Link to the today's debate webcast complete video.
Windows format only.


http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/partners/nyt/webcast.html

Andrea Johnson: Don't let media pick nominee by themselves
Andrea Johnson

Published March 1, 2004

JOHNSON0301

Dennis Kucinich has placed third in the Maine and Washington primaries, and now second in Hawaii. And this gives me hope. There are thousands who can think for themselves and refuse to allow the media to dictate who should get their vote.

If the mainstream media had their way, Kucinich would have been out of the race before it really started. Consider the now-famous interchange between Kucinich and ABC's Ted Koppel during the first debate. Koppel ballyhooed Gore's endorsement of Dean (lot of good that did Dean), and asked Kucinich when he was leaving the race. Kucinich gave a brilliant response, which included this statement:(Full Story)

Text Of Democratic Debate

NEW YORK, Feb. 29, 2004

(Full Story)

Embrace Dennis Kucinich and his principles

02/26/04

I take strong issue with the dismissive manner in which Brent Larkin describes Democratic congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich ("What home-field advantage?" Feb. 22). Rep. Kucinich's presidential bid is not about vanity. It is about giving voice to the millions of people who share his vision for the future.

Twenty-five years ago, Dennis Kucinich stood by his word and refused to let Cleveland Muny Light fall into private ownership. By keeping his promise to the citizens of this city, Kucinich put his own political future at risk. And thanks to that decision, Cleveland residents have saved literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the intervening years.

As mayor, state representative, and then U.S. congressman, this visionary leader saved schools, hospitals and a steel mill - and with them, jobs that would have otherwise been lost.

(Full Story)

CityNews endorses Dennis J. Kucinich for president
by Staff Reports
City News Ohio
Originally posted 2/25/2004

CityNews is proud to endorse native son, Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich for president of the United States, and we’re doing so for a number of key reasons.

Congressman Kucinich grew up in the inner city of Cleveland and well-knows the issues, concerns and problems facing people of color - as well as those of working class Americans of all races and ethnicities.

His platform reflects his concern with racial justice and he strongly supports issues such as studying the best methods by which to make reparations for slavery; immediate statehood for the District of Columbia; abolition of the death penalty; an end to the “War on Drugs”; tougher gun control laws; creating affordable housing; cracking down on predatory lending; protecting workers’ rights; universal healthcare coverage; and more investment in education.

(Full Story)

Kucinich, Sharpton stay on the trail
Updated: 3:13 p.m. ET Feb. 25, 2004

WASHINGTON - Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards may think they're in a two-man race for the party’s presidential nomination, but somebody forgot to tell Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton.

(Full Story)

Transcript: Democratic Presidential Debate in Detroit

FDCH e-Media
Monday, October 27, 2003; 12:30 AM

Following is the transcript of the Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and Fox News.

(Full Story)

`Congressman Kucinich, why are you here?'
By Nathan Guttman
He's an unconventional character running in the U.S. Democratic primaries, but he's not giving up - and no one quite understands why.

WASHINGTON - When the race for the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency began, they were 10. Now only four remain: John Kerry, who is the front-runner; John Edwards, who is still hoping to surprise Kerry; Al Sharpton, who is staying on in the race to ensure that the Afro-American voice is heard; and Dennis Kucinich, who is not giving up - and no one understands why.

(Full Story)

From: "Wythe W Holt Jr."
Organization: University of Alabama School of Law
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 11:36:23 -0600

The March Primary -- Your Last Chance to Vote Against the War?
by Tom Gallagher

Last year at this time, opposition to the Bush Administration's preemptive war
in Iraq filled the streets of cities and towns around the world -- San Francisco notable
among them. While it obviously failed to preempt the preemption, still this was the
largest prewar antiwar movement the world had yet seen and so a lot of people who
came out to those rallies and vigils naturally hoped that this year's Democratic primaries
would develop into the forum to challenge theAdministration's foreign policy. And this
seemed likely even a couple of short months ago, when Howard Dean was apparently poised to
Cruise and few imagined Senators John Kerry and John Edwards so quickly dominating the race.
So, suddenly, with Edwards and Kerry having supported the war (however they may wish to
characterize their votes now, they did vote to authorize it), there looms a distinct possibility
that Super Tuesday could be the last chance to cast a meaningful antiwar vote in this presidential
election cycle, making Representative Dennis Kucinich's continuing candidacy crucial. No candidate
has made the antiwar argument more forcefully than Kucinich and with the current twist of the
primary plot he now stands as a representative of two of the Democrats' forgotten antiwar majorities
-- the 126-81 majority of House Democrats who voted against the war, and the majority of Democratic
voters.

What makes the antiwar side's current fadeout in the presidential campaign particularly strange
is how out of tune it seems to be with the mood of the land. Just about no one now buys the
Administration's "Weapons of Mass Destruction" rationale -- not even Bush and Cheney will consistently
claim to believe it any more -- although there is Rumsfield. Yet Edwards and Kerry's voting records
render them unable to effectively follow up as the Administration's story melts away. In fact, if Kerry
wins the nomination we could see more debate about opposition to the Vietnam War in the final election
campaign than to the war going on now. Actually, a national discussion of Vietnam could be a very good
thing for the country, even thirty years later, but Kerry's honorable past antiwar leadership should not
distract us from the fact that it is Kucinich who now offers a ninety day plan to honorably withdraw
and avoid the disaster of turning a Republican occupation of Iraq into a Democratic occupation of Iraq.

Not that you'd have to go abroad to find big issues ignored in the presidential campaign, of course.
Last year former Vice President Al Gore announced his support for a "single-payer" Canadian-style
Health insurance plan that would send all medical bills to a single payment agency and allow us to save
the one dollar out of every ten health care dollars that the competing private health insurance bureaucracies
currently eat up. Unfortunately, it was only three years after he was the Democratic presidential nominee
and could really have had an impact that Gore came to his recognition of this sensible approach to
extending health coverage to the 40 million Americans currently doing without.

More unfortunately still, Senators Edwards and Kerry have yet to take the idea up at all. Here again,
Kucinich has advocated a specific "single-payer" plan called "Enhanced Medicare for All" since the start
of the race.

Whether it's arguing that corporate globalization needs to answer to the democratic process or calling
for shifting government priorities from the military to education, Kucinich is speaking to big questions that
the current two-man focus simply ignores. If you've ever asked yourself why we can't have presidential
candidates who actually talk about these real issues, then you ought to be looking at Kucinich.

When the final election comes around in November we will vote for what we have to vote for. In the
primaries we can vote for what we want to vote for -- for what we believe in. Don't waste that vote.

Posted on Sun, Feb. 29, 2004

Democrats rev up for Tuesday vote

BY BILL SALISBURY

Pioneer Press

Minnesota has a chance to make a difference in the Democratic presidential race on Tuesday night.

(Full Story)

Q&A: Dennis Kucinich

Published February 29, 2004

KUCINICH0229

Editor’s note: Last weekend, as he was preparing to speak to an estimated 2,500 people in Northrop Auditorium, Rep. Dennis Kucinich spoke backstage with Commentary Editor Eric Ringham about his race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The following is adapted from their conversation:(Full Story)

Posted on Sun, Feb. 29, 2004

Kucinich says he's in race for long haul

Despite poor showing in primaries, Democrat from Ohio has hope

By Carl Chancellor

Beacon Journal staff writer

It seemed strangely fitting that after his surprising second-place finish in the Hawaii caucus, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich hung out with the Planetary Bandits, a popular Maui rock/jazz fusion band.

Most political pundits believed that Kucinich at best had his head in the stars, and more than likely was a bit spacy to even consider a run for the presidency of the United States.

But almost halfway through the primary season, Kucinich is still in the race after more heavily touted and financed candidates have thrown in the towel.

(Full Story)

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Kucinich Rolls Through L.A. Area
In a race for Tuesday's primary, the longshot Democratic candidate talks to small crowds in diverse spots, from a union local to a mosque.


By Susannah Rosenblatt, Times Staff Writer

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, fresh from an unexpectedly strong second-place finish in Hawaii's caucuses, campaigned through the Los Angeles area Saturday, hoping to win some votes in California's primary Tuesday.

The Ohio congressman brought his message to a South Central community garden, an immigrant rights rally and a local mosque as he addressed issues of particular importance in California — such as...(Full Story)

Kucinich Says Kerry Trying to 'Out-Rambo' Bush
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, responding to the strongest statements yet by Sen. John Kerry regarding expansion of the military and the need for increased Pentagon spending, said Kerry has "apparently declared himself the Democratic nominee and is trying to out-Rambo President Bush" heading toward the November general election.

"The way to beat Bush in November is not to be more warlike than he is," said Kucinich. "If that's the choice that Sen. Kerry is offering, than we're simply substituting a unjustified Republican war for an equally unjustified Democratic war. And, from what Sen. Kerry is saying, an even bigger, longer, and more dangerous one."

Kerry, in what his campaign described as a major foreign policy address on the campus of UCLA yesterday, renewed his pledge to "add 40,000 active-duty Army troops, a temporary increase likely to last the remainder of the decade"--a pledge he sidestepped when asked about it directly by Kucinich during a nationally televised debate Thursday. Yesterday, in contrast, Kerry said American troop strength abroad is "overextended" and must be replenished by adding two full combat divisions to the regular Army. He has also repeatedly said that, as President, he would add those 40,000 new troops in his first 100 days.

Kerry went on to say "Day in and day out, George W. Bush reminds us that he is a war president and that he wants to make national security the central issue of this election. I am ready to have this debate. I welcome it."

Kucinich responded: "American citizens--including our own troops--want us to get out of Iraq," said Kucinich. "Sen. Kerry wants us to send more troops. Rather than proposing an exit strategy, he's clearly proposing an expansion of our military presence and an even longer occupation."

Kucinich also challenged Kerry to explain how the Army could add 40,000 new personnel without reinstating the draft. "If Sen. Kerry is considering reinstating the draft to meet his military objectives, he should be honest with the American people right now."

Kucinich also took aim at other remarks made by the Massachusetts senator in his UCLA speech.

Kerry told his audience that he would work with allies in Iraq and elsewhere, "but no President would ever let them tie our hands and prevent us from doing what must be done. As President, I will not wait for a green light from abroad when our safety is at stake."

"How does that make Sen. Kerry any different from George Bush?" Kucinich asked. "Kerry is prepared to act unilaterally if he deems it necessary ˆ the exact same words we heard from President Bush, who then took us to war. I voted against giving the President that authority, while Sen. Kerry and Sen. Edwards voted in favor of it."

Kucinich also pointed to the contradictions between Kerry's recent statements, his votes over the years on defense spending, and his comments on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

In October 2002, Kerry, who then supported the resolution that sanctioned a possible invasion of Iraq, said "It would be naïve to the point of grave danger not to believe that, left to his own devices, Saddam Hussein will provoke, misjudge, or stumble into a future, more dangerous confrontation with the civilized world." More recently, Kerry has acknowledged that Hussein possessed no weapons of mass destruction or posed any imminent threat.

"You can't have it both ways, Senator," said Kucinich. "If you were naïve then, reversed yourself to admit there was no basis for going to war, and now you're promising to be an even tougher war president than Bush, it's only fair to ask: Exactly where do you stand?"

According to Republican surrogates representing Bush's re-election campaign, Kerry's new "get tough" policy runs contrary to dozens of votes in the Senate where he opposed increased military and intelligence spending.

Now, Kucinich pointed out, "for some unfathomable reason, the senator has changed course again and become more of a hawk."

Kucinich rejected that notion that "being more warlike than George Bush" is the way for the Democrats to win the White House.

People want a change in direction and in policy, said Kucinich. "Senator Kerry seems to offering Americans even more of what George Bush has already done."

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich Campaign Gears Up in Ohio for Tuesday's Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

With the Ohio Presidential primary only a few days away, Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich is putting on the equivalent of a political full court press to break through the wall-to-wall campaign coverage that senators John Kerry and John Edwards have been attracting as they've skipped across Ohio for the past few days.

Fresh off a second-place finish in Hawaii, ahead of Edwards, Kucinich returns to Cleveland Sunday following a nationally televised debate in New York City Sunday morning.

While the candidate himself will be making dozens of campaign appearances in Cleveland and northern Ohio over the next few days, his volunteers and staff have been reaching out around the clock to hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters through television and radio ads, direct mail, email, door-to-canvassing and leafleting.

That all-out effort leading up to Tuesday's election includes: $300,000 in electronic media, including the first-ever broadcast of a 30-minute documentary airing on TV stations this weekend; 25,000 postcards to absentee voters; 100,000 pieces of direct mail to registered voters; 400,000 phone calls, including both live and automated; 600 volunteer phone callers; 6,000 yard signs; and a steady stream of news and campaign updates on Kucinich's website, www.kucinich.us.

On Thursday, Kucinich also picked up key endorsements from the state's two most influential African American newspapers, the Call & Post and CityNews.

Polls show frontrunner John Kerry with a sizable lead in Ohio, but Kerry's and Edward's positions on trade issues and their opposition to significant changes in the nation's health care system may cut into their votes in a state that has lost thousands of jobs to foreign competition and where the number of unemployed and uninsured continues to grow.

Kucinich has pointed out that Kerry and Edwards support the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization, which has enabled corporations to ship American jobs overseas and allowed foreign competitors, especially in the steel industry, to dump cheap products on U.S. shores, further undercutting domestic sales and steelworker jobs.

The challenge, admits the Kucinich campaign, is to reach the voters to persuade them that, in Ohio, this is a three-man race, not a two-man horserace. (Rev. Al Sharpton is not on the ballot in Ohio.)

With all the attention focused on Kerry and Edwards, that challenge, says the campaign, is formidable.

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

30-Minute Kucinich Documentary Airs in Cleveland This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

With the Ohio Presidential primary only a few days away, Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich will hit the airwaves in Northern Ohio this weekend with a 30-minute television documentary about his life, his political career, and his bid for the Presidency.

The program is hosted by award-winning actor Hector Elizondo, and features guest appearances by fellow actors Ed Asner, Mimi Kennedy, James Cromwell, and author and lecturer Marianne Williamson.

The documentary will air several times over the weekend:

Saturday, Feb. 28, 12:00 Noon - 12:30 pm, WEWS-TV

Sunday, Feb. 29, 10:00 am - 10:30 pm, WEWS-TV

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm, WKYC-TV

Sunday, Feb. 29, 10:30 am - 11:00 am, WJW-TV

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich: New York's Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Must Be Shut Down
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Democratic Congressman and presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich today issued this statement about the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Buchanan, New York:

"Dozens of organizations in New York City and in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties have worked tirelessly to close the Indian Point Power Plant, and I support their efforts wholeheartedly. The fact that this nuclear power station is within 35 miles of mid-town Manhattan with no evacuation plan beyond 10 miles leaves 20 million people at risk. This is completely and utterly unacceptable.

"Nuclear power-generating stations are inherently dangerous. We've seen what can happen when they breach: witness the horror of the Chernobyl disaster in Russia and our own near-disaster at Three Mile Island. Then add to that the likelihood that these plants stand at the top of the list of targets of any terrorist organization seeking us harm--plus the possibility that spent fuel from these plants can be used to make 'dirty bombs.' These plants are potential disasters waiting to happen. We must replace them with safe, renewable energy facilities all across the country.

"We need an energy policy that is based on responsible and critical thinking, one that looks out for the health and well-being of our children and our grandchildren. Our present-day reliance on nuclear power and on inherently dirty and environmentally harmful fossil fuels doesn't do this. But a shift to safe, clean and environmentally-benign renewable energy sources does.

"At least three million new jobs can be created by my plan to invest in safe renewable technologies such as solar, wind, biomass, green hydrogen, geo-thermal and in designing energy efficient buildings, vehicles, and manufacturing processing equipment and systems. These new technologies are already proven and offer us real hope to stem the speed of global climate change and preserve our ecosystems, besides offering us viable alternatives to the consumption of Middle-Eastern oil.

"This is the kind of responsible, forward thinking, honest leadership we must demand from our government, and the kind of responsible leadership I am committed to providing."

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich on Palestine

By George Karsa

Al-Jazeerah, Feb28 ,2004

As an Arab-American and a lifelong supporter of the rights of the Palestinian people, I have good news for you! In this year's presidential race, there is a candidate who has the wisdom, the courage, and the independence to create a climate in which peace can finally become a reality between the Palestinians and Israel. That candidate is Dennis J. Kucinich, a4 -term congressman from Cleveland, Ohio. Congressman Kucinich not only supports statehood for the Palestinians, thus removing the single greatest source of anti-American sentiment throughout the Arab and Muslim world, but is the only candidate that has a clearly- defined plan for ending the occupation of Iraq and bringing our troops home within 90 days of his election. Dennis Kucinich is also the only candidate that has a plan for creating a just and lasting peace in both Iraq and Palestine. Leaders in national Muslim organizations like...(Full Story)

Kerry, Edwards Refuse to Join Kucinich in Protecting U.S. Jobs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Congressman Dennis Kucinich tonight challenged Senators John Edwards and John Kerry to save American jobs by joining him in his pledge to cancel the North American Free Trade Agreement. Both refused.

In a nationally televised debate on CNN, Kucinich said that because of NAFTA and the U.S.'s membership in the World Trade Organization, not only are American jobs being "outsourced" to foreign countries, but the U.S. is powerless to stop foreign nations from unfair competitive practices. Kucinich cited an occasion when Congress was unable to protect American steel jobs from foreign competition because the WTO overruled the legislation.

Kucinich renewed his pledge to cancel NAFTA and the WTO by executive order as his first act in office.

Neither Kerry nor Edwards would commit to canceling NAFTA. Kerry voted for NAFTA and has consistently voted for other comparable trade agreements. Kerry and Edwards both voted for the China trade agreement.

Kucinich has been consistent in his opposition to so-called free trade.

Edwards and Kerry both discussed plans to "fix" the trade agreements. The fact is they cannot be altered. Any proposed change can be overruled by the WTO.

Free trade agreements have resulted in the loss of millions of American manufacturing jobs. Internationally, they have failed to uphold workers rights and environmental standards.

A Kucinich administration would return to bilateral trade conditioned on workers rights, human rights, and environmental quality principles.

Jobs: Putting America Back to Work IN America: http://www.kucinich.us/issues/jobs.php

Dennis on Ohio jobs: http://www.kucinich.us/jobstalk.php

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kerry, Edwards Failed To Vote For American Workers

With millions of unemployed Americans looking for work, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, co-sponsored a bill to extend unemployment benefits. After the bill was deadlocked by Republicans in committee, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, attempted on Thursday 26 February to amend a bill before the Senate to approve an extension of benefits.

The vote required a three-fifths majority to carry. Even though 11 Republicans joined Democrats in voting of the amendment, it failed by two votes: Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards were ABSENT.

Millions of unemployed Americans lost a chance for hope Thursday, as Sens. John Kerry, D-MA and John Edwards, D-NC, missed a key vote that could have extended benefits through June 30. The votes of Kerry and Edwards would have tipped the scale in favor of American workers.

(Full Story)

Reader says story downplayed local support for Kucinich
Lou Gelfand, Star Tribune

Published February 29, 2004

GELFAND0229

Reporting attendance figures for a presidential candidate's speech is what nourishes both the candidate and his supporters, maintains John Sherman, a Dennis Kucinich believer.

That spurred him to critique last Sunday's story headlined, "Edwards, Kucinich woo Twin Cities."

Its second paragraph said that Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina "flashed his Southern-fried charm and stump speaking skills before an overflow crowd of nearly 2,000 at a union hall in St. Paul."

But, wrote Sherman, "at exactly the same time the main floor of Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota was almost completely filled with 3,000 people for Kucinich," and the only reference to it in the story were the words, "Other [Kucinich] rallies at Carleton College in Northfield and the University of Minnesota were scheduled for later in the day."

(Full Story)

Democratic hopeful vows to stay in race

By David E. Graham
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

February 28, 2004

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich brought his campaign to San Diego yesterday, saying he is in the race through to the Democratic National Convention, even though he trails at the ballot box and in the polls.

"If this were 'Survivor,' " Kucinich said in an analogy to the TV show in which competitors are voted out, "the trees would be gone before I am."

The Ohio congressman spoke to a late afternoon rally of almost 100 people on a plaza in the Gaslamp Quarter downtown, sounding some of his themes, among the most liberal being espoused in the race.

(Full Story)

Posted on Fri, Feb. 27, 2004

Dan Rather has low expectations for Sunday's Democratic `debate'

BY ED BARK

The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS - (KRT) - The title is debatable. CBS calls it Countdown to Super Tuesday: The Democrats Debate. Moderator Dan Rather demurs.

"I decline to call them debates, because they aren't," he said in a telephone interview. "Not by any proper dictionary term, anyway." (Side note - look at Rather's own remarks about the state of journalism today)

(Full Story)

Auburndale group weighs presidential choices
By Ayala Ben-Yehuda 02/26/2004

Three Democratic presidential candidates — or rather representatives of their campaigns — squared off on Iraq, the economy and electability at a Jefferson Democratic Club forum in Auburndale last Thursday.

(Full Story)

KERRY, EDWARDS & KUCINICH ON JOBS

by Thomas McCullock

OpEdNews.com
In last night's debate between the democratic candidates, Dennis Kucinich challenged both John Kerry and John Edwards to pledge to cancel NAFTA to protect jobs. Both refused, claiming they would instead "fix" NAFTA.

