Ambassador Stephen Bosworth was typically cryptic in his remarks after concluding two days of meetings last week with North Korean counterparts. Bosworth stated that the bilateral talks were “moving in the right direction [since] we have made some progress.” He added that the tone of the meetings was “positive and generally constructive,” enabling differences between the two countries needed to be narrowed further. Although issues needed to be resolved, both sides would work hard to do so. Some journalists sought to seize on the seemingly positive description as a signal …
To the surprise of a San Diego court, five orca whales are suing Sea World for holding them in slavery. No wait, that’s not quite right. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) brought the suit on behalf of the five whales. The folks at PETA allege that Sea World’s treatment of the whales violates the 13th amendment’s prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude. PETA claims that since the 13th amendment doesn’t forbid human slavery specifically, it could apply to any species: “Slavery is slavery, and it does not …
The conflict between global governance and U.S. constitutional democracy is the subject of a new book by John Fonte, who visited Heritage last week to talk about the numerous and well-funded efforts to undermine American sovereignty. The book, “Sovereignty or Submission,” chronicles in details the global governance movement. Fonte, a senior fellow and director at the Hudson Institute’s Center for American Common Culture, joined Heritage’s Steven Groves for an interview with The Daily Caller. They discuss the role of transnationalists, who is funding their agenda and what Americans can do …
No such thing as a free lunch? Not if you’re a union lobbyist in Illinois. As the Chicago Tribune reported: Two lobbyists with no prior teaching experience were allowed to count their years as union employees toward a state teacher pension once they served a single day of subbing in 2007…. Steven Preckwinkle, the political director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and fellow union lobbyist David Piccioli…took advantage of a small window opened by lawmakers…. [which allowed the two men] to get into the state teachers pension fund and …
It’s yet another inauspicious announcement the Obama Administration didn’t want you to hear. Late on Friday, the White House announced that it ordered an independent review of loans made by the Department of Energy to energy companies after months of weathering criticism for its $528 million loan to the now-bankrupt Solyndra solar panel company. The White House’s independent investigation, though, isn’t the only one in town. The FBI raided Solyndra after it declared bankruptcy, and Congress is diving in with an investigation of its own. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, who has …
The White House will not say whether it will comply with a subpoena from a House committee related to its involvement in the Solyndra scandal. Instead, the administration has opted to open its own investigation into the loan program that backed the defunct solar company – though that investigation will not examine Solyndra itself. The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Friday that it will vote to subpoena a host of White House documents related to Solyndra, including messages from the president’s Blackberry. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Cliff Stearns …
How goes the battle for the border? Heritage Foundation Latin American specialist Ray Walser and I spent some time on the border at Laredo, Texas, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Border Patrol. Laredo is America’s largest inland port of entry. Last year, 1.64 million trucks passed through the port, representing about $70 billion in commerce. Also in transit were hidden stacks of cash, guns, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, as well as people illegally trying to enter the United States. The job of CBP and the Border Patrol, …
Democrats on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction last week floated a proposal that includes massive tax increases on wealthy Americans. While their plan would also include some cuts to entitlement programs, the tax-code changes make up a significant portion, according to press reports. The Los Angeles Times reported: “Revenue would be raised mostly by bumping up the high-end tax bracket and limiting deductions for upper-income earners, those familiar with the talks said.” This isn’t exactly a surprise. President Obama and his liberal allies in Congress are waging a …
Washington politicians talk a good game when it comes to job creation. But when it comes to actually doing something, they’ve been unable to provide long-term stability on tax policy and reassure business leaders they’re serious about deficit reduction. The result is a cloudy economic climate that has left businesses sitting on cash rather than spending it. Bankrupting America compiled the views of four CEOs from American companies: Starbucks, Honeywell, EA Sports and Coca-Cola. They’re ready for Congress to take bold action.
House Cloakroom: October 31 – November 4 Analysis: This week the House will take up two bills to reduce regulations on capital. Additionally, the House will vote on legislation relating to wireless taxes as well as protecting Peace Corp workers from sexual assault. Major Floor Action: HR 2940 – Access to Capital for Job Creators Act HR 2930 – Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act HR 1002 – Wireless Tax Fairness Act S 1280 – Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act Major Committee Action: The House Oversight and Government Reform …
