NYT's Ombudsman: About the NSA Surveillance Story ...
The New York Times' public editor, Barney Calame, has ended his string of insignificant columns for the paper with his Jan. 1 essay about the continuing b.s., and silence, from executive editor Bill Keller about the National Security Agency surveillance scandal and story, that could and should have run last year. Excerpted from his column:
> The most obvious and troublesome omission in the explanation was the failure to address whether The Times knew about the eavesdropping operation before the Nov. 2, 2004, presidential election. That point was hard to ignore when the explanation in the article referred rather vaguely to having "delayed publication for a year." To me, this language means the article was fully confirmed and ready to publish a year ago - after perhaps weeks of reporting on the initial tip - and then was delayed.
> Mr. Keller dealt directly with the timing of the initial tip in his later statements. The eavesdropping information "first became known to Times reporters" a year ago, he said. These two different descriptions of the article's status in the general vicinity of Election Day last year leave me puzzled.
> For me, however, the most obvious question is still this: If no one at The Times was aware of the eavesdropping prior to the election, why wouldn't the paper have been eager to make that clear to readers in the original explanation and avoid that politically charged issue? The paper's silence leaves me with uncomfortable doubts.
Hey, Barney, I'm in agreement with you about the Gray Lady's silence.
Not only does Calame address these concerns, he also uses space on his web journal to give voice to readers about the spying and the paper's handling of the story. On top of that, Calame mentions several articles in other publications on the matter, and he links to them. Taken from his blog:
> In preparing the column, I got copies of two prepared statements from Bill Keller, the executive editor, that the press office of The New York Times Co. had disseminated in response to queries from other news media the day the eavesdropping article appeared. Given the paucity of comment from The Times about the article, I think readers might find these statements interesting.
> Just after the Keller prepared statements, you will find some letters from readers about the paper's decision to publish the article after a one-year delay.
> Finally, several news articles and commentaries about The Times's article have appeared in print and online in the past two weeks. Here are links to news stories that appeared in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Observer, and on NPR. Those who have commented include Jonathan Alter of Newsweek, Tim Rutten of the Los Angeles Times, Jack Shafer on Slate, and Jay Rosen on his blog PressThink.
The biggest question I have for Calame, after applauding both his column and what he's shared on his blog, is why doesn't he make more frequent use of his blog, like he does today, to help readers better understand how the Times works by providing us with increased transparency through his role as the public editor?
Speaking as a reader and shareholder, I want a public editor at the Times who often uses his blog, say three or four times in a given week, instead of one or two postings a month.
Reports, proud muckraking, photos, videos and musings from the veteran LGBT and AIDS human rights advocate Michael Petrelis. Based in San Francisco since 1995. Contact: MPetrelis_at_AOL_dot_com. Vote Petrelis for BART Board District 9 in November!
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Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
For "Brokeback" Fans Only!
This is excerpted from The Australian newspaper, published last week:
"There they were, a couple of men, alone together in isolated frontier country, for weeks or sometimes months at a time," says Randy Jones, 53, who was the stetson-wearing, lasso-throwing gay cowboy in the Village People and who acted as an adviser on the film. [...]
Meanwhile, Jones, of the Village People, says that Brokeback Mountain is encouraging "red [Republican] state" gays to come out of the closet. He added that the advice he gave to the actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, when they questioned him about the love scenes, was to "keep their hats and boots on in bed. The boots are for traction." [...]
I really didn't need to know Jones was an advisor on the film, did you? Had no idea he was more than a dress-up cowboy. Good thing he wasn't a music consultant, otherwise Ennis and Jack might have heard "YMCA" playing on the radio.
Wanna see a witty and laugh-riot spoof of the movie? Go here, if you do. And a word of advice to the wise from the satirist video makers: Humans were harmed in the making of the parody.
My good buddy David Ehrenstein, veteran gay film historian and pundit, and all 'round grouch, is not a fan of "Brokeback." He's said so for quite some time, and the LA Weekly has published an opposing view to the objectification of the movie and how it has been embraced as a breakthrough gay film.
I don't buy his arguments, but think it's valuable to read his essay and consider what he has to say.
One last thing to report. The latest box office numbers are in; current through December 29. The film has hit the $10 million mark.
This is excerpted from The Australian newspaper, published last week:
"There they were, a couple of men, alone together in isolated frontier country, for weeks or sometimes months at a time," says Randy Jones, 53, who was the stetson-wearing, lasso-throwing gay cowboy in the Village People and who acted as an adviser on the film. [...]
Meanwhile, Jones, of the Village People, says that Brokeback Mountain is encouraging "red [Republican] state" gays to come out of the closet. He added that the advice he gave to the actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, when they questioned him about the love scenes, was to "keep their hats and boots on in bed. The boots are for traction." [...]
I really didn't need to know Jones was an advisor on the film, did you? Had no idea he was more than a dress-up cowboy. Good thing he wasn't a music consultant, otherwise Ennis and Jack might have heard "YMCA" playing on the radio.
Wanna see a witty and laugh-riot spoof of the movie? Go here, if you do. And a word of advice to the wise from the satirist video makers: Humans were harmed in the making of the parody.
My good buddy David Ehrenstein, veteran gay film historian and pundit, and all 'round grouch, is not a fan of "Brokeback." He's said so for quite some time, and the LA Weekly has published an opposing view to the objectification of the movie and how it has been embraced as a breakthrough gay film.
I don't buy his arguments, but think it's valuable to read his essay and consider what he has to say.
One last thing to report. The latest box office numbers are in; current through December 29. The film has hit the $10 million mark.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
DoD Denies News Blogger "Media" Status
This letter was sent via snail mail today to the Pentagon.
Will Kammer
Chief, FOIA Office
Department of Defense
1155 Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
Re: Appeal of denial for expedited processing, fee waivers
Dear Mr. Kammer:
I am in receipt of your two letters to me, both dated December 19, in response to two Freedom of Information Act requests I filed with your office earlier this month. You’ve assigned one request the number 06-F-0564, and the other request has been given number 06-F-0530.
In both cases, you’ve denied me expedited processing status and won’t waive searching and copying costs beyond a certain point, because of your strict interpretation of the Act’s definition of what constitutes a news outlet and who is a member of the news media.
This letter serves as my formal appeal of your decisions denying me quick processing and fee waivers.
You rejected my request for fast-tracking and waivers regarding fees based on DoD Regulation 5400.7-R, which defines how the Pentagon determines who’s a news reporter.
Your letter says this regulation “applies to persons actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large, and publishers of periodicals (but only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of ‘news’) who make their products available for purchase or subscription to the general public.”
I strongly disagree with your severely limited interpretation of what qualifies as a news entity, especially in today’s world with so much news disseminated exclusively over the web; news that never appears in print or broadcast on TV, yet reaches a vast audience.
Your letter also states that expedited processing may be granted if “an individual is primarily engaged in disseminating information […] whose primary activity involves publishing or otherwise disseminating information to the public.”
I wish to remind you that disseminating news and information is exactly what I do on my news blog on a daily basis and is the reason why I am appealing your denials.
Now is a good time for DoD to recognize news blogs as an integral component of the news media and to grant news bloggers the same rights, privileges and appropriate statuses as a reporter for the more traditional mainstream media.
Please forward this appeal request to the proper authorities within the DoD FOIA office.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
This letter was sent via snail mail today to the Pentagon.
Will Kammer
Chief, FOIA Office
Department of Defense
1155 Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
Re: Appeal of denial for expedited processing, fee waivers
Dear Mr. Kammer:
I am in receipt of your two letters to me, both dated December 19, in response to two Freedom of Information Act requests I filed with your office earlier this month. You’ve assigned one request the number 06-F-0564, and the other request has been given number 06-F-0530.
In both cases, you’ve denied me expedited processing status and won’t waive searching and copying costs beyond a certain point, because of your strict interpretation of the Act’s definition of what constitutes a news outlet and who is a member of the news media.
This letter serves as my formal appeal of your decisions denying me quick processing and fee waivers.
You rejected my request for fast-tracking and waivers regarding fees based on DoD Regulation 5400.7-R, which defines how the Pentagon determines who’s a news reporter.
Your letter says this regulation “applies to persons actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large, and publishers of periodicals (but only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of ‘news’) who make their products available for purchase or subscription to the general public.”
I strongly disagree with your severely limited interpretation of what qualifies as a news entity, especially in today’s world with so much news disseminated exclusively over the web; news that never appears in print or broadcast on TV, yet reaches a vast audience.
Your letter also states that expedited processing may be granted if “an individual is primarily engaged in disseminating information […] whose primary activity involves publishing or otherwise disseminating information to the public.”
I wish to remind you that disseminating news and information is exactly what I do on my news blog on a daily basis and is the reason why I am appealing your denials.
Now is a good time for DoD to recognize news blogs as an integral component of the news media and to grant news bloggers the same rights, privileges and appropriate statuses as a reporter for the more traditional mainstream media.
Please forward this appeal request to the proper authorities within the DoD FOIA office.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
SF Chron: "BrokeBush" Mountain Starring Dubya & Rove?
Time to tickle the funny bone. Bush and Rove as Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist? Say it ain't so!
Time to tickle the funny bone. Bush and Rove as Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist? Say it ain't so!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
SF Chron: Patriot Act Provision Expedites State Executions
From the December 25 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle:
Congress' last-minute decision to extend key search and surveillance provisions of the USA Patriot Act for five weeks has sidetracked, at least temporarily, a little-noticed but important provision intended to speed up death penalty cases in California and other states.
The proposal, attached to a version of the Patriot Act that was blocked by a Senate filibuster, represents the latest attempt by prosecutors to shorten timetables for capital case appeals that, in California, often last 20 years or more. [...]