As Mr. Kucinich points out, that's impossible. We do not have the authority to do so, the WTO would simply overrule any such attempt. Our only option is to withdraw from this misguided treaty which has for years enslaved the poor in other countries, and now steals jobs from American workers.

(Full Story)

The Job Loss Tornado:

As was predicted by a laughed-at Ross Perot, the "great sucking sound" of American jobs fleeing the country is in full howl. Thank you, NAFTA, thank you, WTO, thank you, China Trade Agreement.

When the time came to decide wether or not to start up the great job loss tornado, both Kerry and Edwards puckered up and BLEW. Now they want to take their beanie-cap propellers and fan a little breeze and a lot of smoke here and there, tweaking these monstrous trade agreements, the Free Jobs For Foreign Workers Agreement Collection. Kerry wants to give us three months notice before we give more jobs away to countries with far lower wages forever.

ONLY Dennis Kucinich voted against NAFTA and the WTO. ONLY Dennis Kucinich has vowed to repeal these agreements as fast as the treaties allow if elected. ONLY Dennis Kucinich makes less than $100,000.00 per year of these candidates. ONLY Dennis Kucinich has a full and detailed plan to create new jobs by rebuilding our infrastructure and implementing clean energy produced right here at home. ONLY Dennis Kucinich believes what he is saying and will follow through on it without delay or hesitation. ONLY Dennis Kucinich would make manufacturing capabilities a national security priority.

I would strongly suggest that everyone remember which side their bread is buttered on, and walk their "made in China" shoes right on down to their voting booth. That's where WE decide whether or not to keep on blowing jobs right on out of America.

Dan Stafford

Kerry, Edwards Refuse to Join Kucinich in Protecting U.S. Jobs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Congressman Dennis Kucinich tonight challenged Senators John Edwards and John Kerry to save American jobs by joining him in his pledge to cancel the North American Free Trade Agreement. Both refused.

In a nationally televised debate on CNN, Kucinich said that because of NAFTA and the U.S.'s membership in the World Trade Organization, not only are American jobs being "outsourced" to foreign countries, but the U.S. is powerless to stop foreign nations from unfair competitive practices. Kucinich cited an occasion when Congress was unable to protect American steel jobs from foreign competition because the WTO overruled the legislation.

Kucinich renewed his pledge to cancel NAFTA and the WTO by executive order as his first act in office.

Neither Kerry nor Edwards would commit to canceling NAFTA. Kerry voted for NAFTA and has consistently voted for other comparable trade agreements. Kerry and Edwards both voted for the China trade agreement.

Kucinich has been consistent in his opposition to so-called free trade.

Edwards and Kerry both discussed plans to "fix" the trade agreements. The fact is they cannot be altered. Any proposed change can be overruled by the WTO.

Free trade agreements have resulted in the loss of millions of American manufacturing jobs. Internationally, they have failed to uphold workers rights and environmental standards.

A Kucinich administration would return to bilateral trade conditioned on workers rights, human rights, and environmental quality principles.

Jobs: Putting America Back to Work IN America: http://www.kucinich.us/issues/jobs.php

Dennis on Ohio jobs: http://www.kucinich.us/jobstalk.php

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Forget Nader, Hug Kucinich

By Adam Werbach, AlterNet
February 23, 2004

Ralph Nader is running for president. Big deal. For those of you cooking up schemes to derail his bid for the presidency, I urge you to give him exactly the attention he deserves. None. Angry opposition is exactly what Nader needs to turn his last stand into the Alamo. At the moment he has as much support as the guy who walks around San Francisco with a sign that says the Martians have landed.

(Full Story)

Kucinich Demands Greenspan Resignation
February 26, 2004
Congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich yesterday renewed his demand that Alan Greenspan resign after the Federal Reserve Chairman testified before the House Budget Committee advocating cutting Social Security benefits to deal with the deficit. Kucinich believes ordinary Americans and future generations should not have to carry the burden of tax cuts for the rich.
http://www.kucinich.us

A Brokered Convention

a message from Pat Soberanis
forwarded by Brian Piergrossi
forwarded to you by The People For Peace Project
Hi everyone.
The facts below about delegates and the implications of a brokered convention are important to forward to all Kucinich supporters. I myself was not aware of several facts below and I know many others are not as well. So please read and forward.

By the way, for those who don't know, Dennis just had his best showing yet, getting over 30% of the vote in Hawaii, coming in second and beating John Edwards yet again, but of course the corporate conglomerate media doesn't want anybody to know that. Find ways and tools to become your own source of media. Keep up the great work.
6 MORE DAYS OF KUCINICH KRAZINESS STILL TO COME!!



This week's topic: A BROKERED CONVENTION

This week I met several people who came down from Seattle to
help get out the vote in California. I found out that Kucinich got
25% of the vote in counties - whole counties! - where there
was a strong door-to-door campaign - and in one woman's
precinct, he got 48%! Note to self: One-on-one discussion is
the key to overcoming a media blackout.

I also learned how convoluted the delegate selection process
is in the different states, and why Kucinich could well end up
with far more than the delegates he has now... Kucinich isn't
worried about the delegate count: He knows it will probably
be a brokered convention in July.

For one thing, the delegate counts you hear about in the
media are merely projections based on the statewide votes:
Kerry gets 40% in Wisconsin; they give him 40% of
Wisconsin's delegates. Kucinich gets 3%; they give him no
delegates, because you have to get 15 percent of the vote
to get even one delegate.

Two very important things they don't take into account: (1)
The 15% minimum applies to each *congressional district*
as well as the statewide tallies; and (2) Some states, such
as Iowa and Washington, will take weeks to select their
delegates, because they do not select them by direct
vote; instead, they select county delegates, who then
convene and select state delegates, who then convene
to select delegates for the national convention in July. So
we won't have a final count for months, and it could
change radically between now and then.

Here's another reason Kucinich isn't worried about his
small delegate count: With 500 or so delegates projected
for Kerry, and over 2,300 needed to win the nomination,
he would have to get virtually all of the remaining state
primary delegates, as well as most of the 800 or so
superdelegates, to win on the first vote, because he's
only been getting 40-50% of the vote in the primaries so far.

All of the Dean delegates - and he's asking his supporters
to vote for him anyway, even though he dropped out -
and all of the delegates that were split by candidates that
didn't get the required 15% vote - cannot go to Kerry on
the first vote. Repeat: The "floater" delegates (my term,
not the party's) cannot vote for Kerry on the first ballot
at the convention. They cannot because delegates are
pledged to vote only for their candidate on the first
ballot, and these are not Kerry delegates.

Therefore, the nominee will not be selected on the
first ballot. For the first time since 1952, this will be
a "brokered convention."

You see, after the first ballot, delegates are not bound
to vote for the candidate who sent them. But they
can negotiate: If you want our block of delegates, you
have to give us our plank in the party platform that
the nominee runs on. Or you have to pledge to appoint
our candidate to your cabinet if you win. And so on.

So, as Dennis says, this is the 135th mile of a 500-
mile race, and a lot can happen between now and then.
Who would have expected that Dean - who burned
through the entire $41 million he raised last year in
Iowa and New Hampshire alone - would have crashed
so spectacularly?

A lot can happen between now and the July convention.
This is your once-in-a lifetime chance to vote for an
honest politician. I guarantee you will not regret it.

Vote for Dennis Kucinich for President. He is absolutely
incorruptable, a man of and for the people, the Abe
Lincoln of our time. He is exactly what we have all
been waiting for.

Pat Soberanis

This message is being forwarded by The People For Peace Project
www.KucinichCD.com

from http://www.lesspress.com/voters-volunteers.htm

Wake up, America: Dennis Kucinich has hit the big time!

"Dennis is the most humble candidate I've ever met. Most politicians wear an
aura of hubris because they've already been bought and paid for. Dennis will
go to the White House as the best chance you've had since Abe Lincoln to see
a man's true character as he dons the mantle of Leader of the Free World." -
Michelle Shocked

The race for the Democratic nomination has reached a critical point. Less
than a quarter of delegates have been assigned (see table showing the
schedule of Democratic primaries), and of these the front-runner, Sen. John
Kerry, has just over half. The mass media have been calling it a two-horse
race between Kerry and Sen. John Edwards.

But wait! Who's that dark horse coming up on the outside? It's Rep. Dennis
Kucinich of Ohio!

Dennis took second place with 30% of the vote in the Hawaii primary on Feb.
24. 30% is the BIG TIME, folks. To put this result in context: aside from
Kerry, the only candidates to get 30% or more in ANY state so far are Dean
in Washington (30%); Clark in Oklahoma (30%); and Edwards in his home state
of South Carolina (45%), Wisconsin (34%) and Oklahoma (30%).

Dennis's success comes as no surprise to those who have been following his
upward progress: 5.6% in New Mexico, 8% in Washington, 16% in Maine...
Already more than 100,000 people have voted for Dennis in the primaries and
caucuses held to date. These people didn't vote
for Dennis because they liked his name or because they accidentally marked
the wrong box on the ballot. They did it because they want Dennis Kucinich
to be President.

Do these 100,000 people know something that the rest of America is still
waiting to hear? Who is Dennis Kucinich and what does he stand for?

Dennis led the opposition in Congress to both the Iraq war and the Patriot
Act, and won the 2003 Gandhi Peace Award for his stand against the war. He
promises to hand over control of Iraq to the UN within 90 days of taking
office, to repeal the Patriot Act which has butchered civil liberties, to
cut the bloated Pentagon budget by 15% to pay for free education and health
care for all Americans, and cancel the GATT and NAFTA trade agreements which
have wiped out millions of jobs... He takes no money from any corporate
donor and most of the donations he receives come in chunks of under $100. He
himself is one of the least wealthy candidates ever to run for president,
with an estimated net worth of under $60,000. He has defeated Republican
incumbents four times in his career (for city councilman, Mayor of
Cleveland, state senator and Congress), and in his fourth term now holds 74%
of the vote in a congressional district with a Republican majority. Not only
can Dennis beat Bush, but he will fix the corrupt system dominated by
corporate interests which put Bush into power.

Compare the other three candidates still in the race:

- Al Sharpton, who has never held elected office;
- Sen. John Edwards of South Carolina, a right-wing Democrat and one-term
senator, who voted for the Iraq war and the Patriot Act;
- Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, an elitist politician in the Al Gore
mould, heavily backed by media and other special interests, who also voted
for the Iraq war and the Patriot Act, who is a member of the same "Skull and
Bones" secret society as Bush... Kerry, if nominated, would bring us a
re-run of Gore v Bush, except this time without the advantage of incumbency.

The choice is clear, and there can be little doubt that Dennis Kucinich
presents the greatest threat to Bush and his billionaire backers. But the
companies that control the mass media don't want Americans to have that
choice, and they have imposed a media blackout on his campaign. At times
this reaches the point of absurdity. Associated Press reported the results
of the Hawaii primary as follows: "Kerry first... Edwards third"! Meanwhile
the CNN website gives Dennis just 26% in Hawaii, whereas the horse's mouth,
the Hawaii Democratic Party reports 30% (and this is expected to rise when
results from the last few districts come in.) Dennis's message of peace and
justice is anathema to the corporate-owned media. It comes down to this: If
we want Dennis' message to reach the American people, we'll have to carry it
ourselves by whatever means we can find.

Time is critical! Next Tuesday, March 2, is the biggest date in the
Democratic primary calendar (see table). Ten states vote on the same day:
California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts (Kerry's home
state), Minnesota, New York, Ohio (Dennis's home state), Rhode Island and
Vermont: all told, more than a third of delegates to the Boston convention
are up for grabs on a single day. March 2, 2004 will go down as a turning
point in the history of American democracy. Let's turn towards peace and
justice and choose the Presidential candidate who best represents those
qualities: Dennis Kucinich.

Please forward this message (www.lesspress.com/voters-volunteers.htm) to
everyone you know in these states and across the nation. And please visit
Dennis's website, http://www.kucinich.us, to find out how you can help the
campaign. People are more than just votes -- to save democracy in the US, we
need your help, not just your vote. We need to maintain and build a
nationwide network if Dennis Kucinich is to win, not just the primaries, but
also the nomination at the Democratic convention in Boston in July, and
ultimately win the Presidential election.

Take heart and good luck!

Robert Alcock, www.lesspress.com, February 25, 2004

February 6, 2004

Former Iraq administrator sees decades-long U.S. military presence

By Amy Svitak Klamper, CongressDaily

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Jay Garner, the former interim administrator of
post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Iraq, said Thursday that a U.S.
military presence in Iraq should last "the next few decades," but questioned
the mix of forces already there and current plans to reconfigure the armed
forces as a whole.

Echoing concerns raised by lawmakers at this week's defense budget hearings,
Garner said in an interview with National Journal Group reporters and editors
that the size of the Army and Marine Corps should be increased by enlarging the
infantry or ground forces. And he warned that the current strain on National
Guard and Reserve forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan could cripple efforts
to retain experienced soldiers.

[snip]

Asked how long U.S. forces should remain in Iraq, Garner said, "I hope they're
there a long time."




Read the entire article at http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0204/020604cdam3.htm

Dennis Wows Maui

By John Nichols, The Nation
February 26, 2004

Democratic frontrunner John Kerry coasted on Not-So-Super Tuesday, winning three more states as Idaho, Utah and Hawaii quietly picked delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Kerry had no trouble dispatching John Edwards, the North Carolina senator who is generally portrayed as the last serious threat to the Massachusetts senator's frontrunner status. Kerry beat Edwards by 33 points in Ohio, 32 points in Idaho and 25 points in Utah.

In fact, the candidate who came closest to Kerry wasn't even Edwards.

The candidate who gave the Democratic frontrunner the best run for his money on Tuesday was Dennis Kucinich, who won a respectable 26.1 percent of the vote in Hawaii to Kerry's 49.8 percent.

(Full Story)

SMALL WIND E-NEWSLETTER

March 2004

Issue No. 9, February 26, 2004
Editor: Larry Sherwood, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

The current Small Wind Newsletter is also available on the web at http://www.irecusa.org/smallwindenergy/e-newsletter.html . If you have trouble with links in this e-mail message, try the web version of the newsletter.

Article summaries follow the Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS
(1) TEXAS Highway Rest Stops Powered by Wind
(2) NORTH CAROLINA Wind Turbine Promotes Core Mission at Apple Farm
(3) VIRGINIA Small Wind Incentives Program Announced
(4) PENNSYLVANIA Awards $5 million in Energy Harvest Grants
(5) IOWA Net Metering Case in the National News
(6) MINNESOTA Incentive for Small-Wind Systems Fully Subscribed
(7) Web Site Helps with Farm Bill Funding for 2004
(8) Small Wind State Stakeholders to Meet
(9) Global Windpower 2004 Conference
(10) Northeast Wind Energy Teachers Workshops
(11) ICMA to Host Wind Energy Webcast
(12) Upcoming Small Wind Events

INTERCONNECTION AND NET METERING
(13) WISCONISN - Interconnection Standards Become Law
(14) NEVADA - PUC Adopts Interconnection Rules, Raises Net Metering Limit

INCENTIVES
(15) ILLINOIS Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
(16) NORTH DAKOTA Wind Personal Tax Credit

RESOURCES
(17) Links to State Regulatory and Net Metering Information
(18) ONTARIO Small Wind Fact Sheet

LINKS TO SMALL WIND IN THE NEWS
(19) Boston Globe

ABOUT THE SMALL WIND NEWSLETTER
Includes information on how to subscribe and unsubscribe.

NEWS

(1) TEXAS Highway Rest Stops Powered by Wind
Two Texas highway rest stops now feature wind turbines. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) paid for the installations as part of its regular rest stop rebuilding program. The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) installed the turbines and will operate them for two years. AEI will also train TxDOT personnel to evaluate problems, monitor turbine performance, and perform simple repairs and after two years, TxDOT will be responsible for the turbines. Full article.

(2) NORTH CAROLINA Wind Turbine Promotes Core Mission at Apple Farm
Ron and Suzanne Joyner operate a small orchard and nursery that specializes in preserving antique and heirloom apples in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. With the help of a small wind turbine, they’re also looking to preserve old-fashioned self-reliance. The Joyners’ 75-acre apple farm near Lansing features all the modern appliances of American life, yet they are not connected to the power grid. Full article.

(3) VIRGINIA Small Wind Incentives Program Announced
The James Madison University Office of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative (VWEC) announces the first solicitation for applications to the Virginia Small Wind Incentives Program (VSWIP). This innovative program seeks to make the purchase and installation of small wind turbines more economically feasible for Virginia landowners. Full article.

(4) PENNSYLVANIA Awards $5 million in Energy Harvest Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced 32 grant recipients who will receive $5 million in state Energy Harvest grants. These grants will leverage another $13 million in private funds to promote advanced energy technologies proven to generate jobs, improve air quality, preserve land, protect watersheds and enhance energy security. Six of the grant projects include small wind turbines. Full article.

(5) IOWA Net Metering Case in the National News
National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” featured a story on the net metering tribulations of an Iowa farmer as he wrestles with his electric cooperative over net metering for a 65 kW wind turbine he installed. The story covered the volumes of litigation between the cooperative utility and Greg Swecker and included an extensive interview with Mr. Swecker. To the best recollection of all the advocates of net metering, this is the first time the issue has been presented to a national media audience. Full article.

(6) MINNESOTA Incentive for Small-Wind Systems Fully Subscribed
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDC) announced on November 7 that its production incentive for small-scale wind systems that are rated at less than 2 MW has reached its capacity. Full article.

(7) Web Site Helps with Farm Bill Funding for 2004
A new web site provides information if you are considering applying for funding available through the “Farm Bill,” Section 9006. Operated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will help potential renewable energy applicants navigate the many complexities of the funding process. Full article.

(8) Small Wind State Stakeholders to Meet
Small Wind State Stakeholders will meet will be the morning of April 2 in Chicago as part of the Wind Power America State Summit immediately after the Global Windpower 2004 Conference. This meeting will share information between the states and follow-up on some of the priority issues identified at last year’s meeting. Full article.

(9) Global Windpower 2004 Conference
The American Wind Energy Association presents Global Windpower 2004 on March 28-31 in Chicago, IL. Pre-conference seminars will include a full-day session, Taking Small Wind to the Next Level: Reaching Industry Goals. Full article.

(10) Northeast Wind Energy Teachers Workshops
These full day workshops will appeal to middle/high school science teachers who are interested in renewable energy, physics, engineering and design. No knowledge of wind energy is required to attend the workshop and they are offered free of charge. Full article.

(11) ICMA to Host Wind Energy Webcast
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) will host a webcast, Wind Energy: Opportunities for Local Governments, on March 24, 2004, to inform local governments about wind energy opportunities for their jurisdictions. Full article.

(12) Upcoming Small Wind Events
Listing of upcoming small wind events.

INTERCONNECTION AND NET METERING
Check the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Connecting to the Grid web site for the latest interconnection news.

(13) WISCONISN - Interconnection Standards Become Law
Wisconsin's interconnection standards became law on February 1, 2004. The new rules define the application procedures that utilities and customers must observe during the application process. Full article.

(14) NEVADA - PUC Adopts Interconnection Rules, Raises Net Metering Limit
On December 17, 2003, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to adopt interconnection rules for customers of Nevada Power or Sierra Pacific Power with new on-site generation. By ensuring that the state's new rules are largely consistent with proposed the IEEE 1547 standards, California Rule 21, and the NARUC model interconnection agreement, Nevada has positioned itself at the forefront of interconnection standards nationwide. Full article.

INCENTIVES
New Incentives reported by DSIRE. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. To access state-by-state incentives and policies that promote wind energy technologies, click here and select "wind" from the drop-down menu.

(15) ILLINOIS Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
Nonprofit organizations and local or state government agencies may apply for funding for small-scale solar or wind generation systems through the "rolling review" process. Eligible small wind turbine projects will receive $500 per kW, with a maximum system capacity of 20 kW. Foundation funding for these systems will be limited such that no more than 80% of the total cost of a project is being provided by the ICECF and by government renewable energy funding programs. Nonprofit organizations and state or local government agencies with wind projects larger than 20 kW may seek funding in the January or July competitive grant cycles. Full article.

(16) NORTH DAKOTA Wind Personal Tax Credit
This statute allows any taxpayer - individual or corporation - to claim an income tax credit of 3% per year for five years for the cost of equipment and installation of a geothermal, solar, or wind energy device. Full article.

RESOURCES

Click here for archived articles and links to Small Wind Resources.

(17) Links to State Regulatory and Net Metering Information

(18) ONTARIO Small Wind Fact Sheet
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food released a Fact Sheet, Electricity Generation Using Small Wind Turbines at Your Home or Farm. The 12-page document was written by Steve Clarke. Full article.

LINKS TO SMALL WIND IN THE NEWS

(19) Boston Globe, February 12, 2004, Residents wary of school turbine. Full article.

ABOUT THE SMALL WIND NEWSLETTER

The Small Wind Newsletter is published electronically every other month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. The Small Wind Web Site contains news, resources, and links.
To subscribe, go to http://www.irecusa.org/smallwindenergy/newslettersub.html, fill in the subscription form, and then click on subscribe. There is no fee for subscriptions.

If you have comments or news items, please send them to Larry Sherwood.

