Meet the new boss, same as the old boss - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Marvelous Marv · 01-12-2007, 12:01 PM

http://www.washingtontimes.com/natio...0720-2734r.htm

Quote:

GOP hits Pelosi's 'hypocrisy' on wage bill

By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
January 12, 2007

House Republicans yesterday declared "something fishy" about the major tuna company in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco district being exempted from the minimum-wage increase that Democrats approved this week.
"I am shocked," said Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican and his party's chief deputy whip, noting that Mrs. Pelosi campaigned heavily on promises of honest government. "Now we find out that she is exempting hometown companies from minimum wage. This is exactly the hypocrisy and double talk that we have come to expect from the Democrats."
On Wednesday, the House voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour.
The bill also extends for the first time the federal minimum wage to the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, it exempts American Samoa, another Pacific island territory that would become the only U.S. territory not subject to federal minimum-wage laws.
One of the biggest opponents of the federal minimum wage in Samoa is StarKist Tuna, which owns one of the two packing plants that together employ more than 5,000 Samoans, or nearly 75 percent of the island's work force. StarKist's parent company, Del Monte Corp., has headquarters in San Francisco, which is represented by Mrs. Pelosi. The other plant belongs to California-based Chicken of the Sea.
"There's something fishy going on here," said Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, North Carolina Republican.
During the House debate yesterday on stem-cell research, Mr. McHenry raised a parliamentary inquiry as to whether an amendment could be offered that would exempt American Samoa from stem-cell research, "just as it was for the minimum-wage bill."
A clearly perturbed Rep. Barney Frank, the Massachusetts Democrat who was presiding, cut off Mr. McHenry and shouted, "No, it would not be."
"So, the chair is saying I may not offer an amendment exempting American Samoa?" Mr. McHenry pressed.
"The gentleman is making a speech and will sustain," Mr. Frank shouted as he slammed his large wooden gavel against the rostrum.
Some Republicans who voted in favor of the minimum-wage bill were particularly irritated to learn yesterday -- after their vote -- that the legislation did not include American Samoa.
"I was troubled to learn of this exemption," said Rep. Mark Steven Kirk, Illinois Republican. "My intention was to raise the minimum wage for everyone. We shouldn't permit any special favors or exemptions that are not widely discussed in Congress. This is the problem with rushing legislation through without full debate."
A spokeswoman for Mrs. Pelosi said Wednesday that the speaker has not been lobbied in any way by StarKist or Del Monte.

This is just as wrong as when Bush exempted oil industry workers from the minimum wage requirement!

Oh, wait ....

The Democrats couldn't WAIT to begin fixing the country (except, of course, for the day Congress took off to watch football), and THIS is the first thing on their agenda? I can hardly wait for a comment from a traditional non-conservative that "raising the minimum wage costs jobs." Samoans don't deserve a "decent living wage?"

Looks like a rocky ride ahead.

Rekna · 01-12-2007, 12:14 PM

I'm glad the media is picking this up. Hopefully the exemption will be removed before it passes the senate

highthief · 01-12-2007, 12:28 PM

You know, del monte has been running US politics abroad for years, never mind the oil industry!

aceventura3 · 01-12-2007, 12:56 PM

I tried looking for the bill with the exclusion, I could not find it. Anyone have a link?

This is hypocracy on many levels. Not only is Pelosi protecting big business in her backyard at the expense of what they call a living wage for working people, the Democrats had to pay their union dues. Unions are the primary backers of minimum wage increases. On top of that Pelosi is going to stand up in her $20,000 pearls and proclaim how hard she is working to reduce the gap between the haves and the have nots.

snowy · 01-12-2007, 01:19 PM

The problem here is that the territories of the United States have different minimum wages, and as it currently stands, people in American Samoa are already making a higher minimum wage than people in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Every news article I found relating this "conspiracy theory" was not from a reputable news source, and the articles I did find were poorly edited. But they did inform me that the current minimum wage in American Samoa is $3.62/hr, which is more than what people in the Northern Mariana Islands stand to make even after the wage increase--their wage will increase to $3.55 after its passage. They will pass up American Samoa after six months, when the wage will increase to $4.05 an hour.

All that this tells me is that we ought to be looking at a bigger picture of cost of living versus wage increases in the Pacific Islands, as we as mainlanders probably have little or no idea what a living wage means there. It clearly means something different than a living wage in the mainland United States. So as to whether the absence of American Samoa in the bill is fair or not--only the people of American Samoa can say.

aceventura3 · 01-12-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesnowyowl

So as to whether the absence of American Samoa in the bill is fair or not--only the people of American Samoa can say.

I agree with that almost 100%. I think each individual should decide what minimum they will work for. Short of that it should be left up to local government.

dc_dux · 01-12-2007, 08:44 PM

The entire bill is 3 sections long:

Quote:

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2

AN ACT

To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. MINIMUM WAGE.

(a) In General- Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

`(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than--

`(A) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007;

`(B) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and

`(C) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day;'.

(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. APPLICABILITY OF MINIMUM WAGE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.

(a) In General- Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206) shall apply to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(b) Transition- Notwithstanding subsection (a), the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) shall be--

(1) $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) increased by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to equal the minimum wage under section 6(a)(1) of such Act), beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act and every 6 months thereafter until the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under this subsection is equal to the minimum wage set forth in such section.

Passed the House of Representatives January 10, 2007.

Attest:

Clerk.

Perhaps the section that applies to the N. Marianas was included because it was the only US territory/commonwealth that did not have minimum wage standards under the existing FLSA. (and recently Jack Abramoff, the contract lobbyist for the Island businesses repeatedly blocked any minimum wage legislation for the Island workers). American Samoa has special minimum wage rates established by an industry committee appointed by the Dept of Labor (which I agree may not be in the best interest of the workers).

This is all much ado about nothing or more appropriately described as a shameful distortion of the facts.

A different perspective from The Hill - the nonpartisan paper that covers Capitol Hill extensively:

Quote:

Island rights and wage bill intertwined
By Susan Crabtree

House Democrats plan to bring the Northern Mariana Islands in line with U.S. minimum wage laws under legislation that comes to the floor today, thus ending a decade of policy favoring island businesses secured by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas).

Democrats, however, are finding it difficult to clean up the mess Abramoff and Co. left behind, especially when dealing with the only U.S. territory that lacks a delegate in Washington. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ (CNMI) government has a resident representative in Washington, a position that carries no congressional office or powers, even the right to make statements on the House floor.

For years, DeLay and Abramoff worked to block a delegate bill from coming to the floor. Legislation giving the islands a delegate has passed the House Resources Committee several times in the last few years, but former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) never placed the bill on the legislative calendar. The presence of a Mariana delegate in Congress would diminish significantly the islands’ need for a lobbyist to speak for them in Washington.

Incoming Democratic leadership said it has other reasons for opposing a CNMI delegate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was asked in December whether she planned to move the bill with majorities in both houses. She didn’t answer directly, and later, staffers amended the press conference transcript to indicate Pelosi’s opposition to the creation of a delegate.

“NOTE: Pelosi does not support a new delegate for the Mariana Islands until there are significant human rights and labor reforms there,” the released transcript reads.

Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.) also opposes the establishment of a congressional delegate. Following a trip to the islands in the late 1990s, Miller has been a champion for reforms there, arguing that forced abortions and prostitution, as well as other human rights abuses, are rampant in Mariana sweatshops. Garment factories, many of which employ immigrant laborers from China and the Philippines, have been a pillar of the local economy. In recent years, however, international labor laws have eliminated tariffs on Chinese textiles, so Chinese companies no longer have incentive to operate factories in the Marianas.

Miller’s support for a delegate has waxed and waned over the years. In 2005, he said he changed his mind on the delegate issue after the islands’ governor at the time worked to improve labor conditions.

That year, Miller assailed Abramoff and DeLay during a House Resources committee markup of the bill for continuing to block it from coming to the floor.

“As a result of recent revelations in the press, we now understand far better why those bipartisan reforms and — even this legislation to create a voting delegate — have been obstructed,” Miller said.

An aide for Miller says his boss no longer supports the delegate because Ben Fitial, a former garment industry executive who Abramoff and DeLay helped get elected Speaker of the CNMI House, is now governor and has vocally advocated against bringing the islands under U.S. labor and immigration standards.

A spokeswoman for CNMI Resident Representative Pete Tenorio argues that the government has spent millions of dollars to eliminate human rights abuses and ensure that labor standards and laws are enforced.

“This doesn’t seem right or very democratic to have the authority and the willingness to make widespread changes to a place and not even have its concerns listened to,” said CNMI spokeswoman Melinda Matson.

The islands’ failing economy also is creating headaches for Democrats intent on updating labor and immigration laws there. In the late 1990s, when DeLay and Abramoff first worked to block a minimum-wage increase, the islands’ garment factory industry was riding high. Now the increase would come as the region struggles to cope with a rapid decline in the industry as the result of international trade rules, and a decrease in tourism. As the garment business has suffered — 12 factories were shuttered in the last few years — the CNMI government has taken in fewer tax dollars and laid off thousands of workers.

The bill would increase the islands’ minimum wage to $7.25 over the next four years, compared to the two years and two months it gives other U.S. employers to phase in the increase. Matson said Tenorio is not opposed to an increase in the minimum wage, but objects to the amount.

“What business could handle the doubling of their minimum wage in just a few years’ time?” she asked.

Tenorio would like to modify that language to allow for just two 55-cent increases in the next year and a half. The CNMI government also wants to add a wage-review committee similar to the one that exists in American Samoa. The local government of that U.S. territory is concerned about the impact implementing the full minimum wage would have on its tuna-canning industry. Samoa’s wage-review committee consults with the U.S. Department of Interior on proposed wage increases’ impact, and has managed to keep minimum wages dollars below federal levels.

“We’re really concerned that we’re going to have businesses fail and the only safety net that we have is food stamps,” Matson said.

In terms of the House bill, however, the CNMI government’s pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Matson said staffers for Miller told her that modifications came too late and they plan to go forward with the straight minimum-wage increase. On the Senate side, however, informal talks are taking place at the staff level to evaluate whether any modifications could be made that would mitigate the hike’s impact on the islands’ already weak economy. Senators plan to attach the CNMI minimum wage hike to the broader Senate wage bill scheduled for floor action next week.

Miller did not respond to specific questions about the minimum wage bill’s impact on the island.

“Workers in the Northern Marianas have suffered for years without decent workplace standards, and that is finally about to change,” Miller spokesman Tom Kiley said in a written statement.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/expo...07/island.html

pan6467 · 01-12-2007, 10:54 PM

And so it begins, 2 years of constant bickering, one side bitching and complaining about the other and nothing getting done....

Bravo....

On a side note...... as I have stated before and the OP is quoted from ONLY the Washington Times....... I will never trust or put faith into a paper owned by a man who buys nuclear subs from the old USSR and GIVES them to N.Korea, a man who GIVES MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS to the leadership of N. Korea (notice I said the leadership not the people, a man who declares himself king of the universe.... yeah.... Rev. Moon owns and controls what is printed in the Times.... he supports Kim Il Jong of N. Korea.... hmmmmm I'm supposed to believe anything that comes from that propaganda machine????

scout · 01-13-2007, 03:02 AM

And so it begins? I beg to differ, this partisan bullshit started some +230 years ago and will continue long after we are both dead and gone. The best we have had in the last 40 years or so is a Democrat president and both houses controlled by the Republicans. Maybe we should give that another try the next election and maybe, just maybe, something will get done in Washington besides bickering, bitching and complaining about nothing.

Lizra · 01-13-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467

On a side note...... as I have stated before and the OP is quoted from ONLY the Washington Times....... I will never trust or put faith into a paper owned by a man who buys nuclear subs from the old USSR and GIVES them to N.Korea, a man who GIVES MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS to the leadership of N. Korea (notice I said the leadership not the people, a man who declares himself king of the universe.... yeah.... Rev. Moon owns and controls what is printed in the Times.... he supports Kim Il Jong of N. Korea....

Wow!

Really!? Why does anybody read this paper then?

shakran · 01-13-2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizra

Wow!

Really!? Why does anybody read this paper then?

Why does anybody watch Fox news? Because they say things that the right wants to hear, even when there's clear evidence that it's bullshit (source: Any program featuring Bill O'Reilly)

The paper says things that right-wing neoconservative conspiracy theroists like to hear, so they read it.

pan6467 · 01-13-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizra

Wow!

Really!? Why does anybody read this paper then?

Good question, perhaps it's because it will distort news the way neo-cons want it distorted.

All you hyave to do is go back into the archives and search for the thread where I blow Moon and the Wash. Times out. or google and read about the man and the paper.

Do you know Rev. Moon in the 70's worked for the CIA? Did you know he was funded by the CIA during the time Bush Sr. was head of it? Do you know that when Reagan was elected, his advisors and the powers behind him, decided they needed a press they could control that would back SDI Technology (that didn't exist), and many other programs...... then lo and behold the Rev Moon, a CULT leader calling himself the reincarnation of Jesus, who had been funded by the CIA, opened the Wash. Times? Look it up. Read up on it, then you tell me why people read and believe that newspaper.

You make your own decision.....

dksuddeth · 01-13-2007, 12:12 PM

are you people seriously trying to tell me that the only biased news is right wing biased?

host · 01-13-2007, 12:44 PM

pan....I would put my "two cents" in...... concerning the record that is "out there" to support your posts concerning Moon and the Washington Times, regardless of who posted the information. I don't think that there are reliable sources to support or to authenticate much of what you posted.

Please clear this "murkiness" up....by posting your strongest authorities to back your most serious allegations. This is some of what I've found, and I am not completely comfortable with the accuracy of it all, but I think that it is more measured, and reasonable start. I do agree that the Washington Times is an unreliable, heavily partisan source (the reporter of the OP article, uses the term, "democrat leaders" in some of his other stories, just as Mr. Bush and other highly partisan republicans consistently do in their speeches and statements to the press. It is not a convicting sign, but it is a "tell".) Charles Hurt was also criticized for shilling for Mr. Miranda, the disgraced former Sen. Bill Frist aid who stole files from a Sen. Edward Kennedy computer, and distributed the information in the computer's files to embarrass democratic senators....

Quote:

THE NATION; POLITICAL FUND-RAISING; The GOP's Own Asian Connection: Rev. Moon;
Robert Parry. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Nov 16, 1997.

