From: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com (roc-digest) To: roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: roc-digest V2 #248 Reply-To: roc-digest Sender: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-roc-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk roc-digest Wednesday, June 30 1999 Volume 02 : Number 248 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 24 Jun 99 12:46:56 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Privacy News Update -- Three Quick Action Items (fwd) On Jun 24, List Manager wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] PRIVACY NEWS UPDATE - ------------------------------------ THANK YOU AGAIN! for supporting our ongoing effort to defend your privacy and stop proposals like "Know Your Customer". - ------------------------------------ You are receiving this update because you registered at the DefendYourPrivacy.com web site. We strive to respect your time, and are planning no more than one brief update per week. However, if you do not want to receive further updates, please use the unsubscribe directions at the end of this message. - ------------------------------------ THREE QUICK ACTION ITEMS: 1) CURRENT ONLINE PETITION: Know Your Customer Sunset Act (HR 516) and Bank Secrecy Sunset Act (HR 518) gaining cosponsors. If you haven't signed the online petition, please do so today. 2) NEW ACTION ITEM: July 9th deadline set for public comment on new privacy-violating regulations from the US Postal Service. They're only accepting comments via U.S. mail. 3) IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEM: U.S. House will vote Thursday (June 24) to reform asset-forfeiture laws - ------------------------------------ Here's what's going on in the fight for privacy: 1) CURRENT ONLINE PETITION: Know Your Customer Sunset Act (HR 516) and Bank Secrecy Sunset Act (HR 518) gaining cosponsors. If you haven't signed the online petition, please do so today. The Bank Secrecy Sunset Act, HR 518, has picked up 14 new cosponsors, including the influential chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Henry Hyde. In a statement issued July 9th, Rep. Hyde commended Rep. Paul for introducing HR 518. HR 518 now has 16 cosponsors -- all but two of whom signed on after our online petition was launched on April 19. The Know Your Customer Sunset Act, HR 516, has also picked up 14 new cosponsors, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 64. If we want to protect our financial privacy, we need to increase the pressure on this issue. So far, just over 50,000 people have signed our online petition in support of HR 516 & HR 518, compared to over 171,000 who signed the initial petition against the FDIC's Know Your Customer regulation. If Congress gets another 100,000 e-mails in support of HR 516 & HR 518, the number of cosponsors will continue to grow and chances of getting one or both bills passed will increase. If we let up on them, the bills will die and Know Your Customer will be implemented through the back door. If you haven't signed the new petition yet, please do so right away at http://www.DefendYourPrivacy.com. Then send the pass-along message to your friends and family. If you've already signed, please remind your friends and family to visit and sign. Thanks to your support, we beat Know Your Customer once -- with your continued support, we can do it again. 2) NEW ACTION ITEM: July 9th deadline set for public comment on new privacy-violating regulations from the US Postal Service. NOTE: They're only accepting comments via U.S. mail. After realizing that the CMRA rules violate their own "Privacy Regulations" the Postal Service is attempting to pull a fast one. On page 30929 of the Federal Register Jun 9 the United States Postal Service announced the "opening" of an official comment period on a "proposed rule" that would change the USPS "Privacy Rules" AND "Under the rule change, the recorded business name, address, and telephone number of the addressee using a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) private mailbox (PMB) for the purpose of doing or soliciting business with the public will be furnished to any person upon request without charge." Under this regulation, any American currently renting, or planning to rent, a commercial mailbox must provide the commercial agency with personal information, including two forms of identification: one must display a photograph of the renter, and the other include a "serial number...traceable to the bearer." Of course, that number will generally be today's de facto national ID -- the Social Security Number... We have until JULY 9, 1999 to submit in writing (snail Mail) our comments opposing these changes. Send your comments to: Manager, Administration and FOIA United States Postal Service 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 8141 Washington, DC 20260-5202. Additional information is available from PostalWatch.org 3) IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEM: U.S. House will vote Thursday (June 24) to reform asset-forfeiture laws *** Immediate action required! Telephone your House representative immediately. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on Thursday, June 24, on a bill that would dramatically reform civil asset-forfeiture laws, which allow the government to confiscate the property of innocent Americans without even charging them with a crime. We are asking everyone who receives this message to *immediately* contact your House representative and ask him or her to vote YES on HR 1658, The Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1999, sponsored by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-IL. (Summary below) Contact your U.S. House representative today by calling the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121. Then ask to speak to the office of your Representative. You can ask for the e-mail address of a particular Congressman once you are connected to that office, or look up their address at http://house.gov However, we recommend that you call because telephone calls will be answered and counted before the vote -- but there's no guarantee that e-mails will be tallied before then. Summary -- HR 1658 would dramatically reform current law by: * Requiring the government to prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that property is subject to forfeiture. (Current law requires only a "preponderance of evidence" standard.) * Eliminating the requirement that a property owner file a 10 percent bond to challenge a seizure. * Providing for an "innocent owner" defense, so that people who were unaware that their property was being used unlawfully could have it returned. * Requiring the government to notify in writing anyone whose property has been seized, and forcing the government to return the property if such notice is not given. * Allowing property owners to sue the government for destruction of seized property while in its possession. * Awarding interest payments to property owners who successfully get their property back. - -------------------------------- DefendYourPrivacy.com is provided as a public service by the Libertarian Party. To request information about the Libertarian Party, please visit http://www.lp.org/lp-membership-iform.html? To support this website financially, please visit http://www.lp.org/lp-kyc-contrib.html To join the Libertarian Party please visit http://www.lp.org/lp-membership.html - -------------------------------- TO UNSUBSCRIBE, simply hit REPLY and put the word unsubscribe in the SUBJECT header. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION that requires an answer, YOU MUST mailto:distribution@defendyourprivacy.com Replies to the List Manager will be deleted from our mailing list. - -------------------------------- [------------------------- 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: Thu, 24 Jun 99 18:21:57 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Talking points Hi gang; Just a little something I heard on the Radio, to bring up in appropriate conversations: With respect to the various Cities Law Suits aganist Gun Manufacturers, the shops they're victimizing are all Union Shops. In other words these Suits plus the Clintonista Anti-Gun Agenda as well, are costing Union Machinists their jobs. About time to stop paying Dues to the Democrats/Clintonistas, eh? - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** 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: Thu, 24 Jun 99 18:24:16 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Litmus test issues In a posting long ago and far away, Loboazul and I, were discussing what issues were likely to be coming up in politics besides Gun Rights that could be used to galvanize folks against the Statists. Our opinion at the time was that Property Rights of all sorts was a big, "sleeper issue", that wouldn't stay underground forever. Well, it's waking up, and well on the way to becoming as big a litmus test as Gun Rights. Bearing in mind that guns, as well as all manner of other things are, "Property", if you want to see who else besides the gun grabbers are against the Constitution, and thereby who to Vote Against, keep an eye on who's Voting against the, "Civil Assets Forfeiture Reform", Legislation currently working it's way through Congress. You can keep an eye on it at: - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** 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: Sat, 26 Jun 99 13:10:21 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Fw: Juvenile Injustice: What Happens Next? (fwd) On Jun 26, Kevin McGehee wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] - ----- Original Message ----- From: Gun Owners of America To: Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 12:19 PM Subject: Juvenile Injustice: What Happens Next? Good News and Bad News on Capitol Hill -- To preserve the House victory, pick up the phone and keep up the pressure Gun Owners of America E-Mail/FAX Alert 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151 Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408 http://www.gunowners.org "House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. [favors enacting] some gun control, but not so much as to turn off conservative campaign donors next year." -- Associated Press, June 19, 1999 HERE'S WHAT TO DO: 1. Illinois Residents. House Speaker Denny Hastert is still committed to passing "some gun control" legislation this year. Tell him you don't want ANY 2nd Amendment restrictions and warn him that "conservative campaign donors" might find more worthy causes to give to if he keeps pushing gun control. You can call his leadership office at 202-225-0600 (or email: dhastert@mail.house.gov fax: 202-225-7733). 