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Great Lakes News: 26 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Board backs off call for smelt ban, urges harvest limits
----------------------------------------
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board eased up Tuesday on a plan to stop
commercial smelt fishing on Green Bay and instead recommended strict harvest
limits for the plummeting fish population. Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette
(2/26)


COMMENTARY: EPA on track with limiting mercury emissions by plants
----------------------------------------
After nearly a decade of discussion and debate, the Environmental Protection
Agency last December proposed a rule to permanently cap and reduce mercury
emissions from power plants. Source: Detroit Free Press (2/26)


Wolverine State finally has one . . . but how?
----------------------------------------
There has never been a confirmed sighting of a wild wolverine in Michigan --
until Tuesday. Source: Detroit Free Press (2/26)


Suburbs split on water purchase
----------------------------------------
Green Bay's suburbs voted Wednesday to buy Lake Michigan drinking water to
replace their dwindling supply of radium-tainted groundwater. Source: Green
Bay Press-Gazette (2/26)


County, state behind on air quality inspections
----------------------------------------
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice saying the
state of Wisconsin was not complying with certain federal environmental
regulations, including air quality inspections in Marathon County. Source:
Wausau Daily Herald (2/26)


Clean water campaign continues at Capitol
----------------------------------------
Chanting "Clean our Water. Clean it up," more than 200 people rallied at the
Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday, urging lawmakers to adopt policies and
pay for programs to improve and protect Minnesota's water quality. Source:
Duluth New Tribune (2/26)


EDITORIAL: Keep farms functional
----------------------------------------
The livestock-siting legislation that Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen
is currently promoting is sincerely wrong for Wisconsin. Source: The
Capital Times (2/26)


Muskie study yielding answers
----------------------------------------
A project to gauge the viability of several genetic strains of muskies is
well underway in Illinois. Source: The Pantagraph (2/26)


Indiana fights summer's gypsy moths
----------------------------------------
As most people's thoughts are turning to warmer weather and baseball, state
entomologists' thoughts are again turning to the bugs of summer. Source:
The Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette (2/26)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Great Lakes Daily News is a collaborative project of the Great Lakes
Information Network (www.glin.net) and the Great Lakes Radio
Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
TO SUBSCRIBE and receive this Great Lakes news compendium daily, see
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Auburndale group weighs presidential choices

Three Democratic presidential candidates — or rather representatives of their campaigns — squared off on Iraq, the economy and electability at a Jefferson Democratic Club forum in Auburndale last Thursday.

(Full Story)

ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/26/2004

EarthTalk: Where did curbside recycling in the United States get started?
Municipal recycling programs in the United States have grown at a steady pace since the 1940's, with several national computer recycling programs now providing solutions to growing volumes of obsolete high-tech equipment.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13494.asp

Kazakhs, ENI sign deal on Kashagan oil for 2008
An ENI-led consortium of foreign oil firms signed a deal on Wednesday agreeing to delay first production from the mammoth Kashagan oilfield in the Caspian Sea until 2008, Kazakh officials said Wednesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13488.asp

Venezuelan development plans challenged by Guyana
A lawyer on Wednesday filed a Supreme Court challenge to President Hugo Chavez's decision to allow foreign companies to drill for oil and gas in a region disputed with Guyana, calling it an unconstitutional violation of Venezuela's sovereignty.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13485.asp

National Zoo chief in U.S. quits after critical report
The U.S. National Zoo's director resigned on Wednesday, hours after an expert panel criticized the park's handling of animals, including the deaths of two red pandas, a zebra and an elephant.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13490.asp

Protesting fishers continue occupation on Galapagos Islands
Fishermen demanding an end to regulations aimed at protecting the Galapagos Islands occupied national park buildings on two of the islands for a fifth day Wednesday, blocking tourist access to the archipelago's unique giant tortoises, officials said.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13492.asp

Washington D.C. warns about lead in water
City health officials are warning pregnant women and children under 6 who live in homes with lead service lines to stop drinking unfiltered tap water and have their blood tested.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13489.asp

Iran proposes war of 'Comb Jellies' in Caspian Sea
Iran on Wednesday proposed introducing a new jellyfish-like species into the Caspian Sea, to devour gelatinous relatives that are wiping out fish stocks in the inland sea.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13487.asp

Is Golden Rice the crop to prove GM's worth?
It will still take years, if it ever happens, before genetically modified (GM) Golden Rice reaches the millions of children threatened with blindness or premature death due to vitamin A deficiency.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13486.asp

U.N. Disease early warning system established
When Sudanese refugees reported that people were dying of a disease that caused fever and bleeding, alarm bells rang within hours at the World Health Organization (WHO) in far away Geneva.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13491.asp

Beaver populations expanding in Tierra del Fuego Argentina
The Great Beaver Plague, as some furious locals call it, began in 1946 with the same good but misguided intentions that have presaged countless other ecological disasters. That year, Argentina's former military government imported 25 pairs of beavers from Canada, hoping they would multiply and create a fur industry among the chilly, lush forests on this large island at the very tip of South America.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-26/s_13493.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

Sustainable Forestry and Certification Watch:
North American Leaders in Sustainable Forestry and Procurement to Meet in Vancouver

Candidate Nader Threatens Democrats

The unanimous denunciations of Ralph Nader's decision to run (Commentary, Feb. 24) — when do we see Michael Ramirez and Robert Scheer in agreement? — calls for a response. Nader will no doubt receive many fewer votes this year than in 2000; even if he overcomes extremely restrictive ballot access laws in many states, many who voted for him then will not this time. The likelihood of his influencing electoral college votes this year is much less than it was four years ago.

Nader raises issues that otherwise will not receive national attention. Even though Dennis Kucinich agrees with Nader on many topics, the mainstream media hardly notice him. By remaining in the race until November, Nader will be able to keep the issues alive...(Full Story)

Published on Thursday, February 26, 2004
Kucinich Discusses Iraq Policy

By ALAN J. TABAK
Crimson Staff Writer

U.S. Congressperson and presidential hopeful Dennis J. Kucinich, D-Ohio, discussed the need for global cooperation and answered wide-ranging questions from hundreds of mostly elderly supporters at Harvard Law School (HLS) yesterday.

The talk, sponsored by the HLS Democrats, was entitled “The Truth about Iraq.” Kucinich said that the concept of preemptive war was illegitimate and would actually result in increased danger to U.S. citizens.

(Full Story)

Kucinich's primary concern: the media

By Mark Jurkowitz, Globe Staff, 2/26/2004

Dennis Kucinich was only about a minute into his remarks at Brookline High School yesterday when the M-word surfaced. In describing the dynamic behind his long-shot presidential bid, Kucinich told the assemblage: "I understood I had to challenge the White House, people in my own party, and the media."

(Full Story)

Hawaii's decision

By Hunter Bishop/ Tribune-Herald

Democrats at the ILWU hall on West Lanikaula Street voted for their favorites among the party's candidates for president Tuesday night along with thousands of party members statewide.

As a light Hilo drizzle fell outside, new voters were being registered as Democrats as they walked through the door, then asked to cast a ballot for one among the six Democrats still running for the party's presidential nomination. Gil Kahele, District 3 chairman, said for the first time prospective voters could register and vote for a candidate at the same time...(Full Story)

Kucinich joins Peace-Makers at 3rd & Palou in HP

http://www.sfbayview.com/022504/kucinich022504.shtml

Kucinich On Campaign Trail in California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich will campaign in California on February 26th. Rep. Kucinich will be in Los Angeles.

Representative Kucinich's schedule for February 26th is as follows:Thursday,
February 26

Los Angeles, California
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. PT
CNN/LA Times Debate
Bovard Auditorium
USC
3551 Trousdale Parkway
Larry King moderating with Ron Brownstein and Janet Clayton of the LA Times
Broadcast on CNN, CNN en español and CNN International

Los Angeles, California
7:45 - 8:45 p.m. PT
Rally
USC Social Work Building Room
(Behind Leavey Library)
Campaign Coordinator: Thia Stephen, (323) 377-8828

All items subject to change. More details will be posted as soon as available.

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich: Alarming Statements By Iraqi and U.S. Leaders Reveal Deceit, Escalation Threats and Prolonged Occupation Strategy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich today drew attention to published yet all-but ignored reports that reveal the continuing, possibly escalating threat facing the U.S. military, as well as the prospect of diverting even more tens of billions of dollars to continue the occupation of Iraq.

Recent statements to foreign journalists by Iraqi leaders and the former head of the U.S. civilian presence there have received little or no attention in the U.S. press, but, taken together, they paint a picture of deceit, threatened civil uprisings, and a prolonged occupation that could last for decades.

In separate interviews in recent days, Iraqi Shiite Leader Seyyid Ali Al-Sistani warned that he would call for an intifada (uprising) if American soldiers stayed in Iraq after the handover of power on June 30, 2004; and Ahmed Chalabi, the head of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), said he was willing to take full responsibility for the INC's role in providing misleading intelligence to the President, Congress and the American public.

At the same time, retired Gen. Jay Garner, who was in charge of planning and administering postwar reconstruction from January through May 2003, compared U.S. goals in Iraq to U.S. military bases in the Philippines between 1898 and 1992. "Look back on the Philippines around the turn of the 20th century: they were a coaling station for the navy, and that allowed us to keep a great presence in the Pacific. That's what Iraq is for the next few decades: our coaling station that gives us great presence in the Middle East."

"At every step along the way, we have been lied to and misled," said Kucinich. "We were lied to about the reasons for going to war, the cost, the length of our occupation, and the real long-term agenda of the Bush Administration. Every American citizen should be outraged."

Statements to the London Daily Telegraph by Chalabi, whose INC received millions of dollars in taxpayer money over the past decade, strongly suggest he collaborated in providing the bad intelligence on which the U.S. invaded Iraq. "As far as we're concerned, we've been entirely successful," he told the newspaper. "That tyrant Saddam is gone and the Americans are in Baghdad. What was said before is not important. The Bush administration is looking for a scapegoat. We're ready to fall on our swords if he wants."

His admission to the newspaper gives support and evidence to those who suspect that Chalabi conspired with his supporters in and around the administration to take the United States to war on pretenses they knew, or had reason to know, were false.

The Telegraph reported that Chalabi merely shrugged off accusations his group had deliberately misled the administration. "We are heroes in error," he said.

Sistani, meanwhile, spoke to the German magazine Der Spiegel and said: "The U.S. presence in Iraq should not be prolonged. The Iraqi public knows how to act. If the U.S. presence is drawn out longer than necessary, I will call for an intifada." The necessary posters reportedly have already been printed and are awaiting distribution to every corner of the country. "There's been enough deception and more than enough bloodshed," said Kucinich, "but there continues to be no end in sight."

Kucinich has said that if he is elected, he will implement a plan to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq within 90 days.

Kucinich has proposed a 10-point plan to deal with the Iraq occupation:

1. The United States must ask the United Nations to manage the oil assets of Iraq until the Iraqi people are self-governing.
2. The United Nations must handle all the contracts: No more Halliburton sweetheart deals, No contracts to Bush Administration insiders, No contracts to campaign contributors. All contracts must be awarded under transparent conditions.
3. The United States must renounce any plans to privatize Iraq. It is illegal under both the Geneva and the Hague Conventions for any nation to invade another nation, seize its assets, and sell those assets. The Iraqi people, and the Iraqi people alone must have the right to determine the future of their country's resources.
4. The United States must ask the United Nations to handle the transition to Iraqi self-governance. The U.N. must be asked to help the Iraqi people develop a Constitution. The U.N. must assist in developing free and fair elections.
5. The United States must agree to pay for what we blew up.
6. The United States must pay reparations to the families of innocent Iraqi civilian noncombatants killed and injured in the conflict.
7. The United States must contribute financially to the U.N. peacekeeping mission.
8. The United Nations, through its member nations, will commit 130,000 peacekeepers to Iraq on a temporary basis until the Iraqi people can maintain their own security.
9. U.N. troops will rotate into Iraq, and all U.S. troops will come home.
10. The United States will abandon policies of "preemption" and unilateralism and commit to strengthening the U.N.

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich-inspired Coast-to-Coast Peace Walk Culminates Sunday in San Francisco Ceremony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2003

What: Coast-to-Coast Steps for Peace Walk Ends in San Francisco Closing Ceremony
Where: Herbst Theater, Veteran's War Memorial Building
When: Sunday, 2/29/04 3:00 PM

San Francisco -- A group of walkers inspired by Democratic presidential candidate and Gandhi Award recipient Dennis Kucinich winds up its Maine-to-California peace walk this coming Sunday (Feb 29) in San Francisco. The final leg of the more-than 3,500 mile Steps-for-Peace Walk will begin at Golden Gate Park at 11:00 AM and end at Herbst Theater -- the site where the United Nations charter was written in 1945 -- at 3:00 PM. The Steps-for Peace walkers will celebrate their journey across the American heartland with a closing ceremony and a prayer for America.

The trek across America began in Portland, Maine on October 17, 2003 and has covered 24 states. It was initiated by 21-year-old Iowan Jonathan Meier, who feels that the Kucinich platform embodies the principles he holds closest to his heart: nonviolence, sustainability, justice, and love. Along the way, more than 700 people have joined Jonathan, including four long-distance walkers, to carry the message of hope from coast to coast.

A wide-range of partners embraced the walkers during their journey: more than 1500 people in 42 states have volunteered their support as hosts, contributors, and organizers, and the walkers have directly met with more than 10,000 people. The journey is meant to highlight the steps for peace that Dennis Kucinich will take as President, including:

* Establishing a cabinet-level US Department of Peace
* Instituting universal single-payer health care for every America
* Getting the UN in, and the US out, of Iraq

The Steps for Peace walkers released this statement:

"We, as a nation, as a world, have started to forget that peace is a choice. We don't have to suffer. We don't have to continue to live in a world where human rights are violated, where workers aren't given fair wages, where large-scale corporations make our decisions for us, and where violence and fear are used to deal with our problems.

"This walk is a reminder to us and to the world that we can choose a better path for ourselves -- a grander and higher potential. We can choose peace over violence, love over fear, sustainability over destruction. Most importantly, we can choose a political system that is representative of these our basic wants and needs. And all of this can start when we choose to vote for Dennis J. Kucinich in the upcoming Democratic primary."

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us
Walkers are available for interviews. Please contact Amy Kaplan, (248) 943-2335, steps4peace@yahoo.com



Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich Outpolls Edwards for Third Time, Draws Overflow Crowd in Kerry's Home State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: (216) 889-2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich surged to a strong second-place showing in Hawaii's Presidential caucuses yesterday, more than doubling the vote count of Sen. John Edwards. It was the third state in which Kucinich came in ahead of Edwards.

At the same time, on a two-day campaign swing through Kerry's home state of Massachusetts, Kucinich drew an enthusiastic, overflow crowd of more than 2,000 at an appearance last night at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Kucinich has a number of events throughout the state today.

According to the Associated Press, Kerry won 42% of the vote in Hawaii, Kucinich 30% and Edwards 13%. Kucinich previously came in ahead of Edwards in Washington and in Maine.

"The mainstream media have paid virtually no attention to the Congressman's campaign, but the voters certainly are," said a spokesperson from the Kucinich campaign. According to national research firms monitoring news coverage of the Democratic primaries, Kucinich has received only 1% of all the coverage. "Most news organizations aren't paying attention," said the campaign statement, "so they don't see what's happening. The voters are finding out through other means, and they're responding positively."

Kucinich also did better than expected in caucuses in Idaho and the primary in Utah yesterday. Based on results from previous elections, both states are expected to vote heavily Republican in November.

Congressman Kucinich's February 25 Massachusetts schedule is as follows:

Details (all subject to change):

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Amherst, Massachusetts
Get Out The Vote Rally
UMass Campus Center Auditorium
Elm St. and Prospect
Sponsored by UMASS Students for Kucinich

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Get Out The Vote Rally
Outdoors at Springfield City Hall
36 Court Street

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Brookline, Massachusetts
Speech and Q&A
Brookline High School
115 Greenough Street

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Speech and Q&A - The Truth About Iraq
Harvard Law School Campus
Ames Courtroom
Austin Hall

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Get Out The Vote Rally
Outside the Church Street MBTA train station exit

6:30 - 7:20 p.m.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Meetings with press
First Parish United Universalist Church
Zero Church Street

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Speech and Q&A
First Parish United Universalist Church
Zero Church Street

For information about the National campaign: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview with Kucinich or a spokesperson: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Kucinich: So-called "Marriage Amendment" Divisive, Not Worthy of a Freedom-loving People
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: 216.889.2004, press@kucinich.us

Democratic Congressman and presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich releases the following remarks regarding President Bush‚s announcement about the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman:

"I oppose the amendment. Equal protection of the law, including the right to marry, must be made available to all Americans regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation. The amendment as supported by the president is a continuation of his divisive policies which are not worthy of a free nation or a freedom-loving people."

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Published Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Kucinich files for state Democratic caucus

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich filed today to participate in the Kansas Democratic caucus March 13.

Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, paid the $1,000 filing fee and joins Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina as participants in the caucus, said Mike Gaughan, director of operations for the Kansas Democratic Party. Edwards also paid the $1,000 filing fee to participate Tuesday.

(Full Story)

Odd Man In
Dennis Kucinich is nobody’s fool.

Last Friday, after seeing a gloating New York Times editorial published the day before about the Democratic primaries entitled, "And Now There Are Two," I called the campaign offices of Dennis Kucinich. I wanted to express my condolences on the death of their candidate. I assumed something terrible had happened both to him and to Al Sharpton; probably the two had been hit by a bus, or mauled to death by circus lions at a Jefferson-Jackson Democratic Party dinner in Sheboygan, Wisconsin… We Americans are a stoic people, we like to grieve in private, but on this occasion I thought I would at least make the gesture of calling and offering my support...(Full Story)

MAHALO, HAWAII!

Here is a letter from Hawaii campaign co-organizer Ave Diaz:

February 25, 2004

Maui, Hawaii, Kucinich National Volunteers, Campaign Staff, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich deserve a big Mahalo (Thank you!) for sending a message of hope to the world! Come Celebrate Victory for Kucinich! Congratulations Maui! Kucinich won in all Maui County Districts! Seabuscuit came in right behind the War Admiral on this turn!

Kucinich Volunteers and the public are invited to a Victory Party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina! Get Ready to Celebrate and Rock the Vote!

The event will feature a special appearance by Carrie Dann, a Western Shoshone leader in political and legal battles to retain ancestral lands from being turned over to military control for testing weapons (of mass destruction). Date, Time and Music Guests forthcoming... We will send posters...more on this to come.

Maui made a great splash, sending out a positive wave to the rest of the nation, carrying the Progressive Kucinich message of hope and peace!


Mahalo to the many volunteers coordinating, communicating, speaking,organizing, recruiting, planning, writing, phoning, e-mailing, fundraising,cooking, sewing, talking, chalking, sign waving, networking, caucusing, and all the myriad of other tasks you all do to promote Dennis!

It is important to keep up the recruitment efforts for Super Tuesday and beyond 'till the very end, to stand united under the best candidate, Kucinich! Knowing we support Kucinich, the most honest, astute, peace promoting candidate, makes the heart leap gleefully like a little child on a bright beautiful day, full of promise.

In promoting Dennis, it is good to ask that if Kerry & Edwards were fooled twice into supporting an unecessary war, will they be fooled again?

Kucinich is the only candidate running who did not get fooled by the WMD lies, who instead of war will deliver: Universal Health Care, Social Security Benefits at 65, Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO, Repeal of the "Patriot Act" the Right to Choose, Privacy and Civil Rights, Balance between Workers and Corporations, Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K through College, A Renewed Commitment to Peace and Diplomacy, Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms, Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy. Go Dennis, Go! Run Dennis, Run!!!!

Keep writing letters of appreciation to your local papers for what Dennis is doing, keep raising money for the campaign and keep responding to media alerts on Dennis at http://www.kucinich.us/mediawatch.php! We know that if the media slants toward Dennis, we will have a landslide. We have to convince the media to frame him as the winner! Minor...

Ho'omaluhia (Making Peace) for the World, with Kucinich!

Ave Diaz

Maui Turns Out for Kucinich
Honolulu Star-Bulletin Report on the Results
Hawaii Campaign Information

Maui puts Kucinich on the map

By EDWIN TANJI, City Editor

WAILUKU - A healthy turnout of the disillusioned and the enthusiastic led to "a huge sweep" for Congressman Dennis Kucinich in the Maui County Democratic Party caucuses Tuesday evening.
Maui party Chairman Jonathan Starr said the numbers reflected the effort of the Kucinich campaign - which included two stopovers by the candidate - and concerns over the directions taken by the Bush administration.

"We've had more than triple what the party's ever had for its caucuses," Starr said. "The thing that was unique is Kucinich had a huge sweep on Maui."

(Full Story)

The Great Lakes Directory (http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org) is a comprehensive online resource highlighting environmental issues around the Great Lakes basin. The Directory contains daily environmental articles, a network of over 1,000 environmental groups, funding resources, free environmental software, nonprofit management resources, and a massive library of online Great Lakes environmental information.

Here are your weekly Great Lakes environmental jobs, events and news headlines from the Great Lakes Directoy. More headlines, action alerts, resources, grants, jobs, and free activist software at http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

From Jenny Tahtinen of the Environmental Association of Great Lakes Education (EAGLE).
http://www.Eagle-EcoSource.org

Check out the Great Lakes Directory's Issue Pages for information on your environmental concerns!
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org

How many children do you know who have asthma, learning disabilities, cancer or allergies?

The numbers of children with these health problems are increasing at an alarming rate. Research is showing that these increases are due in part to children's exposures to chemicals in the their environment and food.

The Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE) is seeking people interested in learning more about this important issue to be trained to educate communities throughout northern MN over the next year. A stipend will be paid for each session that you teach.
Please attend a free training session entitled: Protecting Children From Environmental Health Risks on March 6 from 1-4 at the Dewitt-Seitz Building in Duluth, Minnesota. For more information and to register, contact Janelle Sorensen, 612-722-5355, Janelle@EAGLE-EcoSource.org.

THIS WEEK'S GREAT LAKES HEADLINES:

02/25 - Save the Lakes' is top priority of residents reviewing plan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/022504__great_lakes.htm

02/25 - Taft oversees session on Great Lakes needs
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/022504_great_lakes.htm

02/25 - Fishing coalition calls for reduction in mercury pollution
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/022504_great_lakes.htm

02/24 - Michigan residents voice concern over new power plant
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/022404__great_lakes.htm

02/24 - Questions About a Market System for Mercury
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/ny/022404_great_lakes.htm

02/24 - U.N. plan not enough to stop Great Lakes invaders, critics say
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/022404_great_lakes.htm

02/23 - Bill would require disclosure on pollutants
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/il/022304_great_lakes.htm

02/23 - Ground water protection laws shouldn't be watered down
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/022304_great_lakes.htm

02/23 - New federal power plant edict seeks to save fish
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/022304_great_lakes.htm

02/22 - Ontario residents sick of their poisoned water
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/022204_great_lakes.htm

02/20 - Public input can help to protect Great Lakes
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/022004_great_lakes.htm

02/20 - Army Corps proposes compromise in dispute over beach clearing
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/022004_great_lakes.htm

02/20 - Environmentalists call Wis. anti-ATV vote big victory
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/022004_great_lakes.htm

For more information, go to http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL JOBS:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/jobs.htm

GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/events.htm
To subscribe and receive Great Lakes environmental news, action alerts, jobs and events in your email once a week: http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

-----------------------------------------------
Jenny Tahtinen-
Great Lakes Directory / EAGLE
394 Lake Avenue South, Suite #222
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone:(218)726-1828
fax:(240)526-2670
Jenny@EAGLE-EcoSource.org

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Great Lakes News: 25 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Taft oversees session on Great Lakes needs
----------------------------------------
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft had a roomful of Ohio researchers and policy-makers
playing reporter for four hours yesterday at Cuyahoga Community College,
taking notes from the public about Lake Erie's top ecological issues.
Source: The Toledo Blade (2/25)


Fishing coalition calls for reduction in mercury pollution
----------------------------------------
A coalition of fishing groups from six Midwest states, representing millions
of outdoors enthusiasts, has formed behind the common goal of sharply
reducing mercury pollution. Source: The Post-Crescent (2/25)


Amtrak to cut out service to Toronto
----------------------------------------
Some regular Amtrak riders in Michigan and Ontario are unhappy with route
changes announced Tuesday -- ending service to Toronto because of customs
delays. Source: Lansing State Journal (2/25)


Green Bay shaves 20 cents off water bid
----------------------------------------
The city of Green Bay has cut its asking price for drinking water in a
last-ditch offer to make its suburbs customers of its water utility. Source:
Green Bay Press-Gazette (2/25)


Herons return to Summit site
----------------------------------------
The great blue herons are mating and building nests at a popular rookery in
the Cuyahoga Valley. Source: The Akron Beacon Journal (2/25)


Big chill ahead for Ontario energy
----------------------------------------
Closing Ontario's coal-burning power generating stations will force the
province to increase natural gas-fired generation by five to eight times at
a time when Canada's gas supply is dwindling. Source: The Toronto Star
(2/24)


Environment Minister Anderson predicts Washington will rejoin climate battle
----------------------------------------
Environment Minister David Anderson predicts the United States will rejoin
the international effort to curb greenhouse emissions because of a growing
realization that its own national security is at stake. Source: Canadian
Press (2/24)


Canadian Prime Minister Martin looks at tightening Ottawa's ties with U.S.
----------------------------------------
The Martin government is moving toward major new steps to coordinate
economic and security policy more closely with the United States in an
initiative that likely would not get under way until after a federal
election. Source: The Globe and Mail (2/24)


Candidates: Clean air, jobs can coexist
----------------------------------------
Ohio's local and state environmentalists met Monday during a roundtable
discussion with political candidates to discuss clean air policy. Source:
The Marietta Times (2/24)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Nada for Nader

The lure of Ralph Nader's personality and anti-corporate stance will not necessarily translate into votes this time, finds Matthew Wells when he attends a rally in Boston.

Wednesday February 25, 2004

(Full Story)

Military weapons expert, combat vet Doug Rokke leads list of prominent endorsers for Kucinich as 10-state Super Tuesday vote approaches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2004

Support for Dennis Kucinich's Presidential campaign continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Heading the list of leading American citizens throwing their support to Kucinich this week is Maj. Doug Rokke (Ret.), Ph.D., a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, who has specialized in hazardous materials and emergency medicine for more than 20 years. During and after the Gulf War, he served as a member of the U.S. Army Medical Command's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) special operations and teaching team and the U.S. Army Depleted Uranium Assessment. Dr. Rokke, a confirmed DU poisoning casualty, was part of a team that established decontamination procedures and facilities for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Later, he was given the mandate to clean up depleted uranium contamination in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Other support this week comes from San Francisco Publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti; Political activist and labor advocate Professor Stanley Aronowitz of New York City; Los Angeles radio personality Barry Smolin; actor/filmaker Jesus Nebot; prominent Ohio journalist Eric Resnick; political columnist and pundit Vin Gopal; veteran Maine political leader Harlan Baker; and award-winning editor Editor Bill Johnson.

Please note that all of these are freedom of speech individual citizen's endorsements. They do not reflect the opinions of any organization. More money, volunteers, media coverage and support are coming in daily. The Congressman has garnered the support of many prominent Americans (see the complete list here: http://www.kucinich.us/endorsements.php).

Scientist, veteran, and author Doug Rokke, Rantoul, IL

Dr. Doug Rokke earned his Ph.D. in "Physics and Technology Education" at the University of Illinois. As a member of the U.S. Army Medical Command's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) special operations and teaching team during the Gulf War, he developed and taught the combat lifesaver course; the medical management of chemical and biological casualty course;and the NBC defense refresher course. His team designed and supervised the construction of the NBC decontamination facilities and then developed standard operating procedures for decontamination of NBC casualties.

Dr. Rokke is a confirmed Depleted Uranium poisoning casualty. “I was excreting over 1,200 micrograms a day, and [the U.S. Army] never even told me for two and a half years.” According to Army regulations, any uranium excretion over 250 micrograms a day warrants immediate medical care. DU—or more specifically, the radioactive isotope uranium 238—is a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process used to create reactor fuel and bombs. It was first used in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. In the Gulf War, Rokke says, it was widely used for its effectiveness in penetrating armor and strengthening armor against penetration. Since then, more than 100,000 Gulf War veterans have reported unexplained illness, in a phenomenon sometimes known as Gulf War Syndrome. DU is a highly toxic heavy metal, and some studies have linked exposure to increased rates of cancer and birth defects. “We have willfully spread it all over the place,” Rokke says. “We’ve refused to clean up the mess; we’ve refused to provide medical care; not only to the American ‘friendly fire’ casualties who survived, but also to the DU cleanup teams; and we’ve refused to supply medical care to all the thousands and thousands of other people, including women and children—which makes it an indiscriminate weapon.” Indiscriminate weapons are banned by international law. The United Nations has issued several calls for a ban on DU, which the United States has rejected. “When you leave all the contamination there,” Rokke says of the Gulf War, “people are going to continue to get sick from just the uranium munitions alone—much less all of the millions of rounds of [unused] uranium 238 that we just left there.” Depleted Uranium continues to be used by the U.S. Military most recently in Iraq. Although he and others recommended and developed medical care, environmental remediation, and education programs to resolve depleted uranium problems, U.S., British, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Italian, and other governments still refuse to complete these actions. Dr. Rokke is one of the original authors of what has become the federal Domestic Preparedness program designed to prepare civilian and military emergency personnel to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. He has taught hazardous materials; field emergency medicine; nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare; education and training, counter-terrorism, and miltary operations courses for over 20 years. During the last few years Dr. Rokke has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental science and engineering, nuclear physics, and emergency management. He also serves or has served as a consultant for various governmental and other agencies and participated in television documentaries, radio interviews, and other reports.

"I, Dr. Doug Rokke, Ph.D., as a combat veteran and patriot formally endorse Dennis Kucinich for President of the United States. Throughout my civilian and military careers, I have attempted to ensure that the leaders of our nation honor their statutory obligations to our serving military personnel and our veterans by providing them with effective military training and education, operational and safe equipment, medical care, and compensation. However, today the members of the current administration have failed to fulfill their obligations. So far Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who has spoken up and tried to correct to lingering problems. We must remember as President Abraham Lincoln stated that it is our obligation to ensure "that government of the people, by the people, and for the people does not perish from the earth". We must select a leader who remembers that he works for us and that peace on earth must be our nation's objective. We should not be basing decisions and military actions on desires for geo-political-economic domination of earth. I believe that Dennis Kucinich is currently the only candidate that will actually attempt to fulfill those essential obligations if elected President of the United States.”

Publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti, San Francisco, CA

A prominent voice of the wide-open poetry movement that began in the 1950s, Lawrence Ferlinghetti has written poetry, translation, fiction, theater, art criticism, film narration, and essays. In 1953, with Peter D. Martin, he founded City Lights Pocket Bookshop, the first all-paperbound bookshop in the country, and by 1955 he had launched the City Lights publishing house. The bookstore has served for half a century as a meeting place for writers, artists, and intellectuals. City Lights Publishers began with the Pocket Poets Series, through which Ferlinghetti aimed to create an international, dissident ferment. His publication of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl in 1956 led to his arrest on obscenity charges, and the trial that followed drew national attention to the San Francisco Renaissance and Beat movement writers. (He was overwhelmingly supported by prestigious literary and academic figures, and was acquitted.) This landmark First Amendment case established a legal precedent for the publication of controversial work with redeeming social importance.

Professor Stanley Aronowitz, New York, NY

Stanley Aronowitz is a veteran political activist and cultural critic. He is a distinguished professor of sociology at the City University of New York and a passionate champion of organized labor. In 2002, Stanley Aronowitz led the fight to maintain the official ballot status of the Green Party in New York State. He ran a grass roots campaign based on a radical democratic program that combined opposition to corporate power and plutocratic government with commitment to a sustainable environment, racial equality, feminism, gay liberation and individual freedom.

"Dennis Kucinich is the only Democratic presidential candidate whose positions rise to the standard of opposition and alternative to the Bush administration's nefarious record. On labor and trade issues, on the environment his stands are impeccable. He is almost alone among the candidates addressing the health care crisis favoring a single payer, government-financed system. In opposing the Patriot Act Kucinich leads in the defense of civil liberties. I believe his stand against the war on Iraq and for popular elections to choose a new government is consistent with his strong pro-democracy position.

"If Kucinich was nominated by the Democratic Party he would have, single-handedly, restored its long-abandoned progressive traditions. Lacking this outcome the Democrats will have proven, once more, that they cannot rise to the standard of even a loyal opposition."

Radio Host Barry Smolin, Los Angeles, CA

Barry Smolin wears several different hats, constantly--though unconsciously--sabotaging his ultimate desire to remain anonymous. He is best known publicly as the host and producer of the radio show "The Music Never Stops," featuring Grateful Dead concert tapes, contemporary jam-rock, and miscellaneous psychedelia on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles. He is also an active musician, performing and recording his own music under the moniker Mr. Smolin. His debut CD At Apogee will be in stores nationwide on March 2, 2004. Furthermore, Smolin is a dedicated writer of experimental poetry, fiction, and drama, seeking out methods of forging language that communicates the deepest layers of consciousness. As a journalist, Smolin has written articles on a variety of subjects for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Dupree's Diamond News, The Sondheim Review, RollingStone.com, NY Arts, Rhino.com, and Jambands.com. But Smolin's primary maintime gig is as a high school English teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He is profoundly dedicated to the public school system and believes teaching is the noblest profession on earth. He lives a virtual life online here: http://www.mrsmolin.com

“I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President because he sees the truth with unblinking clarity and speaks that truth with unflinching courage. He is a man of heart and conscience in a political landscape that has become bloodless and venal. He is a man of integrity in a hotbed of charlatans. He's NOT a spineless pawn in the pocket of corporate culture and special interest groups. He's idealistic enough to seek the noblest goals but realistic enough to understand the pragmatic steps necessary to achieve them. He has a proven record in Congress standing up for the common man. His egalitarian vision would allow every American to become an equal partner in this nation's future. He knows the American Dream is only truly possible on a level playing field. His policies are all about improving the quality of life for ordinary people. He is alarmed by the current swift shrinkage of the American Middle Class and by the ever widening gap between Rich and Poor in this country. He has a workable plan for doing something about this gap. He's committed to providing every citizen with adequate health care and the opportunity to earn a living wage. He believes in the responsibility of the government to care for its neediest. He will protect the financial security of the elderly and the infirm. He fights for the underdog. He recognizes that Public Education is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. He groks the inhumanity of Capital Punishment. He's opposed to the War on Some Drugs. He will defend our right to privacy, in the bedroom and elsewhere. He is a man of faith who is also sensitive to the fact that Freedom OF Religion must also include Freedom FROM Religion. He is firmly behind a woman's right to choose. He's hip to the indecencies of globalization. He will return America to its status as a shining example of righteousness instead of the bully-pariah it has become under the Bush administration. He will require that we rejoin the international community and participate in the spirit of worldwide cooperation. He will forge a foreign policy based on Peace, not War. He will bring our soldiers home from Iraq immediately. He will establish a new American paradigm dedicated to a sharing of resources and the serious development of renewable, environmentally sound, earth-friendly energy sources. He will lead us back to responsible stewardship of the planet. His platform is the first in all my years as a voter that doesn't make me feel like some kind of Martian exile sentenced to life in a plastic empire. THAT'S why I'm endorsing Dennis Kucinich in his campaign to become the next President of the United States.”

Actor/Filmaker Jesus Nebot, Los Angeles CA

In 2000 Nebot founded Zokalo, an independent production company based in Santa Monica, California. Zokalo's critically acclaimed first feature NO TURNING BACK was recently released theatrically in Europe and in the United States and will soon be released on video/DVD by Universal. The film has already won 16 INTERNATIONAL BEST FEATURE FILM AWARDS, including the 2002 ALMA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING INDEPENDENT MOTION PICTURE, the most prestigious award for any Latino production shot in the United States. Demonstrating the versatility of his talent, Nebot wrote, directed, produced and starred in the film. His touching performance as Pablo has been praised by film critics and granted him the BEST ACTOR AWARD at the 2002 Atlantic City International Film festival. Zokalo has four other projects in different stages of development: the documentary THE NAKED TRUTH and the feature films IN THE NAME OF LOVE, IN SEARCH OF INNOCENCE and MUNEERA, Nebot's next directorial picture.

"To support Dennis Kucinich for president is to support the Consciousness that in essence we are all One. Here is a man of unquestionable integrity who is fully aware that the world is not only interconnected on the material level of economics, trade, communication and transportation, but inner connected through the human heart. An unusual politician with the spiritual understanding that peace and social justice can only be achieved when our vision of unity transcends our borders and aspires to include the whole world. A courageous leader that inspires us to believe that the best way to transform our planet is by extending our unconditional love and compassion to every human being".

Journalist Eric Resnick, Canton, OH

Eric Resnick is a staff reporter for the Gay People's Chronicle. He was the openly gay candidate for U.S. Congress in the 16th District of Ohio in 1996. He is a lifelong social and political activist, an unrepentant liberal and a proud uncle of three.

“Our community's history is peppered with fair weather friends - those who court our support, but once elected, won't spend their political capital on us when it counts. Every week, I report on issues facing our community. I know the difference between a true friend and an opportunist. Kucinich easily passes my test. Many in our community have decided to back candidates that third parties have deemed more acceptable to folks with whom the LGBT community has nothing in common. It's time to put our effort into ourselves, voting the LGBT agenda first, and moving our community forward. Dennis Kucinich is the candidate most willing and able to truly represent us. A vote for Kucinich is a vote for the best, and that is never a "wasted vote."

Pundit Vin Gopal, State College, PA

Vin Gopal was born and raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey. For the past four years, he has been a key voice in the media. In 1999, Vin took a position as an assistant booker and director of radio relations for Jersey Championship Wrestling out of Lodi, New Jersey. His articles were posted at over 100 websites, including WrestleZone.com. Vin went on to become a very opinionated sports columnist for The Miami Herald and later The St. Petersburg Times. Vin continued to become a political voice by starting RawFeedOnline.com in 2000 and Raw Feed News, LLC in 2003. Vin is the founder of the Central Justice Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at educating the public in drug awareness, CPR classes, first aid, workplace violence awareness, as well as helping low-income families with educational financial needs, and helping the unemployed seek jobs. Vin is involved in over a dozen activist groups and several dozen nonprofit organizations worldwide. Vin has worked closely with athletes, politicians, and journalists to try to bring solutions to controversial issues. Vin has worked hard to get young voters out to the booths. He is the publisher and president of Raw Feed News, LLC, a company that publishes two newspapers in the tri-state area as well as conducts networking services for local businesses. Vin is actively involved in state and federal politics as a political columnist and pundit. Vin is currently a law student at Penn State University.

“I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President because he is a man of integrity, vision, and compassion. Congressman Kucinich is the best candidate to defeat George Bush in November, and my organizations will do everything in our power to see that Dennis Kucinich is treated fairly and honestly by the media and political pundits. While unsure if other candidates are Republicans or Democrats, Representative Kucinich is a true Democrat who stands for honest Democratic principles. I will continue to support Dennis in all his political endeavors for as long as I am able.”

Political leader Harlan Baker, Portland, ME

The Honorable Harlan Baker was a five-term Democratic State representative in Maine from 1979-1988. He sponsored bills to create municipal electric power districts, and worker-owned cooperatives. He was an early sponsor (1979) of an act to include sexual orientation under the Maine Human Rights Act. He also sponsored a bill that lead to Maine pension fund divestment from businesses in South Africa under apartheid.

“I always hear people demand that politicians take principled stands and give them straight answers. Dennis Kucinich is that politician. I think he best understands what it is like for an ordinary person who has to struggle to make a living in 21st century America."

Editor Bill Johnson, Truth or Consequences, NM

Bill Johnson’s newspaper the Desert Journal (Sept. 1995-May 2003) and website (May 2001 to present) are the winners of 34 New Mexico Press Association awards (1997-2003). His column, "The Shadow Advisory," where he initially endorsed Kucinich, won first place for best columns in 2003. He is also the editor of an e-book, Satan's Den Exposed - The David Parker Ray Story, released in August 2003 and soon the Desert Journal will be releasing their second e-book, Rush Limbaugh Revealed as Joseph Goebbels Reincarnated, as told by the "king of hippies" Brother Joseph.

“I believe U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, should take his message all of the way to the top and continue the good fight, whether as President or as Congressman - he most likely is the best man for the job because he meets my criteria of integrity. He's honest - he didn't let the Neo Cons fool him over their lies as for the reasons for going to war against Iraq. He is the only candidate for President in Congress who said NO to the masters of deception. Dennis Kucinich stood up to the Military Industrial Complex on behalf of his constituents! He's the main batter for the people of Ohio for good sound decisions based on what the people want or need, not bowing down to Big Business interests. I believe Kucinich is a fighter for the people, as he also told the GOP-led Congress that the needs of the people should NOT go secondary to the whims and wants of the Military Industrial Complex. That is who we need in the White House - someone who can say No to Special Interests and someone who can say Yes to the Will of the People who endeavor for a Free America, not through her brutal strength, but through her compassion and love for mankind. This is my official personal endorsement as an Independent for Dennis Kucinich for President of the U.S.A. May God Bless his Presidency!”

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

National Contact: Susan Mainzer 213-840-0077, susan.mainzer@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Group has high hopes for election long shot

By Brendan Scott
Times Herald-Record
bscott@th-record.com

Woodstock – Their beliefs are strong. Their chances are slim. Their group is, well ... diverse.
Meet the Kucinich crowd.
In the Hudson Valley, it should be no surprise that they gather here, in the artsy communities of the lower Catskills. They throw house parties in Accord and jam sessions in Woodstock, all to support an unimposing Ohio congressman most people have never heard of, despite the fact he's running for president.
Democrat Dennis Kucinich is a slight and soft-spoken man, whose progressive pleas for universal health care and creating a Department of Peace have been all but drowned out in the media din surrounding Dean's scream and Kerry's surge. Next week, when Super Tuesday screams into New York, he'll be lucky to get 3 percent of the vote.
But he'll probably do better in places like Saugerties, New Paltz and Kingston, where art galleries outnumber Wal-Marts and people strum guitars on the sidewalks in summer...(Full Story)

Kucinich Finishes Strong in Hawaii

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

HONOLULU ? Longshot Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (search) has had his best showing so far in a state contest...(Full Story)

Posted on: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 10:55 PM HST
Kerry and Kucinich win Hawaii Democratic delegates
Kerry wins, and Kucinich takes his first second-place finish in a Democratic contest
Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

A last-minute phone bank to seek support plus the endorsement of most of the Democratic establishment gave U.S. Sen. John Kerry a victory in the Hawaii Democratic caucus tonight.

