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Republicans Want Terrorism Law Made Permanent

ABSTRACT - Congressional Republicans are maneuvering to make permanent sweeping antiterrorism powers granted to federal law enforcement agents after attacks of Sept 11, 2001, in so-called Patriot Act; move is likely to touch off strong objections from many Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress who believe law has already given government too much power to spy on Americans; provisions are set to expire at end of 2005 unless Congress re-authorizes them (M) Working with the Bush administration, Congressional Republicans are maneuvering to make permanent the sweeping antiterrorism powers granted to federal law enforcement agents after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, officials said today.

The move is likely to touch off strong objections from many Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress who believe that the Patriot Act, as the legislation that grew out of the attacks is known, has already given the government too much power to spy on Americans.

posted 11:19 AM

TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RUSS FEINGOLD

1. Russ holds a listening session in each one of Wisconsin's 72 counties every year, where he hears Wisconsinites talk about their concerns first-hand.

2. Russ has the best attendance record in the U.S. Senate. Out of a total of 3,437 lifetime votes, Russ has missed only two-- good for a lifetime average of 99.94%. During this session of Congress he has not missed a single vote.

3. Russ has given the "Calling of the Bankroll" on the Senate floor more than 30 times, in order to highlight the campaign contributions of major interests involved in legislation the Senate was considering.

4. Russ cast the deciding vote in favor of the 1993 Deficit Reduction package, which by today has reduced the federal debt by over $40,000 for each family of four in Wisconsin.

5. Russ has one of the highest lifetime voting records of any seated U.S. Senator from the League of Conservation Voters, a bipartisan group that advocates for environmental conservation.

6. Russ ran his 1998 campaign for re-election under the guidelines of his own campaign finance reform bill, which had not yet been passed into law. Despite being outspent by millions of dollars, Russ won re-election to his second term.

7. Russ been hailed as a "Deficit Hawk" by the Concord Coalition, a non-partisan group that advocates fiscal responsibility in the federal government.

8. The Capital Times, a Madison newspaper, has said that "Feingold['s]…record on labor, environmental and international affairs is arguably the best in the Senate."

9. Russ does not accept pay raises during his term in office. When his colleagues in Congress vote to increase their pay, Russ returns his share to the U.S. Treasury.

10. In a 1992 TV advertisement shown across Wisconsin, Elvis-- alive and well-- endorsed Russ for Senate.



posted 10:40 AM

This breaks my heart. I may write him in anyway... Hey Russ, what about 2008???
I won't run for president, Feingold says

By Scott Milfred
Wisconsin State Journal
March 7, 2003

U. S. Senator Russ Feingold, D-Wis., broke the news Saturday night at the Harmony Bar in Madison, wearing Mardi Gras beads and celebrating his 50th birthday.

"I turned to a couple of friends and family members and said, 'By the way, I'm not running for president in 2004,'" Feingold recalled Thursday during a telephone interview from Washington, D.C. "They said, 'OK. Fine. Now listen to the band.' I don't think the people I was telling it to were very surprised. And my kids were very pleased."

Feingold said he isn't launching a long-shot bid for the highest office in the land because he doesn't want to risk losing the job he loves, representing Wisconsin.

"To give that up for something like that, without a strong feeling that that's what I should do, wouldn't make sense," the two-term Wisconsin senator and Middleton resident said.

"Clearly someone with my name recognition and politics, it would require a very unusual campaign, one that would be different than any other campaign that's ever succeeded in this country," Feingold continued. "And although I believe in miracles-and I've had a few in my life-it would take probably something close to a miracle for that all to work out."

Feingold, known nationally for his campaign finance reform law and outspoken defense of civil liberties, was touted during the last presidential election as a possible running mate for Democratic nominee Al Gore. Later, New York Times columnist William Safire gave Feingold 8-1 odds of becoming the Democratic nominee in 2004.

Feingold launched a tour of college campuses in late 2001, increasing speculation. But since then he's consistently downplayed the slim chance of a 2004 bid. He has about $1.3 million in his campaign account.

"Obviously, I wasn't seriously moving in that direction for some time," he said. "And I had always said, half kiddingly that I would finally decide by the time I turned 50."

