Weekly Issues Alert

May 19-25

"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood." — James Madison

(The Christian Action League mistakenly listed "June 20" as Armed Forces Day, it should have been "May 20." We apologize for the mistake.)

In Memory of Our Honored Dead!
Memorial Day, May 30, 2006!

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North Carolina General Assembly

Black's First Two Weeks In Session Have Been Uncomfortable
When House Democrats began this summer's legislative session with a rare news conference to talk about their agenda, they were determined to keep the focus off the legal troubles of Speaker Jim Black. Read
Virginia, N.C. Lawmakers Push Border Toll Booth For I-95
A law passed by Virginia's legislature in April and legislation filed last week in Raleigh would set up a toll booth at the border on Interstate 95, charging each passing car $5. Read
House Member: Consensus Growing For N.C. Video Poker Ban
Support is building in the state House to outlaw video poker after several years of preferring tighter regulations to a ban, a top lieutenant to Speaker Jim Black said Tuesday. Rep. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson, said House leaders are considering several options, including whether to phase out the games over a determined period of time so amusement machine owners and convenience stores can prepare for the lost revenue. "I think the general consensus in the house is we are prepared to ban video poker in a way that does the least damage possible," Gibson said. "A phase out would be one option that I think is viable." Read
Charges Against Former Black Appointees Bring New Concerns For Speaker
House Speaker Jim Black has taken plenty of heat in recent years because of his defense of video poker. Now that's just one of his concerns, as people connected to him face criminal charges. In this new session, Black is juggling his job and damage control. For months, the pressure built for Black to resign. But despite state and federal investigations linked to his leadership, he's still banging the gavel in the house. Read
Legislative Ethics Bill Moves To N.C. Senate
The House made quick work Thursday of an ethics bill designed to expand how legislators will monitor themselves when the chamber agreed to curtail debate after more than two hours of it the day before. Read
House Member: Consensus Growing For N.C. Video Poker Ban
Support is building in the state House to outlaw video poker after several years of preferring tighter regulations to a ban, a top lieutenant to Speaker Jim Black said Tuesday. Read
N.C. Senate Looking To Offer Tax Cuts On Both Sales, Income Taxes
The Senate budget likely will offer about $225 million in tax cuts that would attempt to phase out long-standing "temporary" increases in sales and individual income taxes passed in 2001, according to chamber leaders Thursday. Read
Three Linked To Lottery Company Accused Of Lobbying Law Violations
A former political director for House Speaker Jim Black is one of three former lottery company workers who have been charged with violating state lobbying laws, according to court documents released Monday. Read
N.C. Senate Budget High on Pay Raises, Mental Health, Tax Cuts
The Senate's proposed $18.8 billion budget spends most of an estimated $2 billion surplus on state employee pay raises, tax cuts and boosts for programs shortchanged during leaner times this decade. Read
Highlights Of Proposed N.C. Senate Budget
Highlights of adjustments in the state Senate's $18.8 billion spending plan for the 2006-07 fiscal year: Read
Payday Lendng
A critic of House Speaker Jim Black asked the State Board of Elections on Monday to investigate more than $60,000 in contributions from payday loan company executives. The complaint filed by Jim Sinsheimer, who has been leading an effort to get Black to resign as speaker, said the executives' industry connections are being obscured in campaign finance reports. He cites donations made to 38 committees of current or former lawmakers from both parties since 2003. Sinsheimer said in many cases the contributors' addresses or professions have been wrongly reported or were incomplete. Black and at least one other legislator said they do their best to provide complete information on their forms. Read
Bills Filed at the General Assembly Would: (Herald Sun Homepage)

— send $23 million to University of North Carolina campuses for the school system's effort to educate more teachers. The bill is sponsored by Sen. A.B. Swindell, D-Nash.

— fund UNC's efforts to expand the nursing and health care programs. The measure, proposed by Sen. Bill Purcell, D-Scotland, would give $19 million to the UNC board of governors.

— raise salaries and increase staff at the Division of Water Quality in an effort to enhance the shellfish industry. The $4 million plan is backed by Sen. David Weinstein, D-Robeson.

— help people pay for their prescription drugs. The House bill, similar to a Senate proposal last week, would send $25 million to the Department of Health and Human Services.