Democrats across the state gathered in caucus meetings tonight to select a presidential candidate.

They gave U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich his first second place finish in a Democratic contest and his first elected delegates, according to Bart Dame, Hawaii Kucinich organizer...(Full Story)

ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/25/2004

Nothing simple about nature
People generally like simple answers. This happened, so this happened. Cause and effect. Simple. But nature doesn't work that way. Just when we think we've got something figured out, another idea comes along that turns our preconceived notions upside down. In spite of all our scientific advances, we are only just beginning to understand how ecosystems work.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13448.asp

Thai king honored by U.N. award for water management projects
Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been honored with a United Nations award for his work in reducing pollution in Bangkok's canals and other environment projects.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13444.asp

Seals and dolphins wash up on Mexican beach
The corpses of 128 seals, nine dolphins and nine pelicans washed up on a beach in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico's government reports.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13449.asp

Mississippi River traffic jam grows
Bad weather may delay removal of a sunken supply vessel on Tuesday from a channel of the Mississippi River, extending a traffic jam of ocean-going ships in the river and Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13446.asp

Boost for transgenic foods as China widens imports
China, once wary of importing gene-spliced farm goods, is widening its doors to billions of dollars worth of transgenic crops, amid increasing pressure to import more agricultural products to feed its huge population.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13452.asp

England's streets get dirtier, study says
The image of England as a green and pleasant land took a knock after a survey of 10,000 sites found chewing gum and fast food litter were increasingly plaguing the country's streets.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13451.asp

Scientist says 'Asian brown cloud' threatens Gulf
A body of pollution which has been identified in the skies across Asia is now threatening to engulf the Middle East and make the planet a drier place, a leading environmental scientist said on Tuesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13447.asp

No-smoking areas offer only partial protection: study
Designated no-smoking areas in restaurants and clubs provide only partial or no protection against second-hand smoke, Australian researchers said on Tuesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13450.asp

US Fish & Wildlife testing hatchery-raised fish for pollutants
The Northeast region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is testing its hatchery-raised salmon and other fish for dioxin and other pollutants because of fears they could be picking up contaminants from commonly used feeds.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13445.asp

Marketer tries again to sell fluorescent GloFish in California
A marketer who wants to sell genetically engineered aquarium fish in California is asking state regulators to allow sales of the pet, two months after officials barred it from stores.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-25/s_13443.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

World Land Trust:
Internet recruitment for conservation organisation the World Land Trust way above charity average

Competitive Enterprise Institute:
Alarmists Exaggerate Pentagon Climate Report

International Fund for Animal Welfare:
IFAW Responds to Save Mongolian Gazelles in China

WWF-US Communications:
Switching to Clean Energy Will Help Stop Great Barrier Reef Destruction from Global Warming, says WWF

Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary:
New book offers insight into primates and their struggle to survive

United Nations Environment Programme:
Rotterdam Convention on trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides enters into force

United Nations Environment Programme:
Barcelona and the Universal Forum of Cultures to Host World Environment Day - 5 June 2004

Democrats, Wake Up Before It's Too Late, Kucinich Is More Electable Than Kerry

By Mary Jacobs

Al-Jazeerah, Feb23 ,2004

In America we are free to worship as we wish, but never has there been a Jewish president. I never heard that Sen. John Kerry's grandmother and grandfather were Jewish until last week when Newsweek Magazine said that his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Kohn changed their religion to Catholic and their name to Kerry to make it look like they were Irish Catholics. People have changed their names to prosper in America because with a name like "Kerry" there would be less prejudice against them in Boston where many people are Irish Catholic.

(Full Story)

Wednesday February 25, 2004
Profile: Dennis Kucinich

Dennis Kucinich

Age: 57

Current office: U.S. representative

Office seeking: U.S. President

Home city: Cleveland, Ohio

Education: B.A. and M.A., Case Western Reserve University

Experience: U.S. Representative (1997 to present,) Ohio State Senator (1994 to 1997,) TV reporter (1989 to 1992,) Cleveland mayor (1977 to 1979,) municipal courts clerk (1975 to 1977,) Cleveland city councilmember (1969 to 1975 and 1983 to 1985)

Environment: Supports strengthening regulation of federal clean air and water acts, emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines; backs the United States re-entering the Kyoto treaty process to limit global warming...(Full Story)

Senator Covered Up Evidence of P.O.W.'s Left Behind
When John Kerry's Courage Went M.I.A.
by Sydney H. Schanberg
February 24th, 2004 1:00 PM



Senator John Kerry, a decorated battle veteran, was courageous as a navy lieutenant in the Vietnam War. But he was not so courageous more than two decades later, when he covered up voluminous evidence that a significant number of live American prisoners—perhaps hundreds—were never acknowledged or returned after the war-ending treaty was signed in January 1973...(Full Story)

Vote Kucinich: Impeach Bush
By Frank Scott

"We were almost all wrong..." -David Kay, CIA Weapons Inspector

Almost? Well, they did spell "Iraq" correctly. The lunacy of this administration is matched by the blundering of our unintelligence services. Most of the world could have told both sectors of the empire's ruling cartel that they were wrong, or just plain liars.

While candidate Dean's moment of goofy hysteria was replayed endlessly on TV, ushering him out of the presidential sweepstakes, the litany of lies and syntax terrorism of our court appointed emperor have hardly received the coverage and repetition they deserve...(Full Story)

Kucinich campaign director, former journalist consider runs against Rogers


The Associated Press
2/24/2004, 6:55 p.m. ET

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A former journalist and a campaign director for Dennis Kucinich said Tuesday they're considering challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for his congressional seat...(Full Story)

Kucinich Speaks Out Against Nuclear Testing


At a recent press conference in Salt Lake City, Utah children stood next to Dennis as he discussed the elimination of nuclear testing in the nearby Nevada desert. Photo: Clarity Sanderson

At a press conference in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Congressman Kucinich condemned nuclear testing in the nearby Nevada desert. Past nuclear tests have been blamed for causing cancer in the region. Kucinich said, "We will stop the sacrifice of the health and the welfare of the people of Utah and every other state [who] would be affected by the testing of nuclear weapons. This must stop."

Demos zero in on nuke testing

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

During a brief stop in Salt Lake City two days before the Utah Democratic primary, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich vowed that if elected he would stop any nuclear tests and work to rid the world of atomic weapons...(Full Story)

Once Again: The Top Ten Responses To - "I Love Kucinich But He Can't Win"

by Tad Daley

OpEdNews.com

Every noble work is at first impossible. The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize. ---- Bhagavad Gita

INTRODUCTION: The Most Effective Strategy Now To Gain New Votes For Dennis Kucinich

How many times have you heard someone say: "I love Kucinich ... but I just don't think he's electable?" I often encounter staffers for other candidates out here in Los Angeles where I am based, and even they often say these words to me. Saul Landau recently said on National Public Radio that Dennis's name has apparently been changed to the hyphenated "Kucinich-ButHeCan'tWin." The Congressman himself has been asked about the phenomenon repeatedly in the presidential debates...(Full Story)

Kucinich wins USC caucus

The Unruh Political Student Association hosted the first campus-wide caucus Monday night.

By DANIEL BALLON and ANNA JEWETT
Contributing Writers

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) won the first campus-wide caucus Monday night in Taper Hall, with 50 percent of the vote.

The Unruh Political Student Association in conjunction with the Parkside International Residential College hosted the caucus, the first of its kind at USC...(Full Story)

Kucinich delivers Richmond a pep talk

By Liz Tascio

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

RICHMOND - Residents may have come to the Civic Center on Monday night to show their support for Dennis Kucinich, but he was the one giving the pep talk.

The Democratic presidential hopeful visited the city, known more for high crime and struggling schools than for its political influence, because people there are taking a stand for the same things he has in his campaign, he told the crowd.

(Full Story)

Kucinich campaign manager to visit Brattleboro

BRATTLEBORO -- Dot Maver, the manager for the Dennis Kucinich for President campaign, will make a visit to Brattleboro this afternoon at 4:30.

(Full Story)

Kucinich not getting anywhere, Nader says

02/24/04
Stephen Koff
Plain Dealer Bureau Chief

Washington

Had Dennis Kucinich's presidential candidacy caught fire among Democrats, Ralph Nader wouldn't be in the race.

(Full Story)

Kucinich Pulls Left: The Strategic Vote for Progressives

(Full Story)

Kucinich says he's best candidate for Marin

By Tad Whitaker, IJ reporter

Congressman visits ahead of March 2 vote

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich told several hundred supporters in San Rafael last night that he is the candidate who best represents Marin County's views and that he still has a chance to win the Democratic Party's nomination...(Full Story)

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Great Lakes News: 24 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Oglebay Norton seeks bankruptcy protection
----------------------------------------
Oglebay Norton Co., whose massive ore boats were once beacons of a bustling
steel industry on the Great Lakes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection Monday to reorganize its finances. Source: The Plain Dealer
(2/24)


Sewage treatment tactic deemed risky
----------------------------------------
A report by a national environmental group found a spike in some potentially
illness-causing germs in "blended" sewage - sewage that is treated only
partially in order to increase treatment plant capacity - during two events
in Milwaukee last year. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2/24)


Questions about a market system for mercury
----------------------------------------
Scientific and economic uncertainties make it unclear whether an emissions
trading proposal by the Bush administration would leave "hot spots" with
extremely high levels of mercury around the country. Source: The New York
Times (2/24)


Steel prices soar
----------------------------------------
Steel prices have soared to a record high, immediately hurting steel
fabricators and raising concern that consumers looking to purchase cars,
appliances and some homes could be hit in the pocketbook as well. Source:
Merrillville Post-Tribune (2/24)


NRC loosens rules on plant checks
----------------------------------------
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced that it is relaxing
requirements for visual inspections at the nation's nuclear power plants,
two years after inspectors found that corrosion had nearly eaten through the
steel cap on a reactor at the Davis-Besse plant near Toledo. Source: The
Plain Dealer (2/24)


Ohio warns farmers about spreading manure on frozen fields
----------------------------------------
The state has warned farmers that spreading manure on frozen fields could be
banned if they do not follow fertilization regulations to prevent water
pollution during rains and thaws. Source: The Plain Dealer (2/24)


Michigan forests may get new 'brand'
----------------------------------------
Trees in Michigan's state forests may soon grow up with a new green "brand,"
a certification program setting standards to affirm that forests are being
managed in a sustainable manner. Source: South Bend Tribune (2/24)


International treaty to combat invasive species?
----------------------------------------
Delegates from around the world have drawn up a plan to help stop the spread
of invasive species via ship ballast water. Includes links to additional
information on the International Maritime Organization website. Source:
Great Lakes Radio Consortium (2/23)


Michigan initiative aims to cut exposure to mercury
----------------------------------------
There's a movement against mercury in Michigan, spurred by frustration that
the federal government isn't doing enough to protect families from the
potent neurotoxin. Source: The Bay City Times (2/23)


Lack of leadership could stall Chicago-Milwaukee rail line
----------------------------------------
Wisconsin officials support a plan to extend Chicago's commuter railroad
system to Milwaukee, but no one is in charge of the $156 million project,
and it's not clear who would pay for what. Source: The Janesville Gazette
(2/23)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/24/2004

Five power companies commit to clean energy and limits on CO2
Five electric power companies from across the U.S. have answered a challenge from World Wildlife Fund to become the first U.S. power companies to support a mandatory cap on heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions and confirm their commitment to clean energy.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13263.asp

Galapagos fishermen protest to demand more freedom
Fishermen in Ecuador's pristine Galapagos islands led protests Thursday to demand greater freedom from environmental regulations and blocked park officials from attending work, island sources said. On the remote island of Isabela, fishermen held a peaceful protest and prevented environmental authorities from working until their demands are met to loosen norms so they can use long-line fishing and sell by-catch of sharks in the islands.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13403.asp

Texas bird flu may be worse than thought
A strain of avian flu found on a Texas chicken farm is considered far deadlier to poultry than originally thought and has spread to live bird markets in Houston, federal officials said Monday. However, the flu is not the same strain that has killed at least 22 people in Asia, said Dr. Ron DeHaven of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13398.asp

Brazil tribes fear for their environment
Naked children are leaping from mango trees and tumbling into the mild water of the Xingu River without a care. But up by the grass-roofed long houses, the village elders fret that their way of life may come to an end soon. "We're worried for our children and grandchildren," says Rea, a Kayabi Indian woman. "Our Xingu is an island, and if the white man enters with his machines, he'll break it all down in no time."
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13396.asp

France bans insecticide after bee deaths
France on Monday suspended sales of an insecticide that allegedly was killing bees. Agriculture Minister Herve Gaymard said farmers who use insecticides containing the chemical Fipronil would be able to exhaust supplies on hand through the spring, but sales were ended Tuesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13404.asp

Germany wants new U.N. chemicals agency in Bonn
The German government said on Sunday it was bidding to host a new United Nations agency to police trade in chemicals in Bonn, the capital of former West Germany. The United Nations' "Prior Informed Consent" convention that will police trade in hazardous chemicals enters into force on Tuesday and the German environment ministry said in a statement that Bonn would be the ideal location for its secretariat.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13395.asp

Great Barrier Reef faces major coral destruction
Australia's Great Barrier Reef will lose most of its coral cover by 2050 and, at worst, the world's largest coral system could collapse by 2100 because of global warming, a study released on Saturday said. The study by Queensland University's Centre for Marine Studies, commissioned by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, said that the destruction of coral on the Great Barrier Reef was inevitable due to global warming, regardless of what actions were taken now.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13397.asp

Shanghai may relent on bicycle ban
Labeled bike-haters in a nation of cyclists, bureaucrats in China's largest city now appear to be backpedaling. A ban on bicycles in much of this busy commercial hub's downtown area took effect last month, drawing widespread scorn. With cars clogging city streets, residents have scoffed at suggestions that the prohibition was needed to reduce congestion.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13402.asp

Southeast England fights to save sparrows
The ordinary house sparrow is disappearing from gardens and parks throughout Britain, and government officials met Friday to discuss ways of curbing the bird's decline. The number of house sparrows has dropped from 12 million pairs to fewer than 7 million pairs over the last 30 years, according to researchers.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13399.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

World Land Trust:
Internet recruitment for conservation organisation the World Land Trust way above charity average

Kucinich Focuses on Oft-Ignored Hawaii
Caucuses Give Hope for Long-Shot Win

By Rita Beamish
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, February 24, 2004; Page A11

HONOLULU, Feb. 23 -- No other Democratic presidential candidate bothered to campaign in Hawaii, but Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio) came for the second time Sunday, confident that Tuesday night's caucuses will be his strongest showing so far...(Full Story)

Kucinich on Campaign Trail in California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: 216.889.2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich will campaign in California on February 23rd. Rep. Kucinich will visit San Francisco, Richmond, and San Rafael.

Representative Kucinich's schedule for February 23rd is as follows:

San Francisco
8:15 AM
KFOG Radio Interview - 104.5

9:00 - 10:00 AM
Forum with Michael Krasny
KQED NPR 88.5

10:30 AM
Press Conference on Iraq
Savoy Hotel
580 Geary St. at Jones
Campaign Contact Lora O'Connor 415-250-1414

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Luncheon fundraiser at Millenium Restaurant
Savoy Hotel, 580 Geary St. at Jones
Campaign contact Lora O'Connor 415-250-1414

2:00 PM
Rally and Press Conference - Civil Rights
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Campaign contact Lora O'Connor 415-250-1414

Richmond
6:00 - 8:30 PM
Richmond Progressive Alliance presents:
"Other America Tour comes to Richmond"
Convention Center
403 Civic Center Plaza
25th and Nevin
Event contact Lora O'Connor 415-250-1414
Media contact: Christine Lee 533-6607

San Rafael
7:00 - 10:00 PM
Progressives Rally Sponsored by Democratization Tour and Dominican
University, with Daniel Ellsberg, Susan Adams, Lynn Woolsey
50 Acacia Ave
Event contact: Lora O'Connor, 415-250-1414
Media contact: Christine Lee, 553-6607

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview: jonathans@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Sunday, February 22, 2004

— Time: 10:28:45 PM EST

Isle Democrats expect to vote on principle

By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

WAILUKU - The candidates of their choice may be lagging nationally, but supporters of the various Democratic candidates for the presidential nomination may still have an impact in the Hawaii caucuses Tuesday.
"I think we're going to have huge participation. My phone has been ringing off the hook," said Jonathan Starr, Maui County Democratic Party chairman...(Full Story)

Kucinich campaigns in Hawaii

By Hunter Bishop/ Tribune-Herald

HONOLULU - The presidential campaign of Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich almost veered to Hilo Sunday night.

With a couple of hundred supporters waiting for the candidate's scheduled 9 p.m. stop at Ka Huina Art Gallery on Kilauea Avenue at Mamo Street, Kucinich spoke to the Hilo group via speaker phone from Maui, which is as far as the campaign went in Hawaii Sunday...(Full Story)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/23/2004
CONTACT: Ralph Haygood, (608) 262-9226, rhaygood@wisc.edu; Anthony Ives, (608) 262-1519, arives@wisc.edu; David Andow, (612) 624-5323, dandow@umn.edu (NOTE: Through April 11, Andow is reachable via e-mail only.)

DESPITE CONFINEMENT, CROP GENES CAN SPREAD FAST TO WILD

MADISON - With the slim chance that farmers will stop planting crops containing genes from other organisms, researchers have started to develop strategies that trap these foreign genes, reducing the risk that they'll spread to wild relatives.

But an investigation by scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota-St. Paul shows that these containment strategies can quickly fail.

Using mathematical models, the team of scientists explored the effectiveness of proposed containment strategies to inhibit the escape of transgenes - genetic information from other organisms that's artificially inserted into crop plants to make them more resistant to pests, herbicides or climate conditions. The findings, published in the March issue of Ecology Letters, show a high probability that leakage can occur much sooner than expected.

"Lots of people are worried about gene flow from cultivated crops to wild relatives," says Ralph Haygood, a UW-Madison postdoctoral fellow and the lead author of paper. Transgene escape - when artificially inserted genes flow from crops to nearby wild populations and become a permanent feature of their genomes - is worrisome, he says, because it can change the genetic make-up of wild populations, sometimes eliminating genes that could be used to improve crops, and possibly turning these wild populations into aggressive weeds.

The goal, then, is to develop strategies to prevent transgene escape.

"Environmentalists say we should stop planting transgenic crops, but that's not going to happen," says the Wisconsin researcher. "Aside from not growing transgenic crops near sexually-compatible wild relatives, we need to investigate ways to reduce the risk."

Strategies currently being developed involve gene containment, where the artificially inserted genes are confined and, theoretically, inhibited from escaping or being favored in wild populations. For example, the technique called the "exorcist" induces certain chemical reactions inside the plant cell that pulls out and eliminates the transgene once the plant no longer needs it. Another technique involves inserting the artificial gene near a gene that's bad for the plant under wild conditions, making it unlikely that the transgene, should it escape, will spread in the wild population.

The gene-confinement strategy closest to commercialization, says Haygood, involves inserting genetic information into the DNA of the chloroplast, a part of the plant cell that contains its own genome. An advantage of this strategy is that chloroplast DNA - and any artificial genetic information it includes - is rarely transmitted through the plant's pollen, the main vehicle for transporting genetic information to nearby wild relatives.

"This technique is being greeted as a panacea that could make the whole problem of transgene escape go away," says Haygood. But, as he points out, "it has been shown that chloroplast DNA transmission through pollen can occur at a low rate." He asks, "How much does that matter?"

Given that this gene containment strategy is not failsafe - suggesting that transgene escape is inevitable, given enough time - the researchers investigated the rate at which artificially inserted genes, confined by some of the strategies mentioned above, could reach and become fixed in wild populations.

"For each strategy, there is the possibility of transgene leakage," explains Haygood. "The question shouldn't be whether or not transgene escape will happen. It should be how long will it take."

To answer this question, Haygood, Anthony Ives from UW-Madison and David Andow from the University of Minnesota-St. Paul developed a mathematical model based on factors controlling gene flow from crop plants to wild relatives. The factors include the rate of transgene leakage, the rate of pollen flow, the size of the wild population and the effects of the transgene under wild conditions.

By considering these factors, the researchers not only could calculate the probability of genes spreading to wild populations, but also the probability that they will be passed on to future generations. Successful transgene escape, notes Haygood, depends on the survival of the gene.

With the model, the team estimated how many growing seasons it would take for artificially inserted genetic information that's been confined to fix itself in wild populations.

"This is a situation where you have chance after chance for something to happen," explains Haygood, adding, "There's a certain chance in every generation for escape."

Because the rates of pollen flow and leakage are low, he says one would expect a long time to pass before a transgene escapes into a wild population. However, findings from the model suggest that even when the average time is as long as 100 growing seasons, the chances are that transgene escape can occur much sooner, regardless of the containment strategy.

The results show, for example, that a leakage rate of 2.5 percent - the actual value found by Hungarian scientists in the 1980s who studied the probability of chloroplast DNA transmission through the pollen of tobacco plants - could result in transgene escape within just 22 generations. Similarly, a leakage rate as low as one-tenth of 1 percent, along with plausible values for the other parameters, leaves a 60 percent chance of transgene escape within the first 10 generations.

The situation, says Haygood, is worsened when one considers that a transgenic crop is likely to be planted on more than one field, increasing the probability of escape. "Imagine that it's planted not on one field, but 100. That would substantially aggravate the problem," he says.