If the death penalty legislation passes, state Attorney General Bill Lockyer will seek to apply the tighter deadlines to California cases, said spokesman Nathan Barankin. Lockyer sponsored a bill as a state legislator that was intended to qualify California for the fast-track procedures under existing law.
"He is an advocate for reducing the nearly two-decade delay in resolving capital appeals,'' Barankin said. [...]
While many people in California are well aware that Lockyer is a Democrat, the Chronicle should have informed readers of his party affiliation. After all, in the Chronicle's extensive coverage of the state-sanctioned execution of Tookie Williams, the paper, of course, mentioned Arnold Schwarzenegger's GOP membership.
The provision of the Patriot Act mandating speeding up executions is one more huge reason to oppose reauthorizing the law, when the Senate reconvenes.
From the December 25 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle:
Congress' last-minute decision to extend key search and surveillance provisions of the USA Patriot Act for five weeks has sidetracked, at least temporarily, a little-noticed but important provision intended to speed up death penalty cases in California and other states.
The proposal, attached to a version of the Patriot Act that was blocked by a Senate filibuster, represents the latest attempt by prosecutors to shorten timetables for capital case appeals that, in California, often last 20 years or more. [...]
If the death penalty legislation passes, state Attorney General Bill Lockyer will seek to apply the tighter deadlines to California cases, said spokesman Nathan Barankin. Lockyer sponsored a bill as a state legislator that was intended to qualify California for the fast-track procedures under existing law.
"He is an advocate for reducing the nearly two-decade delay in resolving capital appeals,'' Barankin said. [...]
While many people in California are well aware that Lockyer is a Democrat, the Chronicle should have informed readers of his party affiliation. After all, in the Chronicle's extensive coverage of the state-sanctioned execution of Tookie Williams, the paper, of course, mentioned Arnold Schwarzenegger's GOP membership.
The provision of the Patriot Act mandating speeding up executions is one more huge reason to oppose reauthorizing the law, when the Senate reconvenes.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
NYT Wishes Me Happy Holidays; Merry Christmas!
Dear Friends:
I hope this little exchange between the New York Times' communications director and myself brings you some cheer. Wishing you and yours a happy, holiday season!
Peace,
Michael
-
In a message dated 12/22/2005 6:12:56 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, mathis@nytimes.com writes:
Michael,
We've corresponded so often that I feel like . . . well, I'm not sure what but here's wishing you a great holiday and a healthy and happy new year.
Best,
Catherine
-
Hello Catherine,
Thanks for wishing me good holidays. I hope your holiday season is full of friends and cheer. By the way, if it's not too much trouble, when you next write to me, can you please provide me with a statement from Arthur about why he acquiesced to the Bush administration for a full year and withheld the story about the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance operations? Merry Christmas, and I'm sure we'll be corresponding in the new year.
best,
michael
Dear Friends:
I hope this little exchange between the New York Times' communications director and myself brings you some cheer. Wishing you and yours a happy, holiday season!
Peace,
Michael
-
In a message dated 12/22/2005 6:12:56 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, mathis@nytimes.com writes:
Michael,
We've corresponded so often that I feel like . . . well, I'm not sure what but here's wishing you a great holiday and a healthy and happy new year.
Best,
Catherine
-
Hello Catherine,
Thanks for wishing me good holidays. I hope your holiday season is full of friends and cheer. By the way, if it's not too much trouble, when you next write to me, can you please provide me with a statement from Arthur about why he acquiesced to the Bush administration for a full year and withheld the story about the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance operations? Merry Christmas, and I'm sure we'll be corresponding in the new year.
best,
michael
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Bush in Baghdad Over the Christmas Weekend?
President Bush is engaged in an onslaught of speeches on Iraq, including one from the Oval Office, sitting down for interviews with news reporters, taking unscripted questions from the general public in Philadelphia, holding a press conference with White House beat reporters and release of supposedly previous classified plans for victory in Iraq.
No effort has been spared to convince the American public the war in Iraq is going well and according to Bush's grand plan.
At the same time, members of his war cabinet; Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and even Dick "five-deferments" Cheney have put in appearances over in Iraq's war theater.
Bush was last in Iraq more than two years ago, for a surprise visit with the troops. You may recall he used a plastic turkey for a prop back then.
Based on nothing more than a (protease paunch) gut feeling, I predict the president is going to stage an appearance in Baghdad over the Christmas weekend.
Doing so would be not only the icing on the "democracy is on the march in Iraq" cake, but also a cherry on top, with images of Bush glad-handing American military personnel beamed across TV screens worldwide.
It's the perfect climax to Bush's public relations campaign in the past few weeks.
Care to wager he shows up in the war-zone in the next couple of days?
President Bush is engaged in an onslaught of speeches on Iraq, including one from the Oval Office, sitting down for interviews with news reporters, taking unscripted questions from the general public in Philadelphia, holding a press conference with White House beat reporters and release of supposedly previous classified plans for victory in Iraq.
No effort has been spared to convince the American public the war in Iraq is going well and according to Bush's grand plan.
At the same time, members of his war cabinet; Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and even Dick "five-deferments" Cheney have put in appearances over in Iraq's war theater.
Bush was last in Iraq more than two years ago, for a surprise visit with the troops. You may recall he used a plastic turkey for a prop back then.
Based on nothing more than a (protease paunch) gut feeling, I predict the president is going to stage an appearance in Baghdad over the Christmas weekend.
Doing so would be not only the icing on the "democracy is on the march in Iraq" cake, but also a cherry on top, with images of Bush glad-handing American military personnel beamed across TV screens worldwide.
It's the perfect climax to Bush's public relations campaign in the past few weeks.
Care to wager he shows up in the war-zone in the next couple of days?
Dept of Transportation Signs Open Skies Deal with Santa!?
Just in time to prove Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly and other nutty conservatives wrong about the alleged war on Christmas, this goofy press release was posted yesterday on the Department of Transportation's web site.
Clearly, the warriors battling to keep Christmas out of the public sphere and persuade the federal government to not promote one religion or its holidays, have failed to force their views on one part of the federal government.
Anyone know if O'Reilly is aware of this release? Has he expressed thanks to Secretary Mineta for using government resources to promote Christmas and fictional character who uses an alias? ;-)
-
DOT 184-05
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta And North Pole’s
Kris Kringle Sign Open Skies Agreement
Agreement Gives Santa Greater Access to Rooftops of Good Kids Everywhere
Just in time for Christmas, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and the North Pole’s Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus, signed an Open Skies aviation agreement in Washington, D.C. today, giving Santa and his team of reindeer greater access to the rooftops of good kids everywhere.
For years, Santa had been required to make an annual request to the Secretary of Transportation for a special flight certificate in order to deliver his Christmas goodies. With this new agreement, it will be easier for Santa to finish his job all in one night.
“Santa can now focus on making his list and checking it twice, without the hassle of government paperwork,” said Secretary Mineta. “Thanks to this agreement, the only time he needs to worry about Red Tape is if he wants to use it to wrap presents.”
The Open Skies agreement signed by Secretary Mineta and Santa Claus noted Santa’s safe and efficient toy delivery operation that enables him to bring joy to millions of children in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and all U.S. territories, all without impact to air traffic carrying travelers to their holiday destinations.
“Now it’s just HO HO HO and off I go,” exclaimed the Jolly Old Elf. “The reindeer and I look forward to checking this item off of our list for good,” he said.
Mineta said the decision was helped by a flood of public comments offered by Santa advocates from all over the nation. Thousands of letters were sent to the Department of Transportation and to the North Pole encouraging each party to complete these important negotiations before Santa’s yearly trip, he said.
“Santa’s Elves are tough negotiators,” Mineta noted. “But, in the end, we were able to arrive at an agreement that will benefit children of all ages.”
Just in time to prove Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly and other nutty conservatives wrong about the alleged war on Christmas, this goofy press release was posted yesterday on the Department of Transportation's web site.
Clearly, the warriors battling to keep Christmas out of the public sphere and persuade the federal government to not promote one religion or its holidays, have failed to force their views on one part of the federal government.
Anyone know if O'Reilly is aware of this release? Has he expressed thanks to Secretary Mineta for using government resources to promote Christmas and fictional character who uses an alias? ;-)
-
DOT 184-05
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta And North Pole’s
Kris Kringle Sign Open Skies Agreement
Agreement Gives Santa Greater Access to Rooftops of Good Kids Everywhere
Just in time for Christmas, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and the North Pole’s Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus, signed an Open Skies aviation agreement in Washington, D.C. today, giving Santa and his team of reindeer greater access to the rooftops of good kids everywhere.
For years, Santa had been required to make an annual request to the Secretary of Transportation for a special flight certificate in order to deliver his Christmas goodies. With this new agreement, it will be easier for Santa to finish his job all in one night.
“Santa can now focus on making his list and checking it twice, without the hassle of government paperwork,” said Secretary Mineta. “Thanks to this agreement, the only time he needs to worry about Red Tape is if he wants to use it to wrap presents.”
The Open Skies agreement signed by Secretary Mineta and Santa Claus noted Santa’s safe and efficient toy delivery operation that enables him to bring joy to millions of children in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and all U.S. territories, all without impact to air traffic carrying travelers to their holiday destinations.
“Now it’s just HO HO HO and off I go,” exclaimed the Jolly Old Elf. “The reindeer and I look forward to checking this item off of our list for good,” he said.
Mineta said the decision was helped by a flood of public comments offered by Santa advocates from all over the nation. Thousands of letters were sent to the Department of Transportation and to the North Pole encouraging each party to complete these important negotiations before Santa’s yearly trip, he said.
