July 21, 2008

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Smith & Wesson have partnered to create a commemorative revolver designed to recognize the historical significance of the District of Columbia vs. Heller decision and to acknowledge the six original plaintiffs that united to challenge the gun ban in Washington, D.C. As part of the project, an engraved Smith & Wesson Model 442 revolver will be presented to each of the six plaintiffs - Shelly Parker, Tom Palmer, Gillian St. Lawrence, Tracey Ambeau, George Lyon and Dick Heller - for their key roles in working to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Smith & Wesson will make the commemorative revolver available for consumer purchase in Fall 2008 and will direct a portion of the proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation to acknowledge the organization's pivotal role in the Heller case and its ongoing efforts to preserve the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens. Full release.

In an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee, Brooke Coleman of FoodPriceTruth.org highlighted the fact that big food companies like Kraft and General Mills are profiting in the grocery aisle while bankrolling a campaign to blame biofuels for record food prices. Full release

The following are remarks prepared for delivery by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey: "Today, I would like to discuss one particular institutional challenge that we still face--the continued detention of enemy combatants after the Supreme Court's recent decision in Boumediene v. Bush. In that decision, the Court ruled that the 275 or so enemy combatants detained at Guantanamo Bay have a constitutional right to challenge their detention in federal court through petitions for habeas corpus." Full release

After a week in which John McCain received more criticism for his ties to top economic advisor Phil Gramm, who echoed Senator McCain's sentiments that America's economic problems were "psychological" by saying we are in a "mental recession," McCain is in Maine today, where his out of touch positions and attitude on the economy will be on full display. Today, McCain will raise campaign cash in Maine with former President George H.W. Bush and his wealthy friends (if McCain was really trying to erase his reputation as being out of touch with Americans and their economic concerns - he might have thought twice about appearing with the elder Bush who himself didn't understand the economy as president.) John McCain is not only taking help from the Bush family to raise money, he's calling for the continuation of the Bush-Republican economic policies that have been a disaster for America's families. Full release

The following was released today by the Republican National Committee: Democrat Polling Firm Democracy Corps: "McCain's message adding domestic oil production to a policy of alternative energy investment and conservation is favored over Obama's message that blames oil companies, calls for investments in alternative energy, and rejects limited offshore drilling..." (John Harwood, "Rising Value Of A Vote In A Struggling Economy," The New York Times, 7/21/08) Full release

The 2008 presidential campaign has already made one thing clear -- young voters aren't sitting this one out. A testament to this dynamic youth movement is VoteGopher.com: the ultimate election study guide. Focused on the issues and targeted at young voters, VoteGopher.com is back -- re-launched, revamped, and with several new features to help voters make an informed choice this November. Full release

This week, the Senate will debate legislation to curb speculation in oil and natural gas. S. 3268, The Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008, would suppress trading that is not regarded as "legitimate" hedge trading. It is intended to prevent excessive price speculation in energy commodities, hoping that this would bring prices down. Full release

Today, leading voting rights groups called on James B. Peake, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to reverse a recent decision that prohibits VA offices and facilities from offering voter registration and potentially registering tens of thousands of veterans. Full release

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