2. Texas and California Residents. Ask House Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) and House Deputy Whip John Doolittle (R-CA) to use their leadership positions to ensure that no further action is taken on the juvenile crime legislation. If they hear a huge outcry from the grassroots, they can forcefully argue that Americans don't want the current brand of crime legislation being served up on Capitol Hill. Contact DeLay at ph: 202-225-5951, fx: 202-225-5241, no e-mail; and Doolittle at ph: 202-225-2511, e-mail: jdoolitt@mail.house.gov fax: 202-225-5444. 3. Anyone With a Phone or Modem. Senator Orrin Hatch is trying to send juvenile crime legislation to conference committee. Now that media reports have revealed he's running for President in the year 2000, his office should be glad to hear from ANY potential constituent inside the U.S. You can give Hatch the same message as listed above (in #1) by contacting his office at ph: 202-224-5251, e-mail: senator_hatch@hatch.senate.gov fax: 202-224-6331. 4. Finally, go to http://www.gunowners.org/106hvote.htm on the GOA website to view the full analysis of each firearms related amendment that was voted on last week, as well as the complete voting records relating to all of these provisions. Voice your displeasure with Representatives who have cast anti-gun votes. (If you don't have Web access, but you're a GOA member, don't fret! GOA members will receive an upcoming newsletter containing a House and Senate breakdown of the votes.) (Friday, June 25, 1999)-- The hard-fought victory gun owners achieved in the House last week is still standing-- for now. While the House defeated the "gun control approach" to solving juvenile crime, they did pass a separate bill which takes a more "cultural approach" to dealing with the issue (e.g., allowing the Ten Commandments to be posted on school walls, etc.). This bill (H.R. 1501) could potentially be sent to a House-Senate conference committee where it would be blended together with the very anti-gun Senate crime bill (S. 254) that passed last month. BUT, no conference committee can begin meeting until the House and Senate first vote to send the bills to conference. Thankfully, pro-gun champion Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) has placed a "hold" letter on the juvenile crime legislation-- a parliamentary maneuver that keeps any action from happening until he gives his consent. While this is a good start, a "hold" letter increases in effectiveness as more Senators sign on to the letter. Activists in Oklahoma and Wyoming especially, should ask pro-gun Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) [ jim_inhofe@inhofe.senate.gov ] and Michael Enzi (R-WY) [ senator@enzi.senate.gov ] to join Smith and sign on to the "hold" letter on H.R. 1501 (call 202-224-3121). [Note: any legislator can be reached toll-free at 1-888-449-3511.] The Good Guys. The results of the House votes from last week display a grim picture. Out of 435 Representatives, only five voted 100% correct in regard to the 11 gun votes that GOA rated. All five were Republicans: John Doolittle (CA), John Hostettler (IN), Rick Hill (MT), Zach Wamp (TN), and Ron Paul (TX). (Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX) also voted 100%, although he missed five of the votes.) Another legislator who deserves honorable mention is Rep. Tom DeLay, who fought several insider battles to allow "killer" pro-gun amendments to be offered to the House juvenile crime bill H.R. 2122. Those "killer amendments" encouraged enough anti-gun Republicans and Democrats to vote against the bill. The Bad Guys. Democrats on the Appropriations Committee are giving thought to trying to attach anti-gun amendments to legislation providing funding for the Treasury Department. According to the Associated Press, "Ready with amendments are Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., whose proposal would tighten requirements for sales at gun shows; Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who wants to raise the minimum age of hand-gun buyers from 18 to 21; and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who favors mandatory safety devices with all hand guns." - ------------------------------------ Website news of note: In the short time they've been available on the web, GOA T-shirts have become quite a hit with activists. These 100% cotton shirts are printed front and back with color logos and the no-compromise message "It's A Right... Not A Privilege!" Available in sizes M through XXL for $15.50 each, the shirts can be ordered at http://www.gunowners.org/tshirt.htm using our secure server. Many gun owners are familiar with the mail order company Cheaper Than Dirt. As sellers of gun accessories, ammo, and military surplus, CTD knows the importance of defending firearms rights. (It's also tough to run a business when the government keeps trying to ban your inventory.) Accordingly, Cheaper Than Dirt wishes to donate a percentage of activists' orders to GOA. If you enter their online store from the link found at http://www.gunowners.org/links.htm#ctd the donation will be automatically calculated from your purchase total. Please also mention GOA when ordering by phone. ************** Did someone else forward this to you? To be certain of getting up to date information, please consider subscribing to the GOA E-Mail Alert Network directly. There is no cost or obligation, and the volume of mail is quite low. To subscribe, simply send a message to goamail@gunowners.org and include the state in which you live, in either the subject or the body. To unsubscribe, reply to any alert and ask to be removed. [------------------------- 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: Sat, 26 Jun 