February 19, 2009

The U.S.-Russia Business Council yesterday submitted its recommendations to the Obama Administration regarding U.S. policy toward Russia. In an effort to create a more productive and lasting partnership between the two countries, the USRBC's recommendations focus on the development of the commercial relationship as a foundation for moving forward on the geopolitical agenda. Full release.

At the current board meeting for the NAACP held in New York City the Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony and hundreds of others called for an apology and retraction from the New York Post. The New York Post ran an editorial cartoon depicting an unarmed gorilla primate on the ground being shot by law enforcement officers. The caption referenced the stimulus package signed by President Obama asking the question who will sign the next stimulus bill? Full release.

Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org, issued a statement of support and advice for our new Administration in its dealing with Iran. Ellison has observed the Iranians during the past 30 years, and knows that Iran's development of a ballistic missile capability calls for the United States and its Allies to respond by developing and deploying a robust missile system. His comments and observations include the following. Full release.

Today, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) issued the following statement regarding President Obama's appointment of NALEO and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., to serve as White House Director of Urban Affairs. Full release.

The government filed a lawsuit today in Miami against Swiss bank UBS AG, the Justice Department announced. The lawsuit asks the court to order the international bank to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the identities of the bank's U.S. customers with secret Swiss accounts. According to the lawsuit, as many as 52,000 U.S. customers hid their UBS accounts from the government in violation of the tax laws. Full release.

Concerned that the Obama administration will follow through on its quest to politicize the U.S. Census and undercut the credibility of its final numbers, Negative Population Growth President Don Mann has written to President Obama asking that the White House let officials and professionals at the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau "carry out this mission...and do their jobs without political interference." Full release.

In a recent survey of journalists of color conducted by the leading African American website for economic and political news, The Loop 21, and UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc., most respondents do not believe that mainstream media is effectively covering racial issues. Results of the survey were released today during a special "Race & the Media" panel discussion hosted and presented by the National Press Club's Eric Friedheim Library. Full release.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today released the following statement as President Obama travels to Canada: "After signing a trillion dollar stimulus package with protectionist language, it is important that President Obama clearly communicate America's commitment to global trade. Protectionism is not a solution to our current economic crisis; closing our borders would only lead to fewer jobs and a deeper recession." Full release.

A new study by Loyola Law School Professor Richard L. Hasen finds that the amount of election law litigation in the 2007-2008 election season remained at more than double the rate before the controversial 2000 election. In addition, reversing a recent trend, more litigation is ending up in federal court than in prior years. Full release.

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