Feingold turned a half-century old at midnight Saturday, when the date officially became March 2. He made his announcement surrounded by his friends, family, and other revelers at the Harmony's Mardi Gras party.

Though some politicians have held news conferences in recent months to announce that they aren't running for president, Feingold said a media event seemed presumptuous for him.

"It was wonderful that anyone even suggested it was something I should do," he said Thursday. "I love what I'm doing now."

Feingold said he'll likely seek a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2004

. "I feel like I'm getting things done" in Washington, he said. "Not just campaign finance reform, but I'm very excited about some of the health care stuff I'm doing, some of the foreign policy work with regard to the war on terrorism."

The Republican Party of Wisconsin has touted former GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson as a potential challenger to Feingold next year. Thompson, who hasn't commented on the possibility, left Wisconsin to become President Bush's secretary of health and human services.

"Whoever wants to run against me, so be it," Feingold said. "I obviously like Tommy Thompson. I think he's a good guy, and I think we're friends. Politics is politics, and if for any reason he wanted to take that on, we'd have a fun time and quite a race. But that's up to the Republicans. I'll let them decide that."


posted 10:35 AM

FEINGOLD for President

I think I've made up my mind. I've finally found the candidate that I WANT to run for president. Russ Feingold Senator fromof Wisconsin. I first noticed this man's name when looking at an article on Clear Channel and FCC deregulation. Senator Feingold has introduced legislation to stop this practice which is going to give us One Great Big Happy National Channel.

Then, in talking with a friend at work who just now has found out about the Patriot Act provisions, we researched and found that in Oct 2001, Senator Feingold stood alone in the senate in opposition to this bill. In an exerpt from his speech (which can be found on his website feingold.senate.gov he states:

Of course, there is no doubt that if we lived in a police state, it would be easier to catch terrorists. If we lived in a country that allowed the police to search your home at any time for any reason; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to open your mail, eavesdrop on your phone conversations, or intercept your email communications; if we lived in a country that allowed the government to hold people in jail indefinitely based on what they write or think, or based on mere suspicion that they are up to no good, then the government would no doubt discover and arrest more terrorists.

But that probably would not be a country in which we would want to live. And that would not be a country for which we could, in good conscience, ask our young people to fight and die. In short, that would not be America.

Preserving our freedom is one of the main reasons that we are now engaged in this new war on terrorism. We will lose that war without firing a shot if we sacrifice the liberties of the American people.

I haven't felt this enthusiasm for a candidate in a long time. None of the men who have stepped up inspire me by their beliefs. This man is one that should be our leader. He knows why America is the greatest land in the world, and he wants to keep it that way!

I'm not alone so I think a grass roots effort needs to be created to make this happen.
Here is one guy off the web
"Feingold for President" we both agreed. He's the one. Where do I sign?

Here are some thoughts from people on congress.org

I commend your vote against the Patriot Act

To:Sen. Russ Feingold

March 15, 2003

Dear Senator Feingold, I am writing to express me deepest heartfelt gratitude for your courage in voting against the Patriot Act. I was shocked, outraged, and downright terrified when this legislation was passed, especially with so little opposition and no debate. As a Political Science major at the University of New Hampshire, I can only begin to understand the immense pressure you must have faced to "go with the flow", and I can only imagine the political fallout that must have ensued when you chose to stand up for our civil liberties. Sir, I commend both your commitment to civil rights, and your courage to stand up for them in the face of overwhelming opposition. I may be a citizen of New Hampshire, but on that fateful day, I feel that you were my true Senator. I am starting a student organization on campus dedicated to the preservation of civil liberties, and our first order of business is to lend our support for the fight to repeal the Patriot Act. I would appreciate if I could receive a letter of support for our actions. Once our group is officially recognized and founded, I will send your office a copy of our organization's Constitution and mission statement so that you may judge for yourself whether to voice your support for us. In the meantime, I urge you to continue to fight for what you believe in. Political pressures are undoubtedly a reality, but the world is what we make it. Just one voice of opposition is often enough to inspire others. Sir, your voice might not have been heard on the Senate floor, but believe me, I heard you loud and clear up in New Hampshire, and with any luck, you'll be hearing my reply along with others as we make ourselves known to our own less-courageous senators.

Dover , NH

Subject: My faith in government restored by you.

