Minneapolis Watchdog Blog

The Minneapolis Watchdog provides news and information for Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the entire state of Minnesota. It has no connection to The Watchdog newspaper.


Friday, September 30, 2005

GOP Leader Tom DeLay Indicted, Exits Majority Leader Post

GOP Leader Tom DeLay Indicted, Exits Majority Leader Post Just One Day After Consultants Tied to His Ally Abramoff Were Charged With Murder; U.S. Politics Today Offers Extended News Coverage

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Just one day after consultants tied to DeLay ally Jack Abramoff had been charged with murder, the majority leader himself was indicted by a Texas grand jury on allegations he conspired to misuse campaign donations.

Under House Republican rules, Tom DeLay was forced to step down.

Covering all aspects of America's political scene, U.S. Politics Today offers its readers extended media coverage. See:

  -- Comprehensive News Coverage on Tom DeLay -      http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/news/TomDeLay/pr    -- Human Edited News Coverage on Tom DeLay  -    http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/archive.php?section=tomdelay    -- Jack Abramoff News -    http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/news/JackAbramoff/pr    -- News on Corruption in U.S. -    http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/news/US-Corruption/pr        About U.S. Politics Today, http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/pr    

Indexing thousands of articles from over 4,000 news sources, U.S. Politics Today provides the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute information available on the web regarding U.S. politics.

U.S. Politics Today is a resource for political professionals and tracks the latest news about every member of Congress, every member of the Bush cabinet and inner circle, every federal agency, every governor, the political happenings in every state, the most important campaigns and campaign issues, and much more.

Unlike Google News, U.S. Politics Today focuses on pre-set newsfeeds edited by a team of experienced editors. It is published by the IPD Group which specializes in media monitoring services.

About the IPD Group, Inc., http://www.ipdgroup.com/pr

The Washington, DC-based IPD Group, Inc. provides niche-focused Internet data mining and searching tools to corporations, institutions, and professional individuals. The company makes online research more convenient, rapid and affordable.

The IPD Group's media monitoring and newsletter services are designed as alternatives to high cost services such as Lexis-Nexis and Factiva.

"Google offers a form of free news," says David Rothstein, CEO of the IPD Group. "On the other end of the spectrum, companies such as Lexis-Nexis charge thousands of dollars a year. We fit well in the niche-market data-mining space used by professionals."

  The IPD Group's publications include:    -- EIN News - http://www.einnews.com/pr    -- U.S. Politics Today - http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/pr    -- EU Politics Today - http://www.eupoliticstoday.com/pr    -- Healthcare Industry Today - http://www.healthcareindustrytoday.com/pr    -- Music Industry Today - http://www.musicindustrytoday.com/pr    -- The Inbox Robot - http://www.inboxrobot.com/pr    

Source: IPD Group, Inc.

CONTACT: David Rothstein of IPD Group, Inc., +1-202-318-8905,
www.ipdgroup.com/feedback.php

Web site: http://www.ipdgroup.com/
http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/

Related Links

To see more releases from IPD Group, Inc., Click Here

This company's web site http://www.ipdgroup.com/

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Don Samuels Restraining Order

This is indeed a strange occurrence. Apparently, Don Samuels "the Alpha male" may be a bit to assertive in his zeal for command. Assaulting a man of god and crying out that "god sent me!" This guy is a real hoot! I now understand why there is an abandoned building next door and a crack house at my other next door. Don's gang either can't take the turf, or has and is simply indistinguishable from the old gangs. Red shirts, white shirts, whatever. Get them and their unusually large bottles of cheap malt liquor wrapped in brown paper off my front step!
 
 
Taylor Swartwood - Watchdog Assistant Editor
 
 

American Lung Association of Minnesota Hails New Biodiesel Requirement

American Lung Association of Minnesota Hails New Biodiesel Requirement

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association of Minnesota, a longtime promoter of cleaner-burning vehicles and fuels, today hailed the start of Minnesota's first-in-the-nation biodiesel mandate. Effective September 29, 2005, most diesel fuel sold in the state will be a "B2" biodiesel blend that contains two percent renewable fuel derived from vegetable (usually soy) oils or animal fats.

On September 29, Governor Tim Pawlenty, the American Lung Association of Minnesota and others will celebrate "The Launch of B2" at a 10:30 a.m. public ceremony at a school bus garage at 1145 Medallion Drive in Mendota Heights, Minn. The Governor also plans press conferences the same day in Albert Lea, Brewster and Moorhead.

"Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that significantly reduces harmful tailpipe emissions," said Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. "We applaud lawmakers for taking this proactive step toward cleaner air and reduced dependence on petroleum imports."

With the increased availability of biodiesel in Minnesota, more fleets and individual consumers are now using higher blends like B5, B10 and B20. For more on biodiesel and other cleaner burning fuels, visit http://www.cleanairchoice.org/ .

Source: American Lung Association of Minnesota

CONTACT: Robert Moffitt of American Lung Association of Minnesota,
+1-651-269-7561

Web site: http://www.cleanairchoice.org/

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Tribune Company to Appeal Tax Court Ruling

Tribune Company to Appeal Tax Court Ruling

CHICAGO, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) said today it will immediately appeal a United States Tax Court ruling issued late this afternoon disallowing the 1998 tax-free reorganization of Matthew Bender, a former subsidiary of The Times Mirror Company. Tribune acquired Times Mirror in June 2000, and inherited the preexisting tax dispute at that time.

"We are disappointed by the court's ruling," said Crane Kenney, Tribune's general counsel. "We look forward to our appeal in the Seventh Circuit."

The exact amount of the tax deficiency has yet to be determined, but is estimated to be in the $1 billion range for both the Matthew Bender transaction and a similar transaction completed by Times Mirror in the same year. Over time, deductions for state taxes and interest will reduce the net cash outlay to approximately $850 million. The company's current reserves connected to the litigation total approximately $250 million. The company intends to pay the tax promptly through the issuance of commercial paper.

These tax issues are covered by purchase accounting related to the Times Mirror acquisition. On a preliminary basis the company anticipates that approximately $500 million will be added to goodwill on Tribune's balance sheet and that approximately $125 million (after taxes) will be charged to the company's income statement in the third quarter.

CONFERENCE CALL/WEBCAST

The company will conduct a conference call tomorrow, Sept. 28 at 8 a.m. CT (9 am ET, 6 am PT) to discuss the Tax Court ruling and accounting issues. To access the call, dial 877/847-0401 (domestic) or 706/679-5349 (international). The conference ID number is 1150528. Replays of the conference call will be available from Sept. 28 through Oct. 5. To hear the replay, dial 800/642-1687 (domestic) or 706/645-9291 (international). The access code for the replay is 1150528.