— provide incentives to recruit and retain public school teachers. The proposal, sponsored by four House members, would appropriate $20 million for local initiatives, and another $3 million for certified teacher bonuses. Go
Medicaid Costs Are Busting Budgets for North Carolina Counties
Counties across North Carolina are experiencing budget problems because of high and increasing Medicaid costs. According to the North Carolina Association of Commissioners, the state requires the counties to pay 15 percent of the state portion of Medicaid, currently about $460 million. That unfunded mandate from the state legislature has taken a terrible toll on county budgets. In Columbus County, there are more people on Medicaid than are working. In Bertie and Hertford Counties, the mandate consumes upwards of 20 percent of the county budget. In Scotland County, the increases in Medicaid last year would have required a 6 cent increase in the property tax rate. With the county's citizens already saddled with the highest property tax rate in the state ($1.10 per $100 valuation), the county commissioners decided to cut law enforcement positions in lieu of a tax increase. Early this year, state Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) proposed the state take over the county share of Medicaid in exchange for the counties turning over their share of sales tax money. Read
Lawmakers Consider 12-Month Delay In Cigarette Tax Increase
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would delay the implementation of the state's cigarette tax until July of 2007. Read
Former State Senator Little Dies Of Cancer
Former state senator and civic leader Teena Little died Tuesday morning of lung cancer. She was 65. Read

North Carolina Courts

Former Lottery Commissioner Faces Multiple Fraud Charges
Questions about a conflict of interest cost him a spot on the Lottery Commission. But Kevin Geddings' answers landed him in huge legal trouble. A federal grand jury indicted Geddings Thursday, saying he defrauded the state. Read
Related
Man Convicted In Teacher's Death Will Not Get New Trial
A man convicted of strangling a Wake County elementary school teacher will not get a new trial. The state Court of Appeals upheld a murder conviction for Ian Campbell. Campbell is serving a life sentence for murdering Heather Domenie nearly three years ago.
Read
Army Jury Convicts Soldier Of Killing Teenage Wife
A soldier from North Carolina was convicted of brutally murdering and mutilating his teenage wife and sentenced to life in prison.
A military jury found Spc. Brandon Bare, 20, of Wilkesboro, N.C., guilty of premeditated murder and two counts of indecent acts... Read
N.C. Builder Pleads Guilty in Conspiracy, Tax Fraud Case
A contractor pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to four criminal charges of conspiracy and tax fraud, avoiding a trial on those and other related charges. Read

North Carolina Politics

Rep. Myrick Says She Won't Seek Governor's Office in 2008
Rep. Sue Myrick will not seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2008, the six-term U.S. House member said Tuesday. Read
Dean Smith Asks Candidate To Remove Endorsement From Web Site
Despite a message posted on her campaign Web site, former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith said Monday he has not endorsed lawyer Rachel Lea Hunter for the state Supreme Court. "I never knew her in my life," Smith said. "I assume I'll vote, but I don't know who I'll vote for." The Web site features the headline "Legendary Dean Smith meets 'Madame Justice'" above a photo of Hunter and Smith taken at the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame banquet last week. It also says, " 'As a loyal Democrat to another loyal Democrat. Win Rachel! Win!' Dean Smith." Read
Lenoir County Upholds LaRoque's Election Loss Protest
The Lenoir County Board of Elections voted Tuesday to recommend a new election for state Rep. Stephen LaRoque, who contended he lost votes in the Republican primary because of mistakes by poll workers. Read