To:Sen. Russ Feingold

March 25, 2003

Sir,

I am 46 years old and have seen this country slowly slip away from what I thought were its original intentions. Clearly and thankfully, we have changed a great deal since the country's inception. Recent historical events, like the Viet Nam war, Watergate, Iran-Contra, the War on Terrorism, have shaken my belief that the US may not be the great nation for which my father and his brothers faught in WWII.

However, you sir, have given me hope that there are leaders that do stand for the America that I believe in. Please continue to help bring rationality to our nation.

Lastly, I want to let you know something that I struggle with. I am a harsh critic of the US policy on Isreal. I am not a racist. I have great respect for religous freedom. I also admire and am thankful for the role Jewish people have played in American history. I am especially thankful for the activism the Jews displayed during the civil rights movement here in America. So when I blast Isreali policies, I am not blasting Jews.

Again, thank you for your great work. You are one of the few senators I respect.

Subject: Feingold for President in 2004

To:Sen. Russ Feingold

April 10, 2003

Senator Feingold:

I will make this short and sweet. Please run for president in 2004.

If you choose to do so, this constituent will work tirelessly on your behalf for the election.

Our country needs a leader with your integrity and wisdom.

Middleton , WI

Please run for President in 2004

To:Sen. Russ Feingold

April 25, 2003

I believe that you alone still stand for what is great in America. I admire your stand for our constitution in these times, as well as your fight against the media control deregulations.

There is no other candidate that I WANT to vote for. Please run for president so I can happily vote in 2004.

I admire you and feel that you would make a great president. You are already a great leader. Our country needs you. We need to preserve America's greatness.
posted 10:18 AM

A Spin zone not found on Clear Channel's FOX network

Clinton-Gore Administration Accomplishments: 1993 - 2000

NEWS YOU WON'T FIND ON CNN

There’s Lies, Damn Lies, and then there’s the Corporate Press



posted 9:50 AM

U.S. Reporter Who Protested Iraq War Fired

The Chronicle suspended technology reporter Henry Norr, 57, last month, after he was among more than 1,300 people arrested for blocking public streets the morning after the Iraq war started.


"He no longer works at the Chronicle, effective today," spokesman Joe Brown said. He declined to give a reason for the action. Norr was not immediately available for comment.


Unlike many U.S. newspapers, the Chronicle does not bar its reporters from participating in political events, but a memo distributed internally by the paper last month advises its staff to be cautious and gain approval from superiors first.

posted 9:42 AM

Clear Channel & Fox news biased war coverage noted
BBC Director General Greg Dyke singled out for criticism the fast growing News Corp. Ltd.'s Fox News Channel, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, and Clear Channel Communications Inc., the largest operator of radio stations in the United States, with over 1,200 stations, for special criticism.


"Personally, I was shocked while in the United States by how unquestioning the broadcast news media was during this war," Dyke said in a speech at a University of London conference.


"If Iraq proved anything, it was that the BBC cannot afford to mix patriotism and journalism. This is happening in the United States and if it continues, will undermine the credibility of the U.S. electronic news media."


posted 9:41 AM

http://www.penleyinc.com/patriotact.html
posted 5:46 AM

A note to anyone owning shares in a publicly held company

I found this statement below in a message board for a publicly held stock. It made sense so I decided to republish it here.

I would hope EVERYONE on every occasion votes NO to retain the auditors of any public company.

The auditors are the last line of protection for shareholders. Only by CHANGING auditors regularly will any dubious accounting that is being allowed by the current auditors be questioned or corrected.

If the Arthur Anderson auditors had been changed, there would have been no ENRON, WORLDCOM or many other accounting blowups. PERIOD!!!

Whenever a shareholder votes to retain the auditors, they are telling management how naive and trusting they are and setting themselves up to be screwed.

I'm not saying all CPA's are crooks, but the all make decisions on dubious accounting practices. Once made, they go on forever until a new auditing firm comes in and says "wait a minute there, that ain't doing it right way".

I wish the SEC would require a change of auditors at least every three years with the former auditor being liable to shareholders for any improprieties found by the new auditors. If the new auditor continues to allow a questionable practice, they would take on the liability for it. That would do away with the recent "creative" accounting problems and get back to conservative accounting to shareholders.
posted 4:00 PM

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