Although the model does has some limitations, the researchers say it includes all the essential elements for predicting gene flow and can be tweaked to take into account different scenarios. "The abstract structure of the model," explains Haygood, "will be the same."

One of the key messages of the research paper, the researchers emphasize, is that scientists will need to develop containment strategies with the smallest possible leakage rate to minimize the chances of transgene escape within short periods of time.

David Andow adds, "We really need to study the failure rates of gene confinement with levels of precision perhaps on the magnitude of one out of every 10,000."

He and his colleagues from UW-Madison say that they hope this paper provides the impetus for other scientists and regulatory officials to evaluate the true effectiveness of gene containment strategies on specific crops.
###
- Emily Carlson (608) 262-9772, emilycarlson@wisc.edu



****************************************************
For questions or comments about UW-Madison's email
news release system, please send an email to:
releases@news.wisc.edu

For more UW-Madison news, please visit:
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University Communications
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Madison, WI 53706

Phone: (608) 262-3571
Fax: (608) 262-2331

A Risk-Free 'Nader' in 2004

By Stephen Dinan, AlterNet
February 22, 2004

Progressives, activists, Greens and those who are tired of politics-as-usual have been attempting to strategize this year about how to advance the progressive agenda at a national level without jeopardizing the fight against Bush. Dean carried revolutionary fire for a time but he is now vanquished. Some had hopes for Clark, but he is gone as well. Neither Kerry nor Edwards offers a strong vision of fundamental change of the actual system. And Ralph Nader's candidacy as an Independent, announced on Meet The Press Sunday, only lessens the chances of success in November. The challenge we now face is how to promote systemic change without handing Bush another four years.

Whether by fate or luck, an ideal solution emerged Feb. 18 with the exit of Dean from the race. Dean's exit has introduced a "risk-free Nader" this year, with a parallel platform to the one Nader advanced in 2000. That risk-free Nader is Dennis Kucinich...(Full Story)

Forget Nader, Hug Kucinich

By Adam Werbach, AlterNet
February 23, 2004

Ralph Nader is running for president. Big deal. For those of you cooking up schemes to derail his bid for the presidency, I urge you to give him exactly the attention he deserves. None. Angry opposition is exactly what Nader needs to turn his last stand into the Alamo. At the moment he has as much support as the guy who walks around San Francisco with a sign that says the Martians have landed...(Full Story)

Posted: Monday, February 23rd, 2004 5:26 AM HST

Kucinich unable to make scheduled Hilo stop

By 67AM KPUA News

(Hilo-KPUA) -- About 200 supporters waiting last night in downtown Hilo for Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich found their wait was in vain...(Full Story)

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Great Lakes News: 23 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Ban proposed on live carp imports
----------------------------------------
Another major piece is about to fall into place in the battle to prevent the
Asian Carp from spreading into the Great Lakes, as Ontario's ministry of
natural resources is set to slap a ban on importing the voracious fish.
Source: Great Lakes Radio Consortium (2/23)


Lobbyists hope for funding lock
----------------------------------------
Lobbyists are gathering in the Wisconsin state capital this week to urge
legislators to fund the state's share of a new Soo Lock, along with other
Lake Superior-related legislation. Source: Duluth News Tribune (2/23)


Promoters seeking signs for Circle Tour
----------------------------------------
Tourism advocates are lobbying for the reinstallation of highway signs
promoting the Ontario leg of the Lake Superior Circle Tour. Source: The
Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal (2/23)


Keeping tabs on eagles infected with the West Nile virus
----------------------------------------
A wild bird sanctuary in Wisconsin is using high-tech tracking devices to
keep tabs on bald eagles recovering from West Nile virus. Source: Great
Lakes Radio Consortium (2/23)


COMMENTARY: U.N. agency takes major step to stop invasive species
----------------------------------------
A United Nations agency has taken a major step toward slamming the door on
zebra mussels, spiny water fleas and other alien invasive species that are
plaguing the Great Lakes at great expense to taxpayers. Source: The Detroit
News (2/22)


Army Corps proposes compromise in dispute over beach clearing
----------------------------------------
A proposed federal rule would give owners of hotels along Michigan's Great
Lakes shorelines greater freedom to remove beach vegetation exposed by low
water. Source: The Detroit News (2/21)


Feds OK $6M for North Bass Island
----------------------------------------
The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund will dole out $6 million to
help Ohio buy the bulk of North Bass Island -- the largest single-site grant
to a state in the history of the program. Source: Port Clinton News Herald
(2/21)


No plans to charge for ice floe rescues
----------------------------------------
More than two dozen people have been rescued from the Lake Erie ice in the
past month, all at an average cost to the public of $13,000 per rescue.
Source: The Plain Dealer (2/21)


Public input can help to protect Great Lakes
----------------------------------------
People concerned about the health and future of Lake Erie will have an
opportunity on Tuesday to have their input on the development of Great Lakes
restoration priorities. Source: Port Clinton News Herald (2/20)


Scientists study Great Lakes ice cover
----------------------------------------
A new study by the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL)
suggests that current trends toward lower milder winters and less ice cover
on the Great Lakes could affect the region's economy and aquatic system.
Source: The Ashland Daily Press (2/19)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich arrived at the University of Hawaii's West Oahu campus yesterday to stump for votes in tomorrow's Democratic caucuses.

Presidential candidate
dashes through Hawaii
Kucinich makes three public
appearances within a six-hour span

By Mary Vorsino
mvorsino@starbulletin.com

(Full Story)

Greens are mixed on Nader's quest

By JOSHUA WEINSTEIN, Portland Press Herald Staff Writer

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Ralph Nader's decision to run for president could reverberate in the Maine Green Party, even though the party's 2000 candidate said Sunday he is running as an independent...(Full Story)

Posted on Mon, Feb. 23, 2004

Kucinich for change

Imagine a world where people live in peace and harmony, a world where war is archaic, where non-violence is an organizing principle, a world where human dignity is respected and diversity is honored.

Imagine a world where government truly is of the people, for the people, and by the people, a world where human values, not corporate profit, dictate public policy...(Full Story)

Demos zero in on nuke testing

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

During a brief stop in Salt Lake City two days before the Utah Democratic primary, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich vowed that if elected he would stop any nuclear tests and work to rid the world of atomic weapons.

(Full Story)

Blue Camaro totes Kucinich message

From Staff Reports

As Sen. John Edwards campaigned in Ohio on Saturday and Sunday, there was one striking reminder that he was on the home turf of a Democratic rival...(Full Story)

Vote Kucinich: Impeach Bush
by Frank Scott
(Sunday 22 February 2004)

"Activists, progressives and other worried citizens who are having nightmares about our future , need to wake up to their democratic duties."

“we were almost all wrong...”

-- David Kay, CIA Weapons Inspector

Almost? Well, they did spell “Iraq” correctly. The lunacy of this administration is matched by the blundering of our unintelligence services. Most of the world could have told both sectors of the empire’s ruling cartel that they were wrong, or just plain liars.

While candidate Dean’s moment of goofy hysteria was replayed endlessly on TV, ushering him out of the presidential sweepstakes , the litany of lies and syntax terrorism of our court appointed emperor have hardly received the coverage and repetition they deserve...(Full Story)

Sunday, February 22, 2004

— Time: 10:28:45 PM EST

Dennis Kucinich will be back on Maui today

KAHULUI - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will be back on Maui today after a brief stop on Oahu, the Kucinich campaign on Maui has announced.
"It was unexpected. We just heard about it yesterday," said coordinator Ave Diaz.

(Full Story)

Who is the best to beat Bush?

02/22/04
Stephen Koff
Plain Dealer Bureau Chief

Washington- They're different in style, background, even substance to a limited extent. But the main Democratic presidential candidates on Ohio's ballot March 2 are really competing on one central theme:

Which one can best challenge President Bush in November?

If you say it's the one for abortion rights, then that pretty much covers the field: Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland. Perennial candidate Lyndon LaRouche also is on the ballot, as he is in about two dozen states...(Full Story)

Click to Watch Clip Video from KSL-TV:
Kucinich Visits Utah on Campaign Trail

Kucinich Visits Utah on Campaign Trail
Feb.22 ,2004

One presidential candidate *DID* visit Utah today-- Dennis Kucinich.

Several dozen supporters gave him an enthusiastic welcome at the airport this morning.

Unlike Kerry or John Edwards, Kucinich *is* making visits to some of the western states which are holding primaries this week, and thinks it's important to do so...(Full Story)

DENNIS KUCINICH VISITS
Ohio Democrat discusses platform

Will Beaver
The News Record

Ohio representative and presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich spoke in UC's Event Pavilion Wednesday, in an attempt to spread his message before Ohio's Democratic Primary March2 .

Hundreds of students and community members attended the speech.

"Ohio is our home state and we expect to do well here," said Matt Trafis, co-coordinator of Kucinich's Ohio campaign.

(Full Story)

Democratic Presidential Candidates Agree to CNN, Los Angeles Times Debate
CNN’s Larry King Moderates Feb. 26 Debate on Cusp of ‘Super Tuesday’
LOS ANGELES, Feb.20 , 2004 – All four of the remaining candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president have agreed to participate in a debate sponsored by CNN and the Los Angeles Times. The debate will be held just a few days prior to “Super Tuesday” on Thursday, Feb.26 , at 9 p.m. (ET) in Bovard Auditorium on the University of Southern California campus.

The90 -minute debate will be moderated by CNN’s Larry King, who will be joined by an interview panel that includes The Times’ national political correspondent and columnist Ron Brownstein and editorial page editor Janet Clayton. The candidates participating will be Sen. John Edwards, Sen. John Kerry, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and the Rev. Al Sharpton...(Full Story)

Kucinich heads to isles
as Inouye supports Kerry
The front-runner plans no visit
here before Tuesday's caucuses

By Mary Vorsino
mvorsino@starbulletin.com

Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry got a boost from Hawaii's senior senator yesterday and opponent Rep. Dennis Kucinich planned to be in Hawaii today as local Democrats prepared to choose which candidate they will support to oppose President Bush in November...(Full Story)

Nader Announces He'll Run for President

Sun Feb22 ,4 : 37PM ET


By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Consumer advocate Ralph Nader (news - web sites) announced Sunday he is running again for president, this time as an independent, and rejected claims that a longshot candidacy would merely siphon enough votes from the Democrats to ensure President Bush's re-election...(Full Story)

Posted on Sun, Feb.22 ,2004

COMMUNITY BRIEFS: WEST COUNTY

COMMUNITY DIGEST

Richmond

Kucinich tour to stop here Monday
Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will continue his "Other America" tour from 6 to8 : 30p.m. Monday in the Richmond auditorium.

Kucinich's visit will mark the first time since the Rev. Jesse Jackson's trip in 1988 that a presidential candidate visited Richmond.

The public is invited to the forum, which is hosted by the Richmond Progressive Alliance, a coalition of progressive Democrats, Greens and independents...(Full Story)

COMBATING TERRORISM:
PREVENTING NUCLEAR TERRORISM

HEARING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY,
VETERAN AFFAIRS, AND INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE
HOUSE GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE

September 24, 2002

http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/us/hearingspreparedstatements/hgrc-092402.htm

Posted on Sun, Feb.22 ,2004

Dropouts on the ballot

Polls show that if the election were held today, no one would vote because we never hold elections on Sunday.

But if it were held tomorrow -- and it will be, partly, with advance voting all this week in Georgia -- more people probably would vote for the blue Georgia flag than for the red-barred one.

This could be a problem for folks who are sick of flags, because if this nonbinding referendum persuaded legislators to go with the blue flag, then the flag issue might never end, because that flag just looks too ugly to last...(Full Story) **Dan says: Sort of humourous in a sarasm sort of way.

Kucinich visits Utah today in bid for votes

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, still grasping for delegates in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, will drop by Utah today to stump for votes two days before the state's primary. In a change of plans, Kucinich will make...(Full Story)

Kucinich Will Ban Nuclear Testing and Prevent Resumption of a Nuclear Arms Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: 216.889.2004, press@kucinich.us

Salt Lake City -- Democratic Congressman and presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich will bring his campaign to Utah. At a press conference scheduled for 10:20 AM outside the security checkpoint at terminal 2 of the Salt Lake City International Airport on Sunday, February 22. Kucinich will discuss his vehement opposition to what appears to be the federal government's intention to develop new nuclear weapons and resume full-scale testing. "The cold war is over," says Kucinich. "We must not ever let it resume."

Yet another cold war is where we could be heading. Announcing his country's testing of new strategic missiles capable of defeating any conceivable American missile defense system, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that because of America's development of similar weapons, Russia had little choice but to "modernize our armed forces in the interest of ensuring the security of our own country." Says Kucinich: "Clearly this is indicative of nuclear proliferation. We have to end America's aggressive maneuvering and put a stop to this madness."

Responding to statements made by the National Nuclear Security Administration that scientists are preparing to conduct a nuclear materials experiment in a fashion similar to full-scale tests that were put on indefinite hold in 1993, Gandhi Peace Award recipient Kucinich made clear that under his administration such tests would be permanently banned.

Kucinich strongly supports the pending Congressional legislation drafted by Utah Congressman Jim Matheson -- "Safety for Americans from Nuclear Weapons Testing Act" -- that would protect the health and safety of Americans in the event that nuclear weapons testing resumes at the Nevada Test Site. Kucinich also applauds the bill that Utah House lawmakers passed on Friday that would require elected leaders to say "yes" before more radioactive waste hotter than "Class A" -- the least radioactive waste -- can be disposed of in Utah.

While the Bush administration is busy allocating funds to develop new nuclear weapons and prepare sites for testing, Kucinich is committed to complete nuclear disarmament and the renewal of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; to work with Russia to reinstate the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; to encourage other nations to participate in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty; and to begin new talks with Russia, China, Britain, France, India, Israel, and Pakistan to develop a plan aimed at the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

The tragic federal lies told to the people of Utah to cover up their exposure to dangerous radiation is well documented. Says Kucinich: "America needs to lead the world by imposing a complete ban on nuclear weapons testing."

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview: jonathans@kucinich.us

National contacts:
Jonathan Schwartz, (301) 928-7579 (cell), jonathans@kucinich.us
National Deputy Press Secretary: Nate Wilkes, 602-405-8625, nate@kucinich.us

Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Doug Moss
Publisher & Executive Editor
*****************************************
***Week of 2/22/04 EARTH TALK installment***:

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that there were only two curbside recycling programs in the country in the early 1970s. Where were they and how many are there now?
--Bonnie Emerick, Chicago, IL

According to Neil Seldman, president of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a non-profit that promotes sustainable communities, the first two programs were in Madison, Wisconsin and Marblehead, Massachusetts. Seldman says that many cities had source separation in the 1940s, largely because of the war effort, but that these efforts fizzled after the war. In 1967, Madison was the first city to re-establish curbside newspaper collection, by installing special racks on garbage trucks. Madison Street Superintendent Roger Goodwin says the pioneering newspaper program got started because the city was running out of landfill space. Madison also built one of the first waste-to-energy plants in 1974 for the same reason.

Marblehead Director of Public Health Wayne Attridge says its curbside program, which began in 1973 with the first Earth Day as inspiration, included bottles, cans and newspapers. “It was definitely innovative,” Attridge says. The local League of Women Voters launched the program, aided by the nation's first Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recycling grant.

There are now close to 9,000 curbside programs, which aid in the recycling of 42 percent of all paper used, 40 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, and 55 percent of all aluminum cans, according to the EPA’s Office of Municipal Solid Waste. There are at least 600 curbside programs in Wisconsin and 156 in Massachusetts today.

New York City made news in July of 2002 when Mayor Michael Bloomberg put the City’s curbside recycling program (for everything except paper) on hold for 18 months. Bloomberg reasoned that the project would save the City $56.6 million annually, and that 40 percent of the metal, glass and plastic collected was ultimately ending up in the trash anyway. But, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, New York City’s big savings failed to materialize, and the plastics recycling program resumed in July 2003. Glass recycling, as well as weekly pickups, will start again in April 2004.

CONTACTS: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, (202) 232-4108, www.ilsr.org; Natural Resources Defense Council, (212) 727-2700, www.nrdc.org.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at www.emagazine.com; or e-mail us at earthtalk@emagazine.com.

*************************************************************************************************************
Dear EarthTalk: Where can one recycle computer equipment that is out of date or broken and not worth upgrading or fixing? --Kenneth Rapp, Toms River, NJ

According to the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 315 million computers are expected to become obsolete by the end of 2004. Given the lightening speed of computer technology, some environmental groups estimate the average lifespan of a computer is only three years. A discarded computer reeks of environmental hazards. Not only will plastic components sit in landfills for hundreds of years, toxic materials are used to create computers, including lead used in monitors.

Instead of throwing your old computer away, consider donating it to one of many re-use programs or recycling programs throughout the country. The California-based Computer Recycling Center (CRC) began collecting used computers in 1991, and they claim to have diverted six million pounds of computer waste from landfills in 2002 alone. If you’re computer is still functional, CRC’s Computers & Education program takes computer donations and provides refurbished computers to public schools, and community non-profits. CRC is a local program, so if you can’t drop off your old machine, you’ll have to pay for shipping. Look for recycling programs in your community. Brokers like American Computer Exchange in Georgia are national programs that will take your hardware for trade on a newer model.

It is becoming more common for computer manufacturers to have their own recycling programs. Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) Planet Partners recycling service will pickup, transport, and recycle any brand of computer equipment or HP printing supplies. As an incentive to recycle, HP will give you $50 towards the purchase of a new product when you return old computer products to the company. HP’s recycling facilities processes more than three million pounds of used equipment each month.

Ink cartridges and disk use both generate significant waste. HP’s Planet Partners LaserJet Supplies Program has helped recycle more than 39 million HP LaserJet cartridges worldwide since 1992, which equates to approximately 50,000 tons of material diverted from landfill. GreenDisk, a Washington State-based company that recycles used disks, estimates that more than 10 billion old disks and CDs will need a resting place over the next five years. GreenDisk's Personal Electronics Program helps individuals, businesses, and government agencies recycle small amounts of electronic waste, including CDs, diskettes, videos, inkjet and toner cartridges, and cell phones. You’ll receive a “Certificate of Destruction” that guarantees your intellectual property has been destroyed, and all physical materials have been disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

CONTACTS: Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, (408) 287-6707, www.svtc.org; Computer Recycling Center, (707) 570-1600, http://www.crc.org/; American Computer Exchange, (404) 250-0050, www.amcoex.com; Hewlett-Packard, 800-752-0900, www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle; GreenDisk Services, (800) 305-3475, www.greendisk.com.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at www.emagazine.com; or e-mail us at earthtalk@emagazine.com.

EarthTalk
Questions and Answers About Our Environment
A Weekly Column
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c/o E/The Environmental Magazine
***A nonprofit publication***
28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
PHONE: (203) 854-5559/(X106) - FAX: (203) 866-0602
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Mail: P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881 U.S.A.

Cross-country march for peace reaches Porterville

By George Lurie, The Porterville Recorder

Jonathan Meier must be light on his feet. The 21-year-old activist has walked across America and only worn out a single pair of shoes. And the Merrill high-tops he's wearing - the second pair he's used since leaving Portland, Maine, and hoofing it some 3,200 miles through 24 states - still have plenty of tread. Meier's cross-country trek in support of dark horse Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich led him through Porterville Tuesday.

(Full Story)

Kucinich to visit Utah after all

By Jody Genessy
Deseret Morning News

A Democratic presidential candidate will make a pit stop in Utah before Tuesday's primary election after all.
But supporters of the two front-runners, Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards, as well as the outspoken Rev. Al Sharpton, might want to keep their fingers crossed. The Beehive State still isn't in their travel itineraries — it's Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio who has decided (again) to drop by...(Full Story)

Edwards, Kucinich woo Twin Cities
Kevin Duchschere, Star Tribune

Published February22 ,2004

Two of the four remaining candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination delivered populist messages in Minnesota on Saturday, hoping to draw a large share of the state's delegates in the Super Tuesday showdown March2 ...(Full Story)

New York debate set for presidential hopefuls

Saturday, February21 ,2004

(02-21)15 : 45PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

The Democratic presidential candidates will debate Feb. 29 in New York, but they won't be competing for attention with that evening's Academy Awards ceremony...(Full Story)

Rep. Kucinich Plans Brief Campaign Stop in Utah
Feb.21 ,2004

Dennis Kucinich will become the only presidential candidate to have visited Utah in advance of Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary...(Full Story)

Sending a Progressive Message to the Democratic Convention
By Stephen Dinan

OpEdNews.com
For months, I have been sending out articles addressing the psychology of the Democratic campaign, attempting to shift the beliefs that people have around the electability of Dennis Kucinich. Some of these were provocative. Others were intended to inspire. But all were grounded in a fundamental challenge to the notion that Kucinich was not electable.

