Professional Documents
Culture Documents
VOL. CLVIV . . No. 54,631 NEW YORK, SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 FREE
INTERNATIONAL A4-5 leaving their companies, and public ance Act, which finally brings the U.S. NEW YORK A12 EDITORIAL A13
officials from accepting management up to par with other developed nations, A Lobbyist Defends Lobbying
Gitmo, Other Centers Closed positions at large corporations for the representatives of Kaiser, Cigna and other
The notorious Guantánamo Bay, Cuba The Ban on Lobbying bill is not with-
same period. Coupled with the Ban on health insurance companies are vowing out victims. PAGE A13
detention camp will be closed, along with Lobbying bill, the bill will reduce the to “fight tooth and nail” to protect their
a network of secret C.I.A.-run facilities influence of large corporations on public interests. PAGE A7
in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan and else- policy. PAGE B1 Thomas L. Friedman
where. PAGE A24 The columnist resigns, and will put
Bush to Face Charges
Most observers weren’t surprised by the down his pen to take up a screwdriver.
PAGE A13
Iraqi Refugees Worldwide high treason indictment itself, but rather
Celebrate Withdrawal by the party that brought it. The case
Two million Iraqi exiles, and three million could also provide an unexpected boost A Baboon Troop’s Experience
internal refugees, celebrated the end of to the International Criminal Court, pav- A particularly peaceful baboon troop
hostilities and began making plans to ing the way for more indictments. PAGE A5 may have lessons to teach us. PAGE A13
return to their homes. PAGE A4
BUSINESS A10-11 More Inside The Times.
Corporate Personhood Gets Real PAGE A2 ➤
NATIONAL A6-9
An initiative to abolish limited liabil- Bicycle Lanes Inaugurated HELP MAKE THE NEWS, TODAY
Conflict of Interest Law Will Stop ity will make shareholders pay for the With the completion of the 9th Avenue
Revolving Door bike lane and groundbreaking on other
Health Insurance Act Clears House crimes their corporations commit —
The “Revolving Door” bill will prohibit avenues, New York is on the (bike) path
While almost all are celebrating the even if they only own one or two shares
high-ranking corporate officers from to becoming as livable as other world
passage of the National Health Insur- in a mutual fund. PAGE A11
holding public office for ten years upon cities. PAGE A12
A2 THE NEW YORK TIMES SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 THE NEW YORK TIMES SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 A3
responsible energy.
Rebuilding Infrastructure ing sales, which could enable a congressional elections of 2010.
New Police Crowd-Control
Brings Opportunities truly independent public broad- PAGE B1
Guidelines To Be Tested
The state of America’s infra- casting system, the first of its kind
As hundreds of thousands take to
structure, crumbling after years in the country. PAGE C25 Equality of Marriage Bill the streets to celebrate the end of
of neglect, is in for a $1.6 trillion Passes Senate hostilities, police will implement
overhaul. But it won’t simply pay RU-486 Sales Approved With broad popular support, their new “People-Priority” policy.
for new highways. Instead, the The F.D.A. announced approval the “Equality of Marriage” bill “Our streets belong first and fore-
reign of the automobile will begin of RU-486, also known as the is expected to pass the Senate most to pedestrians, especially
to be brought to a close. PAGE A6 Morning After Pill, as an over-the- and move to the House later this those putting their bodies on the
counter medication. In a terse week. The new legislation will line to make change happen,”
End of the Secret Programs statement, the agency said, “The allow anyone to marry the person said Police Commissioner Kelly.
Under pressure from Congress, F.D.A. is in the business of safety, he or she loves — or needs the PAGE A12
the Pentagon admits there is no not politics.” PAGE B14 insurance of. PAGE B18
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stockholders, and a small management circle, but flow decentralized energy production. This will help fight
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THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009
International
A4 A5
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 Global Problem Last to Die in Battle Remembered, American and Iraqi
Turned Into By J. FINISTERRA cumbed early the next morning
Global Solution
to internal injuries, and was either
BAGHDAD — Secretary of De- the 93,067th, the 755,265th or the
fense Scott Ritter was joined by 1,233,657th Iraqi civilian casualty
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki of the war. (No accurate records
After Withdrawal Peace Spreads United Nations Unanimously Passes Weapons Ban From Page A1
level rise has been overblown.
and representatives of the former
“Coalition of the Willing” in Bagh-
were kept, and estimates from dif-
ferent sources conflict wildly.)
Rice: Troops Never Faced Annihilation Risk War Brides (and Husbands) Find
into Syria and Jordan, where they But as Abdul-Razzaq says, “The
Europe. In most cases, Iraqi refu- Askari Mosque was destroyed by elry, and I still needed to borrow is not planning to go back either. withdrawal is only the first step.
have been living in what human
gees are not allowed to work and bombs], my parents have been $10,000. I’m sleeping on a rela- “I’ve lost most of my family and I At least now, we Iraqis will be free
rights organization Amnesty Inter-
national calls “ramshackle camps
and struggling to meet basic
must depend on the black market.
