August 2009

What are you doing. . .Friday, Sept. 18? That's when Webster University's School of Business & Technology and School of Communications will present a "TweetUp" with Twitter creator/chairman/co-founder and St. Louis native Jack Dorsey. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. at Webster's Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd. Reservations are required for admission; to RSVP, go to www.webster.edu/jackatwebster. Full release.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for state and federal hate crime charges against two men who allegedly called a California assault victim "Taliban" and "terrorist" during the attack. Full release.

Today, traditional political opponents put aside their differences in an effort to improve the voting process for all Americans. A distinguished array of Democratic and Republican former Members of Congress, Secretaries of State, local elections administrators and election law experts announced the formation of the "Committee to Modernize Voter Registration." The group is dedicated to bringing the voter registration system into the 21st century by automating the outmoded system that relies on paper forms being filled out by voters and manually processed by local elections officials. Full release.

A new American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of the pending U.S. House health care reform bill, combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in New Mexico requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts of $130.2 million over that same time period. Nationally, the study finds, seniors' Medicare cuts will total $44 billion over ten years, prompting New Mexico's long term care community to warn that New Mexico seniors' care needs are endangered by the House bill, as are more than 160 long term care jobs in New Mexico alone. Full release.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, and Defenders of Wildlife have urged the United States to lead the way to end international commercial trade in polar bears, including hides, trophies, rugs and other polar bear parts. The United States has an opportunity to submit a proposal to stop the trade at next year's meeting of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The meeting is set for 13-25 March in Doha, Qatar. Full release.

One day after the 9/11 attacks, President Obama's "green jobs czar" led a vigil that expressed solidarity with Arab and Muslim Americans as well as what he called the victims of "U.S. imperialism" around the world, reports Aaron Klein of WorldNetDaily. Full release.

URAC, the nation's leading health care accreditation and education organization, today announced that several key policy makers and insurance leaders will lead a discussion, titled "Federal and State Health Policy Initiatives: Impact on the Nation's Health Care Landscape," at URAC's 10th Annual Quality Summit and Exhibit. This session is among the many high-level topics which will be addressed by CEOs and other executives from across the health care industry. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement ahead of the fourth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which is tomorrow, August 29, 2009. Full release.

Dr. Will Sawyer, a Family Medicine physician in Cincinnati, Ohio, is VERY concerned that the American public is NOT getting adequate information on how to PREVENT local severe outbreaks of the Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)! Sawyer's advice includes, crucially, "Do NOT Touch the 'T Zone'" comprised of eyes, nose and mouth, to prevent contamination (inoculation) of mucus membranes, which are the portal of entry into the respiratory and gastro-intestinal system for this and many other viruses. Health Canada in Ontario, Canada, talks about this key strategy for prevention of Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu), so why don't we here in the US? School administrators and nurses are focused on how to check students' temperatures to decide who goes home, but should devote much more thought to the critical elements necessary to PREVENT the spread of infectious diseases their schools. Full release.

Vice President Biden and Energy Secretary Chu announced this week the winners in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities program intended to prompt development of cleaner alternative transportation fuels to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil and lower carbon emissions. In response to the announcement, The American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF), a nonprofit organization focused on energy and environmental education, especially as it relates to natural gas, has issued the following statement after noting a significant portion of the funding will be allotted to natural gas infrastructure projects. Full release.

The American Revolution of 2010 unveiled its web site two days ago, providing the Nation with a viable means to dramatically change the US Congress. With the current uproar over Congress' handling of health care proposals, their timing could not be better. Their unique strategy has a real potential to lure literally millions of Americans who are frustrated with the career politicians currently occupying the halls of Congress to join their revolt. Full release.

AJC has condemned the World Council of Churches Secretary General, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, for his declaration that Israel's "occupation" of Palestinian territories is "a sin against God." Full release.

- Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, whose agencies provided substantial assistance to Katrina victims and continue to do so presently, issued the following statement today on the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Full release.

WhoWhatWhy.com reports exclusively today on the background of Hassan Nemazee, the top Hillary Clinton fundraiser who was arrested this week and charged with forging loan documents in order to borrow $74 million from Citibank. He could face up to 30 years in prison. Full release.