A live webcast will be accessible through http://www.tribune.com/ and through CCBN at http://www.ccbn.com/. An archive of the webcast will be available from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.

TRIBUNE (NYSE:TRB) is one of the country's top media companies, operating businesses in publishing and broadcasting. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media organization with newspapers, television stations, and websites in the nation's top three markets. In publishing, Tribune operates 11 leading daily newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Newsday, plus a wide range of targeted publications such as Spanish-language Hoy. The company's broadcasting group operates 26 television stations, Superstation WGN on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

This press release contains certain comments or forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company's current expectations and are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. Such comments and statements should be understood in the context of Tribune's publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the most current annual 10-K report and quarterly 10-Q report, which contain a discussion of various factors that may affect the Company's business or financial results. Any of these factors could cause actual future performance to differ materially from current expectations. Tribune Company is not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers. The Company's next 10-Q report to be filed with the SEC may contain updates to the information included in this release.

Source: Tribune Company

CONTACT: Media: Gary Weitman, +1-312-222-3394 office,
Fax: +1-312-222-1573,
gweitman@tribune.com, Investor: Ruthellyn Musil,
+1-312-222-3787 office, Fax: +1-312-222-1573,
rmusil@tribune.com

Web site: http://www.tribune.com/

"I'm a Uniter, Not a Divider"

 September 2, 2005  

Most of the dinner preparations have been finished, so we gathered on the porch to sip almost frozen Kangaroo's that Schuyler had made with good vodka and vermouth. Yes, fall is here but we can still sit on the porch and remain quite comfortable. Barry said that he found Bolton revolten. But that he found Bush even more so, since Bush trumpeted to all the world that this term he would listen to foreign leaders more, that he would be more of a team player, and that he recognized how much he needed the United Nations. He even proclaimed that he knew how valuable their assistance could have been in Iraq. And then, like a true Bush, he turned around and defied Congress to get John Bolton, the arch enemy of the United Nations, appointed UN ambassador.

How little of him to have let his Rottweiller Rice whisper that ambassadorship into his pointy little ears. Don't you think there are a few decent men Bush could have chosen from, other than Bolton Revolten? Well, Liz told Barry, no, the Bush's don't consort with decent folk. They wouldn't know one if they ran into one head on. Barry agreed with her, and said that as usual, Bush's actions were like whizzing in the face of all the other world leaders. Taking a whiz in their faces seems to be a trait peculiar to the Bush's, just look at Bush's pathetic comments to Blair as regards gratitude and quid pro quo.

Liz thought both Bolton and Bush could have been slightly better men had they paid attention to what Confucius wrote, as it applies equally to both these little men: "To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue: gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness." Elizabeth said she thought the latter, kindness, is one of the better traits and the one most lacking in Bolton and Bush. Bolton for his contempt for those who work under him, and Bush for the disdain he is showing for Blair's friendship and support, and for his utter disdain for Congress. Lastly, Liz said, that walrus mustache may go over big in the cedar thickets of Crawford, but really, on a diplomat who is the face of the United States?

The World Finds Bush/Bolton Revolten
Everybody was warned, and my saint, Saint Barbara Boxer, warned us. Bolton, poor white trash like his patron, has insulted the entire world. Every country that belongs to the United Nations, has taken affront at his heavy-handed ways and arrogance, and has seriously angered Britain and Blair. If we weren't hated enough before this uliginous appointment, we are now. No doubt about it. Are we safer? Do mushy cow patties smell delicious? No, they're revolten.

A worldwide summit was to take place at the UN between September 14-16, and just a few weeks before the summit, the newly entrenched walrus-mustached Satan is requiring that all delegates agree to, of only 36 pages of a draft for a UN plan, to make 750 changes. Sweet as Bush, that quakebottock.

Max and Charlotte's Dinner
Ah, the dinner gong! It couldn't have come at a better moment. Adults and children both, we were ready to go to the dinner tables. Already waiting for us as we sat down, were little ramekins Charlotte had filled with polenta and a medley of mushrooms. She invariably makes these little dishes that whet our appetite. Our next course was a very satisfying Shrimp and Crab Gumbo we paired with a rich Chardonnay. We served very small bowls of the gumbo, but it could also have been served in such a way as to make up the greater part of our meal. Max is a genius at preparing his part of our dinners over a period of days, so he is always calm and ready when it comes to serving his dishes. Tonight, he served Roasted Free-Range Chicken with Grapes and Chestnuts. Max and Charlotte brought some white Burgundy to serve with the chicken. For the vegetables, Max had prepared Caramelized Glazed Carrots and Roasted Butternut Squash. Together with the chicken and vegetables, Max served some Irish Oatmeal Bread he had just baked. Elizabeth served small dollops of quince sorbet, and then a pasta shell salad with garlic bread crumbs. For the salad, she knew a Pinot Grigio would be the best choice.

Winding Down
We thought we would have our dessert in the great room with the children. It was not a heavy dessert, Chestnut and Cream Purée, which we served with a late harvest Riesling. After some strong decaf after-dinner coffee, the older children who didn't have a lot of homework to finish helped us clean up, and everybody left, fully satisfied with a good dinner. We enjoy sitting with the kids after dinner, and only wish that the large dining room were even bigger so we could all dine together, but for an old farm house, it's still a pretty large room if you consider that we seat 24 people every night!

©Copyright 2005 Grindstaff Chronicles. All Rights Reserved.

================================================

Reprinted from The Grindstaff Chronicles Newsletter which is published in the USA by farmers, ranchers, and neighbors.

It is intended to share the thoughts and lifestyle of people who work hard, like to relax and enjoy life, and are often dismayed by news, politics, and the events of the day that defy common sense.

http://www.GrindstaffChronicles.com

================================================

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

In Our Crusade, We're Going to Snuff you Helter-Skelter

September 1, 2005
 

In Our Crusade, We're Going to Snuff you Helter-Skelter
The neocons: " We're going to blow you to smithereens, military, civilians, men, women and children, infirm, aged or newborn, and even in-utero; you name it, we're going to Shock and Awe you, thousands and thousands of you, all in the name of Jesus, our Crusade, and our safety. We're going to unleash nuclear bunker-busters on you and unleash as much depleted uranium on you as possible so that you and your progeny will suffer its debilitating effects for generations to come. The lord be praised."

The Bush administration is the biggest monkey-wrench in the struggle to get the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to mean something. They're also trying to get ever more lethal cluster bombs and bunker busters.

Senator Dianne Feinstein has criticized the Senate for approving the bunker-buster nuclear bombs, saying: "In essence, these policies encourage other nations to develop their own nuclear weapons thereby putting American lives and our national security interests at risk. We are telling the world, when it comes to nuclear weapons, do as we say, not as we do."