Republicans have scored points in the long-running political fund-raising scandal. Between videos of President Bill Clinton embracing a fund-raiser with close ties to Asian businesses and saffron-robed Buddhist nuns justifying a money-raising lunch attended by Vice President Al Gore, pressure is building for the appointment of an independent counsel to examine the Democrats' scramble for campaign donations.

But Republicans are also vulnerable on the foreign-money issue. Indeed, they are especially lucky that one of their most questionable relationships has gone virtually unmentioned amid the controversies about mysterious Asian political money. That is the GOP's long and lucrative relationship with the Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his Korea-based Unification Church.

Over the past quarter-century, the 77-year-old Moon has given the U.S. conservative movement sums estimated in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Most notably, Moon's deep pockets have financed the Washington Times, a leading conservative voice and one of the capital's two daily newspapers. But he also has invested heavily in building the right's political infrastructure, from direct-mail outlets to video-production houses, from think tanks to academic centers.

Much of Moon's influence-buying is done in secret and often occurs when conservatives are vulnerable to being bought. A recent example is Christian right leader Jerry Falwell, who feared his fundamentalist Liberty University in Virginia was slipping into bankruptcy. Desperate for an infusion of cash, Falwell and two associates made an unannounced trip to South Korea in January 1994, where they solicited help from Unification Church representatives, according to documents on file in a court case in Bedford County, Va. Months later, Moon's organization funneled $3.5 million to Liberty University through a clandestine channel. The money was delivered through one of Moon's front groups, the Women's Federation for World Peace. It then passed through the Christian Heritage Foundation, a Virginia nonprofit corporation that was buying up--and forgiving--Liberty's debt.

On Jan. 28, 1995, during his nationally televised "Old Time Gospel Hour," Falwell credited the directors of the foundation, Daniel A. Reber and Jimmy Thomas, with saving Liberty. Falwell made no mention of his more prominent financial angel, Moon, who is objectionable to many fundamentalist Christians because of his unusual biblical interpretations and his recruitment of young people away from their families.

I discovered the $3.5-million contribution while examining the Internal Revenue Service records of Moon-connected organizations. On the 1995 tax report for the Women's Federation, there was a line item listing $3.5 million going to the Christian Heritage Foundation. Susan Fefferman, the federation's vice president, admitted the money was targeted for Falwell's Liberty University.

In many indirect ways, Moon's companies have generated money for conservative businesses, in effect, tiding them over during slack times so they are still around to do nitty-gritty political work in election years. Moon's Insight magazine, for example, in 1991 granted a $5-million contract to Direct Mail Communications, a small firm in Forest, Va., run by Falwell's friends, Reber and Thomas. The Insight contract constituted more than one-third of the firm's annual revenue. During later campaign seasons, DMC was available to do political mailings for the Republican National Committee, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the National Rifle Assn. and Iran-Contra figure Oliver L. North.

Some of DMC's political direct-mail work was allegedly performed at a discount. In 1994, when DMC's owners had a falling out, one faction accused Reber and Thomas of undercharging favored conservative organizations and political figures. Falwell's televangelist organizations and a GOP candidate for a congressional seat in Florida were given a financial break, according to court records. Other conservative politicians seemed to have gotten extended credit when DMC performed work for them. After North lost his run for the U.S. Senate in 1994, his largest debt, $89,033, was to DMC, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Over the years, Moon's hidden money has helped many Republicans through hard times. In the 1980s, the American Freedom Council defended North against Iran-Contra charges and distributed 30 million pieces of political literature to help elect George Bush in 1988. It was later revealed that the AFC was backed by $5 million to $6 million from business interests associated with Moon.

Moon's organization also kept the right's direct-mail guru Richard Viguerie afloat in the 1980s. At one stage, Viguerie profited from a big contract with the Washington Times for subscription solicitations, then, while facing a financial crisis that threatened his company's future, Viguerie sold a building to a top Moon aide, Bo Hi Pak, for $10 million.

Yet, even as Moon has gained influence in GOP circles, the sources of his money have always been suspect. In the late 1970s, a congressional investigation tied Moon's Unification Church to the "Koreagate" influence-buying scheme directed by South Korea's intelligence service, the KCIA, against U.S. institutions. In 1983, the moderate Republican Ripon Society raised warning flags, too. Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), then Ripon chairman, charged that Moon's church had "infiltrated the new right and the party it {the new right} wants to control, the Republican Party, and infiltrated the media as well."

But President Ronald Reagan embraced the Washington Times as his "favorite" newspaper and Moon's newspaper returned the favor by defending the Reagan-Bush administrations at nearly every turn. In 1991, President Bush invited the paper's new editor-in-chief, Wesley Pruden, to lunch "just to tell you how valuable the Times has become in Washington, where we read it every day."

Still, to this day, it is unclear how Moon finances his costly operations. The Washington Times alone is estimated to lose at least $35 million a year and some insiders put the annual losses at more than $100 million. When I asked Moon's legal representative, Peter Ross, about Moon's money sources, he responded: "Each year, the church retains an independent accounting firm to do a national audit and produce an annual financial statement. . . . {It} is not my policy to make it {publicly} available."

Despite the secrecy, former senior figures of the Unification Church have told me that large amounts arrive in cash from overseas, particularly from Japan but also from South America, where Moon recently has increased his activities. Bolstering these claims are recent court records in Massachusetts and New York revealing that $1 million was carried into the United States by visiting church members. That money, for just one project, was then allegedly laundered through Moon-connected businesses in New York. According to the sworn affidavit of Nansook Moon, the estranged wife of Moon's son, Hyo Jin, some of the money was diverted to buy cocaine and other personal extravagances.

Besides questions of legality, the Moon money could prove embarrassing to the Republicans because of Moon's growing contempt for the United States and its democratic principles. Moon's P.R. agents still tout Moon's praise of the United States when he arrived here in the 1970s. But his recent speeches, carried on the Internet and in church publications, tell a different story.

On March 5, 1995, for instance, Moon announced in one sermon that "you must realize that America has become the kingdom of Satan." On Aug. 4, 1996, he vowed that after his movement gains power, Americans who insist on maintaining their individuality "will be digested." American women must learn "to negate yourself 100%," he added in the same sermon. On May 1, 1997, Moon told his followers that "the country that represents Satan's harvest is America."

John Stacey, a former Unification Church youth leader and a recent defector, told me that Moon explained to a church leadership group in Alaska that "America is so satanic that even hamburgers should be considered evil, because they come from America."

So far, Moon's anti-Americanism has drawn little notice. But if attention on the current Asian political-influence-buying scandal takes a bipartisan turn, U.S. conservatives who have benefited from Moon's deep pockets might find the controversy a two-edged sword.

Quote:

http://www.mediachannel.org/original...anscript.shtml

The Resurrection Of Reverend Moon

This is a transcript of a January 21, 1992 broadcast, "Frontline: The Ressurection Of Reverend Moon." Eric Nadler, reporter. Written and produced by Rory O'Connor. Copyright (c)1991 WGBH Educational Foundation. Used with permission.

