, saying the message was "paid for" by him and noting that he was a graduate of Harvard University in 1977. Authorities say they have not yet linked the fliers to the purported author.
The Tribune has chosen not to reveal alleged author's name at this time.
Also on the note is a shield with the legend Ve Ri Tas inside (a symbol of Harvard University), an Ames P.O. Box number and a symbol of a bird over the legend "Real Rome - Flav. Claud. Julianus" This may refer to Flavius Claudius Julianus, the last pagan emperor of Rome who is remembered as a long-time enemy of Christianity.
Lt. Dru Toresdahl of the Story County Sheriff's Office said as of yet, these are the only reports that have come in regarding the flier.
Toresdahl said he didn't see anything of a criminal nature about the flier.
"At this point, I don't see it as anything of a criminal nature," he said. "They're certainly inappropriate comments, but the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech."
Edwards Campaign Responds
John Edwards' campaign officials responded to the incident Tuesday with a statement in which they expressed their disgust with the flier.
"This kind of hateful, disgusting rhetoric is deeply offensive and unacceptable," said Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, Iowa state director of John Edwards for President. "(The alleged writer) has nothing to do with our campaign. We do not want his support, nor the support of anyone who shares his views. In fact, (the writer's) views go against everything John Edwards has stood for his entire life - the idea that every person, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to live the American dream."
Campaign officials also sent out an article from the University Wire from 2003 relating to an incident in which the purported author, then an ISU student, attempted to pick a fight with another student, calling him racial epithets. The incident resulted in a simple assault charge against the author.
Cub Foods fliers "not related"
Ames police say fliers found in the parking lot of Cub Foods in Ames are not connected to other racist fliers found on the Iowa State University campus and in Slater.
The other flier, according to Cmdr. Jim Robinson of the Ames Police Department, depicts a member of the Ku Klux Klan with the slogan "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." This flier contains the e-mail address www.hal
turnershow.com, the home page of a "White Power" radio program out of New Jersey.
Robinson said he did not think the Cub Foods flier was related to the others.
Luke Jennett can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 343, or ljennett@amestrib.com.