Between Lamborghini developing a hybrid and the proliferation of "green" marketing, there can be no doubt that green is going mainstream. Congress is trying its best to encourage the green vision by enacting (and expanding) tax incentives designed to develop and use renewable and sustainable resources. How companies can obtain the benefit of the incentives will be outlined in "Tax Incentives for the 'Green' Industry" -- a September 10 webinar at 12:30 p.m., hosted by BNA Tax and Accounting and presented by members of Venable LLP. Full release.

The Democratic Governors Association is moving Vermont into its top tier of targeted 2010 pickup races, as Governor Jim Douglas announced his retirement today. Full release.

The so-called "nuclear renaissance" is finding few friends among state lawmakers in the United States. The nuclear power industry has been shut out across the board in 2009 in its efforts in all six states -- ranging across the nation from Kentucky to Minnesota to Hawaii -- where it sought to overturn what are either explicit or effectively bans on construction of new reactors, according to the nonprofit Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). Efforts to overturn bans also have failed to advance in Illinois and West Virginia and Wisconsin. Full release.

The detection of an H1N1 virus in turkeys in Chile raises concern that poultry farms elsewhere in the world could also become infected with the pandemic flu virus currently circulating in humans, FAO said today. Full release.

he Office of the President and other White House officials are defendants in a free speech lawsuit filed by a prominent physician group, and a non-profit advocate for inner-city poor. Full release.

Chicago House & Social Service Agency, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, will host their first ever Speaker Series Luncheon on November 11, 2009, welcoming President Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker. Full release.

enator Pedro Espada confronted the manager of Hudson Valley Foie Gras in person at the farm on Friday, as reported in Wednesday's NY Daily News. To constantly force feed ducks with long metal pipes so their livers painfully expand to over 10 times in size, migrant workers are given little sleep and no days off. Female workers also told of sexual abuse and harassment common at the farm. Full release.

Michael J. Fitzpatrick, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released the following statement. "NAMI mourns the passing of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a true champion for individuals and families affected by serious mental illness." Full release.

Librarians, legal scholars, authors, publishers, and technology companies today announced the formation of a coalition - the Open Book Alliance - that will counter the proposed Google Book Settlement in its current form. The proposed settlement is between Google, the Association of American Publishers (AAP), and the Authors' Guild. Approval of the settlement plan currently is pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The deal is also currently being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department on antitrust grounds. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on Women's Equality Day: "Women's Equality Day offers us the opportunity to honor the brave American suffragettes who reached for the ballot, demanded their civil rights, and altered the course of history. These pioneers challenged the status quo so women today can pull the lever for progress, and they forced open the doors of equality and justice so all could walk through them." Full release.

Tuesday, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the "research arm" for the United States Congress, issued a report validating an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), that illegal aliens would be able to receive benefits under the House health care reform bill, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200). Full release.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy: "Last night we lost a hero, and I lost a friend. The passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy is an indescribable loss for our nation and the world." Full release.

The National Commander of The American Legion says the so-called "death book" posted on the Department of Veterans Affairs website may be well-intentioned, but needs to be reconsidered. Full release.

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement on the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy. The Democratic Party will pay tribute to Senator Kennedy at its fall meeting in Austin, Texas next month. Full release.

The following is a statement by Elizabeth Wilson, Executive Director, American Brain Tumor Association on the death of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Full release.

Is the Canadian health system a model for universal, affordable quality health care, or is it, as the opposition and the health-care industry charge, just another example of "socialized medicine" that fails the public? Full release.

- A small fleet of fishermen is expected to stage a protest today off the coast of Martha's Vineyard directed at President Obama over a recent change in regulations for commercial groundfish fishermen. The following statement is from Sally McGee, the New England Policy Director for EDF and a member of the New England Fishery Management Council, which recently voted 16-0 in favor of the new management approach for the groundfish fishery (Motion 21a from NEFMC meeting held in Portland, ME, June 25, 2009). Full release.

With scholarly references to "Lawrence of Arabia," T.E. Lawrence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of The American Legion today that trust and a partnership borne of understanding -- not simply military might -- is what is needed to quell conflicts and establish rules of law in troubled regions of the Middle East. Full release.