Other North Carolina News

Fort Bragg Lieutenant Colonel Killed In Iraq
A lieutenant colonel based at Fort Bragg was among four soldiers killed in Iraq when a bomb went off near their vehicle, the Pentagon said Saturday. lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland, 43, of San Antonio, Texas, was one of the men killed during combat on Thursday, according to a Department of Defense news release. He was assigned to the 352nd Civil Affairs Command at Fort Bragg. Read
Lejeune-Based Sailor, Bragg Soldier Die in Iraq
A sailor based at Camp Lejeune and a Special Forces soldier from Fort Bragg were killed last week in combat, the Defense Department announced Monday. Read
Two Green Berets Earn Silver Stars
Two Fort Bragg Green Berets now have one of the military's most prestigious medals. On Thursday morning, SFC David Lowe and CW3 Jason Hope were awarded Silver Stars. Both men earned them for combat in Afghanistan. Read
All-American Week Kicks Off At Fort Bragg
Thousands of Fort Bragg soldiers kicked off the event with a four-mile run. The week gives paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne a chance to meet veterans and compete in sports. The events run through Sunday. Read
N.C. Veterans Among Millions Whose Personal Info Stolen
One person's mistake has millions of veterans across the United States on edge. Read
Monday's I-40 Accident Leads To Arrests Of Undocumented Workers
At least 15 undocumented workers are in custody after an early-morning raid in west Raleigh. The raid stems from a traffic accident that tied up traffic for hours on Interstate 40 during Monday's morning commute. Those passengers had no documents or identification to prove they were citizens and were let go. The driver has still not been located. State Rep. Russell Capps said troopers should have never let the undocumented men go from the scene. He said he will use the incident as an example of how North Carolina law enforcement should be more involved in detaining and tracking illegal immigrants. Read
N.C. Attorney General Sues Insurance Provider Claiming Fraud
Two financial services companies took hundreds of thousands of dollars from senior citizens through deceptive tactics, Attorney General Roy Cooper said Monday in a lawsuit against the estate advisers. Read
Charlotte High School To Use Breathalyzer At Functions
A Charlotte high school says it won't tolerate teenagers who attend its games and dances after drinking alcohol. Dean of Students Randy Belk has decided to place a breathalyzer at every school sports and social event to test for trace amounts of alcohol. Belk says students who attend functions like school dances and football games will be randomly tested as they walk into the events. Read
After Months of Study, Interstate Route to be Unveiled
After years of study, highway officials will announce next week their preferred route for the first segment of Interstate 73 — the $2 billion interstate that is the state Transportation Department's top priority. Read
NO-OLF Scores Successful Rally on Capitol Lawn
A huge crowd of concerned North Carolina citizens turned out yesterday for the NO-OLF "Support Our State" Rally held on the South Lawn of the State Capitol between 10:30 a.m. and noon. The NO-OLFers are grassroots activists fighting the U.S. Navy's attempts to build an outlying landing field (OLF) in Washington and Beaufort Counties. Read
N.C. School Systems Turn To Pay Incentives To Draw, Keep Teachers
Education officials across North Carolina are looking at financial incentives as they struggle to draw teachers to troubled schools and unpopular subject areas. Schools with large numbers of poor students often can only attract underqualified teachers, while math and science classes face a scarce population of new teachers. Read
Edwards Speaks At Annual NAACP Event
America remains divided between the haves and have-nots, former vice presidential candidate John Edwards said during the state NAACP's annual Freedom Fund Celebration event Saturday. Read
S&P: North Carolina Credit Rating Strong
Triad Business Journal — Greensboro,NC,USA
Standard & Poor's Rating Services gave its AAA rating to $300 million in new bonds issued by the state of North Carolina and reaffirmed its AAA rating on the ... Read
Powerball Nears In North Carolina
Powerball is on its way to North Carolina. The odds of matching all five numbers, plus the Powerball number, is about one in 146 million. Read
Gates Foundation Provides Additional $10.4 Million to NC Schools
Awarding North Carolina's efforts to overhaul its education system, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has again given the state's high schools more than $10 million, Gov. Mike Easley announced Tuesday. Read
P&G to Close Gillette Plant, Move Some Operations to N.C.
Procter & Gamble Co., which acquired Gillette Co. last fall, plans to close one of two former Gillette plants in Devens by year's end and eliminate at least 100 jobs. Read
Progress Energy Idles Synthethic Fuel Plants
Utility operator Progress Energy Inc., one of the country's largest producers of synthetic fuel, said it has stopped production of the alternative energy source because it will not be profitable without a federal tax credit. Read
Federal Fixes for Hurricane Season could Mean Problems for States
Quick fixes to FEMA for the looming hurricane season could actually hinder efforts to be ready in storm strike zones, creating competition for relief supplies and confusion about who's in charge, state officials say. Read
Durham Teen Takes On Corporation To Keep Kids From Smoking
The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids honored Chad in Washington, D.C., earlier in May for his leadership in the fight against tobacco use. He led a project opposing the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company's 2004 Kool Mix marketing campaign, which used hip-hop images and music to market cigarettes. Read
Contamination Scares Close UNC Library, Durham School
The main library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Durham elementary school are closed at this hour as a result of some sort of possible contamination, authorities say. Read
North Carolina Railroad Co. to Study Possible Line Shift
North Carolina Railroad Co. is looking into rerouting rail lines away from their current route along U.S. 70 in increasingly congested Morehead City, a coastal community favored as a holiday destination by Triangle residents. NCRR officials say the move would alleviate traffic headaches caused by the line's 53 road crossings between Havelock and Morehead City. A new corridor could accommodate larger, faster trains. Read
State Revokes License Of Doctor Who Gave Steroids To NFL Players
The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the medical license of Dr. James Shortt two months after he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to provide steroids for several Carolina Panthers. Read
Baptists Toughen Anti-Gay Stance
The state convention's board votes to bar churches that welcome gays. The issue goes to the full convention this fall. It would forbid churches from ordaining gay clergy, making public statements supporting homosexuality or accepting as members people who have refused to "repent of the sin of homosexual behavior." Read