99 13:11:30 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Washington Gun Laws On Jun 25, Dave Workman wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] The newly-REVISED edition of WASHINGTON STATE GUN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES is now available. This REVISED 48-page booklet details Washington state laws on concealed carry, use of force, firearms safety and more. This year's revised edition includes: * An explanation of how the NICS system currently applies to Washington state residents, * Tips on safe storage * Kids and Guns update * "Traffic stop etiquette" (One of the most popular sections!) * Protecting your gun rights * An updated section on state laws Hailed by gun shop owners, several police officers and civilian firearms instructors as a "must have" addition to your firearms library, WASHINGTON STATE GUN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES retails for $6.95, plus $2.00 for shipping, handling and sales tax. Author Dave Workman is a certified firearms instructor, veteran gun rights activist, graduate of the Lethal Force Institute, award-winning professional journalist and member of the National Rifle Association's Board of Directors. Here's What Others have said: "I'd like to put in my own plug for Dave's book. It is the best one I have seen for gun laws in Washington state. Even if you already know all about gun issues in Washington, it's a great book to give to friends who are seeking more information." Mike Brown Moderator ww-ccw chat list - ---------------------------------- "Washington State Gun Rights & Responsibilities is one book no gun owner in the state can afford to be without. As a working journalist, avid sportsman, big game hunter and staunch supporter of the right to keep and bear arms, Mr. Workman's decades of experience are well represented in his easy to understand commentary. His extensive knowledge provides valuable insight into the gun laws of Washington State. "Whether you have been around firearms for 6 hours or 60 years, Washington Gun Rights & Responsibilities will keep the reader on the responsible path of firearms ownership in Washington State." John Barnett Executive Director Second Amendment Foundation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read: Washington State Gun Rights & Responsibilities BY DAVE WORKMAN $6.95 plus $2.00 for sales tax, shipping & handling D&D Enterprises P.O. Box 1638 North Bend, WA 98045 ( Personally autographed copies available to members of wa-ccw list who buy direct.) [------------------------- 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: Sun, 27 Jun 99 20:55:46 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Fratrum: Heads Up #141 (1/3) (fwd) "On Jun 27, Doug Fiedor wrote:" [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] Heads Up A Weekly View from the Foothills of Appalachia June 27, 1999 #141 by: Doug Fiedor fiedor19@eos.net - --------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous Editions at: http://www.uhuh.com/headsup.htm and http://mmc.cns.net/headsup.html - --------------------------------------------------------------------- PUBLISHER TO REPORTERS: STOP LYING On June 14, a major American newspaper publishing corporation published "Guidelines On Ethical News-Gathering." Citing "a deep concern over public distrust of the media; a need to address the increase in lawsuits focusing on news-gathering methods and not on the truth of stories; and the desire to alleviate reader concerns about fairness and accuracy of content, the Gannett Newspaper Division effectively ordered its reporters to stop lying. Well, actually, the Gannett Newspaper Division set forth what it calls "The Gannett Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms" for all of its 73 daily newspapers. Therein, the Division said it is committed to: Seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way. Serving the public interest. Exercising fair play. Maintaining independence. And, acting with integrity. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/990614/va_gannett_1.html We took great interest in the catchall "Serving the public interest," since that could include darn near any point of view reporters and editors thought applicable. Which, we might add, would normally tend to be their typically liberal spin on things. "One of the key points under the 'Serving the Public Interest' Principle is to be 'vigilant watchdogs of government and institutions that affect the public.' We have carried this out very effectively over the years," said Phil Currie, senior vice president/News. "That will continue vigorously." Again, that got our attention. One of the points in the "Serving the Public Interest" section states: "We will provide the news and information that people need to function as effective citizens." Sounds good. We only wish that it would happen in practice. Instead, reporting continues with a distinctly anti-conservative, pro big central government spin. The truth is, most Americans are interested in their own personal freedom -- and, lately, the lack thereof. Yet, we never seem to see any hard hitting pieces in the newspapers on how our rights are continually being usurped by the central government. In truth, we have a local editorial page editor who picks at that once in a while, but the local Gannett offering is, overall, a very liberal- leaning newspaper. It seems to us that one function of a major newspaper would be to let the public know, exactly and