So while the United States is moving to be ever more lethal and destructive, the rest of the world will be attending a conference that deserves the world's praise, the Jane's Defense 8th Annual Less-Lethal Weapons 2005 Conference, held in the United Kingdom on October 26-27, 2005. Funny, but when I read the roster of the attendees, I couldn't find the name of even a single attendee from the United States of any importance or influence. Yes, a couple of American universities are sending people, but Bush government? Yeah, sure! Jeez, this administration never read the part of the Bible they quote ad nauseam about Thou Shalt Not Kill. Liz wishes Georgie Boy would have these words read to him, that Golda Meir wrote: "There's no difference between one's killing and making decisions that will send others to kill. It's exactly the same thing, or even worse." Especially when you send young men and women to kill and be killed because you had a hissy fit and just stomped your little feet on the floor and pouted your way into a war of choice. While discussing this, we were sipping tall Highballs, enjoying the fact that the highball glasses were chock-full with ice, although the weather has certainly cooled off considerably.

Again, Max, Charlotte and Elizabeth Cook a Banquet
We were promised an extra special dinner tonight and were anxious to go to the dining room to see what the gang had put together. When we sat down, we were presented with tiny plates of sliced artichoke hearts with a frothy goat cheese spuma made with a special foamer. Charlotte enjoys making these little "amuse-bouches" and we enjoy each of her surprises. Next, she served us a cold Crab, Avocado and Lime soup. Because it is a rich, thick soup, it merited creamy Chardonnay, and she chose a Marlborough Chardonnay from New Zealand. Elizabeth prepared Pan-seared Salmon with Pearl Onions and Chanterelles she paired with a Pinot Noir. After palate-cleansing dollops of raspberry sorbet, Max served us his incredible Beef Daube Arlésienne which of course, is always cooked with plenty of vegetables. Max thought a rosé would go well with this comfort-food, and served a good Provençal wine, a Bandol. Charlotte thought a small salad would be a great finish for our meal, and she brought out small plates of Frisée with Walnuts and Roquefort that she served with a Washington State fruity but dry Riesling. Elizabeth served us a Fig and Ricotta Tart and poured us some beautifully chilled Champagne.

Winding Down
We next went back to the great room to have our after-dinner coffee and sit with the children for a while. The children were talking about how fortunate we all were since we didn't lose any foals or calves this year, and the mares and the cows all had easy deliveries. Now, if only our government were as healthy! After putting sweaters on the youngest children, the crowd separated and went home.

©Copyright 2005 Grindstaff Chronicles. All Rights Reserved.
================================================
Reprinted from The Grindstaff Chronicles Newsletter which
is published in the USA by farmers, ranchers, and neighbors.

It is intended to share the thoughts and lifestyle of people
who work hard, like to relax and enjoy life, and are often
dismayed by news, politics, and the events of the day
that defy common sense.
http://www.GrindstaffChronicles.com
================================================


 

Monday, September 26, 2005

School Boards Raise Property Taxes Against The Public Will

School Boards Raise Property Taxes Against The Public Will
 
Financing substandard education is about to get more expensive, and the educational establishment insists that only way to "help" will be to steal at least 18% more money in property taxes than they did last year.
 
In a recent survey conducted by the Minnesota School Boards Association, (a completely unbiased group of people simply trying to save their own skins from embarrassing past digressions that might put them on the defendants stand in a federal court of law,) showed that 78 of Minnesota's 300 plus school districts are going to their voters for more money in November. Some schools in the Twin Cities will be having referendums such as Hopkins, Columbia Heights, Brooklyn Center, Eagan, Wayzata, Richfield, Apple Valley, St. Anthony and New Brighton.
 
Many School Boards statewide are passing tax-increases, and legislators voted schools an extra $800 million in funds for this year and the next year too. However, $139 million of that $800 million will most likely end up in the paws of local legends of poor money-handling skills, the Local School Boards. These fabulous harbingers of poverty, stupidity, and misery can ever suck more from the lifeblood of the community by boosting local property taxes, preferably without voter participation. Many of the School Boards are taking the cash even though they are aware that it will harm their citizens, cause lost homes, divorce, suicide, binge drinking and suicidal depression for the victims of their policy.
 
St. Paul schools just recently approved a 22 percent education tax increase for next year. The Minneapolis school board is working on a proposed tax increase that would raise property taxes by 10%. Or about another $11 million paid out by residents of Minneapolis to their School Board for the maintenance of semi-demilitarize zones called schools, where if you show up alive you win an A+, "good classroom participation Billy, he only shot your groin, you're gonna be A-OK!"
 
Frightened that residents might get sticker shock and attempt to resist the gigantic tax feeding-frenzy underway, legislators and districts are  crouching down low, so as not be seen quite yet. Meanwhile steering clear of  any tax increases that require voter approval.
 
Smart tactics in the Guerilla War between those that pay and those that  spend.
 
Taylor Swartwood - Watchdog Assistant Editor - Blog

Sunday, September 25, 2005

The U.S. Sold Down the Yangtze River

Have you ever tried an ice cold Torpedo? When the temperature is hovering around 70 degrees and you've worked hard all day long, these really help you relax and get ready for dinner. Schuyler really knows how to whip these up and uses very good cognac.

Jim, Carmen's husband, asked us if we remembered the days during the debates leading to Bush's first election, when he kept harping on how wonderfully well he had managed Texas' world-class economy. Well, Jim said, what Bush left out and half the country ignored was that in almost every category, he left Texas ranking at or around the bottom 50 of all the states, except perhaps in unmarried teen-age pregnancies, where Texas is right around number one in the nation. Nice legacy Dubya! Anyway, Jim pointed out, that should have alerted the U.S. to the fact that Mummy and Daddy's little spoiled boy doesn't know diddly squat about managing money. He never had to learn how, he could always be bailed out. Jim pointed out how recklessly Crawford's toxic cowboy has mismanaged the treasure of the United States. Basically, he's sold us down the river. The Yangtze River. The Chinese are now holding so much in U.S. debt, they practically own us, and mostly because Georgie Porgie just had to have his little war, that wasn't going to cost us much, and the one where every entering American soldier was going to be smothered with flowers. The Chinese, as I've said before, for a while were trying to strong-arm their way into the American petroleum industry.

We had talked previously about our misgivings about being so in debt to the Chinese, and now those fears are being realized. The Wacko from Waco doesn't want the Chinese to buy an American oil giant, and the Chinese, who have already bought El Wacko, had threatened him not to interfere. The Chinese, to whom Wacko in Chief sold us, have told the U.S. Congress to stop meddling in their affairs, and of course, the ugly truth is they're holding all the aces and can indeed warn Washington to back off and stop interfering in their business. True, they backed away from the takeover, but that's not what matters. What matters is that Bush doesn't understand how he's sold us to China. Now, Jim said, you can see what a spoiled brat can do when he's let loose in the world and doesn't have any common sense. Bush has failed to see that China is not only leading Asia, in economic power and influence, but China is also forming formidable bonds with the EU and Latin America, leaving the Bushies and the neocons, where? If Bush is so religious, why isn't he heeding this verse Liz read to us from Ecclesiastes 18:33 "Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on."

Called to Our Communally Prepared Feast
With the children in the small dining room, we proceeded to the large dining room to sit down to Shelley's pissaladières made with puff pastry, anchovies and black olives. She paired this with a superb Loire Valley Sancerre. Thanks to Art and Terry's fresh produce, we next had a Spring Vegetable Soup which they served with a Pinot Blanc with a medium-body. Max and Shelley combined their efforts to make Pan-seared Prawns with a hot chorizo butter and the Spanish paprika known as pimentón. The best wine for this dish would be a Rosé, and Shelley brought a Rhône Valley Grenache which paired beautifully with the heat of this dish.

After a palate cleanser of Key Lime sorbet, Shelley and Cathy served Braised Short Ribs with Redeye Gravy and paired them with a smoky Shiraz full of plum notes. This dish can be made a day or two before serving, which makes it perfect for the way we live and dine together. With the ribs, they served Provençal Stuffed Zucchini and Haricots Verts with goat cheese (of course, from Art and Terry's farm.) Cathy's Strawberry and Elderberry Tart, with espresso, finished the meal and everybody left quite satisfied, but not before Liz quoted Hegel, to give us something to think about Dubya, "What experience and history teach is this - that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it".

Back to School
With the kids back in school, the cleaning up is once again completely up to us, except on those nights when some of the kids haven't a lot of homework and still want to earn a little spending money. Their help is very much appreciated.

©Copyright 2005 Grindstaff Chronicles. All Rights Reserved.
================================================
Reprinted from The Grindstaff Chronicles Newsletter which
is published in the USA by farmers, ranchers, and neighbors.

It is intended to share the thoughts and lifestyle of people
who work hard, like to relax and enjoy life, and are often
dismayed by news, politics, and the events of the day
that defy common sense.
http://www.GrindstaffChronicles.com
================================================

Saturday, September 24, 2005

White supremacist runs for Minneapolis council

 

White supremacist runs for Minneapolis council
Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription) - MN,USA
... and that "since the 1960s, the government has gone against white people.". He would pursue passage of an ordinance allowing the Minneapolis Police Department to ...

Officials announce clean air settlement with Cargill
In-Forum (subscription) - Fargo,ND,USA
... Under the settlement, the Minneapolis-based food and agricultural products company has ... The government had filed a lawsuit in Minnesota alleging that Cargill ...

Officials announce clean air settlement with Cargill
San Jose Mercury News - United States
In addition, the Minneapolis-based company has agreed to pay $1.6 million in civil ... The government had filed a complaint in Minnesota alleging that Cargill had ...

Sexual Violence Center moves to Camden
CamdenNews.org - Minneapolis,MN,USA
... In addition, the staff attends many community notification meetings, in cooperation with John Hinchcliff from the Minneapolis Police Department. ...

What's it take for awareness of domestic strangulation issues?
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
... A recent case in Hennepin County illustrates this. In early December 2004, Minneapolis police responded to a 911 domestic abuse call. ...  

Restaurant news: Town Talk Diner, Mañana, Jillian's and more
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
... He will make the pitch Friday to the Minneapolis City Council and cross his fingers he gets the green light for a liquor license. ...

St. Paul church gets new life as youth theater
Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription) - MN,USA
... Richard Hitchler and David Kabanuk, a real estate investor who bought the property north of the William Mitchell College of Law after a City Council debate in ...

Coleman faults mayor on crime
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
... funding after the region's $5.7 million grant was given entirely to Minneapolis. ... could have begun last year, when she and her City Council colleagues proposed ...  

Friday, September 23, 2005

Birmingham Newspapers to End JOA

Birmingham Newspapers to End JOA

CINCINNATI, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Birmingham Post-Herald will publish its final edition on Friday, Sept. 23, The E. W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP) , owner of the newspaper, announced today.

The closing of The Post-Herald, a five-day afternoon newspaper, marks the end of a joint operating agreement between Scripps and Advance Publications Inc., owner of The Birmingham News, which manages the printing, marketing and distribution of both Birmingham newspapers.

The Birmingham News will continue to publish seven days a week in the morning.

Scripps attributed its decision to close The Post-Herald to the fact that the economics of publishing The Post-Herald were no longer favorable. The joint operating agreement between Scripps and Advance Publications was scheduled to run until 2015.

"The Post-Herald has a long tradition of journalistic excellence and community service, but Scripps was left with no choice but to face economic realities," said Richard A. Boehne, The E. W. Scripps Company's executive vice president and head of the company's newspaper division. "The Post-Herald's talented and dedicated staff produces an excellent newspaper, but unfortunately the Birmingham market has made it clear that it will no longer support an afternoon edition."

Scripps has developed a severance plan for The Post-Herald's 43 editorial department employees and will attempt to place some at other Scripps newspapers. Scripps operates 20 other daily newspapers in 18 markets across the country.

The Post-Herald traces its roots as a Scripps newspaper back to 1921 when the company established the Birmingham Post. In 1950, the Post merged with The Birmingham Age-Herald to become The Post-Herald. As part of the transaction, The Post-Herald and The Birmingham News created the joint operating agreement and merged the business and production operations of the two newspapers, but maintained separate editorial products.

About Scripps

Scripps is a diverse media concern with interests in national lifestyle television networks, newspaper publishing, broadcast television, television retailing, interactive media and licensing and syndication. All of the company's media businesses provide content and advertising services via the Internet.

Scripps is organized into the following operating divisions.

Scripps Networks, including the company's growing portfolio of popular lifestyle television networks. Scripps Networks brands include HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living, Great American Country (GAC) and HGTVPro. Scripps Networks Web sites include FoodNetwork.com, HGTV.com, DIYnetwork.com, fineliving.com and gactv.com. Scripps Networks programming can be seen in 116 countries.

Scripps Newspapers, including daily and community newspapers in 19 markets and the Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News Service. Scripps newspapers include the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel and the Ventura County (Calif.) Star.

Scripps Television Station Group, including six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent. Scripps operates broadcast television stations in Detroit; Cleveland; Cincinnati; Phoenix; Tampa; Baltimore; Kansas City, Mo.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Lawrence, Kan.