“Santa’s Elves are tough negotiators,” Mineta noted. “But, in the end, we were able to arrive at an agreement that will benefit children of all ages.”
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Cabinet Depts Transcripts: Condi, Rummy v. Gonzales, et al
Let's grade the cabinet departments and their commitment to making transcripts of the department heads' public appearances, particularly interviews with TV and radio outlets.
Here's the breakdown by department, on whether they post the department secretary's public comments and recorded interviews and if their press office's daily media briefings are transcribed and posted onlin.
Departments that post transcripts:
Agriculture, Defense and State; link number one and two.
These departments receive A's.
Departments failing to make transcripts available on the web:
Justice, Commerce, Health & Human Services, Interior, Homeland Security, Energy, Education, Treasury, Housing & Urban Development, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs.
Each department in this group gets an F.
Let's grade the cabinet departments and their commitment to making transcripts of the department heads' public appearances, particularly interviews with TV and radio outlets.
Here's the breakdown by department, on whether they post the department secretary's public comments and recorded interviews and if their press office's daily media briefings are transcribed and posted onlin.
Departments that post transcripts:
Agriculture, Defense and State; link number one and two.
These departments receive A's.
Departments failing to make transcripts available on the web:
Justice, Commerce, Health & Human Services, Interior, Homeland Security, Energy, Education, Treasury, Housing & Urban Development, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs.
Each department in this group gets an F.
New Time Warner Prez FEC File: $2,500 for Kerry
The new head of Time Warner's media empire is Jeff Bewkes, who's coming over from the company's highly successful HBO division.
Democrats may find much to rejoice over with this pick to replace Richard Parsons, who isn't shy about sharing his wealth with GOP candidates and their causes.
Bewkes' Federal Election Commission file reveals he's donated relatively little to politicians. Actually, he's donated to just a single candidate since 1995, none other than John Kerry's senatorial runs.
Bewkes gave a total of $2,500 to Kerry for his senate seat, but nothing for his failed 2004 bid to oust Bush from the White House.
And Bewkes has contributed $10,000 since 1992 to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association Political Action Committee (NCTA PAC).
Given that he's donated only to Kerry, and no one else, I'd say we know much about his donkey party leanings.
The new head of Time Warner's media empire is Jeff Bewkes, who's coming over from the company's highly successful HBO division.
Democrats may find much to rejoice over with this pick to replace Richard Parsons, who isn't shy about sharing his wealth with GOP candidates and their causes.
Bewkes' Federal Election Commission file reveals he's donated relatively little to politicians. Actually, he's donated to just a single candidate since 1995, none other than John Kerry's senatorial runs.
Bewkes gave a total of $2,500 to Kerry for his senate seat, but nothing for his failed 2004 bid to oust Bush from the White House.
And Bewkes has contributed $10,000 since 1992 to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association Political Action Committee (NCTA PAC).
Given that he's donated only to Kerry, and no one else, I'd say we know much about his donkey party leanings.
US Reps Write to UAE About Gay Bashing
Rep. Barney Frank's office sent me this important posting today and I've thanked him and his office for calling attention to the abuses suffered by gay men in the United Arab Emirates. Please help spread this release and letter with human rights and gay advocates around the world. Thanks.
-
December 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Adamske 202.225.7141
LEADING LEGISLATORS WARN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
OF CONSEQUENCES OF GAY BASHINg
Today a bipartisan group of senior House members who are active on foreign policy and international economic matters released a letter sent on Monday to the United Arab Emirates ambassador in Washington warning of the negative impact a government-led crackdown against gay men in the UEA could have on that country's efforts to attract international business and tourism.
Last month, 26 men were arrested during a police raid on what authorities described as a gay wedding at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. Following an initial statement from a UAE official that the men could be subjected to forced hormone treatments, international criticism, including a public condemnation from the US State Department, was swift.
Within days, the UAE Ministry of the Interior denied these reports, claiming instead that any hormone treatment would be optional.
In their letter, the federal lawmakers associate themselves with the State Department's condemnation of these arrests and, responding to government reports that undergoing any hormone treatment would be "optional," the lawmakers state that there "has been some suggestion that agreeing to hormone treatment could be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the severity of an individual's sentence, and if there is any truth to this, we believe this is in fact coercive and contrary to standards of international law."
"Sadly, anti-gay sentiments are present in many Arab states," added Rep. Barney Frank, "but even by that low standard, this is particularly outrageous. I was pleased that the U.S. State Department spoke out against these actions, and I believe it's important for members of Congress to express our agreement with that stance."
Referring to public anti-gay statements by the Ministry of the Interior following these recent arrests, and with another incident of mass arrests of gay men at a UAE beach resort last year in mind, the congressional leaders in their letter also expressed concern that these actions "appear to be part of a broader, systematic crackdown on gay men in your country," which "seem clearly intended to let gay people know not only that they are not welcome in your country, but also that animus against them will be a public policy priority.
"We must tell you that this kind of state-led effort to seek out and persecute adult gay men who are doing no harm to anyone is not the kind of behavior we expect from an ally, and we urge you to stop it."
In recent years, the UAE has undertaken several projects to diversify its economy and to reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas revenues. The WTO named Dubai the world's fastest-growing tourism destination, and as part of its strategy to further expand its hospitality and tourism industry, the UAE is building new hotels, restaurants and shopping centers, and expanding airports and duty-free zones.
The country is also working to position itself as the financial and capital market center of the Middle East through the creation of a financial free zone with international-style regulations to attract leading companies within targeted sectors. Dubai International Financial Centre is its latest and most ambitious project, which the emirate hopes will support the development of a regional capital market.
The United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the UAE to examine ways to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities, which the UAE hopes will lead to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
The House members conclude their letter by warning the UAE's leaders that they "hope you recognize that your government's persecution of gay people will be repugnant to many of the world travelers you hope to attract as tourists, as well as to other governments and even corporations who believe that this kind of terrible intolerance against individuals based on their sexual orientation is unacceptable."
The letter was organized by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, and was joined by seven other senior lawmakers, including Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY), vice chair of the Committee on Financial Services; Rep. Ileana Ros-Ethane (R-FL), chair of the International Relations subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia; Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), ranking Democrat on the Committee on International Relations; Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) ranking Democrat on the Financial Services subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology; Rep. James Leach (R-NY), a senior member on the both the House Financial Services and International Relations Committees; Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), ranking Democrat on the International Relations subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia; and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), member of the Committee on Financial Services and chairman of the Government Reform subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.
A copy of the letter is attached.
December 19, 2005
His Excellency Al Asri Al Dhahri
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
3522 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Dear Mr. Ambassador,
We write to express strong agreement with our State Department's condemnation of the recent arrests of 26 gay Arab men during a police raid on a party at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
We understand many of these men may face charges that could lead to jail sentences and public flogging, and that the Emirate men could also be given what your Ministry of Interior referred to in news reports as "optional" hormone treatment. There has been some suggestion that agreeing to hormone treatment could be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the severity of an individual's sentence, and if there is any truth to this, we believe this is in fact coercive and contrary to standards of international law.
We are also concerned that these arrests appear to be part of a broader, systematic crackdown on gay men in your country. In fact, just after these arrests, public statements by your minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs warning that "there will be no room for homosexual acts in the UAE" and calling on parents to be vigilant for "deviant" behavior in their children seem clearly intended to let gay people know not only that they are not welcome in your country, but also that animus against them will be a public policy priority.
We must tell you that this kind of state-led effort to seek out and persecute adult gay men who are doing no harm to anyone is not the kind of behavior we expect from an ally, and we urge you to stop it.
We believe it is not only wrong morally, it may also undermine your country's standing in the international community and its ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and thrive as a Middle East hub for information, transportation and tourism. In fact, given that Dubai is one of the world's fastest-growing tourism destinations, which accounts for roughly 17% of your Gross Domestic Product, we hope you recognize that your government's persecution of gay people will be repugnant to many of the world travelers you hope to attract as tourists, as well as to other governments and even corporations who believe that this kind of terrible intolerance against individuals based on their sexual orientation is unacceptable.
REP. BARNEY FRANK
REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
REP. TOM LANTOS
REP. SUE W. KELLY
REP. JAMES A. LEACH
REP. GARY L. ACKERMAN
REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS
REP. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
# # # # #
Rep. Barney Frank's office sent me this important posting today and I've thanked him and his office for calling attention to the abuses suffered by gay men in the United Arab Emirates. Please help spread this release and letter with human rights and gay advocates around the world. Thanks.
-
December 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Adamske 202.225.7141
LEADING LEGISLATORS WARN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
OF CONSEQUENCES OF GAY BASHINg
Today a bipartisan group of senior House members who are active on foreign policy and international economic matters released a letter sent on Monday to the United Arab Emirates ambassador in Washington warning of the negative impact a government-led crackdown against gay men in the UEA could have on that country's efforts to attract international business and tourism.
Last month, 26 men were arrested during a police raid on what authorities described as a gay wedding at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. Following an initial statement from a UAE official that the men could be subjected to forced hormone treatments, international criticism, including a public condemnation from the US State Department, was swift.
Within days, the UAE Ministry of the Interior denied these reports, claiming instead that any hormone treatment would be optional.
In their letter, the federal lawmakers associate themselves with the State Department's condemnation of these arrests and, responding to government reports that undergoing any hormone treatment would be "optional," the lawmakers state that there "has been some suggestion that agreeing to hormone treatment could be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the severity of an individual's sentence, and if there is any truth to this, we believe this is in fact coercive and contrary to standards of international law."
"Sadly, anti-gay sentiments are present in many Arab states," added Rep. Barney Frank, "but even by that low standard, this is particularly outrageous. I was pleased that the U.S. State Department spoke out against these actions, and I believe it's important for members of Congress to express our agreement with that stance."
Referring to public anti-gay statements by the Ministry of the Interior following these recent arrests, and with another incident of mass arrests of gay men at a UAE beach resort last year in mind, the congressional leaders in their letter also expressed concern that these actions "appear to be part of a broader, systematic crackdown on gay men in your country," which "seem clearly intended to let gay people know not only that they are not welcome in your country, but also that animus against them will be a public policy priority.
"We must tell you that this kind of state-led effort to seek out and persecute adult gay men who are doing no harm to anyone is not the kind of behavior we expect from an ally, and we urge you to stop it."
In recent years, the UAE has undertaken several projects to diversify its economy and to reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas revenues. The WTO named Dubai the world's fastest-growing tourism destination, and as part of its strategy to further expand its hospitality and tourism industry, the UAE is building new hotels, restaurants and shopping centers, and expanding airports and duty-free zones.
The country is also working to position itself as the financial and capital market center of the Middle East through the creation of a financial free zone with international-style regulations to attract leading companies within targeted sectors. Dubai International Financial Centre is its latest and most ambitious project, which the emirate hopes will support the development of a regional capital market.
The United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the UAE to examine ways to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities, which the UAE hopes will lead to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
The House members conclude their letter by warning the UAE's leaders that they "hope you recognize that your government's persecution of gay people will be repugnant to many of the world travelers you hope to attract as tourists, as well as to other governments and even corporations who believe that this kind of terrible intolerance against individuals based on their sexual orientation is unacceptable."
The letter was organized by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, and was joined by seven other senior lawmakers, including Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY), vice chair of the Committee on Financial Services; Rep. Ileana Ros-Ethane (R-FL), chair of the International Relations subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia; Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), ranking Democrat on the Committee on International Relations; Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) ranking Democrat on the Financial Services subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology; Rep. James Leach (R-NY), a senior member on the both the House Financial Services and International Relations Committees; Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), ranking Democrat on the International Relations subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia; and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), member of the Committee on Financial Services and chairman of the Government Reform subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.
A copy of the letter is attached.
December 19, 2005
His Excellency Al Asri Al Dhahri
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
3522 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Dear Mr. Ambassador,
We write to express strong agreement with our State Department's condemnation of the recent arrests of 26 gay Arab men during a police raid on a party at a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
We understand many of these men may face charges that could lead to jail sentences and public flogging, and that the Emirate men could also be given what your Ministry of Interior referred to in news reports as "optional" hormone treatment. There has been some suggestion that agreeing to hormone treatment could be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the severity of an individual's sentence, and if there is any truth to this, we believe this is in fact coercive and contrary to standards of international law.
We are also concerned that these arrests appear to be part of a broader, systematic crackdown on gay men in your country. In fact, just after these arrests, public statements by your minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs warning that "there will be no room for homosexual acts in the UAE" and calling on parents to be vigilant for "deviant" behavior in their children seem clearly intended to let gay people know not only that they are not welcome in your country, but also that animus against them will be a public policy priority.
We must tell you that this kind of state-led effort to seek out and persecute adult gay men who are doing no harm to anyone is not the kind of behavior we expect from an ally, and we urge you to stop it.
We believe it is not only wrong morally, it may also undermine your country's standing in the international community and its ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and thrive as a Middle East hub for information, transportation and tourism. In fact, given that Dubai is one of the world's fastest-growing tourism destinations, which accounts for roughly 17% of your Gross Domestic Product, we hope you recognize that your government's persecution of gay people will be repugnant to many of the world travelers you hope to attract as tourists, as well as to other governments and even corporations who believe that this kind of terrible intolerance against individuals based on their sexual orientation is unacceptable.
REP. BARNEY FRANK
REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
REP. TOM LANTOS
REP. SUE W. KELLY
REP. JAMES A. LEACH
REP. GARY L. ACKERMAN
REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS
REP. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
# # # # #
FOIA Request: Has NSA Snooped on Me Over Iranian Advocacy?
When I first read about the warrantless NSA surveillance scandal, I didn't think it much applied to me personally. But that thinking changed as I realized, given the sweep of the spying and the fact that it focuses heavily on countries not on friendly relations with the U.S., I should file a FOIA request on myself because of my work this year on behalf of homosexuals in Iran.
It's no secret I've made phone calls to Iran, sent emails and wrote letters about the deplorable human rights abuses and executions of homosexuals in Iran and other foreign countries, that were sent to many gay advocates around the world.
Reasons for NSA to snoop on me? Maybe my communications were accidentally intercepted or monitored by NSA's web of worldwide surveillance?
The only way to find answers to my questions is through FOIA, so this request will be filed today to start the process.
I'm proud to join with other Americans who are also making FOIA requests for documents on themselves from NSA and on the agency's warrantless spying programs.
Have you filed a FOIA with NSA to see what they may have on you?
-
National Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Office (DC34)
9800 Savage Road STE 6248
Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6248
Dear Sir or Madam:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request copies of, or access to, any and all files and documents, in any media format, pertaining to myself. I ask that you search your archive from January 1, 2000, through the date of this request.
As you no doubt know, the matter of the National Security Agency engaging in many forms of surveillance on U.S. citizens making phone calls, sending emails and using other forms of communication to other countries, is of grave importance to maintaining our democratic form of government and engendered a crucial intense media debate.
Therefore, as a working news blogger covering aspects of the surveillance story, I formally seek to have this request cloaked with expedited processing status, as called for in great detail in the FOIA.
Furthermore, I ask that search fee and copying costs be waived.
Also, I will anticipate a reply from you within 10-days, as stipulated by FOIA.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 1-415-xxx-xxxx.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
When I first read about the warrantless NSA surveillance scandal, I didn't think it much applied to me personally. But that thinking changed as I realized, given the sweep of the spying and the fact that it focuses heavily on countries not on friendly relations with the U.S., I should file a FOIA request on myself because of my work this year on behalf of homosexuals in Iran.
It's no secret I've made phone calls to Iran, sent emails and wrote letters about the deplorable human rights abuses and executions of homosexuals in Iran and other foreign countries, that were sent to many gay advocates around the world.
Reasons for NSA to snoop on me? Maybe my communications were accidentally intercepted or monitored by NSA's web of worldwide surveillance?
The only way to find answers to my questions is through FOIA, so this request will be filed today to start the process.
I'm proud to join with other Americans who are also making FOIA requests for documents on themselves from NSA and on the agency's warrantless spying programs.
Have you filed a FOIA with NSA to see what they may have on you?
-
National Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Office (DC34)
9800 Savage Road STE 6248
Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6248
Dear Sir or Madam:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request copies of, or access to, any and all files and documents, in any media format, pertaining to myself. I ask that you search your archive from January 1, 2000, through the date of this request.
As you no doubt know, the matter of the National Security Agency engaging in many forms of surveillance on U.S. citizens making phone calls, sending emails and using other forms of communication to other countries, is of grave importance to maintaining our democratic form of government and engendered a crucial intense media debate.
Therefore, as a working news blogger covering aspects of the surveillance story, I formally seek to have this request cloaked with expedited processing status, as called for in great detail in the FOIA.
Furthermore, I ask that search fee and copying costs be waived.
Also, I will anticipate a reply from you within 10-days, as stipulated by FOIA.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 1-415-xxx-xxxx.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Number of Times Bush Cited 9/11 at News Conference?
During his hastily-arranged press conference yesterday, President Bush cited September 11th ten times. Someone on his staff should do him a favor and explain that his 9/11 blank-check has been bouncing for quite some time. He long ago spent his political capital banked on that tragedy.
> After our country was attacked on September the 11th and nearly 3,000 lives were lost, I vowed to do everything within my power to bring justice to those who were responsible.
> And as the 9/11 Commission pointed out, to prevent this from happening again, we need to connect the dots before the enemy attacks, not after.
> And after September the 11th, the United States Congress also granted me additional authority to use military force against al Qaeda.
> After September the 11th, one question my administration had to answer was how, using the authorities I have, how do we effectively detect enemies hiding in our midst and prevent them from striking us again?
> Another vital tool in the war on terror is the Patriot Act. After September the 11th, Congress acted quickly and responsibly by passing this law, which provides our law enforcement and intelligence community key tools to prevent attacks in our country.
> These senators need to explain why they thought the Patriot Act was a vital tool after the September the 11th attacks, but now think it's no longer necessary.
> The terrorists want to strike America again, and they hope to inflict even greater damage than they did on September the 11th.
> First of all, I -- right after September the 11th, I knew we were fighting a different kind of war.
> You know, there's an interesting debate in Washington, and you're part of it, that says, well, they didn't connect the dots prior to September the 11th -- "they" being not only my administration, but previous administrations
> I mentioned in my radio address -- my live TV radio address -- that there was two killers in San Diego making phone calls prior to the September the 11th attacks.
During his hastily-arranged press conference yesterday, President Bush cited September 11th ten times. Someone on his staff should do him a favor and explain that his 9/11 blank-check has been bouncing for quite some time. He long ago spent his political capital banked on that tragedy.
> After our country was attacked on September the 11th and nearly 3,000 lives were lost, I vowed to do everything within my power to bring justice to those who were responsible.
> And as the 9/11 Commission pointed out, to prevent this from happening again, we need to connect the dots before the enemy attacks, not after.
> And after September the 11th, the United States Congress also granted me additional authority to use military force against al Qaeda.
> After September the 11th, one question my administration had to answer was how, using the authorities I have, how do we effectively detect enemies hiding in our midst and prevent them from striking us again?