Rory O'Connor is CEO of Globalvision New Media, producers of MediaChannel.
For information on purchasing this program contact Rory O'Connor at

Quote:

http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourc...ont_groups.htm
Moon Political Fronts

* American Bicentennial God Bless America Committee #
* American Committee for the Human Rights of Japanese Wives of North Korean
* Repatriates # Members fasted for 7 days in front of the UN during a vote on whether to remove troops from S. Korea for human rights violations, October, 1974.
* American Constitution Committee * 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 300 Falls Church, VA
* American Council for Free Asia * Washington, D.C.
* American Council for World Freedom *
* American Family Coalition *
* American Family Coalition of Virginia, Inc. *
* American Freedom Coalition * Offices in many states.
* American Freedom Foundation, Inc. * 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314N, Falls Church, VA 22043. The 1993 IRS Form 990 shows the organization had less than $25,000 in gross receipts and elected to file a report without financial data.
* American Leadership Conference * Identified as a project of the American Family Coalition and the Washington Times Foundation on the AFC web page 2/15/02.
* American Parents Association *
* American Youth for a Just Peace #
* Asia University Federation * Sun Moon University in Korea. Offshoot of World University Federation
* Asian Ecumenical Inter Faith Council * Philippines Causa branch.
* Assn. Pro Unidad Latinoamericano, 393 5th Ave., NYC 10016
* Captive Nations *
* Causa International Minority Alliance: 393 5th Ave., NYC 212 213 5280
* Causa International # 401 5th Ave., NYC 10016 212 684 6122
* Causa U.S.A. * 481 8th Ave., Rm 718, NYC 10001 212 764 7238
* Causa Veterans' Assn., 393 5th Ave., 4th Fl., NYC 10016
* Citizen’s Federation for the Unification of the Fatherland * Founded in 1987.
* Coalition for a Free World *
* Committee for Responsible Dialogue
* Committee to Defend the U.S. Constitution #
* Communist Research Group
* Family Party for Universal Peace and Unity * Korean political party founded by Moon on March 10, 2003. The inaugural Chairman was Chung-hwang Kwak.
* Federation for Cosmic Peace and Unification * Uruguay
* Federation of Island Nations for World Peace * Founded by Moon in 1996.
* Free Asia Foundation * Washington, D.C.
* Freedom Leadership Foundation #
* Global Economic Action Institute # 535 5th Ave., NYC 10017 & 1010 Vermont Ave.,
* NW, #1002 Washington, D.C. 20005. This office is no longer open.
* God and Freedom Rally, 4301 Harewood Rd., NE WDC, 20017
* International Federation for the Victory Over Communism *
* Korean International Foundation for World Peace *
* International Commission for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea # Formed in 1991 by the Summit Council for World Peace
* International Security Council, 393 5th Ave., NYC 10016
* Inter Religious Federation for World Peace * A project of the International Religious
* Foundation, Inc.
* Korean Causa of N.Y., 401 5th Ave., 7th Floor, 10016
* Korean American Political Assn * (KAPA)
* Korean Professors World Peace Academy * New York City
* Middle East Association # Washington, D.C.
* National Prayer and Fast for the Watergate Crisis #
* National Professors and Students Federation for North-South Reunification *
* Professors Academy for World Peace *
* Professors World Peace Academy * 38 W. 32nd St., NYC 10001 Controls the University Of Bridgeport.
* Project Unity #
* The Summit Council for World Peace * Washington, D.C. Administers a humanitarian relief program to North Korea under the name Summit Council Humanitarian Relief Fund. Changed name to The World Institute for Development and Peace, Inc. in 1996.
* The Summit Club International, Inc., 1333 New Hampshire, NW, Washington, DC, 20036; 202 293 9393 (incorporated 12/18/81 under "Supreme Council of Heads of State & Government, name changed less than 1 month later.)
* Universal Peace Federation * Founded by Moon in New York City on 09/12/2005
* Washington Institute for Values in Public Policy *
* Washington Institute Press *
* Women's Federation for World Peace * Moon's wife, Hak Ja Han Moon is the President.
* World Anti Communist League * (W.A.C.L.)
* World Freedom Movement *
* World Freedom Institute *
* World Institute for Development and Peace, Inc. * 3600 New York Ave., NE, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20002. Formerly known as the Summit Council for World Peace, Inc. This is a Virginia corporation.
* World University Federation * Organization was formed at a meeting of the Professors World Peace Academy in Uruguay on February 19, 1996.

Moon Media Fronts

* Atlantic Video, Inc., * 650 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC. Founded in 1984.
* Belleville Press, 401 5th Ave., NYC & 91 Terry St. & 480 Washington Ave., Belleville, NJ (201 759 2334 (owned by News World Communications)
* CARP Monthly
* Causa Report # 4301 Harewood Rd., NE Wash., DC 20017
* Currents, A Journal of Unificationism Thought and Culture, Washington, DC; supposedly an "independent project" put out by its publishing committee and funded by same: Bruce Casino, Dan Fefferman, Dan Holdgreiwe, Michael Jenkins, Robert Rand, Justin Watson and Nancy Wright; P.O. Box 962, Riverdale, MD 20737; $20 per year; see 12/89 Unification News.
* Epoch Maker Magazine #
* Free Press International, Inc., # 401 5th Ave., NY 212 532 8300
* Freestate Publishing, Inc. * Subsidiary of News World Communications
* Global Affairs, 905 16th St. NW, #401, Washington, DC 20006
* Global Insight
* Harlem Weekly, 401 5th Ave., NYC 10016; 212 532 8300
* HeartWing * 12715 NE 7th Place, Vancouver, WA 98684, 206 944 7278.
* Heaven & Earth newsletter
* Insight Magazine
* International Exchange Press *
* Manhattan Magazine
* Manhattan Television Center * 311 W. 34th St., NY, NY
* Middle East Times * Cyprus
* New Era Books, 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001; 212 695 7562
* New Future Films * 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001; 212 947 2780
* New Hope News members only
* News World Communications, 3600 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006; 202 636 4836 (holding company that publishes all of the different newspapers owned by church The Washington Times is printed at this location) also: 38 38 9th St., LI City, NY 11101; 718 786 3200 (church owned building in Queens where all of NYC newspapers are printed; building houses many other church businesses as well)
* Noticias Del Mundos * 401 5th Ave., NYC 10016; 212 576 0350 DBA for Tiempos USA Corp.
* Noticias Panamerica Corp * Publishes the Tiempos del Mundo newspapers in 17 cities in 16 countries through the Americas. Douglas D.M. Joo is President.
* One Way Productions # 10889 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., CA. INCHON $46 million film starring Laurence Olivier, Jackie Bisset, Ben Gazzara about Douglas MacArthur in Korea.
* Paragon House Publishers * 866 2nd Ave., NYC; 212 223 6433 (owned by Paragon Book Reprint Co., which is owned by International Cultural Foundation; also at 481 8th Ave.
* Principle life
* Queens Magazine
* Renaissance for Resources (project volunteer)
* Rising Tide # D.C. paper of the Freedom Leadership Foundation
* Rose of Sharon Press, Inc. * 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001
* Sae Gae Times * 38 W. 32nd St., Rm. 1508, NY 10001; 212 947 4770
* Sae Gae Times * 5816 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
* Segye Times * Korean newspaper, publishes Cosmo Woman
* Sekai Nippo * 401 5th Ave., NYC 10016, 212 532 7638
* Spring of Life nutritional journal (IFABM)
* Sunrise newsletter
* The New York Tribune * No longer published.
* The Pacific Student Times * 625 Front St., San Francisco, CA
* The Washington Times * 3600 New York Ave., NW, WDC 20006
* The Weekly Religion
* Tong Il Seigel monthly members only
* Ultimas Noticias *
* Unification News, 4 W. 43rd St., NYC 10036; 212 869 8847
* Unification Thought Quarterly
* Unified World # (New World Forum)
* United Press International * Purchased by News World Communication, Inc. May 2000.
* United Press International Foundation *
* Universal Voice # (International Re education Foundation)
* Visual Arts Society * c/o Joe Willett, 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001
* Washington Golf Monthly * Published by News World Communications, Inc.
* Washington Television Center * 650 Mass. Ave., NW WDC.
* Washington Times Foundation * Washington, D.C.
* Washington Times Education Foundation * Washington, D.C.
* Way of the World monthly
* World & I Magazine, 450 5th St., NW Washington, DC 20001
* World Media Association * 2550 M St., NW #405, WDC 20037
* World Media Conference * Sponsored by World Media Association
* World Peace Herald * http://www.wpherald.com Published by News World Communications, Inc.
* World University Times * (CARP newsletter) 481 8th Ave., NYC

