From: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com (roc-digest) To: roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: roc-digest V2 #146 Reply-To: roc-digest Sender: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk roc-digest Friday, June 5 1998 Volume 02 : Number 146 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 07:35:07 -0500 (CDT) From: Subject: Lone Star FIJA News (fwd) If your not a member of FIJA join. Some day a jury maybe your only hope for a federal firearm trial, and only a jury who who knows their rights from FIJA has a chance of helping you despited the judges orders. - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 13:42:35 -0500 From: Tom Glass To: 'Lone Star FIJA Contacts' Subject: Lone Star FIJA News Texas FIJA Fans, Two pieces of news: o First, we have updated our web site at www.lsfija.org Check it out. Give us feedback, please. Hope to keep on improving as we go. o Second, we will be running several booths at Texas party state conventions: Republican - Tarrant County Convention Center (Fort Worth) on June 12 (Fri) and June 13 (Sat). Democratic - Alamodome (San Antonio) June 28 (Fri) and June 29 (Sat) Libertarian - Fredonia Hotel (Nacogdoches) June 13-14. No booth, but Clay Conrad is speaking for us. Reform - Harvey Hotel (Dallas) June 13. No booths allowed, but distribution of literature allowed. Volunteer needed. American Constitution - Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Convention Center - 10am - 4pm. June 13 (Sat). No formal booths, but distribution of literature allowed. Volunteer needed. We think we have the Democratic Party Convention covered, but if you are burning to be there let us know. We still need volunteers for the GOP, Reform, and American Constitution Party on 6/12-13. Please let Tom Glass know at 713 467-2989 or reply via email to tomglass@lsfija.org if you can help. We know of at least 6 Senate District conventions that called for Fully Informed Jury Language in the GOP platform, and we have two folks who are or have been on the FIJA list on the GOP platform committee. Toward liberty, Tom Glass President Lone Star FIJA (713) 467-2989 - - ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 21:15:48 -0700 From: Liberty or Death Subject: To Whom it May Concern For those of you who knew of my affiliation (half ownership) of The Idaho Observer, this is to inform you that that affiliation has ceased, as of tonight (June 1, 1998). I've been feeling something funny in the wind from Don Harkins, the editor, for a while now, especially since his girlfriend, Patty Neill, decided she was going to be moving out here this summer, but tonight Don informed me that my services are no longer wanted with The Idaho Observer. Which is interesting, since I essentially do everything there is to do, save the final putting the paper together (a couple of days of work). I've done essentially all the advertising, all the subscriptions, handling the database, the bulk mailing and the preparation thereof, answering the phone while he's at work 8 to 5, *all* the promotion for the paper (shortwave and other publications), etc. etc. etc. In short, he's gonna have his hands full. And why? Who knows? Human beings, especially those that don't know the Lord, do some strange things. I'm actually learning to pretty much take them in stride the older I get. But I must confess, this one was a surprise. But as I say, you take things in stride. Since I will no longer be maintaining the website, there will no doubt *be* no website shortly. Oh well. It had gotten behind what with my recently being married and all anyway. It was a lot of work, and I've been rather proud of it, especially as net folks have stumbled across it and written to compliment us on what we're doing. But all good things must come to an end, I guess. At any rate, I thought you'd all want to know. - - Monte (Jefferson Adams) - - ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jun 98 22:28:52 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Fratrum: Gun Control Bills before Congress (fwd) On Jun 01, Eugene W. Gross wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] Hi Folks, These are the bills before Congress on gun control. I don't know the present status of the bills, but at least you know what we are facing at the federal level. En Agape, Gene ======================================== 1 . Yates Firearm Registration and Crime Prevention Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1998.IH] 2 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide that certain muzzle loading firearms are to be treated as antique firearms for purposes of the Federal firearms laws. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.3140.IH] 3 . Gun Shop Safety Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.922.IS] 4 . Gun Shop Safety Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2359.IH] 5 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to permit gunsmiths to obtain a Federal firearms license without having to comply with State or local laws relating to zoning of firearms businesses. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2342.IH] 6 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in the State. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2722.IH] 7 . Anti-Gun Invasion Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.723.IS] 8 . Anti-Gun Invasion Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1570.IH] 9 . Consumer's Choice Protection Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2734.IH] 10 . Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.27.IH] 11 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in the State, and to exempt... (Introduced in the House)[H.R.339.IH] 12 . To prevent children from injuring themselves with firearms. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.814.IH] 13 . Second Amendment Restoration Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1147.IH] 14 . Personal Safety and Community Protection Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.816.IS] 15 . Law Enforcement Protection Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.837.IS] 16 . Firearms Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.788.IH] 17 . Trigger Lock Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2673.IH] 18 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the prospective application of certain prohibitions relating to firearms. (Introduced in the Senate)[S.262.IS] 19 . To provide that the firearms prohibitions applicable by reason of a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction do not apply to a government official engaged in official conduct while... (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2255.IH] 20 . Child Firearm Access Prevention Act (Introduced in the Senate)[S.1917.IS] 21 . Gun Kingpin Penalty Act (Introduced in the Senate)[S.658.IS] 22 . Gun Kingpin Penalty Act (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1264.IH] 23 . To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to ban the importation of firearms that have been cosmetically altered to avoid the ban on semiautomatic assault weapons. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2702.IH] 24 . To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide that the firearms prohibitions applicable by reason of a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction do not apply if the conviction occurred... (Introduced in the House)[H.R.26.IH] 25 . To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for offenses involving stolen firearms. (Introduced in the Senate)[S.992.IS] 26 . To provide that the firearms prohibitions applicable by reason of a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction do not apply to government entities. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.445.IH] 27 . Real Cost of Destructive Ammunition Act (Introduced in the Senate)[S.133.IS] 28 . To provide for increased mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms, and for other purposes. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.424.IH] 29 . Stop Arming Felons (SAFe) Act (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1228.IH] 30 . Firearm Child Safety Lock Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1044.IH] 31 . Expressing the sense of the Congress that State and local governments should be encouraged, and have the right, to pass laws and ordinances designed to preserve and protect the safety... (Introduced in the House)[H.CON.RES.70.IH] 32 . Firearm Child Safety Lock Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1074.IH] 33 . Gun Safety Act (Introduced in the House)[H.R.116.IH] 34 . To require the national instant criminal background check system to be established and used in connection with firearms transfers by November 28, 1997. (Introduced in the House)[H.R.102.IH] 35 . To provide for increased mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms, and for other purposes. (Reported in the House)[H.R.424.RH] 36 . Twelve is Enough Anti-Gunrunning Act (Introduced in the House)[H.R.12.IH] 37 . Anti-Gun Trafficking Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.466.IS] 38 . Brady Voluntary Compliance Act (Introduced in the House)[H.R.2935.IH] 39 . To reform criminal procedure, and for other purposes. (Introduced in the Senate)[S.168.IS] 40 . To provide for increased mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms, and for other purposes. (Passed by the House)[H.R.424.EH] 41 . Violent Crime Control Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.135.IS] 42 . Public Health and Safety Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.787.IH] 43 . Violent Crime Reduction Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.136.IS] 44 . Gun Kingpin Death Penalty Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.796.IS] 45 . Ammunition Safety Act of 1997 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.1349.IH] 46 . Ammunition Safety Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.553.IS] 47 . Federal Gang Violence Act (Introduced in the Senate)[S.54.IS] 48 . Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.2022.IS] 49 . Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Introduced in the House)[H.R.3532.IH] 50 . Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Act of 1997 (Introduced in the Senate)[S.362.IS] [------------------------- end of forwarded message ------------------------] - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Plank | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 09:40:16 -0500 (CDT) From: Paul M Watson Subject: Congressional pay raise (fwd) - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 10:15:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Gary Ruskin To: Multiple recipients of list CONG-REFORM Subject: Congressional pay raise Congressional Reform Briefings=09=09=09=09June 2, 1998 to subscribe to Congressional Reform Briefings send the message: subscribe cong-reform your name to listproc@essential.org - -- Groups Send Letter Opposing Congressional Pay Raise =09A coalition opposing a congressional pay raise sent a letter today to House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO). The letter follows: Dear Speaker Gingrich and Minority Leader Gephardt: =09We are writing to oppose yet another congressional pay raise. =20 =09 Taxpayers grow angry when elected officials enrich themselves at public expense. Five months ago, Members of Congress received a generous $3,072 raise. You do not need another. Members of Congress are already paid a regal $136,672 annual salary, plus pensions, perks, and other benefits. =20 =09The American people want leadership by example. They want you to adopt self-restraint and self-discipline to serve the public good. =09Instead, you have given yourselves pay raise after pay raise against the wishes of the American people, who wanted you to have humbler salaries. During the last ten years, House Members gave themselves five pay raises, Senators six. Congressional salaries grew by $47,172 -- about $11,000 above inflation. =09Most Americans have been less fortunate. Many haven't enjoyed a real wage increase in more than a generation. Average private hourly earnings were higher in 1968 =96 30 years ago =96 than they are today, adjusted for inflation.=20 =09Our country is deep in debt. The federal debt is over $5.5 trillion.=20 As a debtor nation, we cannot afford to waste our money on frivolity. =09This is an arrogant, greedy, corrupt affront to the American taxpayers. It will undercut your moral authority to govern. We ask you to publicly reject this pay raise. =09=09=09=09=09=09 =09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09=09Sincerely, Ralph Nader Gary Ruskin, Director, Congressional Accountability Project=09=09 Paul Jacob, Executive Director, U. S. Term Limits Thomas A. Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Russell Verney, Chairman, Reform Party, and Executive Director, United We Stand America Paul M. Weyrich, President, Free Congress Foundation Ralph DeGennaro, Executive Director, Taxpayers for Common Sense Steve Dasbach, National Chairman, Libertarian Party - --------------------------------------------------------- Following is an article from the June 1, 1998 edition of Roll Call , a Capitol Hill newspaper. Reprinted with permission. =20 Gingrich Pushes for Another Pay Boost Second Straight COLA Could Push Member Salaries Over $140,000 Per Year=20 By Francesca Contiguglia=09=09=09=09=09=09 =20 Opposition has already started to mount to House Speaker Newt Gingrich's (R-Ga) call to give another cost-of-living adjustment to Members, who received a $3,073 pay boost last year. =20 During a closed-door meeting before the Memorial Day recess, Gingrich brought up the subject of a COLA with Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo), according to aides. Both sides are planning to discuss the potential ramifications of introducing such a measure in an election year, though it would not take effect until next January. =20 One Democratic leadership aide said the Minority Leader would probably not oppose debate on the issue. "His main concern is that it is done in the open" with a vote, said the aide. =20 It's unclear exactly how big the COLA would be. Last September, Congress passed a 2.3 percent COLA for Members, the first adjustment since 1993, even though it appeared to be a dead issue just a few months before. The increase of $3,073 brought Congressional salaries to $136,700. =20 Although the recess prevented any movement on Gingrich's suggestion, which was first reported by the Associated Press, opponents are already gearing up for the fight. =20 Gary Ruskin of the Congressional Accountability Project has already circulated a letter opposing the measure, and he is urging voters to contact their Representatives to tell them they don't need a raise. =20 "Speaker Gingrich is trying to take advantage of the taxpayers again, and hopefully his colleagues won't follow," said Ruskin, who claimed that Members want "to live like kings." =20 Since Republicans have been accused of running a "do-nothing Congress," Ruskin said that "less work for more pay" seems to be the institution's motto this year. =20 Ruskin added that most Americans have not received a raise in 30 years, saying that average private hourly earnings 30 years ago, when adjusted for inflation, exceed today's average. "The point is most Americans haven't been as fortunate as Congress," he said. =20 And Members are beginning to respond as well. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa) said last week that he opposes the COLA and noted that he refused to take the raise that took effect Jan. 1. =20 And while Rep. Mark Neumann (R-Wis) thinks a COLA would pass this year, he vowed in an interview to oppose it. =20 "Service to our country is not about money, it's about the good of the country," said Neumann, who is the likely Republican challenger to Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis) in November. "You should go back to the private sector if you're here about money." =20 Neumann acknowledged that a Congressional pay raise has the potential to become a hot election-year issue, but said, "The facts are that in Washington, only a few seats are contested.... So a lot of people in safe seats will vote for more money." =20 But Congressional aides on both sides of the aisle stressed that the COLA is far from a done deal. "It's in the embryo stage," said a House GOP aide. =20 A Democratic staffer agreed, saying, "I don't think this is the first thing" on the mind of top leaders. "People will talk to other people, but nothing immediate will happen." =20 The Democratic aide said there has been no follow-up to the leaders' meeting and that Gephardt has not yet spoken to any of his colleagues about the issue and is not planning to discuss the issue in the near future. =20 A Republican aide suggested that leadership is learning from its past mistakes and talking to Members before moving ahead with the measure. =20 Several Members were upset about the measure last year, not necessarily because they disagreed with it but because it was brought to the floor without warning. "What are we supposed to do, sit by the desk every minute of the day to see what the leadership is trying to pull?" Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind) said at the time (Roll Call, Sept. 22, 1997). =20 How much Congress might give itself this year is not yet known. Under a law passed in 1989, Members of Congress are entitled to a COLA equal to the base salary pay boost received by federal workers. This adjustment happens automatically unless it is reversed. =20 President Clinton, in his budget request for fiscal 1999, has called for an overall increase of 3.1 percent. That would raise Congressional salaries by $4,237, bringing them up to $140,937. =20 An increase of the current salary by 2.6 percent - -- which takes out an additional adjustment known as a locality pay, to which Members are not entitled -- would increase Member pay to $140,254 per year. =20 Copyright =A9 1998 Roll Call Inc. All rights reserved. - --------------------------------------------------- =09Please contact your Members of Congress to oppose a congressional pay raise. The congressional switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121. =20 For congressional e-mail addresses, see the Electronic Activist at . =20 =09The Congressional Accountability Project is a congressional watchdog group affiliated with Ralph Nader. For more information about congressional reform issues or congressional pay and perks, see the Congressional Accountability Project web site at , send e-mail to , or call (202) 296-2787. To subscribe to Congressional Reform Briefings send the message: subscribe cong-reform your name to listproc@essential.org PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY - --------------------------------------------------------------- Gary Ruskin | gary@essential.org | Congressional Accountability Project | 1611 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite #3A | Washington, DC 20009 Phone: (202) 296-2787 | Fax (202) 833-2406 http://www.essential.org/orgs/CAP/CAP.html - -------------------------------------------------------------- - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Jun 98 10:33:57 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Fwd: Poll On Women & Guns (fwd) On Jun 2, C. D. Tavares wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] This announcement really belongs on a national mailing list. All of you women (or women "trapped in men's bodies" at least for today), vote. >Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 18:57:40 -0400 >From: Jim Gonzalez >Subject: Poll On Women & Guns >To: ma-firearms@world.std.com >Sender: ma-firearms-approval@world.std.com >Precedence: list >Reply-To: ma-firearms@world.std.com > > >From Maxi, an online women's 'zine. > > http://www.maximag.com/poll/ > >For the benefit of those without access, the form looks like this: > > The Jonesboro and Oregon shootings make you think that: > > [] We need to campaign for better family values. > [] We need to reduce violence in TV and video games. > [] Forget the NRA, we need more gun control. > [] It's clearly the testosterone hangups of little boys- little > girls don't seem to be the problem. > [] It's all a bunch of media hype, kids today are no more violent > than they're ever been. > [] The shootings are no big deal. Let's get over it. > > Would you ever carry a gun? > > [] Yes, for self defense. Women should. > [] I already do-- I'm a card carrying NRA member. > [] No way in hell. > > How many online women's zines do you read? > > [] All of 'em > [] 5-10 > [] A few, regularly > [] Only this one > [] This is the first time I've ever read a woman's zine! > >The questions reveal a pronounced bias. > > -Jim. > - -- Tavares@alum.mit.edu --If you presume that I speak for my company, users.aol.com/Tavares/ write now for my special Investors' Packet! [------------------------- end of forwarded message ------------------------] - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Plank | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- - - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 07:48:02 -0500 (CDT) From: Subject: Loose Ends: OKC, Steven Emerson, Hamas & Bin Laden (fwd) - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 05 Jun 1998 06:12:32 -0500 From: believer@telepath.com To: believer@telepath.com Subject: Loose Ends: OKC, Steven Emerson, Hamas & Bin Laden=20 - --------------------- NOTE ABOUT ATTACHED ARTICLE BELOW: So now the DoJ decides to confirm that threats had been made against Steven Emerson's life.... 