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Blogs of the Right:
Blogs of the Middle & More
March 2006
March 31, 2006"Following is a statement by Dr. Edwin Lyman, senior scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists:
"The decision by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) to begin production of separated plutonium at the Rokkasho-mura Reprocessing Plant (RRP) is both dangerous and reckless. It will further erode a nuclear non-proliferation regime already severely weakened by the Iran crisis, and will ultimately increase the risk that terrorists will obtain the materials needed to make nuclear weapons. This is a step backwards in the war on terrorism." [Read more]
"Former lobbyist Tony C. Rudy pleaded guilty to conspiring with Jack Abramoff, Michael Scanlon and others to commit honest services fraud, mail and wire fraud, and a violation of conflict of interest post-employment restrictions, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.
Rudy, 39, entered his plea today in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia before Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Rudy faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, mandatory restitution estimated to be approximately $100,000 as well as supervised release following his incarceration." [Read more]
"The American Jewish Congress today applauded as a "good first step" the UN Security Council decision to issue a demand that Iran halt its nuclear enrichment program. "The Security Council resolution is a 'good first step,' said AJCongress President, Paul S. Miller, "because it unites the major powers toward a single clear goal. But no one should live under the illusion that this resolution will be sufficient, and, therefore, the last step that will need to be taken." [Read more]
"The Republican National Committee today unveiled a new web ad titled "Censure? Impeachment?" The web ad features Democrat attacks on the Terrorist Surveillance Program. "Censure? Impeachment?" will also be e-mailed to Republican grassroots supporters and is available for viewing now at http://www.GOP.com." [Read more]
"In a survey conducted just days after the Federal Communications Commission fined local broadcasters for airing content it deemed indecent, voters overwhelmingly rejected the notion that government should have a say in what they watch on TV. The nationwide survey, conducted March 24 through 26 by Russell Research, found that only twelve percent of American voters prefer that the government -- and not individuals -- decide what's appropriate for television. In fact, those who prefer government control are such a small minority that they're even outnumbered by the one-fifth of Americans who believe that alien abductions have taken place (Roper Poll, 2002)." [Read more]
"Americans overwhelmingly want English to be the sole language on all election ballots in the United States, according to a poll by Zogby International commissioned by ProEnglish, an Arlington, Va.-based national organization that backs official English.
U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, today unveiled the new Zogby poll findings at the National Press Club and praised ProEnglish and the Washington D.C.-based Eagle Forum for a letter urging U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner to oppose the Voting Rights Act (VRA) section reauthorizing multilingual ballots." [Read more]
"Today's action against China represents a positive step forward by the Bush Administration in protecting intellectual property rights, innovation and the continued growth of the American economy. A scholarly paper commissioned by USA For Innovation finds intellectual property squarely at the heart of American economic growth -- "The Economic Value of Intellectual Property" by economists Dr. Robert Shapiro and Dr. Kevin Hassett quantifies the value of American intellectual property at $5 - 5.5 trillion, far higher than previous estimates." [Read more]
"Building on the success of the abortion ban in South Dakota, pro-lifers across the country are rallying together in record numbers to bring an end to the inhumane act of abortion," said David Bereit, executive director of American Life League, the nation's largest grassroots pro-life organization. "Each state plays an integral role in the nationwide battle for life, and American Life League is thrilled to be working with the people of Nebraska to develop new pro-life initiatives that will ensure justice for all -- born and preborn." [Read more]
"Life for Relief and Development (LIFE), an American humanitarian relief organization based in Southfield Michigan, is happy and relieved to the news of the safe release of American Journalist Jill Carroll, in Iraq today.
LIFE, which has several offices throughout Iraq, offers emergency humanitarian aid and implements various development projects, such as building and rehabilitating schools and water treatment centers." [Read more]
"According to a new "Lifetime Women's Pulse Poll," conducted for the network by Roper Poll, when women and men vote in the mid-term elections this fall, expected issues such as homeland security, jobs and the economy and the war in Iraq will be very important, but an issue that receives far less attention -- preventing violence against women and girls -- will be just as, if not more, important to them. This and other poll results demonstrating the growing prevalence and importance of the issue of gender violence come as Lifetime Television launches its 2006 public education and advocacy campaign, Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women" [Read more]
"Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid today delivered the following floor remarks on comprehensive immigration reform legislation under debate in the U.S. Senate. Democrats are working for comprehensive reform that is tough and smart to secure our borders, crack down on employers who hire illegally, and bring undocumented workers out of the shadows.
Senator Reid's remarks, as prepared, follow below..." [Read more]
"The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) today congratulated the Nebraska Legislature for passing a concealed carry bill, which pro-gun Republican Gov. Dave Heineman has promised to sign.
