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December 29, 2005

Dept. of Homeland Security Has Management Problems

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general issued a report on Wednesday that stated that the agency has experienced problems with its oversight of the billions of dollars of contracts that it issues each year. FoxNews.com reported the Dept. of Homeland Security has struggled to retool its programs and resources to prioritize its top risks.

The report noted the lack of oversight within several programs administered by FEMA, such as aid distribution to disaster victims, emergency response information systems, and managing contracts and grants. The report stated that the circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina and Rita provided an "unprecedented opportunity for fraud, waste, and abuse."

An audit performed on the contracts awarded by the Dept. of Homeland Security found the agency has awarded a total $4.1 billion in contracts related to Hurricane Katrina, constituting almost half of the department's total contracts awarded for the year.

The report also cited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for failure to properly maintain its accounting records as well as to poor coordination between patrol officers and immigration investigators that has contributed to security vulnerabilities at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Posted by at 04:36 PM | Comments (35)

December 28, 2005

Kurds Are Anticipating Civil War

The Knight Ridder News Service reported Iraqi Kurdish leaders have placed more than 10,000 of their militia members in the Iraqi army in anticipation of the country collapsing into civil war.

Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq long for their own independent state and appear willing to fight their countrymen for the establishment of Kurdistan.

The Kurds are not the only ethnic group in Iraq that believes the country will eventually descend into civil war. Many Shiite Muslim groups in southern Iraq are also inserting members of their own militias into army and police units in preparation for civil war, the Knight Ridder News Service reported.

If Iraq disintegrates, many speculate that soldiers will break ranks and protect their religious and ethnic interests instead of continuing to work to keep the country together.

In the event of a national government collapse, it is likely that Kurds and various Arab groups will fight over the hotly contested city of Kirkuk. The Kurds are prepared to march south and seize Kirkuk, with its large oil fields, to claim it as part of a future Kurdistan.

An Arab soldier told Knight Ridder, "If the Kurds want to separate from Iraq it's OK, as long as they keep their present boundaries. But there can be no conversation about them taking Kirkuk...If it becomes a matter of fighting, then we will join any force that fights to keep Kirkuk. We will die to keep it."

A Kurd in the Iraqi army stated, "There is no other choice. If Kirkuk does not become a part of Kurdistan peacefully we will fight for 100 years to take it." One Kurdish official in the Iraqi government commented on the country's future. He said, "I see Iraq gradually becoming three regions that will one day become independent. I see us moving toward the end of Iraq."

Col. Saber Saleem stated that even though he is enlisted in the Iraqi army, his true allegiance lies with the Kurds' push for their own independent state. He further added, "I tell you that I am part of the Iraqi army, but when it comes to the Kurdish cause I am to offer my life, my head, for one inch of Kurdish land. Especially for Kirkuk."

Posted by at 04:36 PM | Comments (81)

December 27, 2005

Courts were not working out for Bush wiretaps

UPI is reporting that the court created to deal within international surveillance, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, just wasn't working out for the Bush administration. Out of the 5,645 requests made by the Bush Admin, 179 were modified. This is a sharp increase from the past history of the court.

Did these modifications make it necessary for the Bush admin to rise above the law and move forward with wiretaps that were not approved by the court? Our great leader doesn't think so and doesn't seem to care if anyone else does.

Instead of answering questions on the matter last Monday, President Bush ran straight towards the "if you disagree with me you're un-American" path by saying, "My personal opinion is it was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war. The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy."

He continued with his defense by saying, "This program has targeted those with known links to al Qaeda. I've reauthorized this program more than 30 times since the Sept. 11 attacks, and I intend to do so for so long as the nation faces the continuing threat of an enemy that wants to kill American citizens.''

Although probably seen by Bush as being in league with the "evil-doers," the ACLU had this to say about the program, " President Bush's disregard and disrespect for the Constitution are evident, but in America, we are all bound by the rule of law . . . The president took an oath to 'preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States.' He cannot use a claim of seeking to preserve our nation to undermine the rules that serve as our foundation. The Attorney General, who may have been involved with the formulation of this policy, must appoint an outside special counsel to let justice be served."

It has been clear for some time that the Bush administration feels that it is above the law at all times while using 9/11 as an excuse for every action. Democratic leadership is not helping the matter either as they have remained spineless or just plainly absent for the past several years.

Thankfully, vigilance is still alive with the members of the Libertarian Party and many other groups across the nation. Can we make a difference? The 2006 elections are just around the corner so we'll find out soon enough.

Posted by Shane Cory at 01:57 PM | Comments (34)

December 23, 2005

Err, Happy Holidays?

While I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, I've never been one to follow the orders of right-wing pundits who are demanding the greeting.