Shop At Home, the company's television retailing subsidiary, which markets a growing range of consumer goods directly to television viewers and visitors to the Shop at Home Web site, shopathometv.com. Shop at Home reaches about 53 million full-time equivalent U.S. households, including 5 million households via five Scripps-owned Shop at Home affiliated television stations.

Shopzilla, an online comparison shopping service with an index of more than 30 million products from about 55,000 stores. Shopzilla is powered by ShopRank, a proprietary algorithm that helps shoppers instantly find virtually any product for sale on the Web at the best price. Shopzilla also operates the BizRate consumer feedback network with more than 2.5 million members and about 1 million reviews per month.

United Media, a leading licensing and syndication company. United Media is the worldwide licensing and syndication home of Peanuts, Dilbert and about 150 other features and characters.

Source: The E. W. Scripps Company

CONTACT: Mark Kroeger of The E. W. Scripps Company, +1-513-977-3827, or
mwkroeger@scripps.com

Web site: http://www.scripps.com/

PROFNET WIRE: GOVERNMENT & LAW: Gulf Coast Reconstruction

PROFNET WIRE: GOVERNMENT & LAW: Gulf Coast Reconstruction

  ROUND-UPS    Gulf Coast Reconstruction (21 experts)  
Impact of Hurricane Katrina (continued, 10 experts)
Supreme Court Transition (continued, 1 expert)
The Terrorist Threat (continued, 2 experts)
North Korea (continued, 2 experts)
File-Sharing Lawsuits (continued, 1 expert)
Anthrax Preparedness (continued, 1 expert)
LEADS 1. World Affairs: The Cuban Trade Embargo Harms Cuban Citizens
ROUND-UP: GULF COAST RECONSTRUCTION

Following are experts who can discuss President Bush's recovery plan for the Gulf Coast. The federal government plans to pay for most of the costs to fix damage during and after the storm. Bush proposed the creation of a Gulf Opportunity Zone, which 'should provide immediate incentives for job-creating investment, tax relief for small businesses, incentives to companies that create jobs, and loans and loan guarantees for small businesses.' Bush also proposed federally funded worker recovery accounts of up to $5,000 for evacuees to spend on job training, classes or child care during the hunt for employment:

1. CHRIS EDWARDS, director of tax policy studies at CATO INSTITUTE: "President Bush is jumping the gun with promises of big federal spending to rebuild damaged cities 'even better' than before. Many evacuees may not want to move back to their former homes because this is apparently a dangerous place to live. Moving back into New Orleans, with its inadequate levees, high crime, corruption and poor economy would seem like a bad decision for many. Rebuilding should be a state and local responsibility, because these governments can better measure the costs and benefits of repairing each type of infrastructure. They should wait and see what is actually needed in their less-populated cities of the future." News Contact: Evans Pierre, pr@cato.org Phone: +1-202-789-5200 (9/22/05)

2. DAVID BOAZ, executive vice president of CATO INSTITUTE: "President Bush's sense of compassion is admirable, but his solutions reflect a misunderstanding of economics and of the American Constitution. In our federalist system, rebuilding a city is primarily a local responsibility. The federal government has helped in the past, but it has never taken primary responsibility for such local concerns. If the $200 billion figure turns out to be correct, we should note that it is twice what the U.S. government spent on the Marshall Plan to rebuild all of Western Europe after World War II. The president's proposal reflects too much money being spent with too little thought. Congress must not kowtow to the president; it must do the responsible thing and take time to consider how best to respond to a local natural disaster." News Contact: Evans Pierre, mediastaff2@cato.org Phone: +1-202-789- 5200 (9/22/05)

3. PHILIP DADDONA, senior managing director of FTI CONSULTING: "Now that President Bush has launched the federal government's reconstruction efforts in the Gulf Coast region, several key questions have emerged, not the least of which is how to prevent instances of waste, fraud and abuse from tainting and distracting from the recovery efforts." Based on his experience at Ground Zero at Sept. 11, Daddona can talk about these issues, as well as the infrastructure priorities of the reconstruction efforts. From an operations perspective, he can also review and analyze the current plan and offer additional suggestions based on his experience. News Contact: Melissa Maslar, mmaslar@levick.com Phone: +1-202-973-1336 (9/22/05)

4. CRAIG S. KING, attorney with Washington, D.C.-based firm ARENT FOX, has more than two decades of experience in government contracting, and is a valuable source for those covering the government's role in Katrina reconstruction efforts. His specialties include oversight/auditing, two key areas given the increasing allegations of fraud: "With $50 billion at stake, the potential for abuse is great; companies are already being investigated for 'back-door' wrangling and no-bid contracts." In addition to fraud, King is an expert on federal market competition; contract negotiations; antitrust reviews; privatization and outsourcing of government functions and ethics/compliance. News Contact: Kelly Burkett, kelly.burkett@widmeyer.com Phone: +1-202-667-0901 (9/22/05)

5. ROBERT MURRAY, vice president of economic affairs at MCGRAW-HILL CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH & ANALYTICS: "The U.S. economy appears capable of absorbing the shock from Katrina without slipping into recession. Continued employment growth will help the market fundamentals for such income property types as offices, hotels and multi-family housing over the long-term. The continuation of low mortgage rates supports single-family housing this year, and total construction starts for the U.S. are still expected to rise 6 percent to 7 percent in 2005, even with the loss of new construction start activity in the Gulf region. The U.S. economy will see growth dampened by 0.5 percent to 1 percent during the latter half of 2005 -- discernible, but not enough to tip the economy into recession." News Contact: Rob Kulat, kucomm@hotmail.com Phone: +1-732-219-5816 (9/22/05)

6. STEPHEN SLIVINSKI, director of budget services at CATO INSTITUTE: "Americans and businesses have together donated around $750 million to the hurricane relief effort so far. For those donating, the sacrifice might be small, but it is a sacrifice nonetheless. Contrast that with the White House and Congress' response. They've rushed to spend $63 billion of taxpayer money without sacrificing a single dollar devoted to their pet projects. In a federal budget of $2.5 trillion, there are plenty of wasted dollars and unnecessary pork projects to offset the spending on Katrina relief efforts. Charity requires sacrifice, even from big-spending politicians using other people's money for charitable purposes." News Contact: Evans Pierre, pr@cato.org Phone: +1-202-789-5200 (9/22/05)

