PoliWatch News

States looking to cash in assets

USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "States and local governments across the USA are preparing to cash in valuable public assets for one-time windfalls that could reap tens of billions of dollars.

Illinois hopes to get at least $10 billion by selling its lottery and an additional $15 billion for leasing all or part of the 274-mile Illinois Tollway. Missouri plans to auction its student loan portfolio. Pennsylvania is considering leasing its highways, and Chicago is studying a plan to lease Midway Airport to private investors.

The deals would let governments collect billions of extra dollars without raising taxes but would reduce their future revenue.

This is what is known as penny wise, and pound foolish. Our children's work lives and payroll taxes are being dumped on like sand dunes by both state and federal governments all in the name of getting reelected today. I hate what my governments are doing to my daughter's future. They are guranteeing her work future will not be nearly as profitable or protected as mine, all other things being equal. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

A Sea of Sand Is Threatening China's Heart

New York Times: International News: "A desert pincer is squeezing Minqin, a struggling oasis town, and China's long campaign to cultivate its vast arid northwest is in retreat."

Bolton decries Annan deputy's criticism of U.S.

The Washington Times: World: "John R. Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, demanded yesterday that Kofi Annan repudiate what Mr. Bolton called "condescending" remarks about Americans by the secretary-general's chief aide, sparking a nasty U.S.-U.N. spat in which neither side showed signs of backing down."

Gay marriage debate

Independent: World News: "
Iraq is going to hell in a hand-basket. The trade and budget deficits are spinning out of control, and petrol prices have gone through the roof. Yet the US Senate has devoted two days to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage that everyone knew had not the slightest hope of passage.
"

Key Iraq ministers get approval

BBC: World: "The Iraqi parliament approves PM Nouri Maliki's nominees for the key posts of defence and interior ministers."

Roadside bomb hits Afghan troops

BBC: World: "Three soldiers of the Afghan National Army are killed by a bomb in Ghazni province, military officials say."

Afghanistan is looking more and more like a little brother quagmire to the big one in Iraq. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Al-Qaeda's Zarqawi killed in Iraq

Reuters: Top News: "BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, blamed for the beheading of foreign captives and the death of hundreds in suicide bombings, has been killed in a raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister said on Thursday.

Other than a morale boost for our troops, this doesn't change much. Bush will act as if he bombed the guy himself, and the civil war in Iraq will continue to worsen. Doesn't change much at all. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Hamas agrees to withdraw militia

BBC: World: "The Hamas-led government says it will withdraw a controversial militia from the "public" areas of Gaza."

Fed's Guynn: Inflation risks elevated

CNN Money: Economy: "Read full story for latest details."

I have been saying all along those inflation numbers were deflated. Fear of stagflation will dominate Fed action in the short term. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

DeLay Tells GOP to 'Stand on Principle'

AP Politics: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay urged colleagues Wednesday to "stand on principle" and ignore the media in a farewell speech to fellow Republicans...."

Kind of like Charles Manson calling for serial killers to stay civil when doing what they do. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Gay Marriage Amendment Fails

Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "The 49 to 48 Senate vote thwarts conservatives' effort to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage."

Ala. Voters Endorse Ban on Gay Marriage

ABC News: Politics: "Alabama Voters Endorse Ban on Gay Marriage, but Reject Religious Right Candidates"

Dems, GOP Cheer 8 States' Primary Results

ABC News: Politics: "Republicans, Democrats Cheer Primary Results Across 8 States in Prelude to Midterm Elections"

Coulter calls 9/11 widows "witches"

Reuters: Top News: "NEW YORK (Reuters) - Conservative author Ann Coulter sparked a storm on Wednesday after describing a group of September 11 widows who backed the Democratic Party as millionaire "witches" reveling in their status as celebrities.

She's a bitch who makes her money by being an extremist. Take her for what she's worth, a pet to extremists on the far right. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Bill to raise indecency fines goes to Bush

Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Legislation boosting fines tenfold on broadcast television and radio stations that violate decency standards was sent on Wednesday to President George W. Bush in a victory for conservative groups.

They got their inch, now we can start looking for the mile. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Does Gore overheat global warming?

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "According to several climate researchers, the former vice president basically gets it right.

An African-centered education success story

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Test scores exceed state averages at J.S. Chick elementary school, where African-American students view themselves as leaders.

It's time to get serious about US troop withdrawal

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Before things get worse in Iraq, the US needs to find a rapid way to withdraw.

It sure took the CSM long enough to come to this obvious conclusion. Talk about waiting for the polls before shifting one's stand. No leadership on this one. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Last stand for property-rights activists

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "A year after the high court ruled on eminent domain, two New London, Conn., homeowners are fighting eviction.

Security or coverup? How a murky case became precedent.

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Some question whether the 'state secret privilege' is abused to stave off government embarrassment.

It has been used for political cover up reasons in the past, and under the new cloaks of secrecy, there is no doubt it will be used for cover up and wrong doing even more in the future. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Could Senate plan for illegal immigrants work?

Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "It calls for categorizing immigrants by the length of their US residency, but logistics would be complex.

Sure it can work, badly, inefficiently, and erroneously. Sounds like a perfect plan for this set of incumbents in the Senate. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

China rejects Spain's 'genocide' claims

Independent: World News: "
China has denounced a Spanish court's investigation into claims of genocide in Tibet as an interference in its internal affairs and dismissed the allegations as "sheer fabrication".
"
This story should grow some legs in the media. It probably won't, but, it should! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

House passes $32 bln domestic security bill

Reuters: Top News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved $32 billion for domestic security programs next year as some lawmakers seethed over their inability to stop funding cuts this year for big cities seen as high-risk targets for terrorist attacks.

Higher revenue slows U.S. deficit growth

CNN Money: Economy: "CBO says fiscal '06 gap is $50 billion below year earlier, due largely to 13% increase in money taken in."

This is exactly the same as my saying, well the bad news is I went another $50,000 in debt this year, but, the good news is, I got a $4,000 raise this year, so, I am doing much better this year. Tell it to my daughter who will be entering the work force in a few years paying the taxes on an $11 Trillion national debt. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.

Upbeat Iran finds 'positive steps' in offer

The Washington Times: World: "Iran's top negotiator yesterday gave a cautiously upbeat review of a package offered by the United States and five world powers designed to halt Tehran's uranium enrichment program, a package that could allow Iran access to some sensitive U.S. nuclear technology."

This is the kind of compromise that was necessary for the U.S. to come out of this claiming some kind of victory. Perhaps the Bush Administration has learned something from the Iraq experience, afterall. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.