While the right has been consumed with a trumped up "War on Christmas" and the left has been on an approval ratings roller coaster ride, the Libertarians have been busy prepping for 2006.

We plan to kick off the year with a bang by launching the Libertarian Leadership School. Check back with us on January 2nd and sign-up for a class. After the LLS, we'll follow-up with a newly redesigned website that will focus on candidates and campaigns. Embedded within the site will be a new program, our Candidate Tracker (more to come on that). For a sneak peek at the site, see: www.lp.org/redesign32/. Note that this is still a preliminary design (also note that Sam New's profile is filler).

We'll be shutting down this afternoon in preparation for the Holidays. We'll be back Tuesday with fresh content.

Oh, and don't say that I didn't get you anything this year: here's an open thread for the holiday weekend. If you would like to return the favor, feel free to make a generous donation to the LP by clicking here.

Best Regards, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

Shane Cory
Chief of Staff
Libertarian National Committee

Posted by Shane Cory at 12:42 PM | Comments (88)

December 21, 2005

Federal Judge Resigns in Protest Over Secret Spying Program

James Robertson, a U.S. District Judge and member of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, resigned in apparent protest over the president's authorization of the NSA secret domestic eavesdropping program, the Washington Post reported.

When Robertson submitted his resignation to Chief Justice John Roberts he declined to state a reason for quitting, but was concerned about the questionable legality of allowing the NSA to conduct domestic surveillance without a warrant. More specifically, Robertson was concerned that information gained from warrantless NSA surveillance could then have been used to obtain FISA warrants, according to the Washington Post. One anonymous source stated, "They just don't know if the product of wiretaps were used for FISA warrants - to kind of cleanse the information. What I've heard some of the judges say is they feel they've participated in a Potemkin court."

The FISA court was created by Congress in 1978 with its members appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Since the court's inception, it was largely seen by many legal experts as the only body that could legally authorize secret surveillance of espionage and terrorism suspects, and only when the Justice Department could show probable cause that its targets were foreign governments or their agents, according to the Washington Post.

The Bush administration has said the NSA is conducting its secret domestic wiretapping on calls where one end of the intercepted conversation is on foreign soil. Due to logistical problems, the NSA eavesdropped on a small number of purely domestic calls, the New York Times reported. This calls in to question how well the NSA can determine if a call is indeed international in nature.

Robert Morris, a former NSA senior scientist, said with the advent of technologies like roaming cellphones, internationally routed email, and voice-over Internet technology, "it's often tough to find out where a call started and ended. The NSA is good at it, but it's difficult even for them. Where a call actually came from is often a mystery."

Posted by at 05:07 PM | Comments (16)

North Carolina College Libertarians Disciplined for Protesting Free Speech Zones

Two University of North Carolina at Greensboro College Libertarians are facing disciplinary action for organizing a peaceful protest against the university's free speech zones, following accusations that they violated campus policy by protesting outside the free speech zones. A student may hold a protest outside the free speech zone but must submit a written request 48 hours in advance, which the university can deny.

Allison Jaynes and Robert Sinnott organized a protest on November 16th in front of the campus library that was attended by about 40 people, the Herald Sun reported. A school official approached Jaynes and asked her to move the protest to the free speech zone, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). She refused citing her First Amendment rights and a few days later, both Jaynes and Sinnott were charged with a campus violation.

FIRE, a non-profit educational foundation that fights for freedom of expression on America's campuses, has taken the students' case. The organization has experienced victories against similar free speech zone policies at Texas Tech and other public universities.

FIRE Director of Legal and Public Advocacy Greg Lukianoff commented on the unconstitutionality of the university's policy, by stating, "These students chose a very effective way to draw attention to UNCG's unjust and unnecessary restrictions on freedom of speech." He further added, "UNCG must drop any threat of discipline against these students and recognize that universities in a free society must serve as the ultimate 'free speech zones' - not as places where freedom of expression is mistrusted and feared."

Jaynes believes the free speech zone policy is a way for the university to censure speech on campus. Jaynes told the Herald Sun on Friday, "Our concern (about free speech zones) is that it's another way for them to be able to filter speech on campus." She further commented, "A lot of people don't know this rule and get in trouble for speaking freely or holding a demonstration somewhere else on campus when it's their First Amendment right to be doing this."

Posted by at 11:07 AM | Comments (47)

December 20, 2005

FBI Has Monitored Protest Groups

Following the Sept. 11th attacks, the FBI was given greater flexibility by then Attorney General John Ashcroft to conduct surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations. The agency had greater ability to visit and monitor Web sites, mosques, and other public entities, in investigating terrorist groups, according to the New York Times.

