-
-
Senate Lifts Offshore Drilling Ban In Huge Spending Bill
Senators have passed a spending bill that aids Gulf Coast disaster victims and subsidizes federal loans for automakers. President Bush is expected to sign the measure despite some reservations.
The $634 billion bill provides money to keep the government running until the next president takes office.
The 78-12 vote Saturday also lifts a quarter-century ban on oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. That's a big victory for Republicans.
The Democrats have once again caved into Bush's demands.
Republicans say ending the drilling ban should lower gasoline prices. Democrats say it won't mean additional oil production for years.
Then why did lift the ban?
The lifting of the offshore oil drilling moratorium does not mean drilling is imminent. But it could set the stage for the government to offer leases in some Atlantic federal waters as early as 2011.
The low-interest loans for automakers are intended to help the companies develop technologies and retool factories to meet new standards for cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars.
After hard lobbying, automakers won up to $25 billion in low-interest loans to help them develop technologies and retool factories to meet new standards for cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars.
The legislation also contains 2,322 pet projects totaling $6.6 billion, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group. That included 2,025 in the defense portion alone that cost a total of $4.9 billion. Senators have passed a spending bill that aids Gulf Coast disaster victims and subsidizes federal loans for automakers. President Bush... more -
Pirate Bay Wins Court Case, Italian Block Lifted
The Pirate Bay has successfully appealed the decision of an Italian judge who had ordered ISPs to block access to the popular BitTorrent tracker last month. The Court of Bergamo decided that this block was unlawful, and that Italian users should regain access to the site.
This August, out of nowhere, The Pirate Bay was “censored” in Italy following a decree from a public prosecutor. The block didn’t prove to be particularly effective, as traffic from Italy only increased. Nevertheless, The Pirate Bay was determined to reverse the decision, and in that mission they have succeeded.
The Court of Bergamo has now lifted the block, and ISPs are again allowed to grant their users access to the most frequently used BitTorrent tracker on the Internet. More details on the decision, and the reason why the block was reversed, will be made public later.
In a previous interview, Pirate Bay’s lawyers Giovanni Battista Gallus and Francesco Micozzi described the order as “‘original’ or ‘creative’ at best,” and said it should not have been ordered in the first place because of the lack of jurisdiction. In addition, they argued that The Pirate Bay is not breaking any laws since it’s not distributing copyright infringing material.
The court’s decision might set an important precedent for BitTorrent sites in Italy, especially for Colombo-BT, the largest Italian torrent site, which was shut down by the same prosecutor responsible for the Pirate Bay block. The action against Colombo-BT was orchestrated by the anti-piracy outlet IFPI, which also hijacked all Italian Pirate Bay visitors following the block.
Visitors who were blocked from The Pirate Bay were redirected to an IFPI server, instead of a server operated by the Italian government. This is again an example of how lobby groups such as the IFPI, MPAA and RIAA are treated as government institutions. Since many Pirate Bay visitors claimed their privacy was violated, the Italian Pirate Party and Altroconsumo filed a complaint with the ombudsman earlier this week. The Pirate Bay has successfully appealed the decision of an Italian judge who had ordered ISPs to block access to the popular BitTorre... more -
Congress to ban trade of Horse Meat
The emotional debate over slaughtering horses for human consumption gained new life in Washington this week as a House committee approved a measure that would ban the practice nationwide and halt the export of U.S. horses destined for dinner tables in other countries.
While it’s unclear whether the Judiciary Committee’s Tuesday approval of the slaughter ban will lead to passage by the full House and Senate before the clock runs out on the current session of Congress, the panel’s hearings refocused attention on an issue that has motivated animal-welfare groups for years.
Outraged by what they say is cruel treatment of horses sold for meat, the groups already have succeeded at forcing closure of the three remaining U.S. horse slaughterhouses — two in Texas and one in Illinois — in recent years. But since thousands of horses are still exported for slaughter in Canada and Mexico, and many states have no laws that would prohibit the opening of new plants, the groups have been seeking federal regulation since 2001.