Today, I will write from the opposite premise, assuming that most people are right for a moment:

(Full Story)

Sending a Progressive Message to the Democratic Convention
Friday, February 20 2004 09:43 AM PST

Stephen Dinan does it again - ... if your main focus is beating Bush, voting for Edwards or Kerry in your primary isn't going to matter much. They both qualify as Anybody But Bush and both represent solidly middle-of-the-road Democratic positions. However, there is another factor that you need to consider in this race and that is: to what extent is the Democratic party able to keep the progressive wing actively engaged? The real election-killer will be if the progressive wing loses interests, stops rallying, or starts to splinter off with a Nader candidacy. The hints of this are...(Full Story)

Dennis Kucinich: The only presidential candidate willing to save America from a bloodbath

By Jane Stillwater

Al-Jazeerah, Feb21 ,2004

We have a situation here, America. "If we take our troops out of Iraq, there will be a bloodbath," say the pundits. Yet if we leave our troops in Iraq, we will be spilling the blood of yet more American GIs, bankrupting our country and stirring up the enmity of billions. There is no way that the hazards of this situation can be exaggerated. We are making enemies left and right over there; answering the pathetic civilian needs of that country with greed, corruption and death by gunfire. The war on Iraq costs us one billion dollars a week. America, continuing that war is a disastrous situation...(Full Story)

Sun, Feb 15, 2004

Kucinich keys on jobs, Iraq, health care

By Trudy Stewart
Central Wisconsin Sunday

STEVENS POINT - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich told about 250 people at a campaign rally Saturday that he sees three issues of great importance to Wisconsin voters at stake in Tuesday's presidential primary.

"Number one is the issue of jobs," Kucinich said during the rally, which was held at about 2 p.m. at Stevens Point Area Senior High School. "Wisconsin has lost thousands of jobs because of (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and (the World Trade Organization). I say those trade agreements have to go." The first thing he would do as president would be getting rid of NAFTA and the WTO, he said.

The second issue is the high cost of health care and the third is Iraq, said Kucinich, a Democratic congressman from Ohio.
The crowd began to stir and murmur when Kucinich predicted...(Full Story)

Pentagon Preps for War in Space (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,62358,00.html/wn_ascii

An Air Force report sheds light on little-known plans by the U.S.
military to develop space-based weapons. Some analysts fear the effort
could spark a new arms race. By Noah Shachtman.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Russia Tests New Wonder Weapon (Technology Thursday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,62350,00.html/wn_ascii

Short on details but long on hype, a Russian military chief claims the
hypersonic prototype maneuvers so quickly that it renders all missile-
defense systems 'useless.'
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AWEA:

MOST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES STRONGLY SUPPORT WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE U.S., TRADE GROUP FINDS

Six Democratic Campaigns Respond to Survey;
Results Back Wind Power

http://www.awea.org/news/news040115pcs.html

Kucinich on Campaign Trail in Minnesota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: 216.889.2004, press@kucinich.us

Ohio Congressman and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich will campaign in Minnesota on February 21st. Rep. Kucinich will visit South St. Paul, Northfield, and Minneapolis.

Representative Kucinich's schedule for February 21st is as follows:

South St. Paul
10:45 - 11:30 a.m. CT
Presentation
UFCW Local 789
266 Hardman Ave.
Campaign Coordinator: Virginia Stark, (651) 343-1479

Northfield, Minnesota
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. CT
Speech and Rally, Dennis and Patch Adams
Carleton College
Skinner Memorial Chapel
1 N. College Street
Campaign Coordinator: Sue Skog, (651) 208-3764

Minneapolis, Minnesota
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. CT
Rally for Peace, Justice, and Jobs with Dr. Patch Adams and Dennis Kucinich
Live music by Ellis and Fog
Northrop Auditorium
University of Minnesota
84 Church Street S.E.
Campaign Coordinator: Mary Jane LaVigne, (651) 261-6966

St. Paul, Minnesota
4:45 - 5:35 p.m. CT
Small groups discussions
El Rio Neighborhood Center
179 E. Robie St.
Campaign Coordinator: Virginia Stark, (651) 343-1479

South St. Paul, Minnesota
5:45 - 6:15 p.m. CT
Meeting
UFCW Hall
266 Hardman Ave.
Campaign Coordinator: Virginia Stark, (651) 343-1479

South St. Paul, Minnesota
6:15 - 9:15 p.m. CT
Minnesota National Lawyers Guild Annual Reception
UFCW Hall
266 Hardman Ave.
Campaign Coordinator: Virginia Stark, (651) 343-1479

Minneapolis, Minnesota
9:30 - 10:00 p.m. CT
Gathering to honor the candidate
House of Balls
212 Third Avenue North
Phone: (612) 332-3992
Campaign Coordinator: Mary Jane LaVigne, (651) 261-6966

All items subject to change. More details will be posted as soon as available.

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview: jonathans@kucinich.us

National contacts:
Jonathan Schwartz, (301) 928-7579 (cell), jonathans@kucinich.us
National Deputy Press Secretary: Nate Wilkes, 602-405-8625, nate@kucinich.us


Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Bush Campaign Targeting "Long-Shot" Kucinich in Ad Strategy:
President's advisors taking Ohio Congressman Seriously
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2004

Contact: Terre Lundy/Matt Harris: 216.889.2004, press@kucinich.us

The Bush re-election team has prepared dozens of commercials to undercut the efforts of the candidates seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, including Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich.

According to a report in The Washington Post, the Bush re-election campaign "is sitting on a $100 million war chest," and plans an advertising blitz in about 20 states targeting U.S. Sen. John Kerry and U.S. Sen. John Edwards. Republican strategists have also "prepared a couple of ad scripts targeting long shot Dennis Kucinich," according to the Post story.

"If they weren't worried about the Congressman's chances, they wouldn't be bothering or spending money to attack him," the Kucinich campaign responded. "They're worried because they should be worried."

For more campaign information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

To schedule an interview: jonathans@kucinich.us

National contacts:
Jonathan Schwartz, (301) 928-7579 (cell), jonathans@kucinich.us
National Deputy Press Secretary: Nate Wilkes, 602-405-8625, nate@kucinich.us


Contact us:
Kucinich for President
11808 Lorain Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44111
216-889-2004 / 866-413-3664 (toll-free)

Voting for your beliefs sure beats backing a winner

02/19/04

If I were a Democrat, I'd vote for Dennis Kucinich for president.
I'm not, and I won't. His politics and mine, for the most part, are polar opposites.

But if I were heir to the populism of Andy Jackson and FDR, of W.E.B. DuBois and John L. Lewis, well, the favorite son of this gritty, old steel town would be the candidate for me.

Why?

Because Dennis (and in this city, he'll never be known by any other name) carries the distilled essence of what the Democratic Party used to be about, and in which most rank-and-file members, down deep in their hearts, still believe.

" Persuaded that, however much they agree with his platform, Dennis can win neither the nomination nor the presidency, they will treat their vote like a $2 bet at Thistledown: They'll plunk it down on an odds-makers favorite, regardless of how his voting record may conflict with creating the kind of America these Democrats want to see.

For too many voters of both major parties, backing the winning "horse" trumps every other consideration. That's the short-sighted tragedy of politics today.

And that's part of the reason that so many citizens are so disenchanted with the major parties. They've too often compromised their principles for pragmatism, then were shocked when the people they had helped elect didn't govern as they had hoped they might"...(Full Story)

Democrats vs. Bush on Medicare drug plans

By LEE BOWMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
February 20, 2004

- The new Medicare prescription drug law specifically bars the federal government from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors, relying instead on private drug plans to strike deals with pharmaceutical companies for the drugs they will provide to seniors.

It is a "noninterference clause" that President Bush supports, arguing along with most Republicans that private competition will do a better job of holding down drug costs to Medicare than government "price fixing."

"I think we've got it right in the bill language we have," Senate Republican leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said on banning the federal government from negotiating bulk purchases. "Competition is better over time than price fixing."

But Democrats - including presidential contenders -are making pointed arguments that the government needs to use the bargaining power of 41 million Medicare beneficiaries to make drug benefits affordable...(Full Story)

Candidates Kucinich, Edwards visiting Minnesota this weekend
Associated Press

Published February 20, 2004

DEM21

Minnesota is starting to draw some Democratic presidential candidates as the state's precinct caucuses approach...(Full Story)

HAWAII
Dean, Kucinich could be factors in island's caucuses

By Rita Beamish, Globe Correspondent, 2/20/2004

HONOLULU -- You could call this the un-Iowa. With its Democratic presidential caucuses coming up Tuesday, Hawaii has none of the electoral fanfare and frenzied politicking that marked the contests in Iowa and elsewhere...(Full Story)

S.J. students choose Kucinich

Friday, February 20, 2004

Moorestown Friends School holds all-day mock Democratic primary

By MATT KATZ
Courier-Post Staff
MOORESTOWN

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich will face President Bush in November, U.S. troops will pull out of Iraq, and the Patriot Act is no more.

That is what America would look like if the students and faculty of Moorestown Friends School had their way.

The private Quaker school held an all-day mock primary Thursday featuring commercials, campaigning and a lot of cajoling.

"Vote Kucinich! Vote peace!" Richard Rinaldi yelled to his fellow eighth-graders outside the convention hall, which was shrouded in red, white and blue...(Full Story)

Edwards wants Sharpton, Kucinich out of debate


By Brian DeBose
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


Since former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean ended his presidential run, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina sees only two viable Democratic Party candidates and wants at least one debate without the Rev. Al Sharpton and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio...(Full Story)

Kerry, Kucinich, Edwards Bringing Campaigns to Ohio

You can tell it's getting close to primary election time in Ohio.

http://www.wtrf.com/home/headlines/638757.html

Presidential Candidate Kucinich Speaks At UD

POSTED: 9:39 am EST February 18, 2004
UPDATED: 2:16 pm EST February 18, 2004
DAYTON, Ohio -- Dennis Kucinich, who is seeking the Democratic party's nomination for President, spoke Wednesday afternoon at the University of Dayton...(Full Sory)

Kerry Visits Ohio, Kucinich Hits Cincinnati
Candidates Continue Campaigning
DAYTON, Ohio -- Democratic presidential hopefuls John Kerry and Dennis Kucinich visited Dayton Wednesday, and Kucinich took his campaign a step further in Cincinnati later.

(Full Story)

Kucinich makes case to enthused crowds
He's in nomination race to end, he says

By Jim Bebbington
Dayton Daily News
Thursday, February 19, 2004

DAYTON -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich vowed to stay in the campaign for president until next summer's Democratic convention and told Dayton-area voters Wednesday he is the only realistic opponent to Republican President Bush.

Kucinich, a four-term congressman and former Cleveland mayor, is only slightly daunted by having finished no higher than a distant third in the 16 Democratic primaries and caucuses held so far....(Full Story)

Posted on Thu, Feb. 19, 2004

Edwards, Kucinich to visit state Saturday

BY BILL SALISBURY

Pioneer Press

Fresh from his surprisingly strong showing in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will make his first campaign visit to St. Paul on Saturday.

The North Carolina senator will address a 3:30 p.m. rally at the Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., his campaign announced Wednesday. Edwards will attend a fund-raising reception immediately after the rally.

Edwards finished a close second to John Kerry in the Wisconsin primary.

Kerry and Edward's tight finish guarantees the race will still be on for the March 2 Super Tuesday showdown in Minnesota and nine other states. The Wisconsin results allayed Minnesota Democrats' fear that the race would be over before they cast votes at the precinct caucuses.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who finished a distant fourth in the Wisconsin race, also visits Minnesota on Saturday. He is scheduled to speak at 9:45 p.m. at a Blue-Green Alliance meeting at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 789 hall in South St. Paul, address rallies at Carleton College in Northfield at 1 p.m. and the University of Minnesota at 3 p.m. and deliver the keynote address at a National Lawyers Guild banquet at 6 p.m. ...(Full Story)

Kucinich not ready to quit

By Kevin Eigelbach
Post staff reporter

The race for the Democratic presidential nomination has become like the television program "Survivor," candidate Dennis Kucinich said on Wednesday.

Appearing before a crowd of about 40 in Over-the-Rhine, Kucinich said he's not going to vote himself off the island, however.

"I'm not leaving," the congressman from Cleveland said.

"The trees on that island will leave before I will."

Earlier on Wednesday, former Vermont governor Howard Dean dropped out of the race, leaving three candidates besides Kucinich -- Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

In the race so far, Kucinich has run a distant third to Kerry and Edwards. But his left-of-center message resonated with the audience at Buddy's Place.

Applause greeted his call for a nonprofit health-care system with a 100 percent prescription drug benefit. He called it a defining moral issue for the country...(Full Story)

Bruin devoted to Kucinich even if polls aren’t
Student admires candidate, aids campaign as research assistant

By Nancy Su
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
nsu@media.ucla.edu

Jane Shevtsov understands that Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has almost no chance of winning.

Yet the third-year ecology, behavior and evolution student feels an obligation to dedicate her time to being a research assistant on national issues for the Kucinich campaign.

Moving about campus with a Kucinich sticker proudly displayed among several environmental and anti-war stickers on the back of her wheelchair, Shevtsov said she supports Kucinich because he is the candidate with ideas most like her own.

Kucinich's platforms include expanding health care, funding for education, social security benefits and environmental laws, as well as an ardent anti-war stance...(Full Story)

Sending a Progressive Message to the Democratic Convention
By Stephen Dinan

OpEdNews.com
For months, I have been sending out articles addressing the psychology of the Democratic campaign, attempting to shift the beliefs that people have around the electability of Dennis Kucinich. Some of these were provocative. Others were intended to inspire. But all were grounded in a fundamental challenge to the notion that Kucinich was not electable.

Today, I will write from the opposite premise, assuming that most people are right for a moment: Kucinich is not electable this year, even if we love him and what he stands for. Where do we go from there?
(Full Story)

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Great Lakes News: 20 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

$1M pledged to 're-green'
----------------------------------------
A provincial pledge from Ontario to replace $1-million worth of bug-eaten
trees isn't nearly enough to cover ash losses, but it may help pressure the
federal government to come up with its own compensation package. Source:
The London Free Press (2/20)


Lakeshore wetlands, woods given to NY
----------------------------------------
New York announced its latest acquisition of ecologically valuable 40 acres
of wetlands and upland hardwoods, including a rare 1,400 feet of undeveloped
shoreline along Lake Ontario. Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
(2/20)


Ferry to fly Bahamas flag
----------------------------------------
The Spirit of Ontario will sail between the United States and Canada, but
will permanently fly the flag of the Bahamas from its stern to reflect is
place of registration. Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (2/20)


Electricity watchdog warns utilities
----------------------------------------
The leading electricity industry group is predicting power lines around the
Great Lakes will jam up this summer, which could lead to blackouts if
utilities and other systems operators don't shape up. Source: The Akron
Beacon Journal (2/20)


Sierra Club increasing efforts on clean air, water for Ohio families
----------------------------------------
The Sierra Club is doubling its efforts and staff in Ohio in an effort to
push issues concerning open space and air and water pollution. Source: The
Plain Dealer (2/20)


Gaz Métro seeks site for terminal
----------------------------------------
Gaz Métro, the province's biggest natural-gas distributor, said it is closer
to finalizing plans for a liquefied natural-gas terminal and processing
plant in Québec. Source: The Montreal Gazette (2/20)


A river runs through city, along with a warning
----------------------------------------
As the Chicago River becomes an urban water park for canoes, gondolas and
Jet Skis, local and state officials are realizing that dramatic improvements
in water quality during the past two decades might not be good enough.
Source: Chicago Tribune (2/19)


Still ruling the waves: Michigan debunks California claim as top boating
state
----------------------------------------
California handily beats Michigan when it comes to wine production and
Tinseltown glitz, but when it comes to boating, the Great Lakes State is
still admiral of the high seas. Source: The Grand Rapids Press (2/19)


Power plant draws ire of locals
----------------------------------------
Some officials in the Lake Michigan community of Manistee are asking new,
more pointed questions about a proposed coal-burning power plant. Source:
Traverse City Record-Eagle (2/19)


Creek cleaners aim for fall start
----------------------------------------
Plans call for excavating equipment to begin dredging contaminated sediment
from Ruddiman Lagoon, one of Muskegon's most polluted waterways, as early as
this fall. Source: Muskegon Chronicle (2/19)


Federal Agents To Patrol Lake Ontario
----------------------------------------
While customs agents check every car that crosses the US-Canadian border,
there hasn't been any real security in place to check boaters who are
crossing the border over the lake. Source: WOKR-TV 13 (2/17)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Great Lakes News: February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Great Lakes Restoration Planning Workshops
http://www.glc.org/restwkshp/
Great Lakes Commission (2004-02-20)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Great Lakes News: 19 February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Duluth requests money to keep sewage out of Lake Superior
----------------------------------------
Improving and protecting Wisconsin's water quality was the theme at the
Capitol on Wednesday as a coalition of Minnesota environmental groups
launched a campaign making water issues a priority for lawmakers in 2004.
Source: Duluth News Tribune (2/19)


Activists fault rainwater-sewage treatment
----------------------------------------
The environmental group Clean Water Action will release a report today
opposing the polluting of water through the "blending" of sewage with
rainwater. Source: The Detroit News (2/19)


Grand Cal dredging project details aired
----------------------------------------
During a meeting Wednesday night about the Grand Calumet River cleanup,
state, U.S. Steel representatives and hired consultants hammered out details
of the Grand Calumet River dredging project. Source: Merrillville
Post-Tribune (2/19)


Seagull feces, human waste mar Lake Michigan waters
----------------------------------------
A study released Monday found that seagull feces and human waste are the two
most predominant sources of E. coli contamination in Lake Michigan. Source:
Highland Park News (2/19)


Ship in sick bay
----------------------------------------
The Presque Isle has been docked at the east bayfront terminal for almost a
month as about 30 workers feverishly work against a March 25 deadline to fix
the hulking vessel before it heads back to its homeport of Duluth, Minn.
Source: Erie Times-News (2/18)


Doan Brook plan incorporates park
----------------------------------------
A $5.5 million plan to restore Doan Brook has been altered to reduce the
impact on historical and cultural resources in Rockefeller Park in
Cleveland. Source: The Plain Dealer (2/18)


Rotary donates $1 million to Northwestern Michigan College
----------------------------------------
A $1 million grant from Rotary Charities is headed to Northwestern Michigan
College's new Great Lakes campus and water studies institute. Source:
Traverse City Record Eagle (2/18)


COMMENTARY: Gov'ts must continue fight against 'dirty dozen' pollutants
----------------------------------------
Despite the success in curbing emissions, the 12 persistent organic
pollutants (POPs) on the IJC hit-list are still in the watershed. Source:
The Medical Post (2/17)


Nesting season is under way
----------------------------------------
Six pairs of bald eagles have already begun incubating eggs in three Ohio
counties along Lake Erie indicating that the 2004 nesting season is
underway, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Wildlife. Source: The News-Messenger (2/17)


Hunters push forward with rights amendment
----------------------------------------
Hunters in Pennsylvania are moving forward with a proposed amendment to the
state constitution that would guarantee the "right of the people to hunt and
fish." Source: Erie Times-News (2/16)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Great Lakes News: February 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Leading Great Lakes citizens' groups call on Administration to drop
http://www.lakemichigan.org/news/sewage_policy.asp
Source: Lake Michigan Federation (2004-02-19)

IJC commends IMO for Global Ballast Water Convention
http://www.ijc.org/rel/news/040218_e.htm
Source: International Joint Commission (2004-02-18)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html


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Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Great Lakes Day in Washington - March 3 - Register now!
http://www.glc.org/greatlakesday/
Source: Great Lakes Commission (2004-02-19)

IJC releases report on air quality in Michigan and Ontario regional areas
http://www.ijc.org/rel/news/040217_e.htm
Source: International Joint Commission (2004-02-18)

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/

Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
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http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-edwards20feb20,1,2443374.story?coll=la-home-politics

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Edwards Eager to Debate Rival Kerry
He believes he can take the lead by engaging the front-runner in the race for the nomination.

** NOTE from Dan ** It is looking as if the debate will be inclusive of Dennis and Al Sharpton - see the article

ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/20/2004

Can zoos save species without saving habitat?
Visitors to America's zoos and circuses are regularly informed, via signs and announcements, that these institutions are working overtime on behalf of endangered species. Indeed, you can visit critically endangered animals in theme parks all across the country.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_12997.asp

Australia wrestles with crocodile safari hunting
With the unlikely name of Sweetheart, the 17-foot-long crocodile terrorized fishers in far north Australia for years, regularly capsizing motor boats because the noise annoyed him.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13306.asp

Japanese love fish too much for fragile stocks
A full moon hangs low in the predawn Tokyo sky as the tuna auction gets under way.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13310.asp

Chemical research on humans is approved to the dismay of environmentalists
Environmental groups responded with dismay Thursday to a report from a panel of government advisers that says it might be OK to test pesticides on people if the strictest care is taken.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13311.asp

Utilities to release cost information for future environment rules
American Electric Power and Cinergy Corp. agreed to environmentalist and shareholder demands to release pollution-reduction plans and cost estimates for complying with anticipated federal emissions regulations.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13313.asp

E.U.'s top environment official says differences with U.S. over biotech crops will persist
The dispute between the United States and the European Union about the safety of genetically modified food is not going away any time soon and will likely widen into a global debate, the E.U.'s top environment official said Thursday.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13317.asp

Obesity can't be solved at the individual level
Canada's Heart and Stroke Foundation recently warned that "fat is the new tobacco," a catchy way of saying something that health experts have been warning us about for years: Obesity is killing us.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13262.asp

Seven communities to receive U.N. prizes for fighting poverty, conserving environment
Seven tropical communities from around the world have been awarded prizes for their work to reduce poverty while conserving biological wealth, the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) announced on Thursday.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13314.asp

Australia battles locust swarms after drought
A massive outbreak of crop-eating locusts has been triggered by heavy rains that broke the worst Australian drought in a century to generate record crops and flood parts of the outback. It is the worst outbreak since up to 100 billion of the pests were spawned in December 2000.
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13304.asp

Nations pledge to do more to stop extinctions at biodiversity conference in Malaysia
Top environment officials from 100 countries vowed Thursday to curb the extinctions by 2010, warning that human activity is causing the planet's diversity of life to be "lost an at unprecedented rate."
http://www.enn.com/news/20-02-2004/s_13316.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

The Trust for Public Land:
Hassanamesitt Woods Protection Moves Forward (MA)

Earth Policy Institute:
U.S. Leading World Away From Cigarettes

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Extension of Dual-Fuel Loophole to Increase Oil Consumption by 40-100 Million Barrels over Next Four Years

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable:
White Paper on Pollution Prevention and Homeland Security Released

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable:
NEAS Early Registration Deadline on Friday

WWF-US Communications:
Landmark Toxics Treaty to Become Law

United Nations Environment Programme:
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to enter into force on 17 May 2004

American Rivers:
NEWS: Lower Columbia River communities, elected officials, to hold River Summit

Rainforest Action Network:
Wake Up Weyerhaeuser. Protect Forests Now.