The New York Times has reported, through documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) through Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, that the FBI has investigated protest groups like the Catholic Workers Movement, Greenpeace, and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

John Miller, an FBI spokesman, defended the agency's actions, stating, "The FBI does not target individuals or organizations for investigation based on their political beliefs. Somewhere, there has to be a crime attached." FBI officials further commented by stating that any investigations that have involved protest groups were due to the presence of evidence of violent or criminal activity at public protests and in other settings, the New York Times reported.

The ACLU believes the government has overextended the definition of terrorism to include acts of civil disobedience and lawful protest. Ben Wizner, an ACLU staff attorney, commented, "The FBI should be investigating real terrorists, not monitoring controversial ideas. Americans shouldn't have to fear that by protesting the treatment of animals or participating in non-violent civil disobedience, they will be branded as 'eco-terrorists' in FBI records."

The FBI has informants in PETA and Greenpeace, posing as interns or employees, to collect information on potential criminal activity and to monitor protests, the New York Times reported. The agency believes there are possible ties between the advocacy groups and eco-terrorist groups like the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front.

Greenpeace members have committed acts of civil disobedience, but they maintain no physical injury or property damage occurred during their activities. Tom Wetterer, Greenpeace's general counsel, has argued that the FBI mentioning the environmental group in its files in connection with terrorism "is really troubling."

Ann Beeson, the ACLU's legal director said the public disclosure of the FBI monitoring protest groups reflect a pattern of overreaching by the Bush administration. She further added, "It's clear that this administration has engaged every possible agency, from the Pentagon to NSA to the FBI, to engage in spying on Americans."

Posted by at 04:59 PM | Comments (28)

December 19, 2005

President Bush's Large Fundraisers Received Special Treatment

High-dollar fundraisers for President Bush's reelection campaign have received a great return for the donations that they solicited. The Toledo Blade reported that American business leaders gave more than $75 million to President Bush's reelection effort.

The Bush administration implemented policy that were specific requests made by his 548 "Pioneers" and "Rangers" who gave $100,000 and $200,000 respectively. President Bush changed an administrative rule that allowed timber companies to pay lower tax rates on logging sales and face fewer barriers to harvesting trees in national forests. Defense contractors United Technologies and the Washington Group won a total $6 billion in contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq under President Bush, a large increase from the Clinton years, according to the Toledo Blade.

The Toledo Blade also reported on Sunday that eight Pioneers and Rangers are under federal and state criminal investigation. One Bush Pioneer, Larry Householder, the former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives is under investigation for the alleged skimming of campaign funds, the paper reported.

Another major Bush fundraiser, James Tobin, was found guilty last Thursday by a federal jury of jamming the Democrats' phone lines in New Hampshire three years ago. His sentence carries up to five years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

An aide to former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Bush donor, P. Nicholas Hurtgen, was federally indicted in May in a hospital construction extortion scam, according to the Toledo Blade. Hurtgen could face up to 80 years in jail and a $1 million fine if convicted on all charges.

Posted by at 04:30 PM | Comments (10)

Your Thoughts on...the NSA secret domestic eavesdropping program

In this week's Outrage of the Week we report how President Bush authorized the National Security Agency (NSA) to conduct secret wiretaps on Americans without obtaining a warrant. Read the complete Outrage of the Week here.

What are your thoughts on this story? Did the New York Times have the right to publicize the NSA program? Should there be more oversight when it comes to domestic spying or is there enough? Did President Bush act illegally when he signed the executive order?

Posted by at 04:14 PM | Comments (79)

December 16, 2005

Benjamin Franklin un-PATRIOT-ic?

By Mark Freeman

Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father and Continental Congressman, was a steadfast patriot. During the Revolutionary War he risked his life to create this nation and the rights which every citizen enjoys. Even after the war, with the threat of invasion, Franklin refused to compromise his beliefs. He famously stated, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." The United States is in a similar predicament, almost 230 years later.

The United States House of Representatives, with a vote of 251 to 174 sent the PATRIOT Act to the Senate for approval. House members applauded the passage of the Act on Wednesday as an essential component of the infrastructure needed to quell the threat of terrorism. On Friday, the Senate voted 52 to 47 to block a cloture motion which would end debate, ensuring no filibuster attempts. In doing so, they defied the President by refusing pass this initiative. The Senate was moved to this action from fears of eroding civil liberties.

The PATRIOT Act is often criticized for the allowing law enforcement agencies to engage in activities that are increasingly invasive and inhibitive of civil liberties. These rights include roving wiretaps which allow multiple phone taps without separate warrants. This has been condemned because people who are not suspects have experienced privacy breaches. Additionally, the legislation allows sneak-and-peak searches that tolerate police entering homes and executing searches without prior notice. This act grants unprecedented power to police without mandating accountability.