“There’s absolutely no way to make it humane,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for the Animal Welfare Institute, one of the ban’s principal backers. “It’s an industry that cannot be regulated to make it humane.”
So the “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act,” sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., chairman of Judiciary, and Rep. Dan Burton, D-Ind., would make it a crime punishable by up to three years in prison to possess or transport horse meat for human consumption or horses intended to be slaughtered for human meals.
A necessary option
But opponents of the law, including some cattle ranchers, horse breeders and veterinarians, say that the now-defunct U.S. slaughterhouses, regulated and inspected by the Department of Agriculture, were run in a humane fashion and provided a necessary option to deal with unwanted horses.
“From a welfare perspective, they’ve made things a lot worse,” said Mark Lutschaunig, director of governmental relations for the American Veterinary Medicine Association, which represents 76,000 U.S. vets. Lutschaunig said his group is hearing reports of a sharp increase in cases of horses being neglected and abandoned by owners who can no longer sell them at auction for slaughter.
Despite the fact that horse meat is widely eaten by Europeans and Asians, the vast majority of Americans have no interest in taking a bite out of Old Paint. Since no U.S. horses are raised for that purpose, they only come to the meat market as castoffs: old, sick, too unruly to ride or genetically deficient. Because horses are not regulated as meat animals, Heyde said, the process by which they are slaughtered is fraught with cruelty.
About 100,000 American horses are exported for slaughter in Mexico and Canada each year, roughly the same number as when the U.S. slaughterhouses were operating. There are about 9 million horses in the United States, according to federal estimates. The emotional debate over slaughtering horses for human consumption gained new life in Washington this week as a House committee appro... more -
So, this is the day that censorship wins
They have banned the "names" or real world drugs, wow...
So, this is the day that censorship wins. We reported earlier in the summer that Fallout 3 was going to be banned from sales in Australia because the regulatory body for videogames, the Office of Film and Literature Classification, had decided that the references to real drugs in the game, where they were used to relieve pain, were too much and should be eliminated in order to approve its selling. At that time, Bethesda was said to be thinking of creating a version of the game for Australia in which they would replace real life drugs with fictional names.
Apparently, Peter Hines, who is the vice president of public relations and marketing for the developer of Fallout 3, has recently stated to gaming magazine Edge that the Australian variant of the game would be “identical to both the U.K. and North American versions in every way, on every platform”. In other words, it seems that the references to real world drugs will be gone from the game for good.
Hines continued and said that “An issue was raised concerning references to real-world, proscribed drugs in the game, and we subsequently removed those references and replaced them with fictional names. To avoid confusion among people in different territories, we decided to make those substitutions in all versions of the game, in all territories”.
We are talking about a game that at one point featured an atomic bomb obliterating an entire city but a reference to real world drugs is seen as inexcusable? I think that the people rating games are taking too many precautions when it comes to what gamers see.
The news about the changes to Fallout 3 come just one day after Electronic Arts reported that its Dead Space survival horror would be banned from sales in China, Japan and Germany, because of the excessive violence portrayed in the game. They have banned the "names" or real world drugs, wow... ... more -
Chernobyl children's trips to Ireland banned by Belarussian Gov.
A thousand Irish families, who provide holidays for children whose health has been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident, have been told that future trips have been banned.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is having talks with the Belarusian authorities to try to establish why the ban has been imposed and to see if it can be lifted.
The travel ban which initially applied to the US has now been extended worldwide - although the Government in Italy has made a special agreement with Belarus to allow holiday visits to continue there.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is aware of the situation and embassy staff in Moscow are in discussions with the Belarusian authorities to try to establish why the ban has been announced and to see if it can be lifted.
Chernobyl Children's Project CEO Adi Roche described the announcement by the Government of Belarus as 'shocking news'.
