February 12, 2009

The following was released today by the Embassy of The Republic of the Sudan - Washington: In yet another vivid demonstration of the true inspiration behind the Prosecutor's actions, the anticipated issuance of an arrest warrant for President al-Bashir, is preempted by a dubious announcement through the media. New York Times reported on Wednesday evening that some anonymous United Nations' officials confirmed to the Secretary General Ban Ki Moon the approval of an arrest warrant by the judges who allegedly would make an official announcement shortly. If in fact such an announcement is imminent, it's a proceeding that requires a degree of care and some level of professionalism from a prosecutor. It is rather embarrassing for the Court, that it had to release a statement this morning denying having reached a decision let alone issuing an arrest warrant. Still the NYT has disseminated the story again this morning and has widely been reproduced by other media outlets. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Full release.

The Bush Administration ignored warnings from senior career Interior Department officials that its last-minute rule change allowing the carrying of loaded, concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges was being hurried through in violation of Federal law, government documents obtained by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence show. Full release.

- The following is a statement from Judie Brown, president of American Life League, on the eugenics element woven into the healthcare provisions of the stimulus package agreed upon by the House and Senate Feb. 12 as reported by the Associated Press and San Jose Mercury News. Full release.

AARP today launched Government Watch, an interactive website designed to enable older Americans to hold accountable Congress and the Obama Administration on issues that matter most to them. Rolling out in conjunction with AARP's first designated "key vote" of the 111th Congress, Government Watch puts Members of Congress on notice that when they cast a vote on an issue important to Americans 50+, 80 million eyes will be watching. Full release.

Amnesty International members and other activists will be burning up the phone lines during the week of February 17 to urge their senators to fully investigate the U.S. government's abuses in the war on terror and hold accountable those responsible. The human rights organization is calling on President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to create an independent and impartial commission to examine the use of torture, indefinite detention, secret renditions and other illegal U.S. counterterrorism policies. Full release.

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) issued the following statement regarding today's announcement of a Republican Task Force on the Census: Full release.

Deep public dissatisfaction with the current health insurance system is evident in a new poll showing that 64% of Americans support expanding Medicare as a choice for anyone who wants an option to the private insurance market. The poll numbers illustrate unease with rising premiums, diminishing benefits and loss of health coverage when a job disappears. Full release.

On the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) took it upon himself to speak for the American people, boldly declaring that, when it comes to pork, "the American people really don't care." However, according to a just-released ATI-News/Zogby poll, Schumer's statement is incorrect. Full release.

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