The Senate's move was a small victory in the ongoing struggle to preserve civil liberties. Unfortunately, liberties have increasingly come under attack as security concerns rise. The bill will now be subject to additional scrutiny, hopefully, addressing the concerns created by the government's attempt to deplete civil liberties. It seems like the nation could use a little more Franklin and a little less of the PATRIOT Act.

Posted by at 05:22 PM | Comments (38)

Congress Didn't Have Access to the Same Pre-Iraq War Intel as the White House

Seemingly, President Bush's statement claiming that Congress had access to "the same intelligence I saw" that provided the evidence for invading Iraq, was untrue.

A Congressional Research Service report released on Thursday confirmed that "the president, and a small number of presidentially designated Cabinet-level officials, including the vice president have access to a far greater overall volume of intelligence and to more sensitive intelligence information, including information regarding intelligence sources and methods."

The Congressional Research Service report identified nine specific intelligence "products" that the White House usually does not share with members of Congress. For example, the President's Daily Brief, a compilation of analyses that is given every morning to the president and his top aides, is not shared with Congress, Knight Ridder Newspapers reported.

The CRS report reaffirms claims made previously by members of Congress that they do not have access to the same intelligence that the White House does. Below is an excerpt from a CNN interview from October 8, 2004 by former Senator Bob Kerrey, who served on the Senate Intelligence Committee:

The president has much more access to intelligence than members of Congress does. Ask any member of Congress. Ask a Republican member of Congress, do you get the same access to intelligence that the president does? Look at these aluminum tube stories that came out the president delivered to the Congress -- we believe these would be used for centrifuges, didn't deliver to Congress the full range of objections from the Department of Energy experts, nuclear weapons experts, that said it's unlikely they were for centrifuges, more likely that they were for rockets, which was a pre-existing use. The president has much more access to intelligence than any member of Congress.

Daily Kos and ThinkProgress.org have also commented on the story.

Posted by at 01:07 PM | Comments (14)

Sen. Feingold Could be Successful in Filibustering Patriot Act Renewal

Opposition to the renewal of the USA Patriot Act in its current form is growing in the Senate. The Associated Press reported that a bipartisan coalition to stop the renewal of the USA Patriot Act has acquired more than 40 votes to sustain a filibuster in a test vote on Friday.

Senator Russ Feingold was the only senator who originally opposed the USA Patriot Act, but the coalition is growing larger and more bipartisan. Notable members of the coalition include Sen. Chuck Hagel (R - Nebraska), Sen. Harry Reid (D- Nevada), and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D - California).

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R- Tennessee) said on Thursday that he expects to have enough votes to end the filibuster and renew the USA Patriot Act. The House already approved the bill on Wednesday on a 251-174 vote.

Behind the scenes, Republican leaders are becoming nervous that the filibuster will succeed in preventing the renewal of the USA Patriot Act. Senate Republican leaders are considering a backup plan in case the filibuster is successful, according to the Associated Press. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez has been lobbying senators this week to quickly renew the USA Patriot Act at the request of President George W. Bush.

DailyKos, MyDD, and ThinkProgress.org have also commented on this story.

Posted by at 12:39 PM | Comments (12)

December 15, 2005

United States Hypocritical at World Trade Talks

During the last few days at the World Trade Talks in Hong Kong, the United States has come under criticism from developing countries for not allowing the developing countries' farm products into the country unhampered by duties or quotas.

West African cotton producers have criticized the United States for providing generous subsidies to its cotton farmers. Poor developing countries have stated that after years of promoting trade liberalization for others, developed countries should now practice what they preach. Zambian Trade Minister Dipak Patel stated, "Developing countries, forced to liberalize by developed countries, have always been told that liberalization will deliver gains. It is not too late for developed countries to swallow their own medicine."

U.S. policymakers are trying to duck the issue by stating they will not consider lowering their subsidies until the European Union reduces its own farm export subsidies. The EU has also been criticized for not endorsing a 2010 date for ending farm export subsidies, as reported on CNN.com.

Developing countries claim that farm subsidies employed by developed nations are devastating to the economy. World Bank Vice President Danny Leipziger stated, "In the three days the meetings have taken so far, the rich countries have transferred more than $2 billion to their farmers in various forms of support." He added, "In the same period, the 300 million poorest people in Africa have earned less than $1 billion between them."

Posted by at 01:51 PM | Comments (12)

December 14, 2005

Wanna Chat?

We are testing our new chat center and want to invite a few of you into chat for the afternoon to try out the software.

Currently, we are planning to host a regular chat with LNC or staff members. Please click on the link below and enter the main chat room and let us know what you think.

Link: www.lp.org/chat

Best,

Shane Cory

P.S. You'll need a current version of Flash.