Passage of this legislation leaves only two states remaining where anti-self-defense Democrats have prevented citizens from having the legal means of personal protection: Wisconsin and Illinois. Nebraska lawmakers passed the bill on a 33-12 vote." [Read more]
"For years, a vocal minority has pressured the government to play a more active role in regulating television content. In the wake of recent government fines, TV Watch commissioned a nationwide, public opinion survey to test voters' attitudes towards government regulation and specifically some of the most recent decisions. The findings are inconsistent with statements by activists pursuing not just regulatory action but legislation to increase government involvement in deciding what we can all see on TV." [Read more]
"Three years after President Bush first declared the "end of major combat operations in Iraq" thousands continue to die.
To urge Congress to halt the mounting death toll, organizations representing military families, veterans, Iraq war survivors and peace activists unite for Silence of the Dead, Voices of the Living, a march and procession on Saturday, May 13, at 11:30 a.m., on the National Mall in Washington, D.C." [Read more]
"House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today released the following statement, naming Rep. Darrell Issa to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:
"Gathering and assessing intelligence and intelligence oversight play a central role as we fight to keep our nation strong and secure. Darrell's strong background in intelligence and military training will make him an asset to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is a valuable member of the House Republican team who likes to get things done. I look forward to working with him in his new role as we fight the Global War on Terror on all fronts." [Read more]
"As President Bush travels to Mexico this week, it is imperative he make up for his past inaction and show real leadership on immigration. Four years after 9/11, the Bush Administration has turned its back on Mexico and the needs of our allies in the Western Hemisphere and has ignored the vital issue of immigration here in the U.S. As a Washington Post editorial noted today, "the president himself has been unwilling, so far, to match his words about (immigration) reform with deeds to make certain it gets one." They called on President Bush "to step up" and provide real leadership." [Read more]
"Christian Children's Fund (CCF), a member of the NetHope consortium, has received a $1.4 million grant from Microsoft for software to upgrade CCF technology infrastructure among its 33 international country and regional offices.
Christian Children's Fund received the grant as a member of NetHope, which represents 17 non-governmental organizations who collectively problem solve and leverage their technology investments to better meet the local information technology needs in more than 100 developing countries." [Read more]
"In a 34-page opinion issued yesterday, federal Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) had "failed to present a reasoned explanation" for its decision in 2004 not to issue rules to require section 527 organizations to register as federal political committees when they spend money to influence federal campaigns.
The court found that the FEC's failure to act on 527 groups "does not reflect reasoned decision making." [Read more]
"On the 25th anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Reagan and the shooting of Presidential Press Secretary Jim Brady, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is announcing a landmark multi- year effort to stop the trafficking of guns from licensed gun dealers into the hands of criminals." [Read more]
"World Wildlife Fund and Coinstar, Inc. will jumpstart Earth Day awareness with a special promotion to raise funds for WWF conservation programs. From April through June, a promotional screen on Coinstar(r) Center kiosks will inform patrons about the plight of endangered wildlife and encourage them to donate their loose change to WWF." [Read more]
"The following statement was released today by the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG:
The United States Senate failed the American people today.
The Senate failed to pass effective lobbying and ethics reform legislation, and failed to address the biggest lobbying and ethics problems facing the Senate.
As Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff was being sentenced today in one of the criminal cases brought against him, a majority of Senators were choosing to ignore deep public concerns about the corruption and lobbying scandals in Washington that Abramoff symbolizes." [Read more]
"Jack A. Abramoff and Adam R. Kidan were sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Paul C. Huck, R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge of for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today. In addition, the defendants were ordered to pay restitution to Foothill Capital in the amount of $21,701,015.45. The defendants were also ordered to complete 750 hours of community service during their supervised release period." [Read more]
"The General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO/CLC, Harold Schaitberger, issued this statement today after speaking at a press conference called by House and Senate Democrats pushing for a stronger homeland security program:
"Since that tragic day on September 11 almost five years ago, when the sacrifice of 343 of my members -- New York's Bravest -- became etched into the minds of all Americans, the current White House administration has been long on rhetoric and praise for first responders, but has provided little in the way of meaningful resources or commitment to our communities." [Read more]
"Civil Liberties in a Time of War" will be the topic of Judge Andrew Napolitano, senior judicial analyst for Fox News and author of "Constitutional Chaos" and "The Constitution in Exile." Judge Napolitano will speak on Thursday, March 30, 2006, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Members of Congress Room, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress." [Read more]
"Today, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid delivered the following speech on the Democratic plan to protect America: Real Security.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Today is an important moment for this country. America faces the greatest national security challenges of our generation. Great challenges call for real leadership, and that is why we are here today.