> Another vital tool in the war on terror is the Patriot Act. After September the 11th, Congress acted quickly and responsibly by passing this law, which provides our law enforcement and intelligence community key tools to prevent attacks in our country.
> These senators need to explain why they thought the Patriot Act was a vital tool after the September the 11th attacks, but now think it's no longer necessary.
> The terrorists want to strike America again, and they hope to inflict even greater damage than they did on September the 11th.
> First of all, I -- right after September the 11th, I knew we were fighting a different kind of war.
> You know, there's an interesting debate in Washington, and you're part of it, that says, well, they didn't connect the dots prior to September the 11th -- "they" being not only my administration, but previous administrations
> I mentioned in my radio address -- my live TV radio address -- that there was two killers in San Diego making phone calls prior to the September the 11th attacks.
Monday, December 19, 2005
NYT's Calame: Paper Holds Spy Story? Let's Talk Book Reviews
Last Thursday evening the New York Times web site posted the story by James Risen and Eric Lichtblau on the National Security Agency engaging in warrantless surveillance, and within an hour after it was posted, liberal bloggers and mainstream media critics raised ethical questions about the Times' handling of the story.
Many watchdogs demanded to know why the Times acquiesced to the Bush administration's request to not print the story, and for more than a year, the paper once known for publishing all the news fit to print without fear or favor, agreed to the administration's request.
The conservative Drudge Report site played up the angle that Risen has a book coming out soon on the surveillance story, suggesting the Times held the story to aid sales of Risen's book.
This is a sampling of additional questions raised: Was the Times justified in waiting so long before publishing this story? Did it show unreasonable bias in favor of the administration and its wishes to dictate to the media? What about other stories the Times is working on and may embarrass the administration? Is the paper waiting for the administration to give the go-ahead to print those articles?
And what does the public editor, Barney Calame, have to say about the brouhaha over the Times' ethical judgments on this story and how long it took to see the light of day? Nothing yet.
His column for the December 18 Week in Review section was about how the book section chooses reviewers to critique new books. Hardly a pressing national issue.
But to be fair, it was probably too early in this unfolding story for Calame to investigate the reporting and ethical qualms of the Risen and Lichtblau article.
However, in his latest blog posting, Calame failed to address any of the watchdogs' concerns. Not only that, instead of moving on to another more meatier issue facing the Times, Calame writes about his interview with the book section's editor, which he says he found informative. Hey, Barney don't hurt yourself too much patting yourself on the back!
From Calame's blog today:
> Sunday's public editor column about The New York Times Book Review involved several conversations and e-mail exchanges with Sam Tanenhaus, the section’s editor. His e-mail responses to two questions I posed to him yielded a couple of very worthwhile sentences for the column. But I think many readers may find his full answers as informative as I did. [..]
Is anyone at the Times paying attention to the increasing lame blog postings by the public editor? Do Times executives really think Calame is adequately meeting the needs of readers, especially when the paper and its editorial decisions are a vital part of current news? Perhaps the Times is _very_ satisfied with the window-dressing from Calame.
Speaking as a single reader and shareholder, I believe Calame is not the right person for the public editor's position and that the paper must rethink what it wants from a readers' representative. More and more, I wonder what the point is of having a public editor at the Times, when Calame posts so infrequently to his blog and when does, it's often on something relatively inconsequential.
Last Thursday evening the New York Times web site posted the story by James Risen and Eric Lichtblau on the National Security Agency engaging in warrantless surveillance, and within an hour after it was posted, liberal bloggers and mainstream media critics raised ethical questions about the Times' handling of the story.
Many watchdogs demanded to know why the Times acquiesced to the Bush administration's request to not print the story, and for more than a year, the paper once known for publishing all the news fit to print without fear or favor, agreed to the administration's request.
The conservative Drudge Report site played up the angle that Risen has a book coming out soon on the surveillance story, suggesting the Times held the story to aid sales of Risen's book.
This is a sampling of additional questions raised: Was the Times justified in waiting so long before publishing this story? Did it show unreasonable bias in favor of the administration and its wishes to dictate to the media? What about other stories the Times is working on and may embarrass the administration? Is the paper waiting for the administration to give the go-ahead to print those articles?
And what does the public editor, Barney Calame, have to say about the brouhaha over the Times' ethical judgments on this story and how long it took to see the light of day? Nothing yet.
His column for the December 18 Week in Review section was about how the book section chooses reviewers to critique new books. Hardly a pressing national issue.
But to be fair, it was probably too early in this unfolding story for Calame to investigate the reporting and ethical qualms of the Risen and Lichtblau article.
However, in his latest blog posting, Calame failed to address any of the watchdogs' concerns. Not only that, instead of moving on to another more meatier issue facing the Times, Calame writes about his interview with the book section's editor, which he says he found informative. Hey, Barney don't hurt yourself too much patting yourself on the back!
From Calame's blog today:
> Sunday's public editor column about The New York Times Book Review involved several conversations and e-mail exchanges with Sam Tanenhaus, the section’s editor. His e-mail responses to two questions I posed to him yielded a couple of very worthwhile sentences for the column. But I think many readers may find his full answers as informative as I did. [..]
Is anyone at the Times paying attention to the increasing lame blog postings by the public editor? Do Times executives really think Calame is adequately meeting the needs of readers, especially when the paper and its editorial decisions are a vital part of current news? Perhaps the Times is _very_ satisfied with the window-dressing from Calame.
Speaking as a single reader and shareholder, I believe Calame is not the right person for the public editor's position and that the paper must rethink what it wants from a readers' representative. More and more, I wonder what the point is of having a public editor at the Times, when Calame posts so infrequently to his blog and when does, it's often on something relatively inconsequential.
DoJ Site: What NSA Spy Scandal? No Releases Here
I don't mean to be rude, but why the hell has the U.S. Justice Department still not posted an explanation, rationale, press release or briefing paper on its web site about the National Security Agency domestic spy scandal?
It's been four days since the New York Times' web site posted the story it held for a year about the NSA surveillance program, and that's apparently not been enough time for the Justice Department to provide the American public with some sort of statement on the matter.
No press releases about the spying here.
And the only released from Justice today is about a $10 million fine for covering up oil pollution.
Speaking of covering up bad things, when does Justice see fit to inform the public about the NSA spying with papers detailing a defense of the surveillance?
I don't mean to be rude, but why the hell has the U.S. Justice Department still not posted an explanation, rationale, press release or briefing paper on its web site about the National Security Agency domestic spy scandal?
It's been four days since the New York Times' web site posted the story it held for a year about the NSA surveillance program, and that's apparently not been enough time for the Justice Department to provide the American public with some sort of statement on the matter.
No press releases about the spying here.
And the only released from Justice today is about a $10 million fine for covering up oil pollution.
Speaking of covering up bad things, when does Justice see fit to inform the public about the NSA spying with papers detailing a defense of the surveillance?
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Guardian: NSA Spied on UN in 2003; OKed by Condi?
I don't recall reading about this spying scandal back in 2003 in the American press, do you? A Google search returns no hits for U.S. stories appearing about the National Security Agency's surveillance of United Nations delegates opposed to the Iraq war.
Interesting, to say the least, that the 2003 U.N. spying may have been implemented by Condi Rice.
From the London-based Guardian of March 2, 2003:
> The United States is conducting a secret 'dirty tricks' campaign against UN Security Council delegations in New York as part of its battle to win votes in favour of war against Iraq.
> Details of the aggressive surveillance operation, which involves interception of the home and office telephones and the emails of UN delegates in New York, are revealed in a document leaked to The Observer.
> The disclosures were made in a memorandum written by a top official at the National Security Agency - the US body which intercepts communications around the world - and circulated to both senior agents in his organisation and to a friendly foreign intelligence agency asking for its input. [...]
> The existence of the surveillance operation, understood to have been requested by President Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, is deeply embarrassing to the Americans in the middle of their efforts to win over the undecided delegations. [...]
The text of the leaked NSA memo obtained by the Guardian is here.
NSA's alleged surveillance came up at the March 3, 2003, daily press briefing at the White House, conducted by Ari Fleischer:
> Q May I also ask you about a report in The Observer newspaper in London, of a memo purported to be from the NSA -- an email message from a man who actually works at the NSA they established -- in which he describes a surge in surveillance of U.N. Security Council members to see what these nations are thinking about an Iraq vote. What's your response?
> MR. FLEISCHER: Terry, as a matter of long-standing policy, the administration never comments on anything involving any people involved in intelligence. For example, if somebody were to say to me, is Libya an object of American intelligence -- I would never answer that question yes or no. The administration does not answer questions of that nature. We don't answer who does or does not work in the intelligence community. Once you start that, you start getting into process of elimination and we do not do that about any question, about any report, as a blanket matter of policy.
> Q But, then, if you're a Cameroonian diplomat or a French diplomat at the United Nations, because of what you just said, you're going to have to operate on the assumption that the United States is bugging you.
> MR. FLEISCHER: No, it's a blanket matter of policy that we do not answer questions of that nature, whether it's true or not true, and I'm not indicating to you whether it is true or not true. It's a blanket matter of approach and policy that predates this administration. [...]
> Q Ari, I have two questions for you. Following up on Terry's question about the article in The Observer, you say you never do comment on intelligence matters. But the article also specifies that six of the countries the U.S. is trying to get to vote in favor of the second resolution are being monitored. If they were to ask the U.S. government about that, would they also get an answer, we don't comment on intelligence matters?
> MR. FLEISCHER: My answer is the same in all cases, and that's the long-standing answer and policy, as you're all very familiar with here. [...]