Posted by Shane Cory at 01:58 PM | Comments (21)

Christmas Presents from the Drug Warriors

By Stephen Gordon

While everyone else is paying attention to the execution of Tookie Williams, let me tell you another story. Other than a recent flurry of blog traffic instigated by libertarian columnist and blogger Radley Balko, this issue is being ignored by the media. As the blogospheric investigation continues, more facts are being uncovered daily, which will either clarify, correct, or augment the story below. In a few cases, I'll use a slash mark to indicate conflicting versions of the events.

Around midnight on the day after Christmas in 2001, Cory Maye was sound asleep in a living room chair in his Prentiss, Mississippi duplex apartment. His 14/18 month old daughter was asleep on his bed/her crib. Maye had no criminal record. Known drug dealer Jamie Smith lived on the other side of the same duplex.

Officer Ron Jones was the son of the Prentiss police chief. He provided information to the city judge in order to obtain search warrants for both apartments. The cited reason was suspected drug trafficking, based on information provided by a confidential informant and Jones's alleged personal observation.

The Pearl River Basin Narcotics Task Force conducted the raid on both apartments, and Officer Jones accompanied them. From Maye's perspective, he was sound asleep when someone wearing dark clothing broke into the back door of his house. According to one report, "[Maye] had previously testified that it was dark in his apartment when he heard someone breaking into the back door, which was located in the bedroom. 'That's when I fired the shots.'"

Out of fear for his life and to protect the safety of his daughter, Maye fired his pistol. He shot Jones in the abdomen, just below his bulletproof vest.

"After I fired the shots, I heard them yell 'police! police!' Once I heard them, I put the weapon down and slid it away. I did not know they were police officers," Maye later testified.

Officer Jones died from gunshot wounds suffered that night. There are conflicting reports about whether any drugs were actually found in Maye's apartment. The official documents state that a small quantity of marijuana was actually found, but the evidence is disputable due to the circumstances and modifications made to the evidence form.

Let's fast forward a bit. It is now a month after Christmas in 2004 and Maye is now on trial for capital murder. He is black, and is portrayed as a black drug dealing cop-killer in front of mostly white jury. Maye claims that he shot in self-defense. The jury finds him guilty, and he is sentenced a couple hours later to death by lethal injection.

Maye's name was not on either warrant and Smith was the clear target of the paramilitary operation which cost one life, so far. The warrant would have never been obtained had it not been for the word of a confidential informant. The identity of the informant is forever buried with Officer Jones.

It is not clear whether Jones knocked before forcefully entering the home. If he did knock or announce himself, it is highly likely to not have been heard by Maye.

One man is dead already because of this incident. Perhaps it is not too late to act to save Mr. Maye.

Posted by at 11:10 AM | Comments (23)

December 13, 2005

Important Statistics Marking 1,000 Days of War in Iraq

The Daily Kos, ThinkProgress.org and the Huffington Post have reposted some telling statistics after 1,000 days of war in Iraq from The Independent, a London daily newspaper.

Here are the statistics:
(Note: "the number of Allied troops killed" was changed to the "number of American troops killed")

$204.4 billion: The cost to the U.S of the war so far.

2,151: American troops killed

15,955: US troops wounded in action

98: U.K troops killed

30,000 : Estimated Iraqi civilian deaths

0: Number of WMDs found

66: Journalists killed in Iraq.

63: Journalists killed during Vietnam war

8: percent of Iraqi children suffering acute malnutrition

53,470: Iraqi insurgents killed

67: percent Iraqis who feel less secure because of occupation

$343: Average monthly salary for an Iraqi soldier. Average monthly salary for an American soldier in Iraq: $4,160.75

5: foreign civilians kidnapped per month

47: percent Iraqis who never have enough electricity

Posted by at 02:08 PM | Comments (47)

Maryland Implements "Flush Tax"

This month the state of Maryland will begin collecting a "flush tax" from property owners, regardless of whether they use the public sewer system or have a septic tank.

The monies from the $30 "flush tax" will go towards the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Restoration Fund. It is estimated that the revenue generated from the "flush tax" will be between $60 million to $70 million, according to FoxNews.com.

The fund was part of environmental legislation that was strongly pushed by Governor Robert Ehrlich. Revenues from the fund will be used to upgrade the state's 66 major sewage treatment plants in order to reduce the discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus that pollute Chesapeake Bay and other waterways, FoxNews.com reported.

Charles County Treasurer Jerome Peuler stated that some property owners who are not connected to the public sewer system have refused to pay the new tax. Peuler said, "People are coming in here saying, 'I have a two-hole outhouse. I'm not going to pay you. We have a saying around here: 'You pee, you poo, you pay.' The three P's, you know?"