Ms Roche who is to meet minister Minister Martin Cullen on Monday says failure to have the issue resolved would be a disaster for the children.
She told RTÉ News that the twice yearly trips to Ireland were vitally important for the children's health and also allowed them to visit medical specialists and receive treatment.
She has appealed to the Irish Government to work to have the ban reversed. A thousand Irish families, who provide holidays for children whose health has been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident, have be... more -
Warhol banned from Olympics
Officials say there is no "Chinese art only" policy, but 18 Warhol works slated for a gallery exhibit will spend the Olympics in a warehouse.
The exhibit, Andy Warhol Portraits: Sports, Stars, and Society, was to have opened on July 26 and run through Aug. 21 at Faurschou Gallery, a space in the city's trendy 798 Art District.
However the Ministry of Culture has refused to grant a license on the grounds that it was inappropriate to allow an exhibition of works by a foreign artist during the Olympics, according to Kai Heinze, the Danish director of the gallery.
While most measures have been implemented in the name of security against terrorist attacks, such worries clearly don't explain the Warhol ban. Instead, the move is a result of Chinese cultural protectionism, alleges Heinze. The 798 District—an area in northeastern Beijing that takes its name from a former military factory and now houses art galleries, cafés, and shops—is a top tourist draw, and with so many visitors in town for the Games, Heinze says, the government wants to showcase local artists. "We have received information that a resolution has been passed that only Chinese works are supposed to be on show as more than 40 different heads of state will be touring 798 during the Olympics," he says.
For its part, the Ministry denies any official policy barring foreign works from being shown during the Olympics. "This accusation is false," says Cai Lian, an official with the ministry's Office of European Affairs responsible for working with the gallery. "We did deny them permission from holding the exhibit but not for the reasons that Faurschou mentioned. It was illegal for the gallery to import works before the exhibition was registered. We are doing the registration now, but it has not been approved."
In response, Heinze says the gallery was told by a ministry official on July 14 that permission had been denied "for reasons that have to do with the Olympic Games."
The gallery had tried to curate the show with China's sensitivities in mind. For example, Warhol's famous silkscreen portraits of Chairman Mao were not part of the 18-piece collection. The works include portraits of tennis star Chris Evert, soccer legend Pelé, baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, and boxing great Muhammad Ali, as well as images of Michael Jackson, Sitting Bull, and crime boss John Gotti.
Faurschou Beijing, which is a branch of Copenhagen-based Galleri Faurschou, has hosted several exhibitions of foreign artists since opening its doors last December, including a highly successful show featuring the works of Robert Rauschenberg. Warhol's works have shown on the mainland as well, most recently at an exhibition entitled "The King of Pop Art" Art+Shanghai space which closed on June 18.
Heinze says he is confident that once the Paralympics end Sept. 20, the show will be able to go ahead. In the meantime Warhol's works will spend the Olympics in a customs warehouse, at a cost of $200 per day for storage—billed to the gallery. Officials say there is no "Chinese art only" policy, but 18 Warhol works slated for a gallery exhibit will spend the Olympic... more -
Ban lifted on naming your kids Budwieser
Swedish authorities say parents can now name their newborns "Budweiser" or "Metallica" if they so wish.
For decades, Swedish tax authorities had banned parents from naming their children after fast-food chains, rock bands or their favourite brand of beer.
But tax authority spokesman Lars Tegenfeldt says the guidelines have been relaxed. He says "there is nothing negative about a name like Coca-Cola or McDonald's today. In the 1970s, maybe it was."
Still, authorities are drawing the line at giving children swear words for names. And forget about naming your child God, Allah or Devil.