> Q Ari, is there -- going back to the British newspaper, The Observer, is there really a need to spy on the non-permanent members of the Security Council, to wiretap their phones? Is it true what the newspaper is --
> MR. FLEISCHER: I just go right back to my answer to Terry on that question. And, again, I hope you can appreciate, the reason that these questions never get answered -- and not to infer that that means a yes or a no, because it's impossible for you to make those judgments, because we are not -- I'm not indicating to you yes or no.
> But I gave an example at the beginning. If I said, yes, we are, you would know something about what we do with our intelligence. If I say, no, we're not, you start asking that question around the world to try to use the process of elimination to find out what the United States does, from an intelligence point of view.
> And that is not a position that I think the American people would want the government to go down the line and start to describe every specific item of intelligence. So I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no, I'm stating the long-standing policy of the government on questions exactly like this, which do come up from time to time. [...]
Almost three months later, on June 6, 2003, one of the reporters on the Guardian story appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Lateline" program and repeated the charge that Rice may have authorized the spying on U.N. delegations:
> "Our sources in the States suggest that this came from a level at least as high as Condoleezza Rice, who is the President's National Security Adviser. [...]"
Troubling as the Guardian stories were, raising serious questions about constitutional and international legal issues, it may be that only one very small U.S. group publicly objected to the U.S. spying on U.N. delegate:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2004
Contact: Max Obuszewski [410] 323-7200
ACTIVISTS CONVICTED OF TRESPASS AT NSA
WHO: The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore was formed for individuals willing to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience to protest an invasion of Iraq. It is part of a national network organized by long-time peace groups such as the American Friends Service Committee.
On Sept. 24, 2003, the Pledge sent a letter to Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, the director of the National Security Agency, requesting a meeting to discuss its role in the war against Iraq and the eavesdropping on the diplomatic delegations from several United Nations Security Council nations [first reported March 2, 2003 in the London-based Observer]. Since there was no response to the letter, fourteen Pledge members went to the spy agency on Oct. 4, 2003 to seek a meeting with the director. Some forty security operatives blocked access to the visitor’s parking lot. After some dialogue about the Constitutional right of citizens to petition government officials, Marilyn Carlisle, Cindy Farquhar, Jay Gillen, Max Obuszewski and Levanah Ruthschild were arrested and charged with trespass and a failure to obey a lawful order. [...]
Let's expect much more will become public in the coming days on NSA's surveillance of American citizens. We have good reason to believe the story published in Thursday's New York Times is really just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, one that may further sink the failing Bush administration.
I don't recall reading about this spying scandal back in 2003 in the American press, do you? A Google search returns no hits for U.S. stories appearing about the National Security Agency's surveillance of United Nations delegates opposed to the Iraq war.
Interesting, to say the least, that the 2003 U.N. spying may have been implemented by Condi Rice.
From the London-based Guardian of March 2, 2003:
> The United States is conducting a secret 'dirty tricks' campaign against UN Security Council delegations in New York as part of its battle to win votes in favour of war against Iraq.
> Details of the aggressive surveillance operation, which involves interception of the home and office telephones and the emails of UN delegates in New York, are revealed in a document leaked to The Observer.
> The disclosures were made in a memorandum written by a top official at the National Security Agency - the US body which intercepts communications around the world - and circulated to both senior agents in his organisation and to a friendly foreign intelligence agency asking for its input. [...]
> The existence of the surveillance operation, understood to have been requested by President Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, is deeply embarrassing to the Americans in the middle of their efforts to win over the undecided delegations. [...]
The text of the leaked NSA memo obtained by the Guardian is here.
NSA's alleged surveillance came up at the March 3, 2003, daily press briefing at the White House, conducted by Ari Fleischer:
> Q May I also ask you about a report in The Observer newspaper in London, of a memo purported to be from the NSA -- an email message from a man who actually works at the NSA they established -- in which he describes a surge in surveillance of U.N. Security Council members to see what these nations are thinking about an Iraq vote. What's your response?
> MR. FLEISCHER: Terry, as a matter of long-standing policy, the administration never comments on anything involving any people involved in intelligence. For example, if somebody were to say to me, is Libya an object of American intelligence -- I would never answer that question yes or no. The administration does not answer questions of that nature. We don't answer who does or does not work in the intelligence community. Once you start that, you start getting into process of elimination and we do not do that about any question, about any report, as a blanket matter of policy.
> Q But, then, if you're a Cameroonian diplomat or a French diplomat at the United Nations, because of what you just said, you're going to have to operate on the assumption that the United States is bugging you.
> MR. FLEISCHER: No, it's a blanket matter of policy that we do not answer questions of that nature, whether it's true or not true, and I'm not indicating to you whether it is true or not true. It's a blanket matter of approach and policy that predates this administration. [...]
> Q Ari, I have two questions for you. Following up on Terry's question about the article in The Observer, you say you never do comment on intelligence matters. But the article also specifies that six of the countries the U.S. is trying to get to vote in favor of the second resolution are being monitored. If they were to ask the U.S. government about that, would they also get an answer, we don't comment on intelligence matters?
> MR. FLEISCHER: My answer is the same in all cases, and that's the long-standing answer and policy, as you're all very familiar with here. [...]
> Q Ari, is there -- going back to the British newspaper, The Observer, is there really a need to spy on the non-permanent members of the Security Council, to wiretap their phones? Is it true what the newspaper is --
> MR. FLEISCHER: I just go right back to my answer to Terry on that question. And, again, I hope you can appreciate, the reason that these questions never get answered -- and not to infer that that means a yes or a no, because it's impossible for you to make those judgments, because we are not -- I'm not indicating to you yes or no.
> But I gave an example at the beginning. If I said, yes, we are, you would know something about what we do with our intelligence. If I say, no, we're not, you start asking that question around the world to try to use the process of elimination to find out what the United States does, from an intelligence point of view.
> And that is not a position that I think the American people would want the government to go down the line and start to describe every specific item of intelligence. So I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no, I'm stating the long-standing policy of the government on questions exactly like this, which do come up from time to time. [...]
Almost three months later, on June 6, 2003, one of the reporters on the Guardian story appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Lateline" program and repeated the charge that Rice may have authorized the spying on U.N. delegations:
> "Our sources in the States suggest that this came from a level at least as high as Condoleezza Rice, who is the President's National Security Adviser. [...]"
Troubling as the Guardian stories were, raising serious questions about constitutional and international legal issues, it may be that only one very small U.S. group publicly objected to the U.S. spying on U.N. delegate:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2004
Contact: Max Obuszewski [410] 323-7200
ACTIVISTS CONVICTED OF TRESPASS AT NSA
WHO: The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore was formed for individuals willing to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience to protest an invasion of Iraq. It is part of a national network organized by long-time peace groups such as the American Friends Service Committee.
On Sept. 24, 2003, the Pledge sent a letter to Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, the director of the National Security Agency, requesting a meeting to discuss its role in the war against Iraq and the eavesdropping on the diplomatic delegations from several United Nations Security Council nations [first reported March 2, 2003 in the London-based Observer]. Since there was no response to the letter, fourteen Pledge members went to the spy agency on Oct. 4, 2003 to seek a meeting with the director. Some forty security operatives blocked access to the visitor’s parking lot. After some dialogue about the Constitutional right of citizens to petition government officials, Marilyn Carlisle, Cindy Farquhar, Jay Gillen, Max Obuszewski and Levanah Ruthschild were arrested and charged with trespass and a failure to obey a lawful order. [...]
Let's expect much more will become public in the coming days on NSA's surveillance of American citizens. We have good reason to believe the story published in Thursday's New York Times is really just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, one that may further sink the failing Bush administration.
How Many Times Did Cheney Invoke 9/11 in Iraq Speech?
Things are going so well in Iraq Vice President Dick Cheney flew there to do his part in the White House's propaganda onslaught this week to shore up Bush's sagging poll numbers.
The White House this afternoon posted Cheney's remarks to the troops and he mentioned 9/11 four times:
> When the United States was attacked on a terrible September morning four years ago, President Bush said the struggle would be long and difficult. [...]
> They've made clear, as well, their ultimate ambition: to acquire weapons of mass destruction, to destroy Israel, to intimidate all Western countries, to cause mass death in the United States. The terrorists' war against America began long before 9/11. [...]
> Ultimately, of course, they attacked the homeland on 9/11 and took the lives of 3,000 people aboard passenger jets, and at the World Trade Center, and at the Pentagon. [...]
> Every American serving in this war can be absolutely certain the people of the United States are behind you. Americans will not support a policy of submission, resignation, or defeatism in the face of terror. Our country will never go back to the false comforts of the world before September 11, 2001. [...]
Things are going so well in Iraq Vice President Dick Cheney flew there to do his part in the White House's propaganda onslaught this week to shore up Bush's sagging poll numbers.
The White House this afternoon posted Cheney's remarks to the troops and he mentioned 9/11 four times:
> When the United States was attacked on a terrible September morning four years ago, President Bush said the struggle would be long and difficult. [...]
> They've made clear, as well, their ultimate ambition: to acquire weapons of mass destruction, to destroy Israel, to intimidate all Western countries, to cause mass death in the United States. The terrorists' war against America began long before 9/11. [...]
> Ultimately, of course, they attacked the homeland on 9/11 and took the lives of 3,000 people aboard passenger jets, and at the World Trade Center, and at the Pentagon. [...]
> Every American serving in this war can be absolutely certain the people of the United States are behind you. Americans will not support a policy of submission, resignation, or defeatism in the face of terror. Our country will never go back to the false comforts of the world before September 11, 2001. [...]