Posted by at 02:03 PM | Comments (20)

December 12, 2005

Student Suspended for Speaking Spanish

Zach Rubio, a high school student at the Endeavor Alternative School in Kansas City, Kansas, was suspended for speaking Spanish in the hallway. Rubio is both fluent in English and Spanish. He used Spanish when replying to another student's question that was communicated in Spanish.

The Washington Post reported that the students' conversation was overheard by a nearby teacher who sent Zach to the principal's office. Principal Jennifer Watts suspended Zach, sending him home with his father.

Principal Watts explained her decision to suspend Zach, by stating, "This is not the first time we have [asked] Zach and others to not speak Spanish at school." The school officially rescinded the suspension and stated that speaking a foreign language is not grounds for suspension. This retraction came only after the case was publicized in the English and Spanish-speaking media, the Washington Post reported.

Zach's father, Lorenzo Rubio, a native of Veracruz, Mexico and a Kansas City resident for 25 years received a phone call on November 28 from the principal saying his son was suspended. Rubio questioned the suspension, "My son, he's not suspended for fighting, right? He's not suspended for disrespecting anyone. He's suspended for speaking Spanish in the hall?"

Zach's father displayed a greater understanding of due process than the Endeavor Alternative School administrators. He said, "I learned in America, they can't punish you unless you violate a written policy." Rubio asked the principal to show him the written policy against speaking a foreign language at school. The principal replied the school did not have such a policy.

Zach's father is contemplating whether to file a civil rights lawsuit against the school. Rubio wants to prevent something like this from happening in the future to other Hispanics. He explained, "I'm mainly doing this for other Mexican families, where the legal status is kind of shaky and they are afraid to speak up." Rubio further added, "Punished for speaking Spanish? Somebody has to stand up and say: This is wrong."

Posted by at 05:01 PM | Comments (34)

December 09, 2005

Congress Now Wants to Intrude On College Football

Instead of reforming the tax code or creating a budget to reduce the $8.1 trillion deficit, Congress held a hearing on Wednesday about another important national issue, the Bowl Championship Series.

After meddling in the affairs of America's four professional sports, Congress has turned its attention to college football. The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protections felt that the Bowl Championship Series was a "deeply flawed" system and asked the BCS coordinator, Kevin Weiberg, on why there isn't a playoff system in place.

The House Subcommittee admitted that it was not going to remedy the 'problem' with legislation but to educate themselves and the public.

The Baltimore Sun reported that the subcommittee hearing turned into a spirited booster meeting. Rep. Fred Upton, a Michigan alum, asked Weiberg, "How did Iowa get a better bowl than Michigan when we beat them there?" Rep. Barbara Cubin (R - Wyoming) felt the University of Wyoming was being excluded from the BCS series because it is from the Mountain West conference.

Not everyone on the House subcommittee was in favor of turning the BCS series into a playoff system. Rep. Adam Schiff stated during the hearing, "I want to express my opposition to changing the postseason football schedule or altering the successful Bowl Championship Series." Notably, Schiff's home district includes Pasadena, the location of the Rose Bowl.

Schiff explained, "If the BCS was replaced with a playoff system, this would not only undermine the almost 120 years of tradition established by the Tournament of Roses, but it would also seriously undermine the economic vitality of the City of Pasadena and its surrounding areas."

The Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protections, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said he hopes that the hearing "causes discussion." As March Beech from SI.com wrote in a recent column, "I hate to burst your bubble, Rep. Barton, but if you don't think this matter is discussed, perhaps you should read a sports page or listen to a radio once in a while."

Posted by at 03:26 PM | Comments (21)

Open Thread for the Weekend

Some of you have been clamoring for an open topic day to discuss a variety of issues. Matt Dailey has been doing an outstanding job in bringing up articles of interest for the blog, but I think I'll leave it up to you today to discuss what's on your mind.

Have at it and have fun.

Best,

Shane Cory

Posted by Shane Cory at 11:25 AM | Comments (53)

December 08, 2005

Terri Schiavo's husband to start PAC to combat the religious right

Michael Schiavo, the husband of the late Terri Schiavo, announced he will start a Political Action Committee, dubbed the TerriPAC, this week to help defeat politicians who tried to intervene in his legal battle last spring between Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, as reported on Salon.com.

Schiavo decided to form a PAC after watching elected officials attempt to involve themselves in a private family legal dispute. "For 15 years, I have been watching the politicians working their way into my case. I felt I needed to do something when this was all said and done," Schiavo explained.

In an Associated Press story, Michael Schiavo described himself as a lifelong Republican until the "Republicans pushed the power of the government into my private family decisions." Schiavo criticized the self-serving way in which President George W. Bush, members of Congress and Florida Governor Jeb Bush used Terri's case to grandstand and score political points with their evangelical, right-wing constituents.