Congress

Senate Likely to Pass Bill on Aliens
The Senate is expected to approve as early as May 24 the most significant and wide-ranging immigration reform legislation in two decades. The bill would grant citizenship rights to an estimated 10 million illegal aliens currently in the country and allow them to collect Social Security benefits for work they performed while illegally employed in the U.S. The bill also grants complete amnesty to employers who have drawn the estimated 12 million aliens to the U.S. by illegally providing them with jobs. In addition, an estimated 2 million new foreigners will be admitted to the country annually under the bill, more than doubling the current flow of legal immigration. "Stop The Invasion!" Petition Action
Bush Backs English as 'Common and Unifying'
Senate Immigration Bill Includes Language Amendments Vote
Senate Says English is National, Unifying Tongue
Which amendment ends up in the final version of an overhaul of U.S. immigration law will depend on negotiations with the U.S. House of Representatives. Neither would bar the use of Spanish of other languages in government services. Read
Congressman Caught on Tape, Documents Say
Allegedly scamming a Virginia businesswoman could prove to be a major mistake for a Democratic congressman from New Orleans. The FBI revealed Sunday that Rep. William Jefferson, under investigation for bribery, was videotaped accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant whose conversations with the lawmaker also were recorded. Agents later found the cash hidden in his freezer, according to a court document released Sunday. Read
House Votes to Cut Aid to Palestinian Authority
Administration thinks bill, which also bans contact with Hamas, goes too far. Read
Lawmakers Say 'No Child' Law not Going Anywhere
Lawmakers said Thursday they were willing to make the No Child Left Behind law more flexible, but warned there won't be a lot of extra federal money to help pay for it. And don't expect the law to go away, members of the House Education & the Workforce Committee said as they kicked off a series of hearings in preparation for renewing the sweeping education law next year. Read
Rep. Shays Seeks to Duck GOP Storm Cloud
He's a congressional Republican who wants to increase protections on whistleblowers at the National Security Agency, has pushed for stronger lobbying reform legislation and called for the resignation of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Read
Senate Panel Backs Hayden as C.I.A. Chief
By a vote of 12-3, the Senate Intelligence Committee endorsed Gen. Michael V. Hayden's nomination. Read
House Leaders Question F.B.I. Search of Congressman's Office
The FBI's weekend search of the House office of a Louisiana Democrat under investigation for bribery may have overstepped constitutional boundaries, House leaders said as the congressman under investigation pledged to stay in office. Read
Effective Fatherhood Requires Marriage
A debate has begun over how best to spend federal money to support dads. Read

Courts

Judge Throws Out Lawyer at Saddam Trial
Judge Throws Out Defense Lawyer, Shouts Down Saddam Hussein in New Session of Trial Read
Members of Congress File Brief in Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Case
A pro-life law firm has filed a brief in the upcoming Supreme Court case on the national ban on partial-birth abortions for 78 members of Congress who supported the bill. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) delivered the brief to the high court on Monday. Read
U.S. Supreme Opts Out of Gay-Adoption Dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court, for the second time, declined to hear a child-custody case brought by two lesbians, The Associated Press reported. Read