specifically, anytime the government violates its primary operating instructions: our Constitution. And, when quoting a politician, newspapers should also tell the public when the political rhetoric has absolutely no basis in fact, and why. Currently, reporters just print liberal bureaucratic propaganda as fact and seldom worry about what is truth. Gannett is absolutely correct: There is a deep "public distrust of the media;" as well there should be. The American media lies to us a lot. With only few exceptions, the media feeds the American public little more than liberal, big government promoting spin. Television news programming has become little more than news magazine shows with a strong liberal taint -- "infotainment," Michael Medived calls it. Newspaper reporters are famous for what they leave out of stories, which amounts to little more than a cover-up for the misdeeds and negligence of liberal politicians. Even much of the radio news has a decidedly liberal bias to it. Yet, the media seems to have no problem launching vicious attacks against conservatives and they display a rabid hostility against anyone even mentioning the preservation of our personal, unalienable and Constitutional rights. The sorry fact is, many in the media are demonstrably anti-Constitution. They have no objective truth to relate, only the blind acceptance of the value free tolerance so common to the useful idiots on the far left. The law of the land is our Constitution. Therefore, that must be the standard from which all laws are discussed. All forms of media should relate all new laws, rules and regulations as to how they fit in (or not) with the Founding Fathers original intent of the Constitution. That is what people need to know: how their personal rights are being violated or protected. And we need to know things like, when Clinton said background checks stopped 400,000 people from buying guns, it was a blatant lie. We need to know that, just the week before, when Clinton said that background checks stopped 250,000 people from buying guns, that too was a lie. Yet, few in the media care. They accept everything said by liberal politicians because they are also liberal. Another problem is that newspapers are being gobbled up by a handful of major corporations. Some of these corporations are also buying into television and radio. For instance, "Inside Radio" recently reported that, in 1996, the top 50 corporations involved in radio owned 800 stations. By 1999, the top 10 corporations involved in radio owned 1,719 stations -- out of about 2,530 radio stations, give or take a couple. It's clear, our news is controlled, filtered and spun to favor big government and socialism. Just about everyone realizes that today. That's one reason the Internet is so popular. And, unless that media bias is corrected, "public distrust of the media" will grow into an outward form of public disdain of the media. COURT PROTECTS FEDERALISM The U.S. Supreme Court gave a boost to federalism last week. The far left is whining again, but the States got some of there rights back. It was labeled the most powerful indication yet of the Supreme Court's determination to reconfigure the balance between state and Federal authority in favor of the States. We think that might be stretching things just a little. However, we did strike the mother-lode for those very pertinent quotations we like to use -- quotations that also just happen to be the law of the land now. Alden et al. v. Maine (98 - 436) is the decision most immediately interesting. In "Alden" the Court held that state employees cannot sue the state for violations of Federal labor law. As Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote in the opinion for the (5 to 4) majority: "When Congress legislates in matters affecting the states, it may not treat these sovereign entities as mere prefectures or corporations. Congress must accord states the esteem due to them as joint participants in a Federal system." Because, as Justice Kennedy said, for Congress to be able to authorize suits in a state's own courts "would be even more offensive to state sovereignty than a power to authorize the suits in a Federal forum. A power to press a state's own courts into Federal service is the power first to turn the state against itself and ultimately to commandeer the entire political machinery of the state against its will and at the behest of individuals." Three years ago, in Seminole Tribe v. Florida, the Court ruled that Congress did not have the power to force states to defend themselves in Federal court under laws enacted under Article I of the Constitution, including laws that regulate interstate commerce. So, Congress punted, by providing that employees could bring Fair Labor Standards Act cases in state courts. Some workers tried in the Maine courts. But, the Maine Supreme Court tossed it out, saying the state had sovereign immunity in its own courts similar to its 11th Amendment - -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** 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: Mon, 28 Jun 99 15:35:57 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: Fw: EIA Communique - 6/28 (fwd) On Jun 28, Kevin McGehee wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Monday, June 28, 1999 10:50 AM Subject: EIA Communique - 6/28 The Education Intelligence Agency COMMUNIQU=C9 - June 28, 1999 Now on the Web at http://members.aol.com/educintel/eia + The NEA Representative Assembly opens on Saturday in Orlando, Florida,= and