'Bout time. =20 For those of you who may not remember, Emerson has long been active exposing foreign terrorist activities and organizations within the United States, some of which have operated with both the knowledge and cooperation of the U.S. Intel Community. It was in November 1994 -- a mere five months before the OKC bombing -- that Steven Emerson's PBS production "Jihad in America" aired on national television, exposing (among other things) a Hamas cell operating in Oklahoma City, with connecting groups in both Stillwater and Tulsa, Oklahoma. After this television production, Emerson testified before a Senate Subcommittee. U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Miami, Florida, told the press that she had notified the FBI of Emerson's testimony. She stated that Emerson had described witnessing a meeting in Oklahoma City attended by 3000 "Islamic fundamentalists." =20 According to Lehtinen's press conference, Emerson had testified that a "militant Islamic leader based in Pakistan," Kamal Kelbawi, had addressed the group, saying, "O brothers, the Palestine cause is not a conflict of borders and land only. It is not even a conflict over human ideology. And not over peace. Rather it is an absolute clash of civilizations, between truth and falsehood, between two conducts: one satanic, headed by Jews and their conspirators; and the other religious, carried by Hamas, the Islamic people in general, and the Islamic movement in particular." Then the Oklahoma City bombing occurred. News reports conclusively established that the FBI's early analysis indicative of what was called "the Middle Eastern terrorist signature," and the judgment of other counterterrorism experts pointed towards foreign responsibility for the Oklahoma City bombing. CBS News reported shortly after the bombing that the FBI had received claims of responsibility for the attack from at least eight organizations. Seven of the claimants were thought to have Hamas connections.=20 Said Steven Emerson, "There is no smoking gun. But the modus operandi and circumstantial evidence leads in the direction of Islamic Terrorism." The FBI's suspicion of an Islamic Jihad connection was further reinforced by a sobering fact: Oklahoma City is probably considered one of the largest centers of Islamic radical activity outside the Middle East.=20 In addition, the United States government has been aware for many years that intelligence agents of foreign nation-states operate in the United States in furtherance of foreign interests against United States citizens. These concerns were brought before Congress in a still classified top secret staff report prepared for the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations. Portions of this top secret report were made public by the press and published by the Washington Post in 1979. The report analyzes the thorny foreign relations problem concerning illegal actions on the part of foreign intelligence agents against citizens in the United States. The government seeks a balance between enforcing domestic laws, even against foreign intelligence agents, and foreign policy concerns and recriminations against U.S. intelligence agents in other countries. The subcommittee report, according to the Washington Post, examined cases of harassment and surveillance as well as suspected assassination plots against United States citizens by the intelligence agencies of Chile, Iran, the Philippines, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the former Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia. To choose just one example, the Iranian SAVAK, at the peak its influence under the Shah, had at least 13 full-time case officers running a network of informers and infiltration covering 30,000 Iranian students on United States college campuses. The head of the SAVAK agents in the United States operated under the cover of an attach=E9 at the Iranian Mission to the United Nations, with the FBI, CIA, and State Department FULLY AWARE of these activities. Thus, the presence of foreign intelligence operatives in the United States is a fact of international foreign policy and for such operatives to carry out the policies of their foreign sponsors is not unusual.=20 Steven Emerson -- for his continued exposure of foreign terrorists and terrorist organizations operating in the United States, and particularly for his information pertaining to foreign terrorist involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing, has earned a standing death threat from Hamas and its sub-groups... a situation which the Department of Justice has, until today, denied. THOSE THREATS BEGAN IN 1995 when Emerson publicly exposed the connections between the OKC bombing and the OKC/Philippine/Pakistani/Hamas terrorist groups. Those threats have continued to the present day. =20 One more thing: =20 On June 3rd, 1998 - TWO DAYS AGO - the U.S. State Department advised Americans to use caution when traveling in and around Saudi Arabia because of threats made last week by Osama Bin Laden, long identified as a major financier of Hamas terrorism on a global scale.=20 In February, 1995, United States authority named Osama bin Laden among 172 unindicted co-conspirators with the eleven (11) Muslims charged for the World Trade Center bombing and the associated plot to blow up other New York landmarks. Bin Laden has long been a major financial backer of the Abu Sayyaf, (sometimes known as the Philippine Liberation Army, a subgroup of the Palestine Liberation Army), with intimate ties to Hamas in the Middle East, the United States, and Pakistan. Abdullah Hakim Murad, a member of Bin Laden's Hamas group in the Philippines (led by Ramzi Yousef), while on trial in New York City for conspiracy to blow up American airliners, readily admitted to a prison guard that he was a member of the Liberation Army, and that the Liberation Army was responsible for the bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma Cit= y.