Christianity/Pro-Family/Religion/Ethics

Chaplain Faces Court-Martial for Praying in Jesus' Name
Chaplain Lieutenant Gordon James Klingenschmitt has been formally served with court-martial papers for the "crime" of publicly praying in Jesus' name in uniform. Read
World Council of Churches Slams Israel — Jerusalem Post
Israel bears the burden of responsibility for the present crisis in the Middle East, the World Council of Churches has announced, following a meeting of its Executive Committee in Geneva from May 16-19. Read
Madonna 'Shocks' With Concert Crucifixion
Less than 12 hours after Madonna crucified herself on a mirrored cross, the Catholic League expressed its discontent with the concert stunt. The controversial diva wore a crown of thorns and sang while hanging from a cross during Sunday night's opener of her "Confessions" world tour at The Forum in Inglewood. Read
Iran: Secret Police Arrest Long-Time Convert
An Iranian Christian who converted from Islam 33 years ago is under arrest and interrogation in northern Iran, where secret police have held him incommunicado for the past three weeks. Read
Oregon Student Newspaper Runs Pictures of Jesus as a Homosexual. It is Time to Speak Out!
The Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) has refused to apologize for an obscene anti-Christian assault in the campus newspaper Insurgent. The March edition of the Insurgent ran one of the strongest attacks on Christianity I have seen. The paper ran graphics depicting Jesus as a homosexual. One was a depiction of a naked Jesus on the cross with an erection; the other, titled Resurrection, showed a naked Jesus kissing another naked man, both sporting erections. Action
Open Doors Wonders: Is Mistreatment of Believers in India Being Ignored?
The president of a ministry that serves persecuted Christians worldwide is expressing shock that a government agency has not named India as a country of "particular concern" when it comes to religious freedom. Read
Canada, Australia Concerned by Reports Iran to Tag Non-Muslims
The Canadian and Australian prime ministers expressed concern at unconfirmed reports that said Iran may force non-Muslims to wear colored badges in public so they can be identified. Read
Software Company Offers Exciting New Bible Champions(TM) Computer Game to Churches for Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is almost here and Third Day Games, a faith-based software company, is offering a revolutionary way for churches to supplement their VBS programs with an exciting — and economical — action PC game that helps kids master Bible knowledge. It's called Bible Champions, and for just $100 a church is equipped to supply every child in VBS — or any other church activity — with a new computer game each month — 12 exciting Bible mastery games for them to play on their home PC. Read
Poland Digs in Against Tide Toward Secularism
The 25 members of the European Union do not think of themselves in terms of blue states and red states, at least not yet. If they did, the map of Europe would have a decidedly blue hue. Even countries with conservative governments, such as France and Germany, are blue when it comes to the "values" debate. But Poland cuts against the grain. Lech Kaczynski, winner of last October's presidential election, is opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage. He has instructed his education minister to come up with guidelines for the "proper upbringing of children." And lately, he has been spending a lot of time cozying up to conservative Christian groups. Read
Christian Left Searches for a Common Theme
Leaders meet to discuss how to counter the religious right. Read

Abortion/Pro-Life

Planned Parenthood Opening Quick-Service Clinics
Shoppers come to this upscale brick strip mall to pick up bouquets of cookies decorated like soccer players, or $39.99 bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape. Soon, they'll be able to get emergency contraception, too. Planned Parenthood wants to expand its services to more areas, and the organization's leaders hope a plush fast-service clinic coming to this well-heeled St. Paul suburb next month will attract a new group of women who value convenience and can afford to pay full price. Read
British Doctors Advise Women with Down Syndrome Babies to have Abortions
Most British doctors who are treating pregnant women with unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome are telling their patients to have abortions. However, one woman who was told at 35 weeks of pregnancy to have a dangerous late-term abortion chose life for her son and has no regrets about her decision. Read
Canada MP Introduces Unborn Victims Bill to Protect Pregnant Women, Babies
A member of the Canadian parliament has introduced legislation similar to laws in the United States that protect pregnant women and their unborn children from acts of violence. The measure would make it a second crime when an assailant attacks a pregnant women and kills or injures her baby. Read
California Parental Notification Abortion Initiative Has 1M Signatures
The organizers of a November ballot initiative to allow parents to know when their minor teenager daughter is considering an abortion say they have more than 1 million signatures on petitions to qualify the measure for the ballot. They need nearly 600,000 valid signatures to qualify the measure. Read
Abortion Mill Shut Down After Botched Late-Term Abortion
An Alabama abortion clinic has had its medical license suspended after a chemical abortion on a nearly full-term baby that resulted in severe complications prompted officials to investigate, LifeNews.com reported. Read

Alcohol/Drugs/Health

Feds Probe Deadly Laced Heroin Overdoses
Federal drug agents and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are stepping up the investigation of dozens of fatal overdoses linked to heroin laced with a strong prescription painkiller. Read

