Everybody Knows with Dr. Bob and Dan-o

On March 31, 2003, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and U.K. Home Secretary David Blunkett signed a new treaty providing for extradition between the two countries of persons accused of crimes. The new treaty, which has yet to be ratified by the U.S. Senate, marks an unprecedented departure from two centuries of American extradition practice. America has always been a refuge for those fleeing tyranny overseas, and a "political offense exception" to extradition has been an essential element of every one of our extradition treaties since Thomas Jefferson refused extradition of an opponent of the French Revolution.

New Plan for Government Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Cuts Persian Gulf Oil Imports in Half. "The Apollo Project" is a 10-point plan for energy independence proposed by A HISTORIC COALITION of labor unions, environmentalists, and peace advocates. If adopted by our government it would:

* Create three million jobs
* Protect the environment
* Improve public health
* Cost $30 billion/year for 10 years (7% of the Pentagon budget)

To send a message to all the PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES urging them to support this plan, just click "Reply" and then "Send." If you are not currently registered with TrueMajority or you would like to customize your message, click here:

www.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=98401&l=42

On June 19th, we had our first big victory in the fight to overturn the FCC's decision to weaken media ownership rules when the Senate Commerce Committee approved a bi-partisan proposal that we support, S. 1046, that would reinstate the previous limit on how many TV stations a media giant can own. The committee also approved, with minor changes, an amendment reinstating the ban on cross-ownership between the dominant newspaper and television station in most markets.

This happened in part because of the public outcry over the FCC's decision and the large number of people contacting the FCC and their U.S. Senators.

I will keep you informed of where this legislation stands in the Senate, but for now the focus shifts to the U.S. House.

The powerful chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA), still supports the FCC decision. After the Senate committee vote, Bloomberg News reported that Rep. Tauzin had vowed to "kill" the Senate bill if it were sent over to the House. Despite over 146 sponsors for the House version of the Senate bill, HR 2052, Rep. Tauzin has blocked its consideration in his committee.

Dear Arab Americans of Central Ohio, CAIR-Ohio, and other community activists:

Hiba Nasser (of CAIR-Ohio & Muslim Women's Network) brought to the attention of community activists that the Arab-American Civil Rights Association (in Michigan) is organizing a march to protest Meijer's violation of civil rights of Arab people in Westland, Michigan (see below). Please boycott Meijer in solidarity with the Arab-American Civil Rights Association (Westland, MI) and let Meijer know that you are boycotting it until it stops its discrimination against Arab people. You can call 1-800-543-3704 (toll-free) to let Meijer know about your opinion (Meijer's contact information is listed at -- if you are a journalist, please check as well). Tell Meijer that you stand by the Arab-American Civil Rights Association, that you will not tolerate anti-Arab discrimination by Meijer, and that you will not patronize Meijer until it stops its anti-Arab practice.

***** MICHIGAN MUSLIMS PLAN MEIJER DEMO

National Director of non-profit voter registration and empowerment organization needs self-starting administrative assistant. Tasks include: scheduling appointments, manage donor database, coordinate mass mailings, correspondence, and Web page upkeep. Salary low 20s, free parking, benefits.

Please email resume to pvnatasst@acorn.org or fax it to (614)523-2720.

Power plant pollution is taking an enormous toll on public health and the environment. But the Bush administration's so-called "Clear Skies Initiative" would do more for powerful utilities than public health. Despite the name, the proposal relaxes key provisions of the Clean Air Act, including its mercury protections, and would worsen global warming.

Earlier this year, thousands of people responded to our e-mail on this issue in support of cleaner air, but now I need your help again.

The Clear Skies bill is expected to come up soon either in a Senate subcommittee or directly on the Senate floor. Please take a moment to urge your U.S. Senators to oppose the White House's Clear Skies proposal. Then, ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

Take action: www.pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=9&id4=OHFreep

To send free faxes to your Senators and Representative, urging them to ensure that low-income parents receive a $400-per-child tax refund just like wealthier parents just click this link and then follow the instructions.

www.truemajority.com/index.asp?action=10021&ms=txcrt3

So here is the scene: A handful of Republican leaders from the House and Senate were holed up in a conference one weekend trying to hammer out the final details of the tax cut, but they've got a problem. They'd like to give more money to millionaires, but were bound by a pledge to cap the tax cuts at $350 billion.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to vote next week on a proposal to weaken rules that protect the public from media monopolies – even though it hasn't released the proposal publicly. From the details that have emerged, this proposal would weaken rules governing how many TV stations one company can own, and may even permit a company to own newspapers and television stations in the same local market. This would allow a few huge conglomerates to monopolize what we see, hear and read in the media.

Please take a moment to tell the FCC and your members of Congress that you oppose the FCC's proposal to deregulate media ownership rules. Then, forward the informationto your family and friends.

Take action now: pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=467&id4=OHFreep

Background:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already deregulated radio, where the massive Clear Channel now owns at least 1200 stations, including multiple stations in the same markets. Now the FCC has scheduled a vote for Monday, June 2, to deregulate television as well.

Some politicians are still attempting to use last summer's forest fires for political advantage. Two House committees have approved a harmful anti-forests bill sponsored by Rep. Scott McInnis (Colo.) and Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.) that will provide more help to powerful timber companies than to communities at risk from fires. The bill is expected to go before the full House soon.

Please take a moment to ask your representative to oppose the McInnis-Walden logging bill, misleadingly named the "Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003." Ask your representative to instead support the alternative sponsored by Rep. George Miller (Calif.).

http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=11&id4=OHFreep