7. PAM BAKER, Gulf fisheries biologist for ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE: "Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf's fisheries and fishing economy, especially the shrimp industry, which was already depleted. Following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, Environmental Defense will work with our partners, fishermen and government officials to find ways to improve the long- term economic and ecological outcomes in the Gulf's struggling fisheries, as the government puts together a disaster assistance package. This work is already happening in the Gulf. Environmental Defense is working closely with fishermen, government officials and other partners to design fishing quota systems for red snapper, reef fish, shrimp and other key fisheries. A disaster assistance package should build upon this work. Katrina disaster assistance should be structured to help fishermen and their communities in the short- term, and give them a much better long-term opportunity for safe, viable and sustainable fisheries." News Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, KGoldstein@environmentaldefense.org Phone: +1-202-572-3243 (9/22/05)

8. VALSIN A. MARMILLION, spokesperson for AMERICA'S WETLAND: CAMPAIGN TO SAVE COASTAL LOUISIANA, can address what Hurricane Rita's approach means to Louisiana's coastal wetlands and how any recovery plan must marry flood protection with wetland restoration to protect New Orleans and coastal Louisiana from future hurricanes: "Louisiana's coastal wetlands, which serve as the state's first line of defense against hurricanes and the storm surge they produce, need urgent restoration. There are almost open water conditions around New Orleans now. Because of wetland loss some areas of Louisiana are no longer protected at all." News Contact: Kip Patrick, kp@mcopr.com Phone: +1- 202-416-4116 (9/22/05)

9. TYREE COLLIER, tax shareholder at JENKENS & GILCHRIST, has helped companies provide disaster relief, both through direct efforts and by helping them establish tax-exempt foundations to address hardships. He advised a large for-profit hospital system wanting to provide Katrina relief for employees, and helped two large businesses set up programs following Sept. 11: "There is a structured process for setting up foundations to address limited hardships, but for companies wanting to provide relief for major disasters, like Katrina, they do not have to go through the same process because of more lenient rules for events significant enough to receive government support." News Contact: Petri Darby, APR, pdarby@jenkens.com Phone: +1-713-286-2073 (9/22/05)

10. BASIL IMBURGIA, senior managing director of FTI CONSULTING: "Companies will be working with their insurance carriers in the next few weeks to try and assess the damage along the Gulf Coast. Frequently, the insurance companies and the damaged companies themselves hire firms with expertise in forensics, construction, data management and storage, insurance adjusting and computers to set the level of damage." FTI will help insurance carriers accurately estimate damages for payouts and work with companies that have suffered damages to double-check the assessments of the insurers. FTI brings expertise from their role in Sept. 11 cleanup in New York to the Gulf Coast. News Contact: Melissa Maslar, mmaslar@levick.com Phone: +1-202-973-1336 (9/22/05)

11. DAVID ROSNER, U.S. Marine Corps (reserve) intelligence officer, former combat service support officer and veteran of Hurricane Iniki relief operations, the first Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom: "The criticism of the Katrina recovery effort is ill-informed, due to a lack of understanding of the rules and regulations allowing for military assistance. There is also a misconception by the public regarding the logistical capabilities of civilian and military agencies." Rosner has logistics and military intelligence support experience at the tactical and operational level. News Contact: Adam Kluger, adamkluger@yahoo.com Phone: +1-212-369-2458 (9/22/05)

12. STEVEN ROTHBERG, president and founder of COLLEGERECRUITER.COM: "I just returned from four days in southern Mississippi doing volunteer disaster response work for Nechama: Jewish Response to Disaster. I assessed the damage to homes and small businesses in Hattiesburg and Ocean Springs. The devastation I saw in the latter was something I hope I never have to witness again. Two entire blocks along the entire coast are gone, just gone. People picking through the rubble of their former homes in the hope of finding something, anything of sentimental value." Rothberg: steven@collegerecruiter.com Phone: +1-952-848-2211 (9/22/05)

13. BRIAN GREENBERG, CPA, financial analyst and college planner: "Break out your disco shoes; we're going back to the '70s. Bush's plans to rebuild New Orleans -- guns, butter and bread -- will bring about '70s style inflation." Greenberg: brian@greenbergcpa.com (9/22/05)

14. SUSAN WILEY HARDWICK, professor of geography at the UNIVERSITY OF OREGON and author of "Mythic Galveston," which includes a lot on the city's reconstruction following the 1900 hurricane: "Indeed, viewed from a development perspective, Galveston might be seen as the ultimate triumph of technology over nature: a remarkable success story of complete structural migration of the environment, a place where the efficacy of engineering genius truly saved the day." Hardwick's research underscores the exhibit "Through Galveston's Gate," which opens in early 2008 at the Texas State Historical Museum. News Contact: Mary Stanik, mstanik@uoregon.edu Phone: +1-541-346-3873 (9/22/05)

15. JOHN SAVAGEAU, senior vice president of operations at CRG WEST in Los Angeles, can talk about BellSouth's estimate that it will cost between $400 and $600 million to repair the more than 1.1 million telephone and Internet lines damaged by Hurricane Katrina, as well as the logical need to replace their old copper system with either wireless or other modern facilities. Savageau, who has extensive telecom disaster recovery experience throughout the world, currently oversees L.A.'s One Wilshire Building, which is the largest and most densely connected communications center in the world, with more than 220 carriers housed there. News Contact: Trent Freeman, tfreeman@cswpr.com Phone: +1-310-396-2400 (9/22/05)

16. DR. MAURICE RAMIREZ, second-in-command in the critical care arena with the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, was in the hardest hit area immediately after Katrina hit. Ramirez is the first Central Florida physician to complete the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) Instructor Program. Ramirez is board certified in emergency medicine, family practice, sports medicine, geriatric medicine and clinical nutrition. Ramirez can comment on what's happening now and what mistakes were made. News Contact: Pam Lontos, prpr@prpr.net Phone: +1-407-299-6128 (9/22/05)

17. DIANNE STEWART, director of PUBLIC WORKS: THE DEMOS CENTER FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR, has 20 years of experience inside state government, in the private sector and in a state-level policy NGO working on issues of governance, particularly as they affect low-income families. As the founder and director of the office of governmental affairs at the Texas Department of Human Services and the 11-year executive director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, Stewart has worked from within and without in efforts to improve the operations and decision-making of state government. News Contact: Anica Archip, anica@creativecci.com Phone: +1-718-522-0538 (9/22/05)

18. STAN SOLOWAY, president of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COUNCIL, can answer questions about the government's special hurricane procurement policies and the role of the private sector in this unprecedented reconstruction effort. The Professional Services Council is the leading advocate on legislative and regulatory policies and practices that affect the government professional and technical services industry. Prior to joining PSC, Soloway served as the deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition reform. News Contact: Stefanie Starkey, starkey@pscouncil.org Phone: +1-703-875-8059 (9/22/05)