Education/Sex Ed/Teens/Children

200 Graduates Defy Judge's Ban on Commencement Ceremony Prayer
It was a "revival-like atmosphere" after about 200 seniors stood and recited the Lord's Prayer Friday night at a Kentucky high school graduation ceremony. About 12 hours earlier, a federal judge had blocked the inclusion of prayer as part of the event. Read
Q&A: Dr. Bill Maier on the Effects of Homosexual Indoctrination on Kids
California legislation mandating textbooks take a flattering view of homosexuality could have devastating effects on kids. Read
Resource for HS Grads Hopes to Help Them 'Keep the Faith'
For 15 years, a youth ministry group has been offering a gift for high school graduates that's designed to help them keep their faith strong when they leave their church youth group for college. Read
Christian Doc Cautions Parents About Asthma Risk in Daycares
A pediatrician in New York says the Swedish study on daycare and allergies has definite implications for American parents. Read
Georgia to Teach Bible
Georgia recently became the first state to call for elective public high-school courses about the Bible. The new bill, passed overwhelmingly in late March and signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in April, allows for the state school board to develop a curriculum by February 2007...Democrats had proposed using The Bible and Its Influence as the course's textbook. But Republicans — who control both houses of the Georgia legislature — required that the Bible itself be used. Read
Soldiers will Watch Graduation Broadcasts Online
In his 20-year career as a soldier, 1st Sgt. Michael McElveen has missed a lot of important moments with his family — birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. But on Saturday he will get to watch his daughter, 18-year-old Fatima, walk across the stage and accept her high school diploma — even though he is still thousands of miles away in Iraq. Read
Rice Receives Boos, Cheers at Boston College Commencement
A few students turned their backs but more stood to applaud as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received an honorary degree and addressed graduates at Boston College on Monday. Read
Violence Goes Unreported in Some Schools, Audit Says
School officials across New York have significantly underreported cases of violent and disruptive behavior to the state, the state comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi, found in an audit released yesterday, in what he said was an effort to make their schools appear safer than they were. Read
S.C. Teen Protests over Confederate Attire
A 15-year-old South Carolina girl led a small protest march Monday over her high school's ban on Confederate flag clothing, which she is also challenging in court. Read
7-Year-Old Becomes Youngest To Swim From Alcatraz
Coach, Other Adults Accompany Child Read