=20 The prison guard had asked Hakim Murad what he thought about the bombing when it was reported on the radio, and, according to an FBI 302, Murad responded to the guard's question by stating that the Liberation Army (Hamas) was responsible for the bombing in OKC. Murad also confirmed this in writing. Specifically, the prison guard was asked "What was the identification of Liberation Army referred to by Murad?" He stated, according to the FBI interview notes, "It was the Palestine Liberation Army and/or the Islamic Jihad which Murad was referring to. . . . This army is associated with Hamas and based in Lebanon."=20 NOW YOU TELL ME: Why did the Justice Department wait until the date of Nichols' sentencing to publicly admit that Emerson's information has been correct, that his exposure of state-sponsored terrorism in the United States has been accurate? And if it had not been accurate, why would anyone bother killing him? Does anybody want to know what evidence exists to connect Terry Nichols to the Abu Sayyaf (PLO/Hamas) group in the Philippines? There's plenty of it. The FBI knows. The CIA knows. The State Department knows. The Department of Justice knows. Judge Matsch knows. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals knows. Why doesn't the American public know?=20 =2E..Oh.... I forgot. It doesn't matter now. Nichols was sentenced to life in prison today so it's all over. We can forget about it. We don't need to study it. And if enough times passes, we will forget all of this information. And when another incident of state-sponsored terrorism occurs in the United States, we'll all scratch our heads and say, "Hmmm... seems like I vaguely remember something...." - ---------------------------------------------- Source: PR Newswire Setting the Record Straight: Terrorism Expert Steven Emerson's Statements In Senate Testimony Backed up by U.S. Justice Department=20 WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The following release was issued by the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professional= s: The U.S. Department of Justice confirms that Federal law enforcement authorities discovered a threat to investigative journalist Steven Emerson's life in 1995. In a June 1, 1998 letter to the editor of the Tampa-based Weekly Planet, Justice Department Public Affairs Director Bert Brandenburg corrected comments attributed to Department spokesman John Russell by Weekly Planet journalist John Sugg. Sugg quoted Russell as contradicting Emerson's statement in his February 1998 Senate testimony that he was the target of a radical Islamic hit squad. Mr. Brandenburg wrote, "... we have checked with the FBI and determined that the FBI did in fact receive information concerning a threat in 1995 and that they so advised Mr. Emerson of the danger to his life. Mr. Russell conveyed the information he had, but we do regret that his answer turned out to be inaccurate." Brandenburg continued: "In response to the reporter's queries, Russell also recalls noting that his ignorance of Mr. Emerson's financial wherewithal made Emerson seem an enigma. Although Mr. Russell may have erroneously suggested that Mr. Emerson lives a lavish lifestyle, the Justice Department has no reason to believe that such a conclusion is true.= " Using the Weekly Planet article as evidence of Emerson's "misstatements," the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for an investigation into his testimony. This attack is part of CAIR's effort to discredit those who expose radical Islamic links in the United States. Former FBI Assistant Director and Chief of the Counterterrorism section, Steven Pomerantz, wrote about CAIR in a special report on radical Islamic groups in the Spring 1998 issue of The Journal of Counterterrorism and Security International. According to Pomerantz, "The modus operandi of CAIR has been to falsely tar as 'anti-Muslim' the US government, counter-terrorist officials, writers, journalists and others who have investigated or exposed the threat of Middle East based terrorism. In particular, CAIR has targeted Steven Emerson, the producer of 'Jihad in America' and someone I, and many others in the counter-terrorist community, consider to be among the foremost experts on Middle East terrorist groups operating in the United States." Pomerantz also wrote, "CAIR has defended individuals involved in terrorist violence, including Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk, and has embraced people who have engaged in promoting violence or hateful and bigoted rhetoric."=20 A look at CAIR's roots help illustrate its radical links. Prior to becoming CAIR's Executive Director, Nihad Awad, was the editor of The Muslim World Monitor, a publication of the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP). Speaking at a March 22, 1994 panel discussion at Barry University in Florida while at IAP, Awad stated, "I am in support of the Hamas movement..= =2E." Writing in the March 1995 Middle East Quarterly, former FBI Assistant Director and Head of FBI Investigations, Oliver "Buck" Revell stated: "Numerous front groups supporting Hamas have been established in the United States and several collect funds as tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations... The Islamic Association of Palestine... is one such organization." According to an April 8, 1996 Dallas Morning News article, IAP has reprinted the Hamas charter, which calls for the killing of Jews, praised Hamas in its publications, and produced Hamas videos. Steven Pomerantz's article will be available on the Web site Friday, June 5, 1998. The Web address is http://www.securitynet.net. SOURCE International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals CONTACT: Gary Skulnik of the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, 703-761-6708, or e-mail, terrornewswire@hotmail.com NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information and/or copies of the Justice Department letter or the other articles cited above, please call the contact below. Web Site: http://www.securitynet.net =A91998 PR Newswire.