Schiavo, in a Larry King Live interview last March, said, "People are removed from their feeding tubes every day across this country. The government chose this one to pander for their religious right, pander for their votes."

In an Salon.com interview, Schiavo said some of the politicians he will be targeting through the TerriPAC are Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tennessee), and Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). He also plans on targeting the Florida governor's race next year.

Posted by at 02:21 PM | Comments (60)

December 07, 2005

D.C. Council Passes Smoking Ban

On Tuesday, the D.C. City Council voted 12 to 1 to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants, and other indoor public places. Washington, D.C. is the latest city that has sought to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. New York, Boston and Los Angeles are cities that have already instituted smoking bans.

In order for the smoking ban to become law, Mayor Anthony Williams must sign the legislation. Williams is unsure if he will sign the legislation because of his concern with the negative effects on small businesses and the city's hospitality industry, according to the Washington Post. The mayor commented, "This could really be of economic detriment to the city."

Mayor Williams is afraid that if the smoking ban is put into effect, smokers will travel to bars and restaurants in northern Virginia, where smoking is permitted. If the bill is passed, the smoking ban will take effect in January 2007.

The only City Council member who voted against the smoking ban was Carol Schwartz (R - At Large). Schwartz said she doesn't like cigarette smoke, but there "are 200 [non-smoking] venues in the city I can choose so that I don't have to be around it."

The D.C. City Council included an economic hardship waiver that will apply to businesses who can demonstrate that the smoking ban had a "significant, negative impact" that reduces their overall sales by 25 percent. Smoking ban advocates call the economic hardship waiver a large loophole and vow to work to close it.

Posted by at 01:56 PM | Comments (50)

December 06, 2005

Rep. Tom DeLay Will Stand Trial On Money Laundering Charges

On Monday, Texas judge Pat Priest upheld money-laundering charges against Rep. Tom DeLay, paving the way for a criminal trial that could begin as early as next month. Priest dismissed charges of conspiracy to violate the election code by making an illegal corporate contribution, as reported in the New York Times.

Because the money laundering charges will stand, Rep. DeLay faces the harsher criminal penalty. The charges stem from DeLay's fundraising efforts on behalf of Republican candidates running for the Texas House of Representatives. With more Republicans in the Texas House, the GOP was able to redraw the state's congressional districts, with increased success in electing Republicans to Congress in 2004.

Since the original charges were filed in October, DeLay has sought to portray the charges against him as politically motivated, using smear tactics against the case's prosecutor, Ronnie Earle.

The embattled former House Majority Leader has used his recent legal troubles to conduct more fundraising. A DeLay political fundraiser held on Monday afternoon at the Westin Oaks in Houston featured Vice President Dick Cheney. Paul Bettencourt, a local Republican elected official, commented on Cheney's presence at the fundraiser, "The vice president talked about his long friendship with Mr. DeLay."

A likely trial featuring Rep. DeLay could very well create more political problems for the Republican Party. A highly publicized criminal trial will only add to the image of corruption and the abuse of power that GOP leaders have begun to enjoy.

DeLay is losing support among constituents in his home district. CNN reported on Monday that a Gallup poll of his district showed that 49 percent of those surveyed were more likely to support a Democratic candidate compared with 36 percent who said they would support Rep. DeLay if he ran for reelection next year.

Daily Delay, a blog devoted to exposing Rep. Tom Delay, has a host of story links in its Tuesday's post. ThinkProgress tells how a DeLay fundraiser inadverently let in protestors at discount price.

Posted by at 04:52 PM | Comments (22)

President's Brother Travels With Cult Leader Rev. Sun Myung Moon

President George W. Bush's younger brother, Neil Bush traveled with cult leader Rev. Sun Myung Moon last week to promote the Universal Peace Federation in Manila, Philippines. Moon is the leader of the Unification Church, a religious organization that has been accused in the past of using mind control techniques and encouraging young followers to break all contact with the outside world.

In addition to leading a church that spans the globe, Moon owns a variety of business enterprises, including the Washington Times newspaper, the United Press International news wire service, a gun factory, and Washington, D.C. television studios, according to AlterNet.

Neil Bush became the director of the Silverado Banking, Savings and Loan Association in 1985, which collapsed in three years, costing taxpayers $1 billion. Bush never had to pay any restitution or serve any jail time. CNN reported in November 2003 that Neil Bush was the beneficiary of lucrative business deals with the Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. and the Crest Investment Corp. In one such transaction, Bush received $15,000 every three months, although he worked only an average three to four hours a week.