Before we begin, I understand President Bush is giving an Iraq speech right now. The president can give all the speeches he wants, but nothing will change the fact that his Iraq policy is wrong." [Read more]
"House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) issued the following statement today highlighting Republican accomplishments on national security while at the same time pointing out the Democrats actual record on the issue:
"House Republicans will continue to do what is right to protect American families and prevent a tragedy like September 11th from occurring ever again. On the other hand, Democratic Leadership has voted against the most important efforts to protect our homeland." [Read more]
"The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush and President Obasanjo of Nigeria in a photo opportunity:
The Oval Office
10:30 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: The President and I talked about Darfur and the Sudan, and I made it very clear to him that we're deeply concerned about the humiliation, the rape, the murder that is taking place among the -- against the citizens of Darfur. He agreed. And I want to thank you for your compassion.
We talked and strategized about how to move forward, how to make it clear to the Sudanese government that there will be a international response in working toward a peace. We talked about a dual track, that the rebels must come together and negotiate with the government, and at the same time, we talked about bolstering the AU peacekeeping force with a Blue Helmet force. And I explained my desire to have a NATO overlay, to make sure that force is robust." [Read more]
"The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence will announce plans to focus on illegal gun trafficking over the coming years and detail a campaign to impact the criminal gun marketplace at a news briefing Thursday, March 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the National Press Club, 14th and F Streets N.W., Washington, D.C." [Read more]
"Today, The Drum Major Institute For Public Policy (DMI), a New York-based non-partisan public policy think tank that has taken a leading role in shaping the ongoing national debate on immigration reform, will testify on that issue before the New York City Council Committees on Immigration and Civil Rights. Applying its expertise in evaluating policy based on its impact on America's current and aspiring middle class, DMI will testify that the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437) would undermine the economic well-being of the American middle class." [Read more]
"Americans United for Life, the nation's leading public interest pro-life law firm, presents its first annual comprehensive guide to pro-life law and policy in the states. Reporters and editors are invited to a briefing on the new legal guide, 'Defending Life 2006: A State-by-State Legal Guide to Abortion, Bioethics, and the End of Life'." [Read more]
"House and Senate Democrats will hold a major event today at 1 p.m. EST to unveil the comprehensive Democratic plan to protect America: Real Security. Despite their tough talk, Republican's incompetence has made America less safe. Democrats will offer tough and smart policies to provide the real security that Americans expect and demand." [Read more]
"In a seemingly mundane decision, New York University has sacrificed the principle underlying its flourishing and the survival of civilization--free speech," said Dr. Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute. NYU is refusing to protect a student group's right to display the Danish cartoons of Mohammad at a panel discussion on free speech on March 29." [Read more]
"Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported out a bill with strong bipartisan support that would do exactly what I believe is necessary to restore order to our immigration system. The Committee bill offers real solutions, with tough, effective enforcement and smart reforms. This bill would secure our borders, crack down on employers who hire illegally, and bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows." [Read more]
"In a letter sent to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and members of the House Budget Committee, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) today urged the House to follow the U.S. Senate's lead in rejecting Medicare and Medicaid cuts that will place quality patient care in jeopardy, and undermine nursing home quality gains achieved since the 2002 inception of the joint federal-provider Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI)." [Read more]
"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, today denounced the Nigerian government's failure to ensure the secure transfer of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Smith said that the events surrounding Taylor's disappearance have enabled "a war criminal to escape from justice."
"There have been persistent questions about the level of security provided by the Nigerian government to ensure that Charles Taylor didn't have unchecked ability to travel," said Smith. "As a result a warlord with ties to Al-Qaeda and terrorism is now on the loose." [Read more]
"Facing increasing disarray in his own party and sagging poll numbers, President Bush announced a desperate move to salvage his presidency with the appointment of Office of Management and Budget Director Josh Bolten to replace Andy Card as White House Chief of Staff today. Bolten, however, is hardly the change that Americans are demanding from the President, representing more of the same failed policies that characterized the first five and a half years of the Bush Administration." [Read more]
"The Rose Garden
10:20 a.m. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. We've just finished our third Cabinet meeting of this year. I want to thank my Cabinet members for joining us. We talked about the war on terror. We talked about a war on terror that requires all of us involved in government to respond and to protect America and help spread freedom." [Read more]
"Military families need greater psychological, emotional, and organizational assistance according to the results of a new survey released today by the National Military Family Association (NMFA). The "Cycles of Deployment Report," a study on the needs of military families, shows service members and military families are experiencing increased levels of anxiety, fatigue, and stress. In response, NMFA outlined recommendations for meeting these challenges amid multiple and extended deployments, increased rates at which servicemembers are called upon for service, and the heavy reliance on National Guard and Reserve forces." [Read more]