=20 - ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only.=20 - ----------------------- - - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Jun 98 11:37:00 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Re: Fratrum: Authentication? Full text attached of EO (fwd) On Jun 5, CHURSEY@aol.com wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] This is the full text of the Executive Order in Question, found at the url that Ed supplied. Cliff - ------------------------------------------------------------ White House Press Release FEDERALISM - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (Birmingham, England) ________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release May 14, 1998 EXECUTIVE ORDER - - - - - - - FEDERALISM By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to guarantee the division of governmental responsibilities, embodied in the Constitution, between the Federal Government and the States that was intended by the Framers and application of those principles by the Executive departments and agencies in the formulation and implementation of policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) "State" or "States" refer to the States of the United States of America, individually or collectively, and, where relevant, to State governments, including units of local government and other political subdivisions established by the States. (b) "Policies that have federalism implications" refers to Federal regulations, proposed legislation, and other policy statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on the States or on the relationship, or the distribution of power and responsibilities, between the Federal Government and the States. (c) "Agency" means any authority of the United States that is an "agency" under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), other than those considered to be independent regulatory agencies, as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5). Sec. 2. Fundamental Federalism Principles. In formulating and implementing policies that have federalism implications, agencies shall be guided by the following fundamental federalism principles: (a) The structure of government established by the Constitution is premised upon a system of checks and balances. (b) The Constitution created a Federal Government of supreme, but limited, powers. The sovereign powers not granted to the Federal Government are reserved to the people or to the States, unless prohibited to the States by the Constitution. (c) Federalism reflects the principle that dividing power between the Federal Government and the States serves to protect individual liberty. Preserving State authority provides an essential balance to the power of the Federal Government, while preserving the supremacy of Federal law provides an essential balance to the power of the States. (d) The people of the States are at liberty, subject only to the limitations in the Constitution itself or in Federal law, to define the moral, political, and legal character of their lives. (e) Our constitutional system encourages a healthy diversity in the public policies adopted by the people of the several States according to their own conditions, needs, and desires. States and local governments are often uniquely situated to discern the sentiments of the people and to govern accordingly. (f) Effective public policy is often achieved when there is competition among the several States in the fashioning of different approaches to public policy issues. The search for enlightened public policy is often furthered when individual States and local governments are free to experiment with a variety of approaches to public issues. Uniform, national approaches to public policy problems can inhibit the creation of effective solutions to those problems. (g) Policies of the Federal Government should recognize the responsibility of -- and should encourage opportunities for -- States, local governments, private associations, neighborhoods, families, and individuals to achieve personal, social, environmental, and economic objectives through cooperative effort. Sec. 3. Federalism Policymaking Criteria. In addition to adhering to the fundamental federalism principles set forth in section 2 of this order, agencies shall adhere, to the extent permitted by law, to the following criteria when formulating and implementing policies that have federalism implications: (a) There should be strict adherence to constitutional principles. Agencies should closely examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any Federal action that would limit the policymaking discretion of States and local governments, and should carefully assess the necessity for such action. (b) Agencies may limit the policymaking discretion of States and local governments only after determining that there is constitutional and legal authority for the action. (c) With respect to Federal statutes and regulations administered by States and