Moon Cultural and Social Fronts

* Advisory Council to the Unification Movement (ACUMI) joint project of International Cultural Foundation and International Religious Foundation, holds seminars for scholars involved in ICF & IRF to learn about Moon's teachings; Dr. Frederick Sontag, Chairman.
* African Institute for the Study of Humanistic Values *
* Aid and Service International Foundation * Washington, DC
* American Blessed Family Assoc. (for members only)
* American Community Union * 160 W.72nd St., NY
* American Space Culture Foundation * Washington, D.C.
* Artists Association for World Peace * New York City, Organization founded at the direction of True Parents on Parents Day 1995. Initial headquarters are at the office of the New York City Symphony.
* Artists Association International, Kevin Pickard, Executive Vice President
* Association for the Research of Middle Eastern Cultures, Inc. * 4 W 43rd St., NYC
* Big Apple Harvest # (NY)
* Boston Area Council for Church and Social Action, Inc.
* Canaan Foundation, Inc. 481 8th Ave., NY 10001; 212 279 6255. Non profit organization, which funds the International Cultural Foundation.
* Capital Gardens Children’s Center # 4301 Harewood Rd., NE, WDC
* Center for Educational Media * P.O. Box 37, Emerson, NJ 07630. Richard Panzer is the president. This organization works with Free Teens and the World Medical Health Foundation to promote an abstinence based sex education program to school districts. They work closely with conservative Christian organizations that have similar agendas.
* Center for Ethical Management & Planning * Berkeley, CA
* Cosmic Federation for World Peace *
* Cosmic True Parents’ Foundation * Established 2000
* Council on the Unified Research of Science *
* Creative Community Project, Inc. * 1153 Bush St., San Francisco
* D.C. Striders Track Club.
* Empowerment Resource Network * Fredericksburg, VA Run by David Caprara a Moon follower and political operative. This organization is often called the Empowerment Network in the media.
* Family Center for Universal Peace and Unification * Established 2000
* Family House of Cosmic Peace and Unity * Founded in 2000 by Moon
* Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)* 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 529, New York, NY 10017, Phone 212-826-8999. Internet post by Damian Anderson states this is the new operational name for the Unification Movement. The legal name remains the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, Inc. Also know as the HSA UWC, Inc.
* Family Federation for Unification and World Peace *
* Federation of Continental Nations for World Peace *
* Federation of Island Nations for World Peace *
* Federation of Peninsula Nations for World Peace * Started by Summit Council for World Peace.
* Federation to Save the New Nation for Latin American and the Caribbean * Mentioned in the November 1996 issue of Unification News.
* Foundation for Unificationist Thought and Culture * Virginia
* Free Teens * NJ, Project of the World Medical Health Foundation promoting an
* abstinence based high school curriculum.
* Freedom Foundation of NJ, Inc. * 395 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052 201 325 0634. This address is the American Freedom Coalition office staffed by UC members. Organization promotes drugs and AIDS materials to schools.
* Cheongshim Graduate School of Theology * Korea
* Global Oceanic Food Project * 2000
* Global Education Research and Development Fund, Inc. * Barrytown
* Godparents Association, Inc. # Rockville. MD
* Good Neighbors, Inc. * 2600 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE
* Hahnemann Medical Center * a/k/a World Medical Health Foundation
* Harlem Council for the Church and Community Change *
* Heung Jin Moon Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc. * Washington, D.C.
* Homeopathic Counsel for Research * New York City
* HSA Bulletin Board (computer bulletin board) 415 968 7481 #
* Institute of Korean Studies for Foreign Students * Korea
* Inter-Religious International Student Peace Council * Founded March 2004 in Chicago by two CARP members.
* International Chinese Assn., 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001; 212 714 401; Board of Directors: Edwin K Eng, Lova Eng Wilson, John Kung, and attorney: W. Farley Jones (all are members of UC)
* International Conference of World Peace *
* International Conference Center * Seoul, Korea
* International Conference for the Unity of the Sciences * (ICUS) 481 8th Ave., Rm 747,
* NYC 10001; 212 947 1756 (funded by International Cultural Foundation)
* International Conference of Professors and Scholars *
* International Conference on Law & Individual Freedom *
* International Cultural Foundation * (I.C.F.) 1667 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006;
* 202 293 9393; also 4 W. 43rd St., NYC 10036; 212 947 1756 (funds many church projects, especially International Conference on Unity of Sciences; sole shareholder of Paragon House Publishers) Neil Albert Salonen, President (former President of the Unification Church of America, 1971 80)
* International Educational Foundation * 4 W 43rd St., NYC 10036
* International Folk Ballet
* International Highway Construction Corporation *
* International Highway Research Center *
* International Middle East Alliance * New York City
* International Peace Foundation * 7777 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043.
* International Relief Friendship Foundation, 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001; 212 563 3296
* (Funds overseas projects in Philippines & South America) Dr. Thomas Walsh, Director.
* International Relief Foundation * 481 8th Ave., NYC 10001; 212 714 1033
* International Religious Federation for World Peace *
* Interracial Sisterhood Project * Northern California project of the Women’s Federation for World Peace
* Inter-Religious International Student Peace Council * Founded March 2004 in Chicago by two CARP members.
* Interreligious and International Peace Council * Founded 2003
* Interreligious International Foundation for World Peace * Founded October 2, 2003
* JAMII Africa * 1610 Columbia Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
* Japanese Cultural Foundation *
* Japanese Heritage Foundation * Reportedly owns Sho Fu Den, a shrine in Monticello, New York.
* Korean Cultural & Freedom Foundation * (KCFF) Washington, DC
* Lawyers Federation for World Peace and Justice *
* Literary Federation for World Peace * Project of Summit Council for World Peace.
* Little Angels Korean Folk Ballet *
* Madison Institute * Dr. John Cooper, Director
* Marriage and Family Institute of America * Founded in 1994 by David S.C. Kim.
* Martin Luther King Jr. Family Life Institute *
* Minority Alliance International, Inc. * Incorporated in Washington, D.C.
* Middle East Alliance for World Peace * 481 8th Ave., Ste. 846, NY, NY 10001
* Mongolian Peoples' Federation for World Peace * This is a project of the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, and the Interreligious and International Peace Council.
* Multicultural Media Association, Inc. #
* Nation of Cosmic Peace and Unity * From www.familyfed.org “True Parents officially named Gods nation as the Nation of Cosmic Peace and Unity (Cheon Il Guk, for short) during his commemorative speech at the 42nd celebration of True Childrens Day held at Sutaek-ri on November 15, 2001.”
* National Parent’s Day Council * 3600 New York Ave., Washington, DC 20002. Their web page identifies the organization as a project of the American Family Coalition, Inc. and supported by the Washington Times Foundation. They appear to have taken over the role of promoting Parent’s Day from the National Parent’s Day Foundation.
* New Age Players theatrical company * NY
* New Age Orchestra San Francisco
* New Family Foundation, Inc. * Maryland
* New Hope Farms Deer Park, NY (on Delaware River at juncture of NY, NJ & PA; multi million dollar equestrian center. Purpose: training site for Olympians; a modern pentathlon event center; a breeding & equestrian research facility; competition center for polo, rodeo & horse racing.
* New Hope Foundation *1460 4th Street, Suite 307, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ULTRA Teen Choice * Washington, DC http://www.ultrateenchoice.org/
* New Hope Singers International
* New Jersey Parents Foundation, Inc. * Westwood
* New Society Social Services #
* New World Players
* New World Forum * 300 E. 56th St., NY
* New World Festival
* New York City Symphony, 311 W. 34th St., NYC 10001, 212 971 9150 (funded almost entirely by International Cultural Foundation), David Eaton, UC member is the conductor.
* Ocean Education Institute for World Peace, Inc. * 501(c)3 organization in Jersey City.
* Pacific Cultural Foundation
* Peace Cup * Soccer tournament in Korea sponsored by Sunmoon Peace Football Foundation.
* Prince of Peace School (Principe de la Paz) * Funded by IRFF
* Professors World Peace Academy, 481 8th Ave., NYC 212 947 1756
* Project Volunteer *
* Pure Love Alliance * 4 West 43rd St., 3rd Fl. New York, NY 10036.
* Radio Free Asia (ROFA) #
* Religious Youth Service * Project of the International religious Foundation, Inc.
* Research Institute on World Affairs, Inc. 38 W. 32nd St. Rm 1508, NYC 10001; 212 947 4770, Directors: Chung Hwan Kwak, Il Pyung Kim & Hugh Spurgin, shares offices w/Sae Gae Times and Soul of Russia Group, 10 Dock Rd., Barrytown, NY 12507 914 758 6881 (awareness group by Erin Bouma)
* Service for Peace, Inc. * Youth group founded by Hyun Jin Moon. Located at 34 State St., Ossining, NY www.serviceforpeace.org
* Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
* Society for Common Insights, Inc.
* Striders International, Inc., 17501 Sabrina Terrace, Rockville, MD 20855
* Sun-Hwa Educational Foundation * Seoul, Korea. Bo Hi Pak is listed as Chairman of the organization from 1976 to 1988 in the biographical section found in the Appendix II of his book the “The Truth is My Sword” Vol. One.
* Sunmoon Peace Football Foundation * Korea, Article in Washington Times dated 7/15/2003 states “The Peace Cup is sponsored by the Sunmoon Peace Football Foundation, created by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a longtime soccer fan. The foundation runs three professional teams — Seongnam and Brazilian teams Sorocaba of Sao Paulo and Cene of Jardim.”
* Sun Moon Educational Foundation * Korea
* True Our Brothers' Keepers Community Justice Center * Milwaukee, Wisconsin
* Unification Educational Foundation * Hyattsville, MD.
* United Native American Council * Founded in 1984
* United to Serve America (USA) # 3600 New York Ave. NE 3rd Fl. Washington, D.C. 20002, 202 636 8910, 202 636 8909 FAX. Started as a cooperative project of the American Freedom Foundation and the American Freedom Coalition. This is the address of the Washington Times.
* Unification Theological Seminary Alumni Association, the * 10 Dock Rd., Barrytown
* Unification Theological Seminary Mid-Atlantic States Alumni Association, the * Incorporated in the District of Columbia.
* United Vision Foundation * 34 State St. Ossining, NY 10562. In the past large amounts of money have been donated to this organization by the Unification Church in Japan. United Vision Foundation makes donations to World CARP.
* Universal Ballet Academy * Washington, DC
* Urban Life Training & Reality Assessment Teen Choice * Washington, DC
* Washington Aids International Foundation * Washington, DC
* Washington Church for Social Action *
* Washington Institute for Values in Public Policy, 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW,
* Washington, DC 20036
* World Alliance for Civil Rights *
* World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations * 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, 212-826-8999.
* World Conference on Preservation and Sustainable Development in the Pantanal * Funded by a number of Moon organizations including the Washington Times Foundation and the International Cultural Foundation.
* World Family Movement
* World Medical Health Foundation, 1 Penn Plaza, #100, NYC 10019
* World Ocean Foundation
* World Peace Institute of Technology * Moon announced he had founded this organization in a speech given in Seoul on May 1, 1994.
* World Relief Friendship Foundation * 481 8th Ave., NYC
* World Sport Fishing Federation – USA * PO Box 264 Little Ferry, NJ 07643 Sponsored the Hudson Striper Peace Cup
* Young Oon Kim Research Foundation, Inc. # 10 Dock Rd. Barrytown, NY
* Youth Federation for World Peace * 34 State St. Ossining, NY 10562

pan6467 · 01-13-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksuddeth

are you people seriously trying to tell me that the only biased news is right wing biased?

Not really. I'm just showing the Wash. Times and Moon for what they are. There are many good "Conservative" papers and mags out there.... the Wash. Times just isn't one of them, I have moral and faith issues against it, that's just me. Anyone else can have their opinion.

Host, I will show you the material when I get a chance.... I have my son this weekend so it may be awhile.

dc_dux · 01-13-2007, 02:59 PM

Back to the OP....

My guess is that the provision on the Marianas was included by the Dems,in part, as a political statement (along with a sincere interest in bringing some wage standards to the Marianas) to John Boehner and Roy Blunt, the two top Repubs in the House, both of whom had ties to Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff and the K Street project* that resulted in the worst abuse and influence peddling by lobbyists (ahd the Repubs) in our lifetime.

Chances are the provision will be dropped in the Senate version and replaced with something similar to the exisiting minimum wage standards and procedures for American Samoa - neither of which should be held to wage rates that apply in the US, but both of which should have some minimal standards as US territories that benefit from having that status.
----
* The K Street Project, according to former Washington Monthly editor Nicholas Confessore, is (was) an attempt to build a new Republican political machine "built upon patronage, contracts and one-party rule ... among Washington's thousands of trade associations and corporate offices, their tens of thousands of employees and the hundreds of millions of dollars in political money at their disposal."

The theory behind the project, Confessore wrote, boils down to this: "As Republicans control more and more K Street jobs, they will reap more and more K Street money, which will help them win larger and larger majorities on the Hill."

Marvelous Marv · 01-13-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467

And so it begins, 2 years of constant bickering, one side bitching and complaining about the other and nothing getting done....

Bravo....

On a side note...... as I have stated before and the OP is quoted from ONLY the Washington Times....... I will never trust or put faith into a paper owned by a man who buys nuclear subs from the old USSR and GIVES them to N.Korea, a man who GIVES MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS to the leadership of N. Korea (notice I said the leadership not the people, a man who declares himself king of the universe.... yeah.... Rev. Moon owns and controls what is printed in the Times.... he supports Kim Il Jong of N. Korea.... hmmmmm I'm supposed to believe anything that comes from that propaganda machine????

Well, although I might have started another thread after that insightful post, I might as well add this one:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars

Quote:

Senators introduce bill to restrict Internet, cable, and satellite radio recording

1/12/2007 3:12:22 PM, by Eric Bangeman

A new bill introduced in the US Senate this week would force satellite, digital, and Internet radio providers (but not over-the-air radio) to implement measures designed to restrict the ability of listeners to record audio from the services. Called the "Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act" (PERFORM), the bill is sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Joseph Biden (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

If the name of the bill sounds familiar, it should. The bill was originally introduced in April 2006 with the support of the RIAA. It died in committee, but the senators are hopeful that the bill will pass this time around.

Like its predecessor, the new legislation would require content protection on all satellite radio broadcasts along with cable and Internet broadcasts. Broadcasters would be required to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft." But that's not bad for consumers, says Sen. Feinstein, who tells us that "consumers' current recording habits" will not be inhibited as they will still be allowed to record by time period or station. However, they would be prevented from automatically cherry-picking all the Shakira songs from the services.

The bill would also get the government into the business of price controls, with content providers required to pay a predetermined "fair market value" for the use of the music libraries. If another company decides to enter the unprofitable satellite radio market in the future, it too, would be forced to pay the same rates as XM Radio and Sirius.

The music industry's overexaggerated fears of piracy are driving the legislation, just as they did last year. "New radio services are allowing users to do more than simply listen to music. What was once a passive listening experience has turned into a forum where users can record, manipulate, collect and create personalized music libraries," said Sen. Feinstein. "As the modes of distribution change and the technologies change, so must our laws change."

Yesterday, Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) announced legislation that would prevent the FCC from creating exactly the same kind of technology mandates that the PERFORM Act would require. At the time, Sen. Sununu said that "misguided requirements distort the marketplace by forcing industry to adopt agency-blessed solutions rather than allow innovative and competitive approaches to develop."

The Consumer Electronics Association was quick to voice opposition to the PERFORM Act. "We are disappointed that this legislation, which faced vocal bipartisan opposition last year, has been reintroduced just as consumers are about to enjoy incredible innovation from new content devices launched at the 2007 International CES this week," Michael Pettricone, the CEA's senior vice president of government affairs, told Ars in a statement. "This bill has absolutely nothing to do with piracy, the Internet, or peer to peer redistribution. Instead, it would assault the freedom of consumers to use content they have lawfully acquired for private and noncommercial purposes in the privacy of their homes and vehicles. We will continue our effort to inform lawmakers of the dangers of this legislation to our digital economy and to long established principles of fair use."

Under the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992, consumers have the right to make noncommercial analog and digital copies of broadcasts. That would change if the PERFORM Act passes this time around, as the ability to record music for one's own personal use would be restricted, marking another erosion of consumers' fair use rights. Be sure to let your senators know how you feel about this legislation.

The only thing worse than bickering is when Congress actually AGREES on something, and bad laws get passed. I can hardly wait to see what ELSE is brought forth over the next two years.

flstf · 01-13-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelous Marv

The only thing worse than bickering is when Congress actually AGREES on something, and bad laws get passed. I can hardly wait to see what ELSE is brought forth over the next two years.

I think you are right, special interest money buys polititians from both parties.

At least with gridlock our bought and paid for polititians would have a harder time passing bills like this one or the President's and Senate's immigrant amnesty bill.

dc_dux · 01-13-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelous Marv

Well, although I might have started another thread after that insightful post, I might as well add this one:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars

The only thing worse than bickering is when Congress actually AGREES on something, and bad laws get passed. I can hardly wait to see what ELSE is brought forth over the next two years.

Marv....since you dont want to discuss the bias of the Wash Times article anymore, perhaps you can explain why you think the PERFORM act is a bad bill.

Do you think consumers should have an unfettered "right" to record (for use other than personal listening) copyrighted music played on cable, satellite radio or the internet?

The bill seems like a reasonable compromise to me. Whats wrong with requiring broadcasters to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft?" Do you consider musicians who rely on the sale of their music for their livelihood a "special interest" group?

Rekna · 01-13-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux

Marv....since you dont want to discuss the bias of the Wash Times article anymore, perhaps you can explain why you think the PERFORM act is a bad bill.

Do you think consumers should have an unfettered "right" to record (for use other than personal listening) copyrighted music played on cable, satellite radio or the internet?

The bill seems like a reasonable compromise to me. Whats wrong with requiring broadcasters to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft?" Do you consider musicians who rely on the sale of their music for their livelihood a "special interest" group?

I'm pretty sure recording of broadcast materials has been ruled as fair use. If they ban this what will stop them from banning VCRs, Tivo's, DVRs, mythtv, tape recorders, ect?

dc_dux · 01-13-2007, 09:13 PM

Since this article also only presents one side of the issue, here is more from two of the sponsors:

Quote:

Sen.Feinstein:
“The birth of the digital music place has been a boon for businesses and consumers. However, these new technologies and business models have become so advanced that the clear lines between a listening service and a distribution service have been blurred....I believe that the PERFORM Act would help strike a balance between fostering the development of new technologies and ensuring that songwriters and performers continue to be fairly compensated for their works. This legislation is a good first step forward in addressing a real problem that is occurring in the music industry.”

Sen. Graham:
“I believe this bill does a good job of balancing innovation and technology for consumers, with fair rules for creators...I want new services to continue to be made available on different platforms. But the rules need to be fair for everyone – for the creators of the music who deserve to get paid when someone keeps a song, for the platform providers who deliver the music to the consumer regardless of whether it is Internet radio, satellite radio, or traditional radio, and especially for the consumer.”

Quote:

I'm pretty sure recording of broadcast materials has been ruled as fair use. If they ban this what will stop them from banning VCRs, Tivo's, DVRs, mythtv, tape recorders, ect?

Recording of broadcast materials for personal use has been considered fair use. Recording of broadcast music for redistribution is not...it is a copyright violation.

I agree there is a fine line between personal use and redistribution, but there has been an explosive growth in "piracy for profit" in recent years at the expense of the performer.

Rekna · 01-13-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux

Since this article also only presents one side of the issue, here is more from two of the sponsors:

Recording of broadcast materials for personal use has been considered fair use. Recording of broadcast music for redistribution is not...it is a copyright violation.

of course but how do prevent the later without preventing the former?

dc_dux · 01-13-2007, 09:33 PM

I assume the requirement to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft" would be some techonology similar to coding CDs, DVDs to prevent re-recording -- but on the broadcast side (although I have no idea how these technologies may work).

IMO. the bill at least deserves a hearing where the issues and solutions can be presented by all the interested parties before summarily dismissing it as a "bad" bill.