God and Country/National Security/Politics/Economy

Data on 26.5 Million Veterans Stolen from Home
The data included names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for the veterans, Nicholson said, but "there is no indication at this time" that the data had been used for identify theft. Read
Source: Theft of Vets' Data Kept Secret for 19 days
Authorities waited almost three weeks to alert the public that personal data on more than 26 million U.S. veterans had fallen into the hands of thieves, a government source said Tuesday. Read
Bush's Immigration Speech Is Not Credible
If President Bush had given his speech calling for immigration reform five years ago, we would have believed him. Now, after five years of doing nothing to protect our borders, he is not credible. The problems he eloquently complained about didn't just emerge this year. They all existed when he came into office and throughout five years when he did nothing to correct them. These problems include the pitiful numbers of our Border Patrol, the millions of illegals smuggled into our country across the desert or in crowded 18-wheelers, the dangerous policy called catch-and-release of OTMs (Other than Mexicans) which he now piously labels "not acceptable," employers permitted to hire illegal aliens with forged documents, and unconscionable burdens imposed on American taxpayers to pay the illegal-alien costs of schools, hospitals, crime, and social benefits. Read
US Warns against Chinese Build-Up — BBC
China is rapidly extending its military reach and could pose a threat across Asia, a Pentagon report warns. Read
Our Borders Are Not Secure
President Bush's so-called "plan" to close the border between the United States and Mexico is nothing but a great American Scam. First of all putting 6,000 troops on the border sounds good, but these troops will not be allowed to patrol the border, to watch for Illegal Aliens, to arrest Illegal Aliens or to report Illegal Aliens. Read
Sign Petition to Secure our Borders
U.S. Employers Send for Immigrants
When Pedro Lopez Vazquez crossed illegally into the United States last week, he was not heading north to look for a job. He already had one. His future employer even paid $1,000 for a smuggler to help Vazquez make his way from the central Mexican city of Puebla to Aspen, Colo. Read
Mexican Guide Book for Illegal Aliens
The Mexican Government printed and distributed millions of copies of a comic book instructing people in Spanish how to enter the U.S. illegally and, if caught, how to claim the rights of American citizens! On this page are exact reproductions of three pages from this guide book. Illegal entry over our southern border is the same route used by the vicious Salvadoran gangs and by OTMs (Other Than Mexicans) who enter to commit crimes against Americans. Millions of illegal aliens are not only a threat to our safety, but are a burden to U.S. taxpayers who must pay for their emergency health care, their diseases, schooling for their children, and incarceration for the crimes they commit. Read
Google Dumps News Sites that Criticize Radical Islam
Search giant axes another news page, calls terrorism discussion 'hate content' Read
Malvo: Sniper Plan was to Kill 6 a day for a Month
Younger man likely to be cross-examined by mentor Muhammad. Read
U.S. Intelligence Loses Track of N. Korea Nukes — Insight Magazine
Government sources said the intelligence community has concluded that Pyongyang has produced at least a dozen nuclear weapons. But the sources said the nuclear facilities are so far underground that they can't even venture a credible estimate of the production rate. Read
Israel and U.S. at Odds Over Nuclear Treaty Proposal
The United States on Thursday published a draft of a new international treaty that would forbid the production of fissionable materials for use in nuclear weapons, overriding Israel's objections to the proposed document. Read
U.S. is Proposing European Shield for Iran Missiles — Int'l Herald Tribune
The Bush administration is moving to establish a new antimissile site in Europe that would be designed to stop attacks by Iran against the United States and its European allies. Read
Bush: U.S. Would Aid Israel if Attacked — CNN
President Bush said Tuesday that the United States would come to Israel's aid if it were attacked by Iran and welcomed the Jewish state's plan to define its borders. Read
Federal Trade Commission Says Oil Industry Did Not Manipulate Prices After Hurricane Katrina
The Federal Trade Commission on Monday said it found 15 examples of gasoline price gouging after Hurricane Katrina, though the agency said it has not identified any widespread effort by the oil industry to illegally manipulate the marketplace. Read
Markets 'Are like 1987 Crash'
CONDITIONS in the financial markets are eerily similar to those that precipitated the "Black Monday" stock market crash of October 1987, according to leading City analysts. A report by Barclays Capital says the run-up to the 1987 crash was characterized by a widening US current-account deficit, weak dollar, fears of rising inflation, a fading boom in American house prices, and the appointment of a new chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Read
North Koreans 'Ready to Test Missile that Puts US in Range' — London Telegraph
North Korea may be preparing to test a missile capable of reaching America, according to officials in South Korea and Japan who have seen satellite intelligence photographs of a launch site. Read
NYSE Proposes Merger with Euronext — USA Today
The New York Stock Exchange on Monday proposed a merger with Euronext to create the world's biggest trading platform, valued at $21 billion. Read
Iowa Company Hopes to Make Gasoline Obsolete — USA Today
While much of the world fumes over escalating fuel prices, a small company in north central Iowa is quietly hoping to make gasoline obsolete as an engine fuel. Read
Up to 80 Taliban Dead in U.S.-Led Strike Associated Press
A U.S.-led nighttime airstrike against Taliban rebels in southern Afghanistan killed up to 80 suspected militants, the coalition said Monday. The local governor said 16 civilians were killed and 16 wounded. Read
Ex-Treasury Secretary Bentsen Dies at 85
Lloyd Bentsen, a courtly Texan who represented the state in Congress for 28 years and served as President Clinton's first Treasury secretary, died today, his family said. He was 85. Read
U.S. Jewish Groups Refuse Aid to Evacuees
Residents expelled from Gaza face 'humanitarian crisis' Macy told WND he quit his position after more than 25 years of service to protest the UJC's refusal to initiate a campaign fund to help the Gaza Jewish refugees. Read
U.S. Plan to Lure Nurses May Hurt Poor Nations
The Senate immigration bill would throw open the gate to nurses and, some fear, drain them from developing countries. Read
U.S. Urged to Stop Paying Iraqi Reporters
An investigation of military propaganda in Iraq warns that paying for positive stories could damage U.S. credibility there and undermine the concept of a free press. Read
A.C.L.U. May Block Criticism by Its Board
The American Civil Liberties Union, a longtime defender of free speech, is weighing standards that would discourage its board members from public criticism. Read
Sheriff Stiffens Rules on Early Release of Inmates
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced it is toughening rules on when inmates are released early from its overcrowded jails, hoping to keep those with histories of violent crimes behind bars longer. Read