____________________________________________
Oh good now they can grow up to be alcoholics! but not a messiah. This bud's for you! Swedish authorities say parents can now name their newborns "Budweiser" or "Metallica" if they so wish. ... more -
New law would ban MySpace, Facebook at US libraries
"Legislation to ban kids' access to myspace.com and facebook.com in public libraries is picking up steam in Congress. If passed, libraries that allow that access could be stripped of Federal funding. The bill is called D.O.P.A. The Delete Online Predators Act. It was introduced Federal law required all libraries to filter out pornographic websites in computers that kids could access.
The director of the Rancho Mirage Public Library tells KPSP Local 2 that while they have a strict policy against allowing kids to access porn on computers, kids are permitted to have full access to myspace.com and facebook.com.
The American Library Association has joined the fight against the proposed new law calling it an unacceptable invasion of privacy.
For it's part myspace.com has recently taken big steps to protect kids from predators including assigning about one third it's entire workforce to deal with security and customer care."
Do you think they should outlaw access to social networking sites at Libraries and other pubilc venues? "Legislation to ban kids' access to myspace.com and facebook.com in public libraries is picking up steam in Congress. If pas... more -
New South Wales bans cigarette displays
Shops in Australia's biggest state will have to keep cigarettes out of sight of their customers under new anti- smoking regulations, New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma said Wednesday.
'Smoking is a one-way ticket to misery,' Iemma said. 'There's only one reason why the tobacco companies do this sort of glossy advertising in shops and supermarkets, and that's to keep smokers hooked and hook our kids.'
Fines for smoking in cars with children under 16 are also to be put on the statute book.
'For many adults it's a one-way ticket to a cancer ward or the morgue, but the children don't get the choice,' Iemma said.
Australia has one of the lowest levels of smoking anywhere in the world, with only 18 per cent of men and 16 per cent of women regular smokers, down from 40 per cent of men and 32 per cent of women in 1983.
A recent study showed that the steep decline reflected the power of public health messages, punitive taxes on cigarettes and restrictions on advertising. Australia's first anti-smoking law was passed 97 years ago, and the last change made pubs, clubs and outdoor eating places smoke free. Shops in Australia's biggest state will have to keep cigarettes out of sight of their customers under new anti- smoking regulatio... more -
L.A.: No new fast-food outlets in poor area
City officials are putting South Los Angeles on a diet.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place a moratorium on new fast food restaurants in an impoverished swath of the city with a proliferation of such eateries and above-average rates of obesity.
The yearlong moratorium -- which the mayor still must sign into law -- is intended to give the city time to attract restaurants that serve healthier food. The action is believed to be the first of its kind by a major city to protect public health.
"Our communities have an extreme shortage of quality foods," City Councilman Bernard Parks said.
Representatives of fast-food chains said they support the goal of better diets but believe they are being unfairly targeted. They say they already offer healthier food items on their menus.
"It's not where you eat, it's what you eat," said Andrew Pudzer, president and chief executive of CKE Restaurants, parent company of Carl's Jr. "We were willing to work with the city on that, but they obviously weren't interested." City officials are putting South Los Angeles on a diet. ... more -
Lawmakers Agree to Ban Toxins in Children's Items
"Congressional negotiators agreed yesterday to a ban on a family of toxins found in children's products, handing a major victory to parents and health experts who have been clamoring for the government to remove harmful chemicals from toys.
The ban, which would take effect in six months, would have significant implications for U.S. consumers, whose homes are filled with hundreds of plastic products designed for children that may be causing dangerous health effects.
The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys...
... Phthalates make plastics softer and more durable and also are added to perfumes, lotions, shampoos and other items. They are so ubiquitous that in one 1999 study, the Food and Drug Administration found traces in all of its 1,000 subjects.
The measure had wide support in the Senate, but it bogged down in the House, where the chemical industry waged a costly battle to defeat it. The campaign was led by Exxon Mobil, which manufacturers diisononyl phthalate, or DINP, the phthalate most frequently found in children's toys. The company spent a chunk of its $22 million lobbying budget in the past 18 months to try to prevent any ban."