Saturday, December 17, 2005
SF Weekly: Sometimes HIV Scares Are About Money
HIV superinfection and the local sexually active gay male community are two aspects of the cover story this week in the SF Weekly. Basically, the article reports on the state of superinfection research, data and networks of gay men, including those working in AIDS Inc and the general community.
Read it if you want, but I found it a definite yawner, except for a nugget of truth-speaking from an educator at the Stop AIDS Project, a group that has done more than its share of waving around one study, or cherry-picked HIV and STD data to create alarmist, and bogus, sub-Saharan levels of HIV infections in order to secure more federal and local funding.
From the SF Weekly:
> But is there a more sinister reason the hype about superinfection won't die down?
> It is no secret that funding for AIDS research has drastically decreased in the last several years, especially for new studies not related to vaccine research.
> "Sometimes it's beneficial when funding becomes constricted to wave one study around to make a brouhaha -- sometimes these scares are about getting money," Michael Cooley of the San Francisco STOP AIDS Project says.
I'm shocked! Shocked that gambling is going on in this casino owned and operated by a vast AIDS industrial complex dedicated to keeping itself alive, more so than people with HIV. This quote from Cooley at Stop AIDS will be shared with funders the next time his group invents a scare and wants more money.
HIV superinfection and the local sexually active gay male community are two aspects of the cover story this week in the SF Weekly. Basically, the article reports on the state of superinfection research, data and networks of gay men, including those working in AIDS Inc and the general community.
Read it if you want, but I found it a definite yawner, except for a nugget of truth-speaking from an educator at the Stop AIDS Project, a group that has done more than its share of waving around one study, or cherry-picked HIV and STD data to create alarmist, and bogus, sub-Saharan levels of HIV infections in order to secure more federal and local funding.
From the SF Weekly:
> But is there a more sinister reason the hype about superinfection won't die down?
> It is no secret that funding for AIDS research has drastically decreased in the last several years, especially for new studies not related to vaccine research.
> "Sometimes it's beneficial when funding becomes constricted to wave one study around to make a brouhaha -- sometimes these scares are about getting money," Michael Cooley of the San Francisco STOP AIDS Project says.
I'm shocked! Shocked that gambling is going on in this casino owned and operated by a vast AIDS industrial complex dedicated to keeping itself alive, more so than people with HIV. This quote from Cooley at Stop AIDS will be shared with funders the next time his group invents a scare and wants more money.
Friday, December 16, 2005
National Security Agency's FOIA Logs FOIA'ed
There's really not all that much information at the National Security Agency's web site, which comes as no big surprise. But nevertheless, two sections stand out.
The NSA's nod to the Freedom of Information Act in response to requests for documents includes a page on UFOs:
"The following terms have been searched in response to requests for information on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Paranormal Events, but no responsive material has been located." (Click to read the list of terms.)
A search of Federal Election Commission records turned up these donations from NSA employees in recent years. No files were located for NSA's top-brass. Interesting that for the few donations made, they all went to either John Kerry or the Democrats.
Chandler, Robert
9/21/2004
$1,000.00
Fort Washington, MD 20744
National Security Agency/Acquisition
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Schwab, Keith
7/22/2004
$250.00
Washington, DC 20007
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY/QUANTUM PH
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Snyder, Allen
5/21/2004
$2,000.00
Laurel, MD 20723
National Security Agency/Computers
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Snyder, Allen
10/7/2004
$500.00
Laurel, MD 20723
National Security Agency/Computers
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Volcheck, Emil
6/30/2004
$250.00
Baltimore, MD 21218
National Security Agency/Analyst
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Since I wasn't at all happy with the dearth of even a cursory FOIA reading room at the NSA site, and an extremely small amount of documents and files from the agency have been made public, I decided the best way for me to learn about the NSA's FOIA operation and who's been filing requests for records was to file the following request:
National Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Office (DC34)
9800 Savage Road STE 6248
Ft. George G. Meade, MD 20755-6248
Dear Sir or Madam,
Pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby submit a request for copies, or access to, any and all of the National Security Agency’s FOIA request logs for the period of time from January 1, 2000, through the date of this letter.
Given today’s voluminous page-one news stories about the NSA engaging in warrantless surveillance, the intense public scrutiny of the agency, the policies of President George W. Bush and his administration, Congressional demands for investigations and answers, and the impact these factors exert on essential government functions, it is abundantly clear that release of your FOIA logs is of vital national importance.
Thus, I believe my request must be cloaked with expedited processing status, as provided for in particulars of the Act.
As a working news blogger, I further ask that all copying, searching and processing costs be waived.
I will expect a reply within 10-days, as called for by law.
If you have any questions, please call me at 1-415-xxx-xxxx.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
This letter was submitted via snail mail and fax. I'll let you know when I receive a reply from the NSA and if the agency releases any documents or files to me.
There's really not all that much information at the National Security Agency's web site, which comes as no big surprise. But nevertheless, two sections stand out.
The NSA's nod to the Freedom of Information Act in response to requests for documents includes a page on UFOs:
"The following terms have been searched in response to requests for information on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Paranormal Events, but no responsive material has been located." (Click to read the list of terms.)
A search of Federal Election Commission records turned up these donations from NSA employees in recent years. No files were located for NSA's top-brass. Interesting that for the few donations made, they all went to either John Kerry or the Democrats.
Chandler, Robert
9/21/2004
$1,000.00
Fort Washington, MD 20744
National Security Agency/Acquisition
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Schwab, Keith
7/22/2004
$250.00
Washington, DC 20007
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY/QUANTUM PH
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Snyder, Allen
5/21/2004
$2,000.00
Laurel, MD 20723
National Security Agency/Computers
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Snyder, Allen
10/7/2004
$500.00
Laurel, MD 20723
National Security Agency/Computers
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Volcheck, Emil
6/30/2004
$250.00
Baltimore, MD 21218
National Security Agency/Analyst
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Since I wasn't at all happy with the dearth of even a cursory FOIA reading room at the NSA site, and an extremely small amount of documents and files from the agency have been made public, I decided the best way for me to learn about the NSA's FOIA operation and who's been filing requests for records was to file the following request:
National Security Agency
ATTN: FOIA Office (DC34)
9800 Savage Road STE 6248
Ft. George G. Meade, MD 20755-6248
Dear Sir or Madam,
Pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby submit a request for copies, or access to, any and all of the National Security Agency’s FOIA request logs for the period of time from January 1, 2000, through the date of this letter.
Given today’s voluminous page-one news stories about the NSA engaging in warrantless surveillance, the intense public scrutiny of the agency, the policies of President George W. Bush and his administration, Congressional demands for investigations and answers, and the impact these factors exert on essential government functions, it is abundantly clear that release of your FOIA logs is of vital national importance.
Thus, I believe my request must be cloaked with expedited processing status, as provided for in particulars of the Act.
As a working news blogger, I further ask that all copying, searching and processing costs be waived.
I will expect a reply within 10-days, as called for by law.
If you have any questions, please call me at 1-415-xxx-xxxx.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
This letter was submitted via snail mail and fax. I'll let you know when I receive a reply from the NSA and if the agency releases any documents or files to me.
Raw Story: Pentagon's FOIA Logs Now Available
From Ron Brynaert's story today:
UFOs, the J.F.K. assassination, the events of September 11, and the bombing attack on the USS Cole have been popular requests made of the Pentagon under the Freedom of Information Act since 2000, according to lists acquired by Michael Petrelis, a San Francisco-based activist and blogger. [...]
RAW STORY is now making the full FOIA logs available online. The data can be downloaded for easy management in Microsoft Excel, or for easy viewing in Portable Document Format. The PDF copies are in .zip format, which can be decompressed with WinZip or WinRAR. [...]
From Ron Brynaert's story today:
UFOs, the J.F.K. assassination, the events of September 11, and the bombing attack on the USS Cole have been popular requests made of the Pentagon under the Freedom of Information Act since 2000, according to lists acquired by Michael Petrelis, a San Francisco-based activist and blogger. [...]
RAW STORY is now making the full FOIA logs available online. The data can be downloaded for easy management in Microsoft Excel, or for easy viewing in Portable Document Format. The PDF copies are in .zip format, which can be decompressed with WinZip or WinRAR. [...]
Thursday, December 15, 2005
OutRage! UK: Report Antigay Abuses to US State Dept
Our brothers and sisters acros the pond in OutRage! UK, who work tirelessly year-round on behalf of gays around the globe, issued this press yesterday. Please keep in mind that we have until December 31 to submit reports of antigay human rights abuses to the US State Department. Send your reports today!
-
US State Department urged: document gay human rights abuses
OutRage! says: “Report the Abuse”
Evidence will support LGBT rights campaigns and asylum seekers
London – 14 December 2005
Pressure is mounting on the US State Department to improve its documentation of global LGBT human rights abuses.
Critics complain that the State Department’s annual Human Rights Report often fails to document the full scale of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and violence in many countries.
“The US State Department reports are weak and inadequate on gay issues, as are the human rights reports of most countries. They under-estimate the true scale of anti-gay persecution,” said David Allison of the London-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights group OutRage!
“OutRage! is joining forces with US activists to press the US State Department to expand its coverage of the persecution of LGBT people in its 2006 Human Rights Report.
“We are backing the new ‘Report the Abuse’ campaign.
“We urge LGBT groups worldwide to provide the US State Department with full documentation of gay human rights abuses. Give them the facts, so they have no excuse to overlook homophobic and transphobic victimisation.
“The deadline for submissions is 31 December. Details of how to make submissions follow below. Submissions can include media reports, NGO documentation, victim statements and LGBT group reports. All documentation should be dated and referenced.
“The current failure of the State Department to document many abuses means US government agencies and embassies often neglect to include protection and support for LGBT people in their foreign funding, health and education programmes.