Pornography/Homosexuality/Obscenity/Immorality/Sexual Abuse

Porn Industry Insiders Undone Over 'Rule 2257'
Lawyers defending the smut industry are concerned about "Rule 2257" which requires pornographers to provide physical evidence that porn performers are of legal age. The newly updated federal code effects video, still images, and Internet content produced since July 3, 1995. Read
Majority of Americans Oppose Gay Marriage
A new Gallup poll found 58 percent of the nation does not believe marriage includes same-sex partners and 50 percent support a constitutional amendment that preserves marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Read
Former New Jersey Governor Details His Homosexuality in Memoir
Former Gov. James E. McGreevey once resorted to anonymous homosexual trysts at highway rest stops, according to recently released excerpts from his memoir being released later this year. Read
US Government Sued by Porn Domain
So far the documents seen by ICM include emails show that National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reversed its backing of the .xxx application, after lobbying from conservative groups, then set about trying to persuade foreign governments to back its position. Read
Hollywood Watches as Porn Studios Offer Download-to-DVD Movies
Starting Monday, Vivid Entertainment says it will sell its adult films through the online movie service CinemaNow, allowing buyers to burn DVDs that will play on any screen, not just a computer. Read

Other News

Mexico Works to Bar Non-Natives From Jobs
If Arnold Schwarzenegger had migrated to Mexico instead of the United States, he couldn't be a governor. If Argentina native Sergio Villanueva, firefighter hero of the Sept. 11 attacks, had moved to Tecate instead of New York, he wouldn't have been allowed on the force. Read
Syria May Join Active 'Resistance' Against Israel — CNS News
A Syrian government minister has said that his country may have to resort to "resistance" — a euphemism for terrorism — to regain control over the Golan Heights if the peace process with Israel is not revived soon. Read
Category 6 Hurricanes? They've Already Happened — ABC News
There is no official Category 6 for hurricanes, but scientists say they're pondering whether there should be as evidence mounts that hurricanes around the world have sharply worsened over the past 30 years — and all but a handful of hurricane experts now agree this worsening bears the fingerprints of man-made global warming. Read
'Zarqawi Aide' Captured in Jordan — BBC
Jordanian officials say they have arrested a senior al-Qaeda figure heavily involved in Iraq's insurgency. Read
Israeli Troops Arrest Top Hamas Suspect
Israeli forces captured the head of Hamas's military wing in the West Bank during a raid in the town of Ramallah early Tuesday. Ibrahim Hamed, 41, has been Israel's most wanted man in the West Bank since 1998. Read
Egypt: Resort Bombers Trained in Gaza
The terrorists who carried out last month's triple bomb blasts in the Sinai resort town of Dahab trained for the operation in the Gaza Strip with local Palestinians, Egyptian authorities announced today. Read
Iran: Fund to 'Demolish' Israel Set Up — Ynet News
A group of Iranian students announced Sunday at an event attended by a high-ranking member of the elite Revolutionary Guard that they were setting up a fund to destroy Israel. Read
Iran Test-Fires Long-Range Missile — Jerusalem Post
Iran conducted a test launch Tuesday night of the Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of reaching Israel and US targets in the region, Israel Radio reported. The test came hours before Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with US President George W Bush in Washington to discuss the Iranian threat. Read
Call Islamic Terrorism By Its Rightful Name
The EU wishes to deny that political Islam inspires terrorists to blow up everything from mosques in Baghdad to tube trains in London, even when Islamist terrorists say explicitly that it does. Read
Plot to Down El Al Jet in Geneva Foiled
A terrorist plot to blow up an El Al jet at Geneva airport with an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) in December was uncovered by the Swiss and French intelligence agencies, details released for publication on Friday revealed. Read
How 45M Secretly Bought Freedom of Foreign Hostages — London Times
All three governments have publicly denied paying ransom money. But according to the documents, held by security officials in Baghdad who have played a crucial role in hostage negotiations, sums from $2.5 million to $10 million per person have been paid over the past 21 months. Among those said to have received cash ransoms was the gang responsible for seizing British hostages including Kenneth Bigley, the murdered Liverpool engineer. Read
New Trade Zone is Formed — Int'l Herald Tribune
The leaders of four pro-Western former Soviet republics — Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova — created a common trade zone on Tuesday to reduce their dependence on Russia and forge closer ties with the European Union. Read
China Defends Nuclear Cooperation with Iran — Jerusalem Post
China on Tuesday defended its nuclear cooperation with Iran following a British Broadcasting Corp. report that traced Tehran's newly announced ability to enrich uranium to Chinese assistance. Read
Top Officer: Gaza Stocking Arms — Ynet News
Ever since the Israeli pullout from Gush Katif and Gaza last summer, one-and-a-half tons of explosives have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip, a senior IDF Operations Branch officer told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a briefing Tuesday. Read

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