EIA, now in its third year of operation, will be there to bring you full coverage. The current plan is to release three communiqu=E9s -- on Sunday= , Monday and Tuesday nights. However, I will be available via e-mail the en= tire time to receive your inputs and/or answer your questions. + Teachers at West Oak Lane Charter School in Philadelphia became the fi= rst in the state to form a union at a charter school. Teachers were concerned about personnel practices, including the non-renewal of about one-third o= f the staff. The teachers will be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Federati= on of Teachers. According to today's Philadelphia Inquirer, the union "is seeking to throw out the individualized short- term pacts, secure a three-year master contract and install protections that would require jus= t cause and due process for firing, much as the same as for teachers in reg= ular Philadelphia public schools." This cannot be considered an isolated case. The California Teachers Association was foiled in its effort to require union representation at charter schools and delegates to the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Teachers Association amended its resolution on organizing for the first t= ime in 18 years. The resolution now commits MTA "to develop and implement an active program to organize and service public education personnel, includ= ing charter school personnel, throughout the Commonwealth." + Massachusetts Teachers Association delegates approved a $24.9 million budget ($296 in dues from each full-time member) and an additional $2.15 million for the union's public relations campaign ($30 from each full-tim= e member). Referred to the executive committee and board of directors for consideration was a new business item that would require MTA to "research= and disseminate to members information about the major organizations and publicly-traded corporations involved in the advancement of the privatiza= tion of public education." If only I could corner the copyright on the "right-= wing conspiracy flow chart" I could retire. + Six days after the news was posted on the EIA web-site, the Austin American-Statesman reported the merger of the Austin Association of Teach= ers and the Austin Federation of Teachers. Called Education Austin, the new g= roup hopes to pick up even more members -- as many as 3,000 more after distric= t consultation elections in September. But Doug Rogers, executive director = of the independent Association of Texas Professional Educators, thinks EA's AFL-CIO affiliation will have the opposite effect. "I believe we're going= to gain," said Rogers. "Our association has operated with the belief that teachers are professionals and not laborers. I think some people will be disenchanted by this consolidation with a labor union philosophy." The merger passed with only minor opposition in each local. There will be a transition period during which EA will have co-presidents and a merged executive board. Though the new organization will have a representative assembly, the executive board will be the "ultimate policy-making body." NEA, AFT and their Texas affiliates have pledged additional support to Austin during the transition period. + Even further behind the curve in union matters is The Gainesville Sun = in Florida, who reported yesterday on the ruling of the Florida Election Commission that banned union officials from soliciting new members for campaign contributions within government buildings through the use of pay= roll deduction forms. (Didn't think I could fit ten prepositional phrases in o= ne sentence, did you?) EIA reported this news last August. As noted then: "Florida state law reads: 'No person shall make and no person shall solicit or knowingly acc= ept any campaign contribution in a building owned by a government entity.' Ch= uck Pardee of Ocala filed a complaint because it is standard practice in Flor= ida (as well as most other states) for unions to solicit PAC contributions in public schools. The ruling (currently under appeal by the Florida NEA affiliate) may have far-reaching implications. 'When a teacher signs and delivers a payroll deduction authorization form which specifies payment t= o a political committee or committee of continuous existence, he or she is ma= king a political contribution,' the commissioners wrote. 'Making this contribu= tion in a government building, if willful, is a violation of (law).' " + Even further behind is the Associated Press in Albany, reporting on a controversy involving union use of district e-mail. EIA called this pract= ice "below the radar" in December 1997. + The San Francisco School Board voted last week to ban the sale of any = food products manufactured by subsidiaries of tobacco companies RJR Nabisco an= d Phillip Morris. No doubt the district will soon be forced to hire "cookie monitors" to enforce the ban. As a public service, EIA provides this part= ial list of products no longer approved for sale or purchase in San Francisco public schools: Oreos; Jell-O; Oscar Mayer wieners and cold cuts; Capri S= un drinks; Cheez Whiz; Planters peanuts; Ritz crackers; A1 steak sauce; Grey Poupon mustard; Cream of Wheat; Barnum's animal crackers; Chips Ahoy! cookies; SnackWell cookies; Nutter Butter cookies; Fig Newtons; Triscuits= ; Stove Top stuffing; Minute Rice; Miracle Whip; Post cereals; Velveeta; Sa= nka, Maxwell House and Yuban coffees; Country Time lemonade; Tang; Kool-Aid; C= ool Whip; Tombstone and DiGiorno