local governments, the Federal Government should grant States and local governments the maximum administrative discretion possible. Any Federal oversight of such State and local administration should not unnecessarily intrude on State and local discretion. (d) It is important to recognize the distinction between matters of national or multi-state scope (which may justify Federal action) and matters that are merely common to the States (which may not justify Federal action because individual States, acting individually or together, may effectively deal with them). Matters of national or multi-state scope that justify Federal action may arise in a variety of circumstances, including: (1) When the matter to be addressed by Federal action occurs interstate as opposed to being contained within one State's boundaries. (2) When the source of the matter to be addressed occurs in a State different from the State (or States) where a significant amount of the harm occurs. (3) When there is a need for uniform national standards. (4) When decentralization increases the costs of government thus imposing additional burdens on the taxpayer. (5) When States have not adequately protected individual rights and liberties. (6) When States would be reluctant to impose necessary regulations because of fears that regulated business activity will relocate to other States. (7) When placing regulatory authority at the State or local level would undermine regulatory goals because high costs or demands for specialized expertise will effectively place the regulatory matter beyond the resources of State authorities. (8) When the matter relates to Federally owned or managed property or natural resources, trust obligations, or international obligations. (9) When the matter to be regulated significantly or uniquely affects Indian tribal governments. Sec. 4. Consultation. (a) Each agency shall have an effective process to permit elected officials and other representatives of State and local governments to provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications. (b) To the extent practicable and permitted by law, no agency shall promulgate any regulation that is not required by statute, that has federalism implications, and that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on States and local governments, unless: (1) funds necessary to pay the direct costs incurred by the State or local government in complying with the regulation are provided by the Federal Government; or (2) the agency, prior to the formal promulgation of the regulation, (A) in a separately identified portion of the preamble to the regulation as it is to be issued in the Federal Register, provides to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a description of the extent of the agency's prior consultation with representatives of affected States and local governments, a summary of the nature of their concerns, and the agency's position supporting the need to issue the regulation; and (B) makes available to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget any written communications submitted to the agency by States or local governments. Sec. 5. Increasing Flexibility for State and Local Waivers. (a) Agencies shall review the processes under which States and local governments apply for waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements and take appropriate steps to streamline those processes. (b) Each agency shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, consider any application by a State or local government for a waiver of statutory or regulatory requirements in connection with any program administered by that agency with a general view toward increasing opportunities for utilizing flexible policy approaches at the State or local level in cases in which the proposed waiver is consistent with applicable Federal policy objectives and is otherwise appropriate. (c) Each agency shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, render a decision upon a complete application for a waiver within 120 days of receipt of such application by the agency. If the application for a waiver is not granted, the agency shall provide the applicant with timely written notice of the decision and the reasons therefor. (d) This section applies only to statutory or regulatory requirements that are discretionary and subject to waiver by the agency. Sec. 6. Independent Agencies. Independent regulatory agencies are encouraged to comply with the provisions of this order. Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person. (b) This order shall supplement but not supersede the requirements contained in Executive Order 12866 ("Regulatory Planning and Review"), Executive Order 12988 ("Civil Justice Reform"), and OMB Circular A-19. (c) Executive Order 12612 of October 26, 1987, and Executive Order 12875 of October 26, 1993, are revoked. (d) The consultation and waiver provisions in sections 4 and 5 of this order shall complement the Executive order entitled, "Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments," being issued on this day. (e) This order shall be effective 90 days after the date of this order. WILLIAM J. CLINTON THE WHITE HOUSE, May 14, 1998. [------------------------- end of forwarded message ------------------------] - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Plank | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ - ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- - - ------------------------------ End of roc-digest V2 #146 *************************