I just find it a little tiresome to hear people whine about bad bills (perhaps based solely on one article from one biased publication) before they have a full understanding of both sides of the issue.

flstf · 01-14-2007, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux

I just find it a little tiresome to hear people whine about bad bills (perhaps based solely on one article from one biased publication) before they have a full understanding of both sides of the issue.

I guess many of us see this kind of bill as another effort to restrict fair use of copyright material. My wife and I program our DVR to record TV shows selected by name for later viewing. How come it is legal to record TV shows selected by name with a VCR/TiVo/DVD recorder, etc., and even record standard radio with a cassette or MP3 player, but it is so wrong to record satellite radio music selected by name???

I believe if this bill passes the media companies will continue to pay our polititians to enact further restrictions including TV recording.

dc_dux · 01-14-2007, 07:02 AM

I would like to hear in testimony from the artists, the RIAA, the MPAA how they believe cable and satellilte radio companies can use "reasonably available and economically reasonable technology" without severely impacting (not just inconviencing) fair use for personal enjoyment.

There are "special interests" on both sides trying to effect any legislation- the music and movie recording industries (RIAA, MPAA) on one side and the cable, satellite radio, and internet broadcast companies on the other side. Both are movitated by profit and not necessarily the consumers or artists best interests.

In light of the growing piracy made even easier with new technologies, should there be an effort to protect both your fair use of copyrighted material and the artists right to the full value of the works they produce for their liveihood?

This bill may not be the best answer, but I would like to hear more, or an altenative, beforing dismissing it completely as just another special interest bill.

01-12-2007, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	You know, del monte has been running US politics abroad for years, never mind the oil industry! __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

01-12-2007, 12:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
aceventura3 Junkie Location: Ventura County	I tried looking for the bill with the exclusion, I could not find it. Anyone have a link? This is hypocracy on many levels. Not only is Pelosi protecting big business in her backyard at the expense of what they call a living wage for working people, the Democrats had to pay their union dues. Unions are the primary backers of minimum wage increases. On top of that Pelosi is going to stand up in her $20,000 pearls and proclaim how hard she is working to reduce the gap between the haves and the have nots. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on lunch." "It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions on vegetarianism while the wolf is of a different opinion." "If you live among wolves you have to act like one." "A lady screams at the mouse but smiles at the wolf. A gentleman is a wolf who sends flowers."

01-12-2007, 01:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	The problem here is that the territories of the United States have different minimum wages, and as it currently stands, people in American Samoa are already making a higher minimum wage than people in the Northern Mariana Islands. Every news article I found relating this "conspiracy theory" was not from a reputable news source, and the articles I did find were poorly edited. But they did inform me that the current minimum wage in American Samoa is $3.62/hr, which is more than what people in the Northern Mariana Islands stand to make even after the wage increase--their wage will increase to $3.55 after its passage. They will pass up American Samoa after six months, when the wage will increase to $4.05 an hour. All that this tells me is that we ought to be looking at a bigger picture of cost of living versus wage increases in the Pacific Islands, as we as mainlanders probably have little or no idea what a living wage means there. It clearly means something different than a living wage in the mainland United States. So as to whether the absence of American Samoa in the bill is fair or not--only the people of American Samoa can say. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

01-12-2007, 10:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	And so it begins, 2 years of constant bickering, one side bitching and complaining about the other and nothing getting done.... Bravo.... On a side note...... as I have stated before and the OP is quoted from ONLY the Washington Times....... I will never trust or put faith into a paper owned by a man who buys nuclear subs from the old USSR and GIVES them to N.Korea, a man who GIVES MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS to the leadership of N. Korea (notice I said the leadership not the people, a man who declares himself king of the universe.... yeah.... Rev. Moon owns and controls what is printed in the Times.... he supports Kim Il Jong of N. Korea.... hmmmmm I'm supposed to believe anything that comes from that propaganda machine???? __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?" Last edited by pan6467; 01-12-2007 at 11:01 PM..

01-13-2007, 12:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Location: bedford, tx	are you people seriously trying to tell me that the only biased news is right wing biased? __________________ "no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

01-12-2007, 12:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rekna Junkie	I'm glad the media is picking this up. Hopefully the exemption will be removed before it passes the senate

01-13-2007, 03:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
scout Psycho	And so it begins? I beg to differ, this partisan bullshit started some +230 years ago and will continue long after we are both dead and gone. The best we have had in the last 40 years or so is a Democrat president and both houses controlled by the Republicans. Maybe we should give that another try the next election and maybe, just maybe, something will get done in Washington besides bickering, bitching and complaining about nothing.

01-13-2007, 02:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
dc_dux Location: Washington DC	Back to the OP.... My guess is that the provision on the Marianas was included by the Dems,in part, as a political statement (along with a sincere interest in bringing some wage standards to the Marianas) to John Boehner and Roy Blunt, the two top Repubs in the House, both of whom had ties to Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff and the K Street project* that resulted in the worst abuse and influence peddling by lobbyists (ahd the Repubs) in our lifetime. Chances are the provision will be dropped in the Senate version and replaced with something similar to the exisiting minimum wage standards and procedures for American Samoa - neither of which should be held to wage rates that apply in the US, but both of which should have some minimal standards as US territories that benefit from having that status. ---- * The K Street Project, according to former Washington Monthly editor Nicholas Confessore, is (was) an attempt to build a new Republican political machine "built upon patronage, contracts and one-party rule ... among Washington's thousands of trade associations and corporate offices, their tens of thousands of employees and the hundreds of millions of dollars in political money at their disposal." The theory behind the project, Confessore wrote, boils down to this: "As Republicans control more and more K Street jobs, they will reap more and more K Street money, which will help them win larger and larger majorities on the Hill." __________________ "The perfect is the enemy of the good." ~ Voltaire Last edited by dc_dux; 01-13-2007 at 03:33 PM..

01-13-2007, 09:33 PM	#23 (permalink)
dc_dux Location: Washington DC	I assume the requirement to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft" would be some techonology similar to coding CDs, DVDs to prevent re-recording -- but on the broadcast side (although I have no idea how these technologies may work). IMO. the bill at least deserves a hearing where the issues and solutions can be presented by all the interested parties before summarily dismissing it as a "bad" bill. I just find it a little tiresome to hear people whine about bad bills (perhaps based solely on one article from one biased publication) before they have a full understanding of both sides of the issue. __________________ "The perfect is the enemy of the good." ~ Voltaire Last edited by dc_dux; 01-13-2007 at 09:39 PM..

01-14-2007, 07:02 AM	#25 (permalink)
dc_dux Location: Washington DC	I would like to hear in testimony from the artists, the RIAA, the MPAA how they believe cable and satellilte radio companies can use "reasonably available and economically reasonable technology" without severely impacting (not just inconviencing) fair use for personal enjoyment. There are "special interests" on both sides trying to effect any legislation- the music and movie recording industries (RIAA, MPAA) on one side and the cable, satellite radio, and internet broadcast companies on the other side. Both are movitated by profit and not necessarily the consumers or artists best interests. In light of the growing piracy made even easier with new technologies, should there be an effort to protect both your fair use of copyrighted material and the artists right to the full value of the works they produce for their liveihood? This bill may not be the best answer, but I would like to hear more, or an altenative, beforing dismissing it completely as just another special interest bill. __________________ "The perfect is the enemy of the good." ~ Voltaire Last edited by dc_dux; 01-14-2007 at 08:10 AM..