http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=4483096&nav=5D7l
NEW ORLEANS An advocacy group is trying to stop city elections in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.The federal court suit argues that the process will keep blacks out of elected office.
The Advancement Project wants changes to the election plan, including polling stations outside the state.
Meanwhile, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People warned that it might organize protests and challenge the elections in court. It says displaced voters need to be given greater consideration in plans to hold elections April 22nd.
Among other races, voters will cast ballots for mayor. So far, the most striking aspect of that race is the number of prominent white business leaders and politicians who have jumped in.
Incumbent Mayor Ray Nagin remains the only black candidate.
Jailed pregnant reporter not accredited-Ethiopia
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09406220.htm
09 Feb 2006 18:29:54 GMTSource: ReutersADDIS ABABA , Feb 9 (Reuters) - A pregnant reporter has been jailed in Ethiopia for more than two weeks, and Ethiopia's Information Ministry said on Thursday she had not been legally accredited.
Press freedom advocates have criticised the arrest without charge of online journalist Frezer Negash, who works for the U.S.-based Ethiopian Review website, which is critical of the government.
Fanthaun Assres, the head of journalist accreditation for Ethiopia's information ministry, said Frezer did not have the proper paperwork.
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Cheney Spearheaded Effort To Discredit Wilson
http://www.countercurrents.org/us-leopold100206.htm
On September 14, 2003, during an interview with Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press," Cheney maintained that he didn't know Wilson or have any knowledge about his Niger trip or who was responsible for leaking his wife's name to the media.
"I don't know Joe Wilson," Cheney said, in response to Russert, who quoted Wilson as saying there was no truth to the Niger uranium claims. "I've never met Joe Wilson. And Joe Wilson - I don't who sent Joe Wilson. He never submitted a report that I ever saw when he came back .. I don't know Mr. Wilson. I probably shouldn't judge him. I have no idea who hired him."
This article first appeared on TruthOut
Frank and 45 lawmakers ask Rice to explain U.N. denial
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories06/february/0210065.htm
by Eric Resnick
Washington, D.C.--Openly lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and 44 other Democrats are demanding that Secretary of State Condolezza Rice explain and repudiate a January 23 United Nations vote against two international gay groups.
Their February 7 action followed Reps. Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Tom Lantos of California, who issued separate statements condemning the Bush administration’s United Nations vote to deny status to the two groups.
Ohio Reps. Sherrod Brown and Dennis Kucinich are among the signatories to Baldwin’s effort, as is Lantos.
“I had hopes for better from you,” wrote Frank to Condolezza Rice on February 2.
“I was deeply troubled to learn that the U.S. government, presumably at your direction, sided with some of the most undemocratic, anti-human rights regimes in the world in voting against consultative status for two international organizations, solely on the grounds that they represent gay and lesbian people,” Frank continued.
US waives export restrictions on Pakistan
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200602091001.htm
Washington, Feb. 9. (PTI): The United States has waived restrictions on exports to Pakistan noting that it would facilitate the transition to democratic process in the country.
US President George W Bush yesterday eased the prohibitions under the 'Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Relations Programmes Appropriations Act of 2006', which targets countries where a coup has overthrown a democratically formed government.
Asking Secretary of State Condolezza Rice to inform about the waiver to the Congress, Bush said that the easing of prohibitions under the Section 508 of the Act was "aimed at facilitating the transition to democratic rule" in Pakistan.
The waiver was also "important to the United States' efforts to respond to, deter or prevent acts of international terrorism," the memo to Rice said.
IN CONCLDING for the evening? George H. W. Bush should have raised a son that was WILLING to be first honest.
E. N. O. U. G. H.