The Trust for Public Land:
$4M Grant Approved for Ellwood Mesa (CA)

The Trust for Public Land:
Agreement Would Protect Hilltop Land (MA)

The Great Lakes Directory (http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org) is a comprehensive online resource highlighting environmental issues around the Great Lakes basin. The Directory contains daily environmental articles, a network of over 1,000 environmental groups, funding resources, free environmental software, nonprofit management resources, and a massive library of online Great Lakes environmental information.

Here are your weekly Great Lakes environmental jobs, events and news headlines from the Great Lakes Directoy. More headlines, action alerts, resources, grants, jobs, and free activist software at http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

From Jenny Tahtinen of the Environmental Association of Great Lakes Education (EAGLE).
http://www.Eagle-EcoSource.org

Check out the Great Lakes Directory's Issue Pages for information on your environmental concerns!
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org

How many children do you know who have asthma, learning disabilities, cancer or allergies?

The numbers of children with these health problems are increasing at an alarming rate. Research is showing that these increases are due in part to children's exposures to chemicals in the their environment and food.

The Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE) is seeking people interested in learning more about this important issue to be trained to educate communities throughout northern MN over the next year. A stipend will be paid for each session that you teach.
Please attend a free training session entitled: Protecting Children From Environmental Health Risks on March 6 from 1-4 at the Dewitt-Seitz Building in Duluth, Minnesota. For more information and to register, contact Janelle Sorensen, 612-722-5355, Janelle@EAGLE-EcoSource.org.

THIS WEEK'S GREAT LAKES HEADLINES:

02/19 - $1 million grant given to support freshwater studies
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/021904__great_lakes.htm

02/19 - Power plant draws ire of locals in Michigan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/021904_great_lakes.htm

02/19 - Lake Forest Beach to be tested for E. coli contamination
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/il/021904_great_lakes.htm

02/18 - Zebra mussels found in seven more Michigan lakes in 2003
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/021804_great_lakes.htm

02/18 - Nobody owns up to mystery spill in Ontario
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/021804_great_lakes.htm

02/18 - Comments requested for Clean Air Act changes by March 30
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/021804_great_lakes.htm

02/17 - Clean Water: Fund program to fix MN septic systems
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mn/021704_great_lakes.htm

02/17 - Cuts leave pollution program 'a paper tiger'
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/021704_great_lakes.htm

02/16 - Great Lakes groups oppose EPA policy
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/in/021604_great_lakes.htm

02/16 - MI sacrifices 12 million ash trees to contain exotic beetle
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/021604_great_lakes.htm

02/16 - Seagull droppings top source of beach bacteria, study finds
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/il/021604_great_lakes.htm

02/14 - Great Lakes United Habitat Watch #291
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/ny/021404_great_lakes.htm

02/13 - Open border to cattle, states and provinces urge
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/021304_great_lakes.htm

02/13 - Chicago harbor cleanup elusive
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/021304_great_lakes.htm

02/12 - Democrats address Clean Water Act, fault Bush's plan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/021403_environemental_job.htm

02/12 - Taft expresses concern about dredging plan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/021204_great_lakes.htm

02/12 - Proposed federal budget includes Great Lakes funds
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/il/021204_great_lakes.htm

For more information, go to http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL JOBS:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/jobs.htm

GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/events.htm
To subscribe and receive Great Lakes environmental news, action alerts, jobs and events in your email once a week: http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org

-----------------------------------------------
Jenny Tahtinen-
Great Lakes Directory / EAGLE
394 Lake Avenue South, Suite #222
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone:(218)726-1828
fax:(240)526-2670
Jenny@EAGLE-EcoSource.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITIZENS FOR LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT (www.legitgov.org) Launches B.Y.O.B., Bring Your Own (paper) Ballot, Campaign for “Election” 2004

Pittsburgh, PA; New York, NY; Bristol, CT: Feb. 7, 2004

CONTACT: Michael Rectenwald and Lori Price, clg_news@legitgov.org

CLG Founder and Honorary Chair, Michael D. Rectenwald, announced the CLG's inauguration of the B.Y.O.B., Bring Your Own (paper) Ballot, campaign. The group calls for voters in the 2004 presidential contest to print, fill-out, and notarize their own copy of the CLG paper ballot receipt, as a safeguard against known flaws and vulnerabilities of touch-screen voting and the recent history of discarding votes and overthrowing election results.

With the ruling against paper voting trails in touch-and-go touch-screen states like Florida, the coming national Presidential “election” for 2004 is in jeopardy. Touch-screen voting is notorious for many flaws and software vulnerabilities. Furthermore, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, Wally O’Dell, the CEO of Diebold, one of the leading suppliers of touch-screen voting machines, has pledged his support of G.W. Bush, held fund-raisers, and contributed greatly to his re-selection campaign.

Since America cannot afford a repeat of coup 2000, the CLG is designing a paper ballot receipt, and calling for all voters, of whatever political persuasion, to print and bring their own paper ballot receipts with them to the polls, and to retain them for verification purposes.

The CLG has begun the design of such a paper ballot receipt and will have it ready when the Democratic nominee and other candidates are in place. “It’s a sad statement for American electoral politics that we have to ask citizens to bring their own ballots to verify their votes, but given the abysmal history of this nation in discarding the democratic elections process, we feel such an action is in order,” said Lori Price, CLG General Manager.

The CLG is an admittedly anti-Bush group: "The Bush coup has eventuated a continuous onslaught of anti-democratic, anti-worker, anti-women, anti-majority, anti-environmental, anti-other-than-Big Business policies that have gravely eroded our personal rights, handed the nation's treasury over to Bush-friendly looters, ruined our economy, run up deficits, turned the US into imperialist conquistadors in Afghanistan and Iraq, rejected the world criminal court and the Kyoto protocol, and gravely injured our moral and political standing in the court of world opinion,” said Rectenwald. “But our main objective is a fair and legitimate election of a legitimate President.”

More information on the group's activities can be found on their website at www.legitgov.org.

CLG newsletter: signup@legitgov.org

You may view this press release at: http://www.legitgov.org/pressrelease_bring_your_own_ballot_020704.html

Bring Your Own Ballot Copyright © 2004, Citizens For Legitimate Government. All rights reserved.

Q & A with Dennis Kucinich
Fighting for recognition, finding an audience by Bill Frogameni

In 1977, 31-year-old Dennis Kucinich was elected the mayor of Cleveland. He was voted out after one term because he refused to sell the municipal power company to banking interests which, in turn, cut the city’s credit. His refusal to sell ultimately saved Cleveland hundreds of millions. With the new popularity this earned him in the ‘90s, Kucinich was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996. An unapologetic progressive, the Ohio congressman is perhaps the least visible of the remaining Democratic presidential contenders; however, his usual 1 percent of the vote recently increased to around 16 percent in Maine and 8 percent in Washington state. Most Toledoans know Kucinich as a strong critic of NAFTA and the Davis-Besse nuclear plant. Kucinich is the consummate outsider, but his tireless struggling is affecting the presidential race as we look forward to the Ohio primary on March 2.

Toledo City Paper: Your campaign’s been picking up. Do you think you have a chance of winning the nomination or are you hoping to force a brokered convention (one in which no candidate has enough delegates to claim the nomination, forcing the candidates to negotiate)?
Dennis Kucinich: (Full Story)

Kucinich makes case to enthused crowds
He's in nomination race to end, he says

By Jim Bebbington
Dayton Daily News
Thursday, February 19, 2004

DAYTON -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich vowed to stay in the campaign for president until next summer's Democratic convention and told Dayton-area voters Wednesday he is the only realistic opponent to Republican President Bush.

Kucinich, a four-term congressman and former Cleveland mayor, is only slightly daunted by having finished no higher than a distant third in the 16 Democratic primaries and caucuses held so far. To have some leverage during the convention, he said he must...(Full Story)

Kucinich: I could still be the nominee

By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OVER-THE-RHINE - On the same day Howard Dean ended his Democratic presidential campaign, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich - regarded by most political pundits as a long shot - vowed to stay in the race until the finish.

(Full Story)

ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/19/2004

The butterfly of utter blackness and other stories
A common Australian butterfly can literally trap light in its wings. Its sophisticated methods are now starting to be used by human engineers to make blacker-than-black colors, scientists report in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_12836.asp

Bush administration "distorts science," says report
Top scientists and environmentalists accused the Bush administration Wednesday of suppressing and distorting scientific findings that run counter to its own policies.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13266.asp

Kerry hailed as ally of the wider world on environment
Environmentalists fete John Kerry as a possible savior in a stalled battle against global warming if the Democratic front-runner topples U.S. President George W. Bush in the November election.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13269.asp

Yucca Mountain could leak nuclear waste, says scientist
The U.S. nuclear waste dump proposed for Nevada is poorly designed and could leak highly radioactive waste, said a scientist who recently resigned from a federal panel of experts on Yucca Mountain. Paul Craig, a physicist and engineering professor at the University of California-Davis, said Wednesday that he quit the panel last month so he could speak more freely about the waste dump's dangers.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13273.asp

California marine preserve remains off-limits to fishing
A judicial panel has rejected an attempt by the fishing industry to reopen waters around California's Channel Islands that were designated last year as one of the largest no-fishing zones in the country.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13272.asp

Rich countries must stump up for life on Earth, says Malaysia
Rich countries looking to stem the loss of plants and animals on Earth and to profit from their genes must stump up the money, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said on Wednesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13267.asp

U.S. extends carmakers' alternative fuel incentive
The Bush administration extended a controversial incentive Wednesday for automakers to produce vehicles that can burn either gasoline or alternative fuels.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13268.asp

Swiss study predicts scorching European summers
The heat wave that killed more than 10,000 people across Europe last summer is only a taste of things to come as the planet becomes steadily warmer, a Swiss expert predicted this week.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13271.asp

South Africa's badlands get a touch of green
South Africa's Cape Flats area is awash with drugs and violent gangs, but amid the despair is a window into the dusty landscape's former ecological glory.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-19/s_13265.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

The Heinz Center:
HEINZ CENTER ELECTS R. PHILIP HANES, JR., TO BOARD

California Certified Organic Farmers:
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation Helps Farmers "Going Organic"

World Society for the Protection of Animals:
Concerns grow over animals buried alive in mass graves

WWF-US Communications:
Indonesia to Protect Top Nesting Site for Critically Endangered Turtles

World Society for the Protection of Animals:
First of infamous Japanese bear parks to close in victory for animal groups

World Society for the Protection of Animals:
Bear rehabilitation proves effective

United Nations Environment Programme:
UNEP-WCMC Mapping Tool To Shed Light on World's Marine Turtles

The Trust for Public Land:
Hassanamesitt Woods Protection Moves Forward (MA)

WWF-US Communications:
Landmark Toxics Treaty to Become Law

Earth Policy Institute:
U.S. Leading World Away From Cigarettes

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Extension of Dual-Fuel Loophole to Increase Oil Consumption by 40-100 Million Barrels over Next Four Years

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable:
White Paper on Pollution Prevention and Homeland Security Released

United Nations Environment Programme:
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to enter into force on 17 May 2004

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable:
NEAS Early Registration Deadline on Friday

Underdog Dennis Kucinich brings his message to area
By JERRY GAULDING, News-Sun Assistant City Editor

YELLOW SPRINGS — "What better place than Yellow Springs to talk about a new message?"

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich made two stops Wednesday in this historic village, bringing his presidential campaign themes of peace and love to a {M6highly appreciative crowd of almost 200 supporters in front of the Epic Book Store and then addressing an assembly at Yellow Springs High School.

He also visited Dayton

The Cleveland Democrat is trying to stir up a big turnout in the March 2 Ohio presidential primary and create an upset that would remake the Democratic nomination landscape.

"Is Kucinich electable?" he asked the crowd at the bookstore. "I am if you vote for me."

The "new message" Kucinich hopes to send is for "a new role for America in the world,"...(Full Story)

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0204-11.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 4, 2004
12:14 PM
CONTACT: People For the American Way
Laurie Boeder 202-467-4999
Carrie Boron 202-822-6070
Michelle Woolley 202-263-2881
Evelyn Becker 202.973.3020
Greg Moore, 202-898-0969
Kerri Glover, 202-547-1141
Mark Sokolove, 202-454-4573
Colleen McCabe, 212-261-4729


Public Interest Groups Challenge FEC Threat to Public Debate


WASHINGTON - February 4 - An unprecedented collection of 324 national, state, and local environmental, civil rights, civil liberties, women's rights, public health, social welfare, senior, religious, and social justice organizations today urged the Federal Election Commission to reject an FEC General Counsel draft advisory opinion that could severely restrict the ability of nonprofit organizations to communicate with the public about important policy issues. The FEC is scheduled to consider the opinion at its meeting this Thursday, February 5. (For a copy of the letter and the draft advisory opinion, see www.pfaw.org/go/FEC_Advisory_Opinion.)

It could be virtually impossible for groups other than federal PACs to criticize or commend members of Congress or President Bush for anything they say or do if the commissioners approve the draft opinion's assertion that any communication that "promotes, supports, attacks, or opposes" any federal candidate must be paid for using funds raised under the restrictions of the federal election laws. According to the organizations' letter of concern, the draft advisory opinion could allow the FEC to regulate and potentially stifle debate on public policy issues, granting the agency a level of power that far exceeds the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) as well as the express advocacy test upheld by the Supreme Court.

For example, the opinion, as drafted, could put unprecedented restrictions on spending for:

o A web site that criticizes funding cuts contained in the budget recently transmitted to Congress by President Bush;

o An awards dinner honoring Senator Feingold for his support of campaign finance reform;

o A newsletter article that lists members of Congress who have co-sponsored legislation supported by an organization;

o A fundraising appeal from organizations that seeks to oppose Bush administration policies toward the environment.

"Making it unlawful to criticize the policies and actions of a sitting President or Members of Congress except under the auspices of a registered political committee is one of the most fundamental attacks on the freedom of speech and freedom of association of American citizens ever contemplated by a government agency," says the public interest organizations' comments.

Alarmed by the draft opinion's far-reaching potential to limit public debate on issues, restrict the ability of advocacy organizations to criticize public officials, undermine voter registration activities, and severely limit charitable groups' fundraising activities, the public interest organizations "urge the Commission, with the greatest sense of urgency and in the strongest terms possible, not to issue the draft opinion in its present form."

Attorneys available for comment:

Mike Trister and Holly Schadler, Lichtman, Trister & Ross, 202-328-1666

Gail Harmon and Elizabeth Kingsley, Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP, 202-328-3500

Organization media contacts:

People For the American Way: Laurie Boeder 202-467-4999

Alliance for Justice: Carrie Boron 202-822-6070

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights: Michelle Woolley 202-263-2881

NARAL Pro-choice America: Evelyn Becker 202.973.3020

NAACP National Voter Fund: Greg Moore, 202-898-0969

Sierra Club: Kerri Glover, 202-547-1141

League of Conservation Voters: Mark Sokolove, 202-454-4573

Planned Parenthood Federation of America: Colleen McCabe, 212-261-4729

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http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0204-12.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 4, 2004
3:36 PM
CONTACT: Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Nancy Talanian 413-582-0110

New York City Joins 250 Communities Upholding Civil Rights and Liberties, Denouncing Parts of Patriot Act


WASHINGTON - February 4 - Today the Council of the City of New York approved a resolution denouncing parts of the Patriot Act and affirming that “security measures [must] enhance the public safety without impairing constitutional rights or infringing on civil liberties.” The resolution makes New York the 251st ‘civil liberties safe zone,’ and raises the zones’ population to 43 million nationwide, according to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, which tracks the movement and encourages communities to join in a national debate on these issues. Four of the country’s five most populous cities—New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia—are now ‘safe zones,’ along with the states of Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont.

Nancy Talanian, BORDC’s director, says, “Our country is indebted to New York’s City Council for demonstrating true patriotism by courageously upholding the Bill of Rights. Their vote sends a strong message to Washington and our whole nation that the tragic attacks of September 11th were not a signal for the United States to abandon the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.”

The groundswell of support for amending the Patriot Act received two major boosts last week. On Monday, federal judge Audrey Collins handed down a ruling that part of the Act is unconstitutional. On Tuesday, one of the Act’s leading authors, Georgetown Law Professor Viet Dinh, said that he supports modifications.

Nevertheless, the Bush Administration remains staunchly opposed to any amendments. Last Wednesday, Attorney General John Ashcroft sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch regarding S.1709, the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003 (SAFE Act), which is among several congressional initiatives to amend the Patriot Act that has bipartisan support. The letter urges the Senate to vote against the SAFE Act and warns that “if S.1709 is presented in its current form to the President, the President’s senior advisors will recommend that it be vetoed.”

New York’s resolution recognizes the city’s diversity and denounces policies that target city residents “who appear to be Arab, Muslim or of South Asian descent.” The council opposes federal requests requiring city agencies to violate federal or state laws, including the United States Constitution.

The New York City Bill of Rights Defense Campaign began as a small group in Brooklyn and grew to a citywide nonpartisan coalition of 92 member groups and hundreds of members, according to Glenn C. Devitt, the Campaign’s Chair. A majority of the city’s representatives in Congress signed a letter urging Council Speaker Gifford Miller to support the resolution.

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http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0204-14.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 4, 2004
6:11 PM
CONTACT: Human Rights Watch
Newsroom: 212-290-4700

U.S.: Budget Proposal Shortchanges Labor Rights


NEW YORK - February 4 - The Bush administration's budget proposal slashed funding for programs designed to promote workers' human rights in developing countries, Human Rights Watch said today.

U.S. President George W. Bush's proposed budget would endanger labor rights monitoring and enforcement, programs to eliminate child labor, worker education projects and workplace HIV/AIDS initiatives around the world.

The budget would also undercut the Bush administration's promise to promote workers' rights under the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Bush administration has stated that its "strategy on worker rights" in CAFTA would "establish a cooperative program to improve labor laws and enforcement and build the capacity of Central American nations to monitor and enforce labor rights."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, however, the budget for fiscal year 2005 proposes only $18 million for international labor rights programs, an 82 percent drop from the $99.5 million Congress appropriated for the current fiscal year.

"The Bush administration tries to talk a good game on protecting workers' human rights," said Carol Pier, labor rights and trade researcher for Human Rights Watch. "But the paltry sum it seeks for international labor rights programs tells a different story."

CAFTA, whose text was made public on January 28, was recently negotiated among the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It has yet to come to a vote in the countries' legislative branches.

If CAFTA passes, full funding of its "strategy on worker rights" would depend largely on the U.S. Congress's willingness to transfer money from elsewhere in the 2005 budget. The recently awarded U.S. grant of $6.75 million to strengthen Central America's labor systems, or roughly $1.7 million a year for four years, hardly offsets the labor rights aid that Central American countries could lose under the proposed budget.

This is not the first time the Bush administration's budget proposals have shown a lack of commitment to strengthening workers' rights around the world. Last year, for example, its proposed 2004 budget sought only $12 million for the Department of Labor's international technical assistance programs. Congress, however, ultimately appropriated an additional $87.5 million. Nevertheless, the total $99.5 million reflected a 26 percent decrease from the 2003 budget. Moreover, it included a dramatic 93 percent decrease-from $37 million to $2.5 million-for bilateral and multilateral activities designed to help resource- strapped nations improve respect for a range of workers' human rights.

"The administration's budget proposal is just one more example of its willingness to shortchange workers' rights in its free trade strategy," said Pier. "Congress should reject such a cynical and shortsighted approach."

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http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0205-07.htm

* JEANNETTE HASSBERG, warandlaw@yahoo.com, www.warandlaw.homestead.com
Hassberg works with the War and Law League which, with the San Francisco Examiner, has conducted a presidential candidate survey regarding war-making powers. While the Constitution gives to Congress the power to declare war, no war has been declared since World War II. Among the candidates responding: John Edwards and John Kerry say that a president may initiate military action. Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton say only Congress may make such a decision. Any presidential use of nuclear weapons is illegal according to Kucinich and Sharpton; the other candidates do not reject it under all circumstances. Only Kerry sees implicit authority for a president to end a treaty. Edwards and Kerry, who both voted for Congress's October 2002 resolution on the use of armed force against Iraq, believe that the invasion of Iraq has been lawful. Kucinich (who voted against it) and Sharpton disagree. Wesley Clark and Howard Dean did not respond. A number of legal scholars are available for interviews through the War and Law League.

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