(End of excerpt)
Full story at link by Lyndsey Layton// Washington Post
-----
Image by flickr user Gaetan Lee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaetanlee/298160434/
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en "Congressional negotiators agreed yesterday to a ban on a family of toxins found in children's products, handing a major vic... more -
Dutch café renamed smokers' church
In a latest attempt to fight against the recently-enforced smoking ban, a café has been renamed True Universal Smokers' Church of God. In a latest attempt to fight against the recently-enforced smoking ban, a café has been renamed True Universal Smokers' Church of... more
-
Catholics to pope: Lift the birth control ban
VATICAN CITY (AP) — More than 50 dissident Catholic groups from around the world have written an open letter asking Pope Benedict XVI to lift the church's ban on birth control.
Taking a half-page ad in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the groups said Friday that the Church's ban on artificial birth control has had "catastrophic effects," particularly in the fight against AIDS.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the accusation was "clearly unfounded" and insisted the Church is active in combating AIDS.
The groups published their appeal on the 40th anniversary of the 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae" ("On Human Life") — the document issued by Pope Paul VI that prohibits Catholics from using artificial contraception.
The initiative was spearheaded by Catholics for Choice, a Washington based pro-choice advocacy group, but the letter was signed by organizations from countries across the Americas and Europe.
The ban on contraception "has had catastrophic effects on the poor and weak of the whole world, putting in danger the lives of women and exposing millions of people to the risk of contracting HIV," the letter published in Corriere said.
It urged Benedict to begin a "reform process," saying that, especially in poor countries, the Church was using its influence to block family planning programs and condom distributions.
Lombardi denounced the ad "as paid propaganda for the use of contraceptives."
"Policies against AIDS based mainly on the distribution of condoms have largely failed," Lombardi said in a statement. "The answer to AIDS requires deeper and more complex interventions, in which the Church is active on many fronts." VATICAN CITY (AP) — More than 50 dissident Catholic groups from around the world have written an open letter asking Pope Benedict XVI ... more -
California becomes first US state to ban trans fats
California today became the first state to prohibit restaurants from using artery-clogging trans fats in preparing their food. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will ban restaurants and other retail food establishments from using oil, margarine and shortening containing trans fats.
In a statement, Schwarzenegger noted that consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease.
"Today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California," he said.
Violations could result in fines of $25 to $1,000. Food items sold in their manufacturers' sealed packaging would be exempt. The bill's author, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, said he hoped the legislation would lead to similar laws in other states.
New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle and Montgomery County, Md., have ordinances banning trans fats, but California is the first state to adopt such a law covering restaurants, said Amy Wintefeld, a health policy analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. California and Oregon already have laws banning trans fats in meals served at schools, she added.
The legislation signed by Schwarzenegger will take effect Jan, 1, 2010, for oil, shortening and margarine used in spreads or for frying ... California today became the first state to prohibit restaurants from using artery-clogging trans fats in preparing their food. Gov. A... more -
N.Y. bans smoking at recovery centers
Many addicts, problem gamblers and alcoholics may find it harder to kick their habits in New York now that the state has become the first in the country to ban smoking at all recovery centers.
New York’s 13 state-run addiction treatment centers have been tobacco free for more than 10 years. New regulations that take effect Thursday will also apply to private treatment centers. Some are worried that people who need help for and alcohol won’t pursue it because they aren’t ready to quit smoking.
“Nicotine helps (addicts) get through the day,” he said. “Now you take the nicotine away from us, it’s almost impossible to get through the day ... addiction is addiction, I understand that, but nicotine is a legal substance.”
Whats next, they take our coffee away as well...? Many addicts, problem gamblers and alcoholics may find it harder to kick their habits in New York now that the state has become t... more -
China Bans Conversation during the Olympics!
"Don't ask a tourist's age or wage, steer clear of sex and avoid religion: what many Chinese consider idle chit-chat has now become the latest area of censure in Beijing as it prepares for an influx of Olympic visitors.