Amira al-Fadl, 31, now living
locked in their neighborhood,
away from my sisters.” Al-Fadl is
tive’s couch, but I’m not sure what
I have to go back to.”
don’t think I’d be able to find my
friends. As promising as people
to choose our own future.” Their Place in a New Iraq
From Page A1
needs, like food and medicine.” in Stockholm, says that “since doubtful that she will return. “To Leyla Jarrah, 33, also in Stock- say it now is, I can’t see myself Iraqi journalists for The New York By LEN G. WILKINS Ibrahim Khan, when he was hired
About 200,000 have made it be- the Samarra bombing in Febru- leave, I had to peddle my house, holm, can’t keep tears of joy from starting all over again.” Times contributed reporting from believes that it was former Presi- to work as her translator during
BASRA — Following service in
yond the Middle East, mainly to ary 2006 [when a dome of the Al- my furniture and the family jew- coming down her cheeks. But she Harun Saeed, 45, is planning Damacas, Amman, and Stockholm. dent Bush’s trial for high treason the war. It is a role he continues
that spurred the revelations. Iraq and an honorable discharge
to serve as Ms. Blaine’s Arabic im-
“There’s nothing to hide any- last April, Lieutenant Samantha
proves.
Blaine returned to Iraq to start a
Times Reporter to Embed with Peace Groups What the Future Holds for Afghanistan
more,” said Ms. Rice. “We are re- Ms. Blaine claims that it hasn’t
lieved to finally be able tell you, small construction company.
been hard to adjust to life in Iraq.
the troops who fought for us, that She is far from alone. The
we love our soldiers and we al- “I expected to have to deal with a
By EMIL LEDERER Afghani leaders are hopeful that growth of the postwar economy in
By DARLA ZIMBALIST whom the protests were aimed. Against the War, who stage simu- ways have. We would never have lot of sexism. But until the inva-
future powerful states will finally Iraq has proven so tempting that
Veteran Times reporter John lated military operations in Ameri- put you in such obvious harm’s dozens of members of the U.S. sion, this was a modern, secular
A 400-page plan, written by Af- attend to the lessons learned by
Recent studies have shown that Hess noted that during his 24 can cities in order to “make the ghani leaders under U.N. supervi- way.” military chose to remain in Iraq. society.”
embedded reporters lose per- truth of this war visible”; United previous imperial powers, in-
years of service at the paper he Thus a region long associated Sergeant Rahim Rafiqi has also
sion, outlines the final stages of cluding Britain, Russia, and now
spective and objectivity. Thrust “never saw a foreign intervention for Peace and Justice, a coalition benefited from the new construc-
U.S. and NATO withdrawal, and de- the U.S. Mikhail Gorbachev, in a with its citizens fleeing abroad has
into high-tension situations of that the Times did not support, of 1400 peace groups nationwide;
dangerous conflict, and surround- never saw a fare increase or a rent and CODEPINK, a group singled
tails a rebuilding effort on a scale recently-published book on the A sheepish former seen unprecedented volumes of tion, opening an insurance agency
not seen since World War Two. immigration. that caters to the construction
ed by a corps of strong personali- increase or a utility rate increase out by former President Bush as
Core to the plan is the presence Nick Tucker
collapse of the Soviet Union, has secretary expresses Seven years ago, Ms. Blaine industry. Prior to joining the mili-
ties devoted to a single objective, that it did not endorse, never saw revealed that he warned President
journalists almost inevitably write it take the side of labor in a strike
of the U.N. peacekeeping and hu- was toppled by U.S.-backed Muja- George W. Bush against attempting respect and concern had no experience with safety tary, Mr. Rafiqi had worked at his
father’s small insurance company.
subjectively and sympathetically or lockout, or advocate a raise for To right a longstanding
manitarian forces in order to guar- hedeen in 1992. “An abundance of to occupy Afghanistan. Mr. Bush’s for the troops. engineering or building codes but
“I was able to get backing for what
of situations that are best ad- underpaid workers.” When anti- antee the quality of life of all citi- research has shown that individu- response: “Hey, Gorby, lighten up. was sent to Basra to assist in the
bias, a focus on those zens through assurances of peace, als worldwide who are literate are The Taliban and the Mujahedeen rebuilding of the Iraqi infrastruc- some would have seen as a risky
dressed analytically. war protesters are covered, the
a means to earn a living, and basic less likely to address problems may have brought you down, but ture. Today, her private contract- investment, but we were in the
Yet there are other subjects Times has regularly undercounted fighting for change food and health care. “Afghani with non-diplomatic means” the it was we who provided the fund- Ms. Rice also confirmed Secre- ing company is benefiting from a black pretty quickly,” says Mr.
that might be better served by a the numbers and glossed over tary of Defense Scott Ritter’s rev-
warlords and the Taliban use ac- report states, adding that this is ing. They’re in our pocket and local building boom. Rafiqi.
more sympathetic approach— violent acts by riot police. It has elation that he had provided the
like the cause of those who work never given the demonstrators cess to resources as a source of also true for U.S. political leaders. they know it.” “For the first year of our busi- According to the recent émigrés,
C.I.A. with documentation in the the cultural adjustments that are
to correct injustices done by our editorial support. setting a “dangerous, radical agen- power. When these resources are One Taliban official, who was “I wonder what he thinks now ness, most of the work was gov-
1990s, when he was a U.N. weap-
country abroad. Yet The Times’ After returning stateside from da” for American politics. readily available, their authority in a minority opposing the plans, that U.S. missiles are bringing ernment contracts,” said Blaine, necessary to move from the Unit-
ons inspector, that Iraq lacked
coverage of protesters has often 16 weeks embedded with the Beginning next week, embed- will be neutralized or minimized,” explained that his group was be- down U.S. drones, and the U.S. biological or nuclear weapons pro- “but after the major infrastructure ed States to Iraq are more than
been anything but sympathetic. 101st Airborne division in Iraq, ded reports from this movement the report states. ing supported by Baptist groups had to nationalize banks because grams. “We were then already far work was done and the Iraqi econ- worth enduring to be a part of the
This paper has belittled the move- this reporter decided to right this will be featured every week in this The plan focuses heavily on in the U.S. which “understand the Americans wanted control of the more than 99 percent certain that omy began to rebound, there was new Iraq. “Getting sent to Iraq was
ment, marked its participants as imbalance herself, beginning with space. You, like The Times, will rebuilding schools and retrain- need for men to rule women and means of production and not just Hussein had zero W.M.D.s and that a surge in demand for new hous- the best thing to happen to me,”
wingnuts, and all in all written as if some of the most interesting anti- come to see these organizations ing teachers who have not taught the legitimacy of martyrdom as a blank checks for the financiers,” Rob 7812/AP if he did, he would not be able to ing.” said Ms. Blaine. “I’m finally living
it were beholden to those against war protest groups: Iraq Veterans in an entirely different light. since the Soviet-backed regime political strategy.” Mr. Gorbachev said. A lone helmet lies in the desert near Atrush, Iraq, a monument to absence. use them against us.” Ms. Blaine met her husband, the American Dream.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009
National
A6 A7
Finally, a long-needed
cans have said they believe gov-
ernment should guarantee health
moving to a publicly administered
system will be no simple task. The
ness for decades. Now Washing-
ton insiders want to take away our
ing and might even help stimulate
the overall economy.” All Public Pentagon Ends
move away from the “You know something’s wrong
when the earnings of poor folks
care for all U.S. residents.
Despite growing popular sup-
private health-care industry is
enormous, employing over 14 mil-
profits, our investments, and our
property. That is unacceptable,
Unlike the response from com-
pany executives, reaction to the Universities Secret Budget
port for a single-payer system, and we will fight tooth and nail passage of H.R. 676 among insur-
automobile.
A tragic Minneapolis bridge collapse claimed lives, but not as many as an unhealthy national lifestyle.
Dani Bora/World Picture news end up in the pockets of Wal-Mart
shareholders in Manhattan,” said
Pelosi acknowledged that Con-
gress would not have voted for
to insure our rights under our na-
tion’s Constitution.”
ance industry employees has been
largely positive. Sarah Schwartz, a
To Be Free By TREVOR LENPAG
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon
Oswin. “This act has finally put this bill without the dedicated A basic human right is “There has been a long-accepted Cigna medical records specialist By MARY K. RAWLINGS announced today that it would elim-
cities, convert rural suburbs back a stop the flow of money out of grassroots organizing of national myth, which is now thankfully re- in Ohio, said: “I’ll get retraining. inate more than $60 billion worth
to farmland, and provide access Light rail and buses “In 1990 we got the Americans with Disabili- said Housing head Rene Oswin, “building tighter these communities. To backtrack groups like Healthcare-NOW and
at long last assured
ceding, that if it’s private, it must They need people who do what I A bill to eliminate tuition at pub- of secret programs that have taken
to services rather than just sheer One key to the Infrastructure Modernization ties Act, with provisions for ‘full and equal enjoy- communities needs to be at the forefront. When now would be disastrous.” Oswin Physicians for a National Health with help from activist be more efficient,” said Secretary do. I’ll get different forms and pro- lic universities is making its way over an increasing share of the de-
mobility,” said Mr. Terra. Bill will be light rail in cities, as well as high-occu- ment,’” said Mr. Blumenauer. “Now there are the places we live, work, and shop are closer to- predicted the big-box reatailers’ Program, regional groups like the of Health and Human Services, cedures, that’s all. Plus this new through Congress and is expected fense budget over the last 30 years.
Under pressure from their con- pancy overland vehicles — i.e. buses — oper- ramps, elevators, and other accommodations. gether, quality of life improves dramatically.” challenge would fail. California Nurses Association groups. former Oregon Governor Dr. John system will be much better for the to pass within days. “There is no place, in a democ-
stituencies, lawmakers on both ating at higher speeds in segregated lanes and There’s no reason a few simple rules can’t per- “A suburbanite who commutes for an hour and The act prescribes a two- and the New York-based Private Kitzhaber. “Yet our private, largely patients, so that feels good.” When As tuition has climbed in past racy, for massive programs hidden
sides of the aisle are pushing for roadways. mit the full and equal enjoyment of public road- drives to the store for a cup of sugar is going to stage withdrawal process for the Health Insurance Must Go Coali- for-profit system was bloated, re- asked about other changes the decades, federal aid programs out of sight of the public eye,” said
a version of the bill that frees the “We can dig out some of our old streetcar ways by bicyclists.” stores from lower-income neigh- tion, and over 450 union organiza- lion people and costing 2.3 trillion dundant, inefficient, and much new law will bring, Schwartz told have been unable to keep up. The
have a lower quality of life than one who walks or Pentagon spokesperson Jackson
U.S. from dependence on fossil tracks, which are now buried in asphalt, but new “It’s something my predecessors at D.O.T. borhoods, which are defined as tions across the country that had dollars in 2007. more expensive than the better- the Times about her aging mother current bill, inspired by the City
bikes to work and buys food at a farmer’s mar- Burke. “The Founding Fathers un-
fuels. buses are also a good solution, and much less didn’t take very seriously,” said program head neighborhoods with a median endorsed H.R. 676. Pelosi said that “The transition to a single-payer performing national health care who, at 71, continues to work at University of New York’s 1970s-era
ket,” noted Oswin. “Big box stores, malls, and derstood that sunlight is the best
“We don’t want a patch that just expensive,” Mr. Blumenauer noted. Leah Shahum, former Executive Director of the household income under $30,000. many formerly undecided con- system will be our biggest chal- models of many other countries. a full-time office job. “She almost free-tuition policies for New York
peripheral office parks have been a catastrophe disinfectant, which is why they
preserves business as usual,” said In 1922 there were fourteen thousand miles of San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “But bicyclists In the first two-year phase, the gressional representatives were lenge for the next 3 years, and a Plus, many Americans were grow- got laid off last year, which meant residents, is intended to help level
for our national happiness.” wrote the receipts and expendi-
Rahm Emanuel, Representative of streetcar track in American cities, according to across the country have shown us it can work.” stores will become wholesalers, also swayed by seeing Michael significant struggle even after this ing increasingly frustrated with my dad wouldn’t have been able the playing field.
The building guidelines, soon to be written into tures clause into the Constitution.”
Illinois, who has been leading the Colleen Burgess, a representative of the Surface The first task will be to enact “complete streets” able to sell only to smaller local Moore’s film, “Sicko,” and by the bill is signed,” said John Cony- private insurers acting as gate- to see a doctor for his heart prob- “The United States has become Burke was referring to Article I
legislation, also include prescriptions for solar, businesses at heavily discounted cogent arguments presented in a ers, Democrat of Michigan, who keepers interfering in doctor-pa- lems anymore, since he was cov-
push for sustainable rebuilding in Transportation Board. “Berlin had the most ex- legislation, with safe lanes for bicyclists, bicycle a nation of educational haves and Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution,
wind, and geothermal energy, and grey water prices. The local businesses can 2008 pocket-sized book, “10 Excel- introduced and fought for the tient decisions, and with receiv- ered under her plan. For our fam-
the Senate. “Rather, true conve- tensive network in Europe, but that was smaller parking areas, and bike racks on city buses and have-nots,” said Adolph Reed, which states that Congress must
systems. Details are available on the H.U.D. buy from whichever supplier they lent Reasons for National Health legislation. “But with the support ing denial letters from insurance ily, this bill passed just in time.”
nience must be our top priority.” than 22 American cities. Today, we’ve got next to light rail, so that cyclists can commute longer Jr., Professor of Political Science publish a full accounting of gov-
website. want. By the end of a second eight- Care,” edited by Mary E. O’Brien of the American people, I have no bureaucrats sitting in cubicles far “Health care should be like water
“What we’ve realized is that we nothing. But we’ve got to look forward.” distances. at the New School for Social Re- ernment expenditures. The Penta-
year phase, the stores will be com- and Martha Livingston, that was doubt that we will reach our goal.” removed from their medical diag- — a right for everyone. Anything
need to move away from the au- Even more ambitious will be the development search. “Tuition costs are skyrock- gon’s black budget has long been
Air pletely dissolved. given to every member of Con- In order to make the transition noses. The single-payer system we less is barbaric,” said a spokesper-
tomobile,” said Senator Richard National rail of commuter bicycle lending programs in all ma- eting while real incomes have re- controversial for its apparent vio-
“We have nothing to lose but gress. easier for industry workers, H.R. will be implementing under H.R. son for Physicians for a National
Shelby, Republican of Alabama. One major element of the D.O.T. plan is the jor cities. For an annual fee of around $40, users In response to the government’s comprehen- mained stagnant.” lation of Article I Section 9.
our chains,” said Marlo Lewis of Under the private insurance sys- 676 gives former employees of pri- 676 will be a vast improvement Health Program, an organization
“We need to transition the United reconstruction of a national rail network for peo- will be able to check out three-speed bicycles sive Climate Control and Infrastructure Modifica- One trend the bill will correct is “We have carefully reviewed all
Big Boxes Out, a citizens’ group tem that has been in place until vate health insurers first priority over the previous, dysfunctional that has advocated for health care
States to a more convenient, liv- ple and goods, and the elimination of most long from entirely automated stations. The programs tion Act, the Federal Aviation Administration is now, 30 percent of health insur- the flocking of university gradu- of the programs contained in the
that was instrumental in pushing for the public-sector jobs that will health care model. And it will pay reform since 1987.
able, economical, and enjoyable distance trucking. “The rails are there,” said Ms. will be modeled after those in Paris and Barce- considering two different proposals to phase out ance premiums have gone toward ates to jobs paying salaries needed black budget,” said Mr. Burke.
for the Economic Independence need to be created to run the new for itself by eliminating the waste In recent years, a majority of
way of life.” Burgess. “They spider across all of North Ameri- lona, which already have hundreds of stations air travel. administrative costs, including to reimburse debts. “Are schools Some of them we have made
Act, and which is now promoting program. and duplication of the private physicians had grown tired of the
Mr. Blumenauer cited as instru- ca. They need maintenance, and in some cases and thousands of public bicycles in circulation. The first calls for the nationalization of airlines, advertising, profits, and execu- a selection mechanism for Wall public, and we have canceled the
a second act, the Full Economic Many Republicans in Congress health insurance industry.” growing, confusing, and some-
mental to the bill’s passage the expansion, but they’re basically there.” Blumenauer noted that the benefits of expand- and the transition of many airports wholly or in tive salaries. This compares with Street?” asked Professor Howard remainder.” Canceled programs
Independence Act, to eliminate remain opposed to the new plan, When reached, a member of the times disruptive role of the private
widespread public outrage which “We have a passenger railroad system that ed bike use are likely to impact another typically part into transit hubs for rail and bus services. a 3 percent cost for administering insurance companies, with a 2008 Gardner. Some speculate that high include the C.I.A.’s controversial
all chains with more than ten out- arguing that quality care is best Coordinating Committee of the
began in reaction to $10 gasoline the Bulgarians would be ashamed of,” noted rail American problem: that of obesity. “Bicycles are The other, more market-based plan, mandates Medicare. Moving from the private provided by private industry and Private Health Insurance Must Go poll showing 59 percent of doctors tuition has helped fuel the drive to “extraordinary rendition” program
prices and was quickly channeled advocate James Howard Kunstler. “Restoring also an investment in the infrastructure of the hu- lets from lower-income neighbor- health insurance system to single- enormous profits that has proven and the N.S.A.’s domestic surveil-
the elimination of billions of dollars of federal free markets. Former Speaker of Coalition noted that the momen- supporting a single-payer system.
by groups like Rebuild Sustainably. passenger rail service would put tens of thou- hoods, along a similar ten-year payer is expected to save $350 so dangerous to society. lance program.
man body,” he said. subsidies for airlines. the House Newt Gingrich released tum for a single-payer health care At an American Medical Associa-
“When gas hit $3.50 back in March sands of people to work at all levels, decongest timeline. billion dollars each year, enough Students have responded posi- Asked about the national secu-
In the first plan, the price of travel would re- a statement saying: “Only market system grew after the October tion banquet last night, a sponta-
2008, people drove 11 billion miles airports, and revive central cities. And nothing Zoning to fund health care for those who competition can bring choice and 2008 Wall Street bailout: “After neous standing ovation occurred tively. “I’m really worried,” said rity consequence of eliminating
less per month than they had the main the same, but there would be far fewer Patricia Kathen, a high school se-
needs to be reinvented — the infrastructure is One key element of the D.O.T.’s plan to get are currently uninsured or under- lower prices. To see the opposite the bailout, the American people when doctors learned of the bill’s classified programs, Burke said,
year before,” said Blumenauer. trips available. In the second, only the relatively insured. Under H.R. 676, the ex- nior in Edgewater, New Jersey. “I
already out there.” people out of their cars will occur solely on pa- trend is to be obtuse and short- saw more clearly than ever that success. A.M.A. President Nancy “Democracies can only function
“When it hit $10, people realized wealthy could afford to fly. panded Medicare for All system our social needs were not always Nielsen, M.D. said in her speech: thought this meant I could get in properly when there is maximum
Senator Emanuel noted that current airline per. “We need more mixed-use zoning; more sighted.” During the House floor
that the problem wasn’t high gas “We advocate the second plan, of course,” will be paid for through a 3.3 per- debate, some cited claims about going to be met by private indus- “We’re trained to save lives. We’re more easily. But admissions poli- transparency. Sacrificing our de-
subsidies would be rechanneled into Amtrak, medium-scale, high-density development; in-
prices — the problem was gas. especially into high-speed rail connections al- centives for businesses to locate near residential said United C.E.O. Glenn F. Tilton. cent payroll tax on employers and long waits for treatment under try or the so-called ‘free market.’ trained to practice medicine. Fi- cies won’t change, and my grades mocracy in the name of national
Fortunately, we Americans have ready common in Europe, Japan, and China. areas and for individuals to work close to home; “Even if flights become a luxury,” said Trans- employees, a stock transfer tax, a similar single-payer system of There were no more valid excuses nally, we can do what we entered kind of blow.” security is the ultimate threat to
always had the imagination and portation head Blumenauer, “it won’t be a catas- an income tax surcharge on the medical care in Canada; these for inaction. If government was this field to do — practice with the “At least if I do get in, I’ll be able the principles that this country
and better public education about the health
will to meet challenges.” trophe for most people. An average family can top 5 percent of taxpayers, and by claims have been discredited by able to provide a safety net to Wall interest of patients at heart.” to afford it,” she added. was founded on.”
BiKe infrastructure benefits of being active,” Mr. Blumenauer said.
“Once we make our own coun- The Urban Bicycling Expansion Program be- He said that the Transportation Department will afford to spend some much-needed downtime
try more livable,” says Mr. Blume- gan with the D.O.T.’s Bicycle Commuters Group be working with the Department of Housing and on a comfortable train between New York and Dystopos/AP
nauer, “we can begin exporting the
best practices of affordable transit
and sustainable planning to devel-
in late 2007. The program’s funding is now on a
par with that of a newly-shrunken Federal Avia-
Urban Development to draw up guidelines that
focus on access, rather than mobility.
Los Angeles. As for business customers who
choose to fly, they will have to pay the true cost
A 24-hour Wal-Mart Supercenter
in Detroit is just one of many
American Evangelical Churches Announce New Policy of Sanctuary for Iraqi Refugees
tion Administration. “As we rebuild the national infrastructure,” of their habits to society.”
oping nations.” expected to close.
By W. WILBERFORCE withdrawal.
Progressive
surprised, but pleasantly so,” said António
From November to Now: How progressives really won Washington
dress yesterday afternoon, Reverend Rich Guterres, United Nations High Commis-
Cizik, Vice President for Governmental Af- sioner for Refugees. “The international
Biofuels Ban Act Signed Into Law, Seeks to Ease Food Shortage Torture, High-Speed Internet Hits Fast Track to Appalachia Education Department Plans
By WILLIAM PETTY ers sent a memo announcing they
would refuse all future campaign
Rendition By B. VANNEVAR optic networks for years. The im-
proved access for all communities National Tax Base for Schools
“Not Such
WASHINGTON — In a dizzying Washington — The Internet is expected to help narrow educa-
contributions from the powerful Freedom Preservation Act has
about-face, the White House an- firms. tion and socioeconomic gaps. should not determine where you
nounced that the president will passed both houses of Congress,
Good Ideas
In the late 1970s, the Supreme end up in life.” Hundreds of grass-
be signing the Ban Biofuels Act
Today the stock of both corpo-
rations registered their sharpest
thanks in part to overwhelming
Court ruled that companies pro-
Takes Cue from Ohio roots campaigns throughout the
and well-organized support of
tomorrow. single-day drop on record at the viding communication services and 23 Other States state, including The Ohio Coali-
After All”
The controversial legislation Dow. Neither company would re- millions of Internet users. The act
shouldn’t interfere with smaller tion For Equity and Adequacy of
was pushed through Congress by turn calls for comment. will ensure “net neutrality” — i.e., By M.M. BETHUNE
users. Two years ago, that deci- School Funding, took the cue from
newly elected Democrats unchar- International response has been that all users have equal access to
sion was reversed and the largest Mr. Strickland’s statement and
acteristically willing to stand up to mixed. “I must admit, no one saw By DIEGO TAVERA the Internet and that large corpo- Twenty-three states have an-
telecommunications companies spent the last two years working
big agribusiness, bolstered by in- this coming,” said a World Bank rations like Time Warner, AT&T, nounced plans to fund primary
Washington — In response to effectively became the gatekeep- hard to hold him to it.
tense public pressure in part due official who spoke on condition of Comcast, and Verizon can no lon- and secondary education on a
36 million handwritten letters, the ers of the Internet. The Internet “Finally, this is a real step to-
to the efforts of international orga- anonymity. “We’ve all known there ger act as gatekeepers, determin- statewide tax basis instead of per
president made a formal apology Freedom Preservation Act guaran- wards the equality our Constitu-
nizations like Friends of the Earth, were big problems with our subsi- ing which sites go fast and which county, following the lead of a
today to Canadian citizen and ex- tees that these companies can no tion recommends,” says Amanda
Greenpeace and the Rainforest Ac- dies for biofuel crops in develop- slow. landmark decision in Ohio.
tion Network. traordinary rendition victim Ma- longer decide which Web sites on Fullerton, of Columbus. Ms. Ful-
ing countries, especially as they The act also includes provisions Ohio’s S.B. 320 follows the Ohio
The shift was cheered by envi- her Arar and presented him with their networks go fast or slow and lerton, a mother of two, voted for
encroached on other crops, and to eliminate billions of dollars in Supreme Court ruling that fund-
ronmental activists as well as av- the Presidential Medal of Free- which won’t load at all. Mr. Strickland because of his long
on native ecosystems. We were subsidies and tax breaks for tele- ing schools from local property
erage Americans worn down by dom. “This law is a huge step forward history of support for educational
examining that. We just never ex- communication corporations, taxes and private initiatives does
the steep rise in food prices. “Veg- Mr. Arar was a software engineer for not only technology, but for the reform, but was soon disappoint-
pected to be pushed on it by U.S. and to use the proceeds to build not comply with the Ohio Consti-
etable oil and corn are for feeding changing planes at J.F.K. Airport ed by the governor’s inaction in
officials.” a fiber-optic network providing sharing of ideas,” said free speech tution’s guarantee of a “thorough
people, not cars,” said Elizabeth on his way home to Canada from office. When she first heard about
Analysts at the World Bank pre- free high-speed Internet service advocate Lawrence Lessig, who and efficient” public education
Johnson, a hospital worker and dict that the legislation will have a family vacation when he was the proposed bill in the Ohio
to even the most remote towns is head of the new Network Com- system. The new statewide system
mother of three, at yesterday’s a ripple effect, eventually easing detained, kept from counsel, and Senate, Ms. Fullerton decided to
throughout the United States. This munications Bureau, which will be means that resources are more
demonstration outside Capitol pressure on the remaining rainfor- sent to Syria for a year of torture occupy the Governor’s office to
new network is expected to bring charged with protecting the net- equitably distributed, with inner-
Hill. “There was only so much ests. and interrogation. WILLIAM KNOXCRUFT demonstrate how important she
the U.S. up to speed with coun- work against all surveillance in- city schools receiving the same
more we could keep paying.” The letters in support of Mr. High-speed lines connect rural counties across the U.S. with the rest felt the bill was. Over two hundred
Six nationwide protests over the tries like Japan, France, and Korea, cluding that of other government amount as suburban ones.
Arar were part of a campaign or- of the world at no cost to the user. mothers soon joined her, camping
which have had extensive fiber- agencies. The Ohio decision began with
last four months had prepared the Food riots highlight a ganized by a coalition of human out for six days. Many observers
terrain for the bill’s success, ac- Governor Ted Strickland’s 2006 feel that actions like the mothers’
need for real solutions rights groups including Witness campaign promise to assure
Pharmaceutical Law Revised to End Corruption
cording to Andrew Kohut of the played a key role in convincing
Against Torture, Amnesty Inter- that “where you grow up in Ohio
Pew Research Center, who said Governor Strickland to push hard
that national polls indicate a sharp national, the Center for Constitu-
jim media “If the demand for biofuels tional Rights, and MoveOn.org. for the bill.
decrease in public approval of bio- drops, then there’s far less incen- By JASON BREMARSA complimentary pens, coffee mugs, Following the announcements
fuels and increased concern about Acres of corn now to be used for feeding people, rather than being converted to car and truck fuel. His case has come to represent and other product-related para-
tive to clear-cut native forests,” some of the worst excesses of the of twenty-three states that they
global warming. “The public sees Revisions in the Physician Pay- phernalia into doctors’ offices.
explained a spokesperson from would be voting on similar bills,
the use of biofuels as profoundly In addition to turning off the said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ceives subsidy payments from the previous administration’s national ments Sunshine Act (S.2029) will “What we really need is a sea
Friends of the Earth Indonesia, the U.S. Department of Educa-
irresponsible both environmen- tap on plant-based petrol, the at a press conference yesterday. federal government. “We’ve been security policies. now make it a Class D federal fel- change in the medical profes-
also known as Walhí. “This is what tion said it would be developing
tally and socially,” Kohut said. Ban Biofuels Act sets out an ambi- In acknowledging her failure in the getting a lot of heat from our con- The context for the apology is ony for physicians to accept more sion wherein physicians realize
the people in the rainforest have a plan for a national tax base for
He added that recent investiga- tious plan of shifting over $10 bil- past to support alternative fuels in stituents on this issue,” explained the White House’s new Truth and than $25 annually in gifts or other that it isn’t O.K. to get gifts or fill
been fighting for for years.” schools, to finally assure that as in
tive reporting on the effects of bio- lion in annual direct and indirect a meaningful way, Pelosi credited Rep. Daniel Seals, Democrat of Illi- The spokesperson added that Prosecution Program, which has rewards from pharmaceutical our offices with advertisements
exposed and reversed policy on companies or biological product most other developed countries, a
fuels, including one piece in the subsidies from oil companies to activists for her increased under- nois. “We had to do something and the struggle would not be over for products. It demeans patient
secret C.I.A. interrogation and tor- and medical device manufactur- child’s opportunities to learn will
New York Times and several on the construction of wind farms in standing of the need for renewable now was the time.” until similar controls are imple- care,” says Mount Sinai School
C.N.N., had been key in sparking ture centers worldwide, warrant- ers. not depend on his or her birth-
rural areas of Texas, Kansas and energy. Top executives from Cargill and mented by governments around of Medicine professor Dr. Joseph
public outrage. “Television and Wyoming. Delivering yet another jolt to Archer Daniels Midland rushed to less wiretapping, illegal infiltration The revised bill, introduced last place.
the globe. “Ecological destruction Ross. While programs like the Pre- Amnia LendunD
print journalism haven’t done this “One of the great things about Republicans, House Democrats the Capitol late last night for an is a systemic problem, it’s not just of activist meetings (and Quaker fall by Senators Chuck Grassley,
type of reporting for years,” Kohut the act is that it mandates the tacked onto the act a manda- emergency closed-door session one company or one place. The quilting bees), and extraordinary Republican of Iowa, and Herb
Business
A10 A11
Public Relations Industry Forecasts a Series of Massive Layoffs Harvard Will tive that would imprison or fine
shareholders for corporate crimes
By LOUIS BECK
Shut Business committed in their name. Punish-
ment would depend on the sever-
of the Persian Gulf War. Among change,” said Morrison. slaughter, contributing to national Left: An old prison being remodeled for white-collar criminals. Right: John McCain reclaims “maverick” status with strict new sentencing to put corporate criminals behind bars.
other things, the firm helped stage Morrison said the new Integrity disasters in the U.S. or abroad,
Judas Ortiz
a press conference in which a School is contacting campuses large-scale bilking of taxpayers,
Hill & Knowlton’s New York office after layoffs were announced yesterday. Cutbacks have rippled through giants across the industry. around the world to encourage etc. — would involve direct pun- spend from a few weeks to several dollar fine to a giant corporation? a very involved process.” about getting richer.” got real controls — and without
15-year-old girl named Nayirah
claimed to have witnessed Iraqi graduating seniors to apply. “We ishment of the shareholders in years in prison, depending on the Fines seldom if ever affect the The ultimate aim of the program, “You’d have to be very cynical regulation!” said Mr. McCain.
