Democracy

Congresspedia's "Congress in the News" updates, Dec. 1-Dec. 17

by Conor Kenny — January 18, 2007 - 5:15pm
  • Topics: Congresspedia News Updates, U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government
    • Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announced that he will not seek the presidency in 2008. (NY Times story)
    • Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) is in stable condition following brain surgery.

    Five for Five: Democrats deliver on another "first 100 hours" initiative

    by Conor Kenny — January 17, 2007 - 7:17pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, Politics, U.S. Government

    • Early Wednesday evening, the House passed the College Student Relief Act of 2007, a bill which would reduce the interest rate on subsidized federal Stafford Loans from 6.8 to 3.4 percent over a five-year period.

    The Road Not Taken

    by Bob Burton — January 13, 2007 - 3:19pm

    Rick Snell, the editor of Freedom of Information Review and lecturer in law at the University of Tasmania, notes the contrast between Australia and New Zealand's experience of freedom of information legislation, which both enacted in 1983. In New Zealand, Snell writes, "it was greeted with hails of dismay by public service unions, lawyers and academics." In Australia, the then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, extolled access to government information as "a public right".

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, January 11, 2007

    9/11 Bill Passes the House; Status Uncertain in the Senate

    by Conor Kenny — January 10, 2007 - 7:04pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, Politics, U.S. Government

    • The House passed a bill Wednesday enacting several recommendations of the 9/11 commission, accomplishing the first of several “first 100 hours” initiatives put forth by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democratic-led 110th Congress.

    House Democrats Kick Off Their First 100 Hours

    by Conor Kenny — January 9, 2007 - 6:36pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, Politics, U.S. Government

    • The long anticipated “first 100 hours” of the Democratic-led 110th Congress is now officially underway. The new House Speaker, Rep.

    Congresspedia’s “Congress in the News” updates, Nov. 8-Nov. 30, 2006

    by Conor Kenny — January 8, 2007 - 2:30am
  • Topics: Congresspedia News Updates, U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government
    • Las Vegas police have recommended that no charges be filed against Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.) in relation to an alleged assault. (News 3 story)
    • Washington D.C.

    Meet Us in Memphis at the National Conference for Media Reform

    by John Stauber — January 2, 2007 - 10:02pm

    Many of CMD's staff will be in Memphis, Tennessee, January 11-14, at the National Conference for Media Reform. Check out the extensive program featuring journalists, activists, FCC Commissioners, media watchdogs, national elected officials, and entertainers. The scores of notables include Bill Moyers, Amy Goodman and Helen Thomas.

    Main Source: 
    Free Press website, January 2, 2007

    Google Books vs. Open Culture

    by Sheldon Rampton — January 2, 2007 - 1:37am

    Concerned at the implications of Google's attempt to build an online digital library, a splinter group called the Open Content Alliance has launched a not-for-profit effort to scan the collections of major libraries and make them available online. "You are talking about the fruits of our civilization and culture.

    Main Source: 
    CNN, December 19, 2006

    What Would the Other George Do? An Interview with the Author of "Saving General Washington"

    by Judith Siers-Poisson — December 27, 2006 - 11:19am
  • Topics: Arts / Culture, Democracy, Politics, Propaganda, Religion, Science, U.S. Government, War / Peace

    • I spoke with author J.R. Norton in June of this year about his book, Saving General Washington: The Right Wing Assault on America's Founding Principles. The following excerpts are from an interview on "A Public Affair" on WORT (89.9 FM), community radio in Madison, WI, and from a follow up in-person interview.

    JSP: Why do George Washington and the rest of the Founding Fathers need to be saved?

    J.R. Norton: Well, it's a bit of metaphor. It's in part aimed at rehabilitating and reintroducing these founding figures of American history, but on a broader level, on a more important level, it's about reintroducing the values that these guys stood for. Certainly over the last five or six years, I think we've really lost sight of those virtues.

    Let the Campaign Begin: A Rundown of Potential 2008 Presidential Candidates

    by Conor Kenny — December 20, 2006 - 2:30am
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, Politics, U.S. Government

    • Guest blogger: Tim Malacarne

    With the 2006 midterm elections just a month behind us, many political observers have already turned their attention to the 2008 presidential election. For the first time since 1952, neither the incumbent president or vice-president will be seeking his party’s nomination for the presidency. With such an open field, many politicians on both sides of the spectrum are considering bids. However, rather than run down the same list of likely candidates that everyone else on the web is doing, Congresspedia is going to be keeping track of which definite steps members of Congress and other candidates have taken to run for president. We'll be updating our page on the 2008 presidential election, but here's the current breakdown:

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