pizzas; Philadelphia cream cheese; Breyers i= ce cream and yogurt; among many others. + John A. Crouch, principal of the Quidnessett Elementary School in Nort= h Kingstown, Rhode Island, was arrested for stealing Ritalin meant for stud= ents and then falsifying control logs. He was also suspended without pay. "It'= s a stimulant that can produce a high," neurologist Carlo Brogna told the Providence Journal-Bulletin. "It also affects what we call 'executive skills,' or skills that help you prioritize." Maybe we're dispensing Ritalin to the wrong people. Perhaps district officials are the ones suffering from attention deficit disorder. + Quote of the Week: "There were few differences in instructional practi= ces between non-reduced and reduced size third-grade classes. For example, teachers in reduced size classes did not spend significantly more time du= ring regular lessons working individually with students, which is one way that smaller classes might promote achievement. Similarly, there were no differences in curriculum content and very few differences in the frequen= cy of teachers' use of specific instructional strategies or student activiti= es in either language arts or mathematics." -- from Class Size Reduction in California: Early Evaluation Findings, 1996-1998, a state-commissioned re= port of the Class Size Reduction Research Consortium. # # # The Education Intelligence Agency conducts public education research, analysis and investigations. Director: Mike Antonucci. Ph: 916-422-4373. = Fax: 916-392-1482. E-Mail: EducIntel@aol.com [------------------------- 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: Wed, 30 Jun 99 10:37:04 PST From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org (Bill Vance) Subject: SPECIAL PRIVACY UPDATE: House May Vote Thursday to Kill KYC (fwd) On Jun 30, ListManager@DefendYourPrivacy.com wrote: [-------------------- text of forwarded message follows --------------------] - ----------------------------------------- URGENT ACTION ITEM! House may vote Thursday on measure to kill "Know Your Customer" - ----------------------------------------- * Immediate action required! Please telephone your Representative We've just been informed that the U.S. House may vote Thursday, July 1, on an amendment that would kill all "Know Your Customer" rules and regulations permanently. The measure is called the Paul-Barr-Campbell Financial Privacy Amendment to HR 10. The amendment would accomplish all of the goals of the Know Your Customer Sunset Act (HR 516). Please contact your House representative immediately and ask him or her to *support* this amendment. Note that we can't be certain that this vote will actually take place on Thursday, but we're acting on the latest information available on Capitol Hill as of Tuesday evening. If we waited until we were certain of a vote, it would be too late to alert you! Those of you whose House representative sits on the Rules Committee can play an especially important role. (See below.) WHAT TO DO: Immediately call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative's office. Then politely tell the staffer, or leave a voice mail message, saying: (1) You are a voter in their district, and leave your name, address, and telephone number. (2) Ask them to vote YES on the Paul-Barr-Campbell Financial Privacy Amendment to HR 10 when it comes to a vote on Thursday. The Capitol switchboard is open 24 hours a day, so please call regardless of when you get this message. If your representative has voice mail (and most do) you will be connected to their office. Please call if you get this anytime before late Thursday night. Remember, call -- don't e-mail -- because there's not enough time for the office staff to download, print, and count e-mail messages before the vote. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE SITS ON THE RULES COMMITTEE: Look at the list of the 13 Rules Committee members below and see if one of them represents your district. If so, call 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to their office. Then tell them: (1) You are a voter in their district, and leave your name, address, and telephone number. (2) Vote to *ALLOW* a full House vote on the Paul-Barr-Campbell Financial Privacy Amendment to HR 10. Tell them you know this amendment would kill the Know Your Customer regulation, which is a violation of your financial privacy. David Dreier (CA) Porter Goss (FL) John Linder (GA) Deborah Price (OH) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL) Doc Hastings (WA) Sue Myrick (NC) Pete Sessions (TX) Tom Reynolds (NY) John Joseph Moakley (MA) Martin Frost (TX) Tony Hall (OH) Louise McIntosh-Slaughter (NY) - -------------------------------- DefendYourPrivacy.com is provided as a public service by the Libertarian Party. To join the Libertarian Party please visit http://www.LP.org/lp-membership.html To request information about the Libertarian Party, please visit http://www.LP.org/lp-membership-iform.html To support DefendYourPrivacy.com financially, please visit http://www.LP.org/lp-kyc-contrib.html - -------------------------------- TO UNSUBSCRIBE, simply hit REPLY and put the word unsubscribe in the SUBJECT header. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION that requires an answer, YOU MUST mailto:distribution@defendyourprivacy.com Replies to the List Manager will be deleted from our mailing list. [------------------------- 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 #248 *************************