“US State Department human rights reports are a primary information source for government’s worldwide when they consider asylum claims from LGBT people fleeing persecution. If we can get the State Department to document homophobic and transphobic abuses it will improve the likelihood that persecuted LGBT people will be granted asylum.
“Documentation of LGBT rights violations can help shame some offending governments to curtail their homophobia. In particular, countries dependent on US aid are vulnerable to pressure. If the US State Department confirms abuses, this could be powerful, influential leverage on certain governments,” said Mr Allison.
“Thanks to the initiative of Californian gay activist, Michael Petrelis, the US State Department had agreed to consider documentation of LGBT human rights violations for inclusion in its 2006 Human Rights Report,” said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!.
“It has appointed a State Department official – LeRoy Potts, in the Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs – to collect and collate information, which will then be considered for inclusion in the 2006 report.
"It is an urgent priority for the US State Department to update and expand its documentation of global human rights abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The massive scale of homophobic and transphobic persecution worldwide is grossly under-documented in all official human rights reports.
“OutRage! will be submitting evidence to the US State Department, based on our firsthand evidence from the many LGBT refugees we are supporting," said Mr Tatchell.
Speaking on behalf of Gays Against Execution, a San Francisco-based committee dedicated to ending capital punishment, “Report the Abuse” campaign originator, Michael Petrelis, said:
"All our documents concerning abuses, like Iran's executions of gay teenagers and Poland's hostility towards gays attempting to peaceably assemble in the streets, will be shared with the US State Department."
“By submitting evidence of gay human rights abuses worldwide, people will help improve the US State Department's monitoring of such abuses, and expand a data base that can be used by human rights campaigners pressing for an end to homophobia. The data will also help corroborate the claims of gay people fleeing persecution and seeking asylum.
“The annual human rights report is a comprehensive collection of summaries concerning each nation’s degree of respect for, and adherence to, international standards of human rights.
“The US State Department is required to present this report to Congress. In 1990 only one country report, on Denmark, mentioned gay rights. Since then, the annual report has grown to include summaries of more than four-dozen countries' records - generally abysmal - on gay human rights.
“We hope next year's annual human rights report will be the most gay-specific and gay-inclusive one yet,” said Mr Petrelis.
Sending your documentation of LGBT human rights abuses via e-mail is faster and more secure than sending documentation by post, but you can do either.
All submissions should be headed, US State Department Human Rights Report 2006, and be addressed to:
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Email submissions should be sent to:
pottslg@state.gov
Postal mail goes to:
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Room H242
2401 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Our brothers and sisters acros the pond in OutRage! UK, who work tirelessly year-round on behalf of gays around the globe, issued this press yesterday. Please keep in mind that we have until December 31 to submit reports of antigay human rights abuses to the US State Department. Send your reports today!
-
US State Department urged: document gay human rights abuses
OutRage! says: “Report the Abuse”
Evidence will support LGBT rights campaigns and asylum seekers
London – 14 December 2005
Pressure is mounting on the US State Department to improve its documentation of global LGBT human rights abuses.
Critics complain that the State Department’s annual Human Rights Report often fails to document the full scale of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and violence in many countries.
“The US State Department reports are weak and inadequate on gay issues, as are the human rights reports of most countries. They under-estimate the true scale of anti-gay persecution,” said David Allison of the London-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights group OutRage!
“OutRage! is joining forces with US activists to press the US State Department to expand its coverage of the persecution of LGBT people in its 2006 Human Rights Report.
“We are backing the new ‘Report the Abuse’ campaign.
“We urge LGBT groups worldwide to provide the US State Department with full documentation of gay human rights abuses. Give them the facts, so they have no excuse to overlook homophobic and transphobic victimisation.
“The deadline for submissions is 31 December. Details of how to make submissions follow below. Submissions can include media reports, NGO documentation, victim statements and LGBT group reports. All documentation should be dated and referenced.
“The current failure of the State Department to document many abuses means US government agencies and embassies often neglect to include protection and support for LGBT people in their foreign funding, health and education programmes.
“US State Department human rights reports are a primary information source for government’s worldwide when they consider asylum claims from LGBT people fleeing persecution. If we can get the State Department to document homophobic and transphobic abuses it will improve the likelihood that persecuted LGBT people will be granted asylum.
“Documentation of LGBT rights violations can help shame some offending governments to curtail their homophobia. In particular, countries dependent on US aid are vulnerable to pressure. If the US State Department confirms abuses, this could be powerful, influential leverage on certain governments,” said Mr Allison.
“Thanks to the initiative of Californian gay activist, Michael Petrelis, the US State Department had agreed to consider documentation of LGBT human rights violations for inclusion in its 2006 Human Rights Report,” said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!.
“It has appointed a State Department official – LeRoy Potts, in the Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs – to collect and collate information, which will then be considered for inclusion in the 2006 report.
"It is an urgent priority for the US State Department to update and expand its documentation of global human rights abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The massive scale of homophobic and transphobic persecution worldwide is grossly under-documented in all official human rights reports.
“OutRage! will be submitting evidence to the US State Department, based on our firsthand evidence from the many LGBT refugees we are supporting," said Mr Tatchell.
Speaking on behalf of Gays Against Execution, a San Francisco-based committee dedicated to ending capital punishment, “Report the Abuse” campaign originator, Michael Petrelis, said:
"All our documents concerning abuses, like Iran's executions of gay teenagers and Poland's hostility towards gays attempting to peaceably assemble in the streets, will be shared with the US State Department."
“By submitting evidence of gay human rights abuses worldwide, people will help improve the US State Department's monitoring of such abuses, and expand a data base that can be used by human rights campaigners pressing for an end to homophobia. The data will also help corroborate the claims of gay people fleeing persecution and seeking asylum.
“The annual human rights report is a comprehensive collection of summaries concerning each nation’s degree of respect for, and adherence to, international standards of human rights.
“The US State Department is required to present this report to Congress. In 1990 only one country report, on Denmark, mentioned gay rights. Since then, the annual report has grown to include summaries of more than four-dozen countries' records - generally abysmal - on gay human rights.
“We hope next year's annual human rights report will be the most gay-specific and gay-inclusive one yet,” said Mr Petrelis.
Sending your documentation of LGBT human rights abuses via e-mail is faster and more secure than sending documentation by post, but you can do either.
All submissions should be headed, US State Department Human Rights Report 2006, and be addressed to:
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Email submissions should be sent to:
pottslg@state.gov
Postal mail goes to:
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Room H242
2401 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Bill Moyers: The Importance of FOIA
The fine people at the National Security Archive in Washington have posted the prepared text of Bill Moyers' speech, In The Kingdom of The Half-Blind, from last Friday's forum on the 20th anniversary of the founding of this crucial archive.
Moyers spoke eloquently about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and how it's helped pry loose many crucial documents and files from our government, and also how fearful politicians have tried to curb the Act.
Needless to say, I am honored that Moyers cited my blog in his talk, specifically a posting from last month on the severely limited access the Justice Department was allowing for hundreds of legal papers related to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito:
"[Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Antonin Scalia] have much to fear from the Freedom of Information Act. Just a few days ago, FOIA was used to force the Department of Justice to make available legal documents related to Supreme Court nominee Judge Alito's record. The department reluctantly complied but under very restricted circumstances. The records were made available on one day, for three hours, from 3 to 6pm, for reporters only. No citizen or advocacy groups were permitted access. There were 470 pages to review. The blogspot Mpetrelis reckons this meant a reporter had about 34 seconds to quickly read each page and figure out if the information was newsworthy or worth pursuing further. 'Not a lot of time to carefully examine documents from our next Supreme Court justice.'"
But mine wasn't the only blog mentioned by Moyers. He also singled out DailyKos:
"We won an Emmy for the hour-long profile of Chuck Spinney, the Pentagon whistleblower who worked from within to expose graft and waste in defense spending. And the blog, Dailykos.com, speculated that it was our interview with Ambassador Joe Wilson, two weeks before the invasion of Iraq and months before Robert Novak outed Wilson's wife Valerie Plame as a CIA operative, that first outraged the administration. 'An honor I dreamed not of…'"
Please take the time and read Moyers' full speech, then, give thanks we have FOIA as a tool to use for constant accountability and transparency over our federal government and how it operates.
The fine people at the National Security Archive in Washington have posted the prepared text of Bill Moyers' speech, In The Kingdom of The Half-Blind, from last Friday's forum on the 20th anniversary of the founding of this crucial archive.
Moyers spoke eloquently about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and how it's helped pry loose many crucial documents and files from our government, and also how fearful politicians have tried to curb the Act.
Needless to say, I am honored that Moyers cited my blog in his talk, specifically a posting from last month on the severely limited access the Justice Department was allowing for hundreds of legal papers related to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito:
"[Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Antonin Scalia] have much to fear from the Freedom of Information Act. Just a few days ago, FOIA was used to force the Department of Justice to make available legal documents related to Supreme Court nominee Judge Alito's record. The department reluctantly complied but under very restricted circumstances. The records were made available on one day, for three hours, from 3 to 6pm, for reporters only. No citizen or advocacy groups were permitted access. There were 470 pages to review. The blogspot Mpetrelis
But mine wasn't the only blog mentioned by Moyers. He also singled out DailyKos:
"We won an Emmy for the hour-long profile of Chuck Spinney, the Pentagon whistleblower who worked from within to expose graft and waste in defense spending. And the blog, Dailykos.com, speculated that it was our interview with Ambassador Joe Wilson, two weeks before the invasion of Iraq and months before Robert Novak outed Wilson's wife Valerie Plame as a CIA operative, that first outraged the administration. 'An honor I dreamed not of…'"