soldiers flinging Kuwaiti babies to Hill & Knowlton founder David J. cent is rumored to have gone to portion of its budget. “We are all crumbling down around the see as our job to help students question. size of investment. A minimum pocketbooks of shareholders or Mr. McCain said, is to help corpo- to think that corporations, when Mr. McCain dismissed concerns
the ground from their incubators. Knowlton III and a spokesperson P.R. firms. Campaigns like “Army forced to cut back, and that does feet of culture producers. tap into their desire for integrity Mr. McCain used Union Car- penalty could be set by a judge managers, those who make the de- rations achieve their long-term they won protection as ‘persons’ that personal liability for corpo-
Nayirah was later revealed to have for the company. Strong” and “Be All You Can Be” mean letting excellent and quali- “P.R. companies have been do- and compassion, rather than their bide’s 1984 Bhopal massacre, in — so that an investor with even cisions or power the machine. Hit- goals. “Corporations have spent under the ‘Freed Slave’ Amend- rate crimes might discourage in-
been performing on behalf of her While most industries suffered were created by private firms, and fied candidates in all fields go,” ing whatever it takes to maximize greed. That’s what they need, and which thousands of Indian villag- a fraction of a share would be li- ting pockets and people directly is the last century and a half trying ment, were thinking only of their dividual investors from taking a
father, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to during the Iraq War, the P.R. indus- companies are even alleged to have company spokesperson Fred their profit,” contended media that’s what our society needs.” ers were killed by lethal gas, as an able for, say, two weeks in jail. This a different thing.” to obtain all the legal rights of own wealth,” Mr. McCain said. He risk. “People love to gamble,” he
the U.S. The “Kuwaiti incubator” try remained buoyant. As overall been paid hefty sums to guaran- Donahue said in an official state- activist Ben Jefferson at a hear- example of a crime that would be would apply even to those who Mr. McCain admitted that sev- people,” Mr. McCain said. “They’re was referring to the 14th Amend- said, “and this will make it all very
had invested via mutual funds, eral major problems remain to now technically persons, but ment, which had been designed to real.”
“True Cost”
hoax was considered decisive in consumer spending decreased, tee returning veterans prominent ment. Saatchi & Saatchi, one of the ing which shortly preceded the classified as a felony. While retro-
turning popular opinion toward government spending increased, placement on television programs largest ad firms in the world, fired passage of the new regulations. active prosecutions based on new without knowing the precise direc- be solved. The death penalty, for they’re not really human. We owe protect the rights of freed slaves, For those who do not thrive on
tion of their investments. example, while often merited in it to them — and to our species — and which was used in 1886 to es- such risks, Mr. McCain suggested
PRICING SET
war against Iraq. and the coffers of some private such as “Wife Swap,” “Trading over 300 employees in its Word- “The mystical power of the con- laws are usually not permissible,
“It’s unfortunate that our hard firms expanded. Of the 40 percent Spaces,” and “Punk’d.” of-Mouth Division. Leo Burnett in sumer isn’t going to change that in such extreme cases they would Mr. McCain said that while corporate crime cases, had no ob- to help them finish their quest.” tablish corporations as “natural that the mutual fund industry
work is being discussed under of Iraq War spending that went to One P.R. firm, MediaLink World- Chicago is expected to release all — whereas the actual power of the be, as they were in the Nuremberg “tough on crime” policy has been vious application — “We can’t talk Mr. McCain went on to explain persons” under the law. would easily adopt new decision-
these circumstances,” said Cyn- private military contractors since wide, plans to cut its media com- part-time staff later this week. citizen is. That’s where legislation prosecutions of 1945. shown to be useless with humans, about ‘little deaths’ here,” said Mr. that corporations still, even today, “It’s clear that corporations just making processes, just as it has in
From Page A1 it would work with corporations. McCain, making an obscure bilin- lack one distinguishing human admire humans and what we have. the past. “The prime mechanism
thia Knowlton, granddaughter of the 2003 invasion, a full 10 per- mentator funding, a substantial It’s a vast network of influence, comes in.” In the Union Carbide example,
Pelham Bay, New York, referring Mr. McCain noted that each “Corporations are just machines, gual pun better left unexplained. characteristic: a conscience. “Cor- We should be good hosts and help of regulation will be shareholder
to General Motors’ EV1, an electric death would cost the company a not like teenage kids. They can be Also, the issue of global markets porations were invented to keep them however we can. Right now, judgement. If investment in one
New York
A12 A13
KBR
What is KBR?
For the past ten years, we've supported military operations in pursuit of precious
resources in Iraq.
We've fed, housed, and transported soldiers. We've constructed, operated, and
maintained military bases. We've rebuilt pipelines to get oil to American cars in
record time.
Today, as government policy changes, KBR's mandate changes with it. Planning
municipal roads and power grids. Building hospitals, schools, and municipal
buildings. Improving sanitation. Training teachers, social workers, and civil ser-
vice employees. It's a new world, with a lot to get used to — but after all, we're a
solutions company.