Posters displayed on bulletin boards in the neighborhood which includes tourist magnet the Forbidden City, and which will host Olympics boxing events, counsel locals against a wide range of potentially awkward conversation topics with foreigners.
The list of "eight don't asks" was issued by the Dongcheng district Propaganda Department as a guide for locals about how to show proper hospitality, a department spokesman said.
"Don't ask about income or expenses, don't ask about age, don't ask about love life or marriage, don't ask about health, don't ask about someone's home or address, don't ask about personal experience, don't ask about religious beliefs or political views, don't ask what someone does," the Olympics logo stamped poster advises."
Just DON'T TALK TO ANYONE about ANYTHING and everything will be fine... "Don't ask a tourist's age or wage, steer clear of sex and avoid religion: what many Chinese consider idle chit-chat ha... more -
Secret ban on blacks in Beijing bars during the Olympics?
SAY WHAT? Alright ... now before I break fly and act a fool - let me retort in saying that this piece of news that surfaced via crackberry this morning was really baffling to the tenth power! While many of us find ourselves hyped up for next months 2008 Olympic Summer Games, it looks as though there is a rumor running around the web that selected Beijing ‘hot spots’ are preparing throw a some shade during the summer game festivities.
According to reports from Huffingtonpost.com & Beijing Boyce , Hong Kong’s English newspaper The South China Morning Post reported last Friday that Chinese authorities have issued a secret ban on blacks, Mongolians, and other ‘social undesirable’ from local Beijing bars during the Olympic games. The Chinese online news source is only available for subscribers only - lucky enough Beijing Boyce brings fourth an excerpt from the online new source:
Beijing authorities are secretly planning to ban black people and others it considers social undesirables from entering the city’s bars during the Olympic Games, a move that would contradict the official slogan, “One World, One Dream”.
Bar owners near the Workers’ Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign pledges agreeing not to let black people enter their premises….
Security officials are targeting Sanlitun, which Olympic organizers expect to be a key destination for foreign tourists looking for a party during the Games.
The pledges that Sanlitun bar owners had been instructed to sign agreed to stop a variety of activities in their establishments, including dancing and serving customers with black skin, they said.
This past Saturday Beijing Boyce updates on the story reporting:
* An owner said police met with Sanlitun bar reps and told them to monitor black patrons. He said the police told the reps that drug dealers are predominantly black in the area. He said the police did not ask bar owners to ban blacks.
* Several Sanlitun area bar owners said they had not been told by police to ban blacks or Mongolians.
* I also spoke to several people in the restaurant business and they told me they have not heard of police telling city eateries to ban people.
* Most interesting, two people working at one bar had different perspectives on the terminology used by the police. One said the police used “black” in reference to skin color; while the other said it was used in terms of bad elements (the Chinese character for “black” is part of a phrase used to describe criminals).
Ok…so will this stop me from watching the Olympics next month? Hell No! But I am curious as to know how you ladies feel about the issue at hand? It’s time to get LIVE & Direct this Tuesday morning. SAY WHAT? Alright ... now before I break fly and act a fool - let me retort in saying that this piece of news that surfaced via crack... more -
Happy hour drinking ban considered for UK
Happy hours in pubs and clubs could be banned in an attempt to promote responsible drinking, a government spokesperson has said.
The government is expected to publish the results of an independent review into the link between price promotion and alcohol abuse in the next few weeks. It will then begin consultation about new legislation to regulate the industry, which could include banning happy hours.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The Government has made it clear that alcohol must be sold and marketed responsibly and that new legislation will be introduced if existing voluntary standards are not being met."
Drinks promotions and happy hours are currently regulated by individual pub companies.
A report by Alcohol Concern, published this week, showed current industry self-regulation was ineffective, and cut-price drinks deals were commonplace.
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "The drinks industry's claim to champion responsible retailing is badly let down by the significant number of premises who persistently sell alcohol at cut prices.