"House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.), the author of H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, which the House passed in December by a 239-182 margin, released the following statement:
"Border security and immigration reform is the toughest and most complex government policy issue around, and one that requires a civil, careful, and thoughtful discussion to arrive at a policy that reflects that we are both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Thus, I am disappointed by the erroneous accusations lodged against the strong House-passed border security bill aimed at preventing illegal immigration that I sponsored." [Read more]
"Hudson Institute's Center on Islam, Democracy and the Future of the Muslim World has announced the publication of the third volume of Current Trends in Islamist Ideology, the nation's only journal devoted to research and analysis of the worldwide radical Islamist movement." [Read more]
"The following was released today by the Hispanic National Bar Association:
"The renewed call for action by these border vigilantes is a disgrace to America. The mob mentality of harassment, confrontation, and detention of persons within the United States without due process and the safeguards afforded under the U.S. Constitution is an affront to democracy. It is a form of racism that represents America at its worst. Acting under self- imposed color of law, the vigilantes are no more than street thugs engaging in activities whose sole measurable result is increased resentment, discrimination, and potential for violence toward the Latino community." [Read more]
"Conservatives not only control all three branches of government, major parts of the media are increasingly conservative, too. Conservatives dominate the cable and radio airwaves, as well as the nation's op-ed pages. Meanwhile, the established news media is under constant assault from the right for demonstrating a so-called liberal bias, which many progressives critics allege leads to softer coverage, more accommodating of those in power and imperiling objective, independent inquiry. Recently, reportage on the Iraq war has been drawn into the political crosshairs." [Read more]
"A new national poll released today by the Vernon K. Krieble Foundation shows an overwhelming majority of Americans believe controlling U.S. borders requires a better system for handling foreign guest workers.
The survey of 800 Americans of both parties was conducted March 14-16 by Public Opinion Strategies. Among other findings, it shows that by an astounding margin of 78 percent to 16 percent Americans agree with the statement, "It is not possible to have absolute border control without a better system for handling guest workers." [Read more]
"Amnesty International USA Executive Director Dr. William F. Schulz released the following statement in response to the Pentagon's proposed new rule barring the use of any evidence obtained by torture in military commission hearings on the eve of Hamdan v Rumsfeld at the U.S. Supreme Court:
"A rule change banning the use of evidence obtained by torture would be a positive development and brings the Pentagon closer to compliance with Article 15 of the Convention Against Torture, signed and ratified by the United States. However, the devil remains in the details." [Read more]
"Every day, Planned Parenthood undermines American values, and it does so with our tax money," said American Life League president Judie Brown. "Frankly, we're fed up. That's why we're beginning a new advertising campaign to educate Americans about what this organization does with our hard-earned dollars. When people find out the truth, we're convinced Planned Parenthood's tax funding will quickly dry up." [Read more]
"The much anticipated War On Christians And The Values Voter In 2006 conference convenes today (March 27) at noon in the Blue Room of the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Conference hours are noon to 5:30 p.m. today (with a banquet from 7 to 9:30 p.m.) and 8:30 to 6 p.m. tomorrow (with a luncheon from 12:30 to 2 p.m.). All sessions are open to the media.
The conference will cover every aspect of the far-reaching assault on Christians and Judeo-Christian values from activist organizations, government, Hollywood and America's cultural elite." [Read more]
"It's obvious that Planned Parenthood doesn't understand South Dakotans," said American Life League president Judie Brown. "Planned Parenthood's involvement in an attempt to overturn the state's new abortion law flies in the face of South Dakota values. The South Dakotans I know utterly despise the public advocacy of killing preborn babies and will not stand for this." [Read more]
"Today, David Brock, president & CEO of Media Matters for America, released the following statement in response to Republican operative Ben Domenech's resignation from WashingtonPost.com:
"We at Media Matters are pleased the Ben Domenech will no longer be employed by the Post, but serious questions remain about why he was originally hired. The Post still needs to explain why a partisan operative who admits he is not a journalist and who has a history of racially charged rhetoric, homophobic bigotry, and serial plagiarism was given a platform on Washingtonpost.com in the first place." [Read more]
"Next week, Republican Senate Leader Bill Frist is likely to introduce a harmful immigration bill on to the Senate floor that will criminalize good Samaritans, including church members and clergy, and does not provide a larger, comprehensive framework for reform or a path to citizenship. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on President Bush and the Republican Congress's failure to lead on the issue of immigration:
"President Bush and his Republican Congress's failure to offer comprehensive solutions on immigration reform and their attempt to use the issue to divide Americans is contrary to our values as a people and does a disservice to all who live and work in this great nation." [Read more]
"As mark up of an immigration reform bill continues in the Senate on Monday, hundreds of faith leaders from around the country will gather for an interfaith prayer service on the West lawn of the U.S. Capitol and rally against current measures that criminalize clergy and social service providers who provide aid to undocumented immigrants." [Read more]