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********************************** Giving New Meaning to "HO" Train "Amtrak riders in California can purchase dollar-a-minute neck and shoulder massages. Keep adding body parts, and Amtrak may finally turn a profit." - Reason Express, 1/14/03 ********************************** Go Forth and e-Multiply If you know someone who might like to receive News & Views, you can sign 'em up at: http://www.chuckmuth.com. *********************************** Toward a More Color-Blind Society ".(The Bush) administration has only until Thursday to file a friend-of-the-court brief in the (Supreme Court) case that challenges the University of Michigan's policy of race-based admissions. As the deadline approaches, two prominent conservatives want Bush to know that he should not abandon his principles for the sake of possibly alienating black and Hispanic voters in 2004. " 'This case will set the tone for how our government is to operate, if not forever, at least for the next generation until somebody challenges it,' said Ward Connerly, a member of the University of California board of regents and an African-American who led the state's effort to eliminate race in college admissions. 'This decision is going to say once and for all that we really do want a colorblind government or it's OK to use race.' "...Connerly has the support of Chuck Muth, executive director of the American Conservative Union, who has started a petition drive (www.libertypetitions.com) as president of the Goldwater Club. Muth said the case transcends politics and stands as one of the most important ever on affirmative action. " 'Of course, the president has to worry about getting re-elected two years from now,' Muth said. 'There is a serious question in the minds of political folks at the White House, but in this case, the issue is important enough that they need to put the political considerations aside and move forward in taking a position toward a colorblind society.' " - CNSNews.com, 1/14/03 <http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200301/NAT200301 14b.html> *********************************** Prez Might Jump Off Fence in Race Case "President Bush is planning to side with white students against the University of Michigan in a landmark affirmative-action case before the Supreme Court this week, said a source close to White House deliberations. . . . Rather than remain silent on the case, which the White House had been considering last week, the president is now expected to express his support for merit-based admissions in a brief that can be filed with the Supreme Court no later than Thursday. "...The expected decision to wade into the racially charged case comes amid rising calls from Democrats and Republicans alike for the White House to take a stand. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle yesterday criticized Mr. Bush for staying mum so far. Signaling an eagerness for another racial battle with Republicans, Mr. Daschle, South Dakota Democrat, effectively dared the president to oppose the university's policy of giving black and Hispanic applicants 20 points over whites on a 150-point admissions scale. "...Mr. Bush, whose Justice Department sides with the white students in a brief already forwarded to the White House, opposed racial preferences when he was governor of Texas." - Washington Times, 1/14/03 [Last chance to sign the petition urging the White House to file a brief opposing racial preferences. The deadline for President Bush to make his decision is Thursday. If you haven't added you name yet, please go to www.libertypetitions.com TODAY.] ********************************** Gun Column Misfires "(Dr. Alex Gerber's gun control column in Sunday's Washington Times) prattles on with the usual complaint by the disarmament crowd that the Second Amendment only grants the 'militia' the right to own guns, not individuals. He backed up his argument by referring to a recent ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco saying just that. "Now, if memory serves me correctly, the 9th Circuit Court is perhaps the most left-wing court in the nation, located in arguably the most left-wing major city in the nation. It also has the dubious distinction of being the most overturned court in the nation. Recall, also, that this is the same court which ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it includes the words 'under God.' "Anyone who relies on any ruling coming out of the 9th Circuit Court for a reasonable and constitutional argument on just about any issue confronting the American people today ought to have their head examined - and maybe even be drug tested." - Chuck Muth, executive director, American Conservative Union, Washington Times, 1/14/03 *********************************** CPAC The 30th annual Conservative Political Action conference will be held in Crystal City, Virginia from January 30 through February 1. For more information, go to www.cpac.org. ********************************** The Ultimate Deterrent "Despite ample claims to the contrary, researchers are now finding that the death penalty is a deterrent. Researchers at Emory University looked at nearly 6,000 death sentences and compared them to the murder rates and likelihood of being sentenced to death in 3,000 counties. They found every execution saved as many as 18 would-be-murder victims. Other studies done at the University of Colorado and the University of Houston also found that executions saved lives. - Wall Street Journal columnist Brendan Miniter, 1/14/03 ********************************** Hating Richie Rich "I am a member of a small, elite group widely vilified by the press and in letters to the editor. I am an easy target. My sin is that I am in the financial top 10 percent of the country - those making $100,000 or more - the 35 percent tax bracket, a member of the so-called rich. So it is much easier to paint a picture of me with black heart and ice in my veins, cake crumbs all about, as I grow fat on the backs of the downtrodden. "However, I feel no need to defend my position. Over the years I have worked hard and earned every dollar of the obscene wealth I am accused of hoarding. . . . I worked two jobs to put myself through college. While many my age were off to sporting events or dating or cooling off at swim parties on muggy August nights, I was working in a sweltering factory, assembling bicycles until 2 in the morning. I can't say for sure where the bleeding hearts were then, but they were not standing next to me night after night, sweating over that endless assembly line. "...I make no apologies for my financial position. I have worked very hard, earned every dollar and hope to continue earning long into the future. Can the same be said for those standing at the intersection of Hard Work and Success, looking for a handout?" - Larry Paquette, Boston Globe, 1/13/03 ********************************** Conservative Purge "Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., a GOP moderate who is not known for letting grass grow under his feet, has had a meteoric rise in Congress. . . . Davis has just assumed the chair of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, taking over for the term-limited Dan Burton, R-Ind., and reportedly has moved quickly to put his own stamp on the committee -- home to a number of important investigations into alleged misdeeds in the Clinton administration under former chairman Bill Clinger of Pennsylvania and Burton. "According to several sources, Davis asked for the resignation of every member of the full committee staff -- common practice when a new chairman takes over. What is unusual is the suggestion that all resignations where accepted (the committee did not return calls seeking to confirm that this had occurred). "Some argue this is normal and just part of the process of a new chairman establishing who is in charge of the committee. Others suggest that this is just one more example of Davis purging conservatives from an institution over which he has been given control." - Peter Roff, UPI's Capital Comment, 1/14/03 *********************************** The Goldwater Doctrine "I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can." - Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative" [ To help promote the "Goldwater Doctrine" in public policy and government, join the Goldwater Club by going to: http://chuckmuth.com/goldwater.htm ] ********************************* ********************************* Published by The Goldwater Club Chuck Muth Editor/Publisher P.O. Box 15307 Middle River, MD 21220 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The opinions and views expressed in Chuck Muth's News & Views reflect those of the writers, editors and columnists therein and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the sponsors, advertisers ... heck, even some of our readers. To be REMOVED, go to: http://www.chuckmuth.com/newsletter/ and complete the removal request instructions you'll find there. Or send your request to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # #