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon has ties to the Republican Party. George H. W. Bush was a guest at a banquet honoring Rev. Moon and the launch of a new publication in Bueno Aires in 1996. At the banquet, George H. W. Bush said, "I want to salute Reverend Moon who is the founder of the Washington Times and of the new paper here." He further added that Moon was a "man with a vision." According to political researcher, Dan Junas, Rev. Moon worked to get Ronald Reagan elected as president in 1980 and was given a place of honor at the first inaugural.

The most famous incident that displayed Rev. Moon's influence on Capitol Hill and among Republican leaders was the bizarre ceremony that took place in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in March 2004. Eighty-one members of Congress attended the event along with various dignitaries. The ceremony featured the Rev. Moon dressed in expensive robes with Moon given a bejeweled crown by Democratic Congressman Danny K. Davis and declared a "King of Peace", as reported on Salon.com

Posted by at 04:41 PM | Comments (9)

December 05, 2005

9/11 Commission: U.S. Still Not Prepared for Terrorist Attack

Four years after the Sept. 11th attacks, the United States is still not prepared for a potential terrorist attack, former members of the 9/11 Commission concluded on Sunday.

The former chairman of the commission, Thomas Kean, believes preventing another attack is "not a priority for the government right now." Lee Hamilton, the vice chairman of the commission, believes another attack will take place. He further added, "It's not a question of if."

On Sunday, the commission's former members emphasized that the federal government has not yet implemented one of its key recommendations, the distribution of funding for first responders based on risk, rather than on a per capita or geographical basis.

The rationale behind distributing funds for first responders based on risk is to give more money to places such as Washington and New York that are more likely to be subject to an attack. This reform is included in a bill that is being held up in Congress as a result of turf fights over which states should get the most dollars, according Yahoo News.

Kean commented on the lack of progress made with the commission's recommendation, stating, "We've had some money spent to air condition garbage trucks. We've had some of the money spent for armor for dogs. This money is being distributed as if it's general revenue sharing."

Hamilton noted that the United States has been stretched too thin with too many competing priorities. He then noted, "We've got three wars going on: one in Afghanistan, one in Iraq and the war against terror. And it's awfully hard to keep people focused on something like this."

Posted by at 01:56 PM | Comments (50)

American Allies Ahead of the U.S. in Pulling Out of Iraq

It was reported in AOL News on Thursday that Bulgaria and Ukraine will withdraw their remaining troops stationed in Iraq by the end of December. Bulgaria will withdraw its 380 troops after the December 15 elections, while Ukraine will withdraw its 876 troops by the end of the month.

The withdrawal of Bulgarian and Ukrainian troops precedes the planned withdrawal of other nations' troops in the coming months. Poland plans to withdraw its 1,400 troops this January. The Italian government is planning to withdraw its 2,800 troops next year based on a timetable of removing 300 troops at a time.

The number of coalition troops in Iraq has dwindled since the March 2003 invasion. There were initially 300,000 coalition troops, including Americans, shortly after the invasion. Currently, there are 184,000 coalition troops stationed in Iraq. The number of countries with troops in Iraq has gone from 38 at the time of the invasion to 27 at present.

President Bush has tried to downplay the withdrawal of U.S. allies' troops. He stated in his National Strategy For Victory In Iraq on Wednesday, "As our posture changes over time, so too will the posture of our coalition partners."

Posted by at 01:31 PM | Comments (8)

December 01, 2005

U.S. Military Paid Iraqi Newspapers to Print Propaganda

It was reported in the LA Times on Thursday that the U.S. military is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by American troops in order to promote a more favorable image of the U.S. in Iraq.

The Pentagon has stories that are written by its information operations division, placed into Iraqi newspapers with the assistance of a Washington-based private contractor, The Lincoln Group. The private contractor's staff in Iraq frequently poses as freelance reporters or advertising executives when they deliver the biased stories to Baghdad media outlets, according to the LA Times.

The stories are presented to Iraqi media outlets as independent and non-biased, but actually play up the U.S. side of the story and exclude any information that may reflect poorly on American forces.

Senior military officers in the Pentagon and in Iraq have expressed criticism against the Pentagon's covert propaganda campaign. One senior Pentagon official stated, "Here we are trying to create the principles of democracy in Iraq. Every speech we give in that country is about democracy. And we're breaking all the first principles of democracy when we're doing it."

Under U.S. law, it is illegal for the military to carry out psychological operations or plant propaganda through American media outlets. Yet there is no U.S. law that forbids the military from planting propaganda in foreign press outlets.

ThinkProgress.org comments on the contradiction in the story by saying President Bush, in his speech on Wednesday, stated the United States has to combat the false propaganda purported by the insurgents, yet the U.S. military are engaging in propaganda themselves.

Posted by at 03:38 PM | Comments (31)