"Self-regulation has clearly failed and we desperately need mandatory codes and an industry watchdog to stamp out the poor practice and complacency that is characteristic of many of these venues."
Prof Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chairman of the Alcohol Heath Alliance, added: "Too many bars and clubs continue to put profit before their customers' health. This report shows the time has come for the government to step in to regulate an industry whose own efforts to tackle irresponsible alcohol sales have failed."
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), welcomed the government review, but warned new legislation should cover all alcohol retailers.
Mark Hastings, BBPA director of communications, said: "No-one in the industry would have any problem with the government seeking to regulate irresponsible drinks promotions but we would expect such regulations to be directed not only towards pubs, but supermarkets and corner shops too. It should not be one rule for pubs and one rule for everyone else." Happy hours in pubs and clubs could be banned in an attempt to promote responsible drinking, a government spokesperson has said. ... more -
Life of Brian - Bid to overturn ban on film
A Welsh town is trying to overturn a 30-year-old ban on this film. Read more ...
-
South Florida City Hall Meetings Ban Politics...
Ummm...to me this seems like a 1st amendment violation...
By Susannah Bryan and Rachel Hatzipanagos | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 15, 2008
COOPER CITY - Dare to wear an Obama or McCain campaign pin to a Cooper City meeting and you might get hit with a $75 fine.
That's if city leaders embrace an ordinance that would outlaw wearing buttons or clothing with a political message at city events held on public property. Political signs and literature, profane language and boisterous behavior also would be banned under the plan the commission is expected to discuss tonight.
Commissioner John Sims said on Monday he is pushing the proposal as a way to restore polite behavior at the city's notoriously raucous public meetings. "You've got to hit people where it hurts, in their pocket," he said, explaining that a $75 fine would discourage rowdiness.
Sims' proposal comes two months after the commission approved a resolution that discourages verbal attacks during public meetings. At the time, the commission said the measure was an attempt to bring civility to City Hall. Sims, the target of a failed recall effort earlier this year, said the current rules don't go far enough.
Longtime resident Gladys Wilson railed against Sim's new plan. "I have a First Amendment right to wear a pin, a necklace, a pair of earrings, whatever I want to wear," she said. "It's just ridiculous what's going on."
Mayor Debbie Eisinger doubts such a measure would be legal.
"On public property, I don't think that you can stop someone from campaigning or taking some political activity," she said.
City Attorney David Wolpin said former City Clerk Susan Bernard drafted the proposed ordinance at Sims' request without consulting him. Wolpin declined to discuss the proposal, saying he planned to share his legal opinion with commissioners tonight.
Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, said the proposed law is "clearly unconstitutional" and goes too far in prohibiting free speech.
But Marc Rohr, also a law professor at NSU, said the city's elected leaders have the right to limit free speech, including campaign buttons, during public meetings. "There are certain settings in which government entities can control the forum," Rohr said.
Earlier this year, some residents targeted Sims, saying they wanted him removed from office for a now-defunct blog registered to him that posted anti-Semitic statements about the mayor. Sims has said he had nothing to do with the postings.
Sims said local campaigns were the main target of his new proposal, but added he has no problem banning Obama or McCain campaign buttons.
"The meetings should not give a venue for people to express their political views," he said. "My attempt is to limit political grandstanding inside City Hall."
Diane Sori, an outspoken critic of City Hall, said she plans to speak out against the measure.
"This is not how freedom of speech works in the United States," she said.
Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi said Sims' plan goes too far.
"I don't think this would be passed. If it does I'll be dumbfounded," Mallozzi said.
Walt Jolliff, a Sims supporter, compared some City Commission meetings to a "Salem witch hunt."
While critics say the new rule would trample on free speech, Jolliff doesn't share those concerns.
"You have to start some place," he said. Ummm...to me this seems like a 1st amendment violation... ... more
-
related topics
Ban
Contributors (257)
Ban