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is proud to congratulate its grantee Tostan, which is the focus of a chapter in acclaimed journalist Nicholas Kristof's and author Sheryl WuDunn's upcoming book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Full release.

A casualty of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's draconian cuts in social service funding, the California AIDS Clearinghouse will close next week. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, which operated the program for more than 15 years, received notification from the state Office of AIDS that all funding for it had been eliminated. Full release.

As students all over the country head back to school this year, what is their likelihood of succeeding? A quick look at four recent indicators of school success - and attitudes surrounding it - are cause for concern. Full release.

In a precedent setting case, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has ruled that former homosexuals are a protected class that must be recognized under sexual orientation non-discrimination laws. The Court held that, under the D.C. Human Rights Act, sexual orientation does not require immutable characteristics. Full release.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new nationwide poll of American voters shows President Obama leading major 2012 Republican presidential contenders. The survey, conducted by Clarus Research Group, a nonpartisan research firm based in Washington, D.C., shows Obama leading GOP challengers by margins ranging from 9 to 19 points. Full release.

Josh Horwitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and co-author of the new book, Guns, Democracy, and the Insurrectionist Idea, is available to speak to the press about the current danger of armed political violence in the United States. Full release.

Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA's executive director, issued the following statement on the release of various documents and announcements about Bush-era counterterrorism tactics. Full release.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) announces September 15th and 16th as the dates for its annual Hold Their Feet to the Fire radio rally in Washington, D.C. In this largest gathering ever of talk radio, 47 hosts, led by Roger Hedgecock of Radio America Networks and Lou Dobbs of United Stations Radio Network, will broadcast live from Capitol Hill. They will discuss several key issues, including the cost and impact of continued illegal immigration on jobs, wages, education, the environment and national security, the loopholes within America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 allowing illegal aliens access to tax-payer funded benefits, and the Obama Administration's plans for amnesty. Full release.

Paul Malley, President of the national non-profit organization Aging with Dignity, today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately suspend use of its "Your Life, Your Choices" advance care planning guide dubbed "The Death Book for Veterans." Malley also praised Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, who announced on "Fox News Sunday" yesterday that he would call for hearings into the matter. Full release.

Amnesty International experts Tom Parker and Vienna Colucci are available to the media to provide in-depth analysis and strategic insights into the Central Intelligence Agency Inspector General's report regarding abuses by CIA employees, possible decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a prosecutor to investigate detainee abuses and other announcements and decisions. Full release.

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that the Special Task Force on Interrogations and Transfer Policies, which was created pursuant to Executive Order 13491 on Jan. 22, 2009, has proposed that the Obama Administration establish a specialized interrogation group to bring together officials from law enforcement, the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense to conduct interrogations in a manner that will strengthen national security consistent with the rule of law. Full release.

During today's White House Conference on Gang Violence and Crime Control, the National League of Cities (NLC) will join mayors, law enforcement officials, community groups, foundations, and scholars to discuss effective strategies for preventing criminal activity and eliminating the destructive influence of gangs in our nation's cities and towns. Full release.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Full release.

John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, will be a featured speaker at the Council on Competitiveness National Energy Summit & International Dialogue, September 23-24, in Washington, D.C. Full release.

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum announced today that former United States Senator George McGovern, the 1972 Democratic candidate for president, will speak at the Library August 26, at 7:30 P.M. The program is free and open to the public. Full release.

The Obesity Society strongly opposes the current billboard campaign from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) promoting vegetarianism at the expense of stigmatizing overweight and obese persons. The PETA billboard ad displays an image of an overweight woman in a bikini, with the text "Save the Whales - Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian." This ad is an unmistakable example of stigma and prejudice against individuals who are overweight and obese. The campaign is disrespectful and offensive, and is not an effective or appropriate way to encourage vegetarianism or healthy eating behaviors. Full release.

Seattle gun owners can take much credit for the ouster of anti-gun Mayor Greg Nickels in this week's primary election, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said this morning following what amounted to a concession speech at his press conference. Full release.

The following statement was released today by Congressman Chaka Fattah: "The notion that the federal government should not be involved in providing healthcare insurance for individuals is on its face ridiculous given the numerous insurances the government is already providing." Full release.

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