19. BILL HINES, managing partner of JONES WALKER, the largest law firm in Louisiana, and respected advisor to Mayor Nagin, is immediate past chair of the City of New Orleans Economic Development Advisory Committee and former director of regional planning organization Metrovision. He has a long-term relationship with the N.O. Regional Chamber of Commerce. The firm will return to the Central Business District office as soon as power and necessary services are working. On the state level, the firm is lobbying for legislation regarding insurance claims for victims. On the federal level, the Washington, D.C., office is assisting the Louisiana delegation with bankruptcy legislation. News Contact: Vivian Hood, hoodv@jaffeassociates.com Phone: +1- 904-220-1915 (9/22/05)

20. BRIAN DRUM, president/CEO of DRUM ASSOCIATES and SBA's NYC Small- Business Person of the Year, brought his company back from the brink of bankruptcy after the terror attacks of Sept. 11. He can offer a blueprint for small-business recovery that includes a post-catastrophe business recovery checklist for all small businesses devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Drum was recently honored by Senator Hillary Clinton for his dedication, courage and commitment to his employees, and by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the innovative steps he took to save his business after Sept. 11. News Contact: Adam Kluger, adamkluger@yahoo.com Phone: +1-212-369-2458 (9/22/05)

21. HENRY M. KOFFMAN, director of construction engineering and management at USC, is a construction historian who has studied the history of New Orleans and its levees and pumping system. He is an expert in construction engineering; construction management; construction defects; forensic engineering; cost estimating and scheduling; construction safety; labor relations and management; quality assurance; changes in specifications and plans; construction delays; liens; licensing; construction and engineering ethics; globalization; construction education and real estate development. News Contact: Trent Freeman, tfreeman@cswpr.com Phone: +1-310-396-2400 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: IMPACT OF HURRICANE KATRINA (continued)

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1. JOAN ROSE, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, is an international expert in public health water microbiology: "What we're going to see is have and have-nots in the future. There are places in the country whose water systems are taxed at 150 and 200 percent over capacity. There are communities that need to do something about their infrastructure, but it hasn't been a priority. It's a good question why some communities wait until there's a crisis. It seems to be more than just a question of money." News Contact: Sue Nichols, nichols@msu.edu Phone: +1-517-353-8942 (9/22/05)

2. KEN STERN, managing director of FTI CONSULTING: "The oil industry has an immense opportunity to lobby for relaxed environmental standards and other considerations from the government to ensure an invigorated return-on- investment. The political opportunity ahead for them is tremendous. Refining was already on the decline. No new refineries have been built in the past 30 years. What is the damage to the existing refineries? When will they come back online? Should they come back at all? Global oil companies need to decide if they will take refining overseas if the U.S. doesn't ease environmental restrictions here." Stern brings more than 30 years of petrochemical experience to his analysis of these issues. News Contact: Melissa Maslar, mmaslar@levick.com Phone: +1-202-973-1336 (9/22/05)

3. R. SCOTT FOSLER, visiting professor and senior fellow at the UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, played a major role in overhauling FEMA in the 1990s: "FEMA's in a fix at this point, and there are no quick answers for rebuilding its strength." Fosler can discuss the difficulties in fixing what he calls "a broken agency." As president of the National Academy of Public Administration in the 1990s, Fosler responded to Congress's request for a plan to fix FEMA, an agency he says was then viewed as an embarrassing federal failure. The NAPA team recommended a comprehensive overhaul of the agency's mission, structure and role in a national emergency management system. News Contact: Neil Tickner, ntickner@umd.edu Phone: +1-301-405-4622 (9/22/05)

4. PAUL DIMITRUK, founder, chairman and CEO of PORTBLUE, a provider of Web-based expert systems: "Sadly, events like Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina show that we must do more to systematically prepare for disasters. The JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) disaster preparedness requirements became much more stringent after Sept. 11. I expect Hurricane Katrina will result in even more robust requirements, and rightly so. When disaster does strike, state and local leaders, as well as hospital emergency department, disaster management and administrators, need expert advice and a common, but flexible, framework to prepare for and manage disasters. The right expert systems can provide that." News Contact: Ken Greenberg, ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com Phone: +1-818-990-5001 (9/22/05)

5. ROXANNE SPILLETT, president of BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA: "Boys & Girls Clubs in the Gulf Coast area have experienced major Katrina losses. We have some 20 Club facilities destroyed or severely damaged. The full extent of damage is still not known, particularly in flooded areas of New Orleans. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is concentrating efforts in two areas: 1) Addressing the needs of all displaced children, both Club members and non-members. Clubs around the country are opening their doors and offering services to displaced children in their areas. 2) Assessing our affected Clubs and determining their needs." BGCA is accepting donations from the public (online at www.bgca.org; or by phone at l-800-805-CLUB). Technology centers at Clubs are open for anyone to search online for family through FEMA and Red Cross databases. News Contact: Mitchell Leff, mitch@leffassociates.com Phone: +1-404-861-4769 (9/22/05)

6. JOHN W. MARINI, vice president of ADJUSTERS INTERNATIONAL, has led disaster recovery responses to every U.S. hurricane since 1992. In 1995, he helped establish a team of experts who assist states and municipalities with FEMA grant management programs. Marini has given numerous seminars on the topic of disaster recovery from an insurance and FEMA perspective. His team is currently working as advocates for the Bay St. Louis Waveland School District, the city of Waveland and Hancock County, among others, as they move through the FEMA grant application process, giving him a firsthand perspective of the issues involved in the Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts underway. News Contact: Judy Wolf, jwolf@adjustersinternational.com Phone: +1-315-797-3035 (9/22/05)

7. JON HANSEN, Oklahoma City assistant fire chief during the Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995 and President Bush's top choice to lead the United States Fire Administration, is an expert in the field of homeland security, emergency response, emergency management, disaster preparedness, public safety and the latest technologies available to help in planning. He has testified numerous times before Congress on various issues related to terrorism. Hanson recently led several disaster recreation efforts to prepare fire departments and other emergency organizations for the possibility of bombings, bioterrorism, snipers and natural disasters. Currently, Hansen is head of the emergency response team at Autodesk, a software and services company. News Contact: Nicole Pack, nicole.pack@autodesk.com Phone: +1-415-507-6282 (9/22/05)

8. ROBERT ALLEN, chair of the SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Historic Preservation Department, is an Alabama native, former representative to the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission and founder of the Homeless Coalition of Mobile. He can discuss how to assess and best care for historic structures that have suffered hurricane damage. He can discuss what the loss of many national historic buildings could mean to tourism in the area. Allen is knowledgeable about "smart growth" in the Gulf Coast, and can speak on ways to house those left homeless by the hurricane. He is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. News Contact: Sunny Nelson, snelson@scad.edu Phone: +1-912-525-5225 (9/22/05)

9. CONNIE CAPOZZOLA PINKERTON, professor in the SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Historic Preservation Department, has more than 14 years' experience in cultural resource management, having worked in both public and private sectors as an archaeologist and architectural historian. She can discuss how to document and restore nationally and locally significant sites, preserve archaeological resources, and address the impact of the hurricane on the cultural landscape of the Gulf Coast. Pinkerton is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Georgia Historical Society. News Contact: Sunny Nelson, snelson@scad.edu Phone: +1-912-525-5225 (9/22/05)

10. BRIAN ROBINSON, professor in the SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Historic Preservation Department, has been working in historic preservation since 1992. He can discuss restoration and project planning for all cultural resources, preservation technology and conservation science. Specializing in wood restoration and preservation ethics, Robinson is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the Association for Preservation Technology International. News Contact: Sunny Nelson, snelson@scad.edu Phone: +1-912-525-5225 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: SUPREME COURT TRANSITION (continued)

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1. KAREN HULT, professor of political sciences at VIRGINIA TECH: "Roberts' confirmation seems inevitable. Why? Roberts is an impressive nominee both professionally and personally, has no ethical problems and strong ratings from the ABA. There are only 44 Democrats in the Senate and less-than-uniform agreement among them about whether Roberts should be blocked and, if so, how to try to do it. Public attention has been focused on Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, on high gasoline prices, and on the hostilities in Iraq, not on the confirmation. As a replacement for Rehnquist, not O'Connor, Roberts' confirmation to the court likely would make rather little difference in the decision outcomes." News Contact: Jean M. Elliott, elliottj@vt.edu Phone: +1- 540-231-5915 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: THE TERRORIST THREAT (continued)

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1. DAPHNE BILOURI, senior analyst for GLOBAL RISK STRATEGIES, a provider of risk management solutions, is an expert on corporate social responsibility. Through the course of her professional career, Bilouri has provided intelligence and political risk analysis to governments and the private sector as an environment and development consultant. As a result of her contacts and expansive field research, she is regularly contacted by governments and non- governmental organizations. Bilouri is responsible for developing a risk model that measures the impact of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and security in new and sensitive markets. Her work is influenced by her associated expertise in social and institutional development; relations between government, business and non-governmental organizations; stakeholder dialogue; and monitoring and capacity building. News Contact: Andrew Hoffman, andrew.hoffman@eurorscg.com Phone: +1-212-367- 6937 (9/22/05)

2. TAMARA MAKARENKO, senior analyst at GLOBAL STRATEGIES GROUP, a provider of risk management solutions, is an acknowledged international expert on the crime-terror nexus. Prior to entering the private sector, Makarenko held several academic and research posts in the U.K. and Central Asia. She has published widely on issues related to terrorism in both academic and professional journals, and her first single-authored book, "The Crime-Terror Nexus," is due to be published. Having conducted extensive field research, Makarenko has designed an intricate system of global information collection and analysis, which is used within her work, and is regularly sought by government and corporate clients. She currently holds affiliations with the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews (U.K.), the Silk Road Studies Program at Uppsala University (Sweden) and at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University (U.S.). News Contact: Andrew Hoffman, andrew.hoffman@eurorscg.com Phone: +1-202-448-5322 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: NORTH KOREA (continued)

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1. MITCHELL REISS, vice provost for international affairs at the COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY: "Monday's agreement was a remarkable diplomatic achievement by the United States and its lead negotiator, Chris Hill. It establishes firm principles not only to eliminate the threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, but also to usher in a more stable, secure and prosperous future for all of Northeast Asia. The immediate challenge is to translate these principles into concrete policies and programs in the coming weeks. Implementation will be key. The sequencing of steps -– who does what, when -- will now be the main focus, and challenge, of future negotiations." News Contact: Suzanne Seurattan, scseur@wm.edu Phone: +1-757-221-1631 (9/22/05)

2. HAN S. PARK, professor at the UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA and director of GLOBIS: "North Korea's recent agreement certainly is a symbolic success, allowing each of the participating parties to declare a diplomatic victory. However, in reality, it simply represents an assurance for future negotiations. The document acknowledges the existence of disagreements and the language was made deliberately vague with undefined concepts in order to allow different interpretations. This agreement is the product of a desperate desire to produce some form of agreement on the part of the participants, especially North Korea and the United States." News Contact: Joy R. Holloway, joyh@uga.edu +1-706-542-7849 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: FILE-SHARING LAWSUITS (continued)

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1. GREGORY G. KERBER, CEO of WURLD MEDIA, whose Peer Impact is the first legal P2P compensating both rights holders and network users), can comment on Grokster, Kazaa, Kuro and Soribada rulings: "Courts around the globe are coming to the same conclusion -– stealing is stealing, whether virtual or physical. But the rulings highlight that P2P does not automatically mean 'illegal.' There are legitimate P2Ps whose operations respect the law, turn a profit and are welcomed by millions of consumers seeking legal options to share content. The rulings are a welcome clarification for users, artists, rights holders and the business community." News Contact: Isabel Kaldenbach, isabel@buckleykaldenbach.com Phone: +1-703-979-3076 (9/22/05)

ROUND-UP: ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS (continued)

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1. STEVE SPENSLEY, vice president (USA) of GLOBAL STRATEGIES GROUP, a provider of risk management solutions, has extensive experience designing training programs for UN international staff operating in difficult and hostile environments. In 2001, Spensley was stationed in Zambia, where he served as operations director for a security company, and subsequently was appointed country manager in Malawi overseeing more than 2,000 security guards, 400 clients and significant resources and budget. During this time, Spensley undertook a number of threat and risk assessments on mining sites, oil refineries, diplomatic missions and construction sites. Spensley is currently enrolled in a master's degree in crisis, risk and disaster management at Leicester University in the U.K. He joined Global in 2004 as vice president of Global USA in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Andrew Hoffman, andrew.hoffman@eurorscg.com Phone: +1-202-448-5322 (9/22/05)

LEADS

1. WORLD AFFAIRS: THE CUBAN TRADE EMBARGO HARMS CUBAN CITIZENS. JACK KENNY, author/publisher of "Cuba: Revolution Then and Now," a photographic collection of Cuba and its people: "The trade embargo harms Cuban citizens and does nothing positive, except to give Fidel Castro a scapegoat for a failed economy. Travel restrictions rob Americans of the opportunity of meeting the wonderful people who inhabit this charming country. And allowing Cubans who safely flee and 'set foot' in America to remain here is totally immoral, as it makes the U.S. an accomplice to the death of the many, many who drown in disparate, risky attempts to escape." News Contact: Scott Lorenz, scottlorenz@westwindcos.com Phone: +1-734-667-2090 Web site: http://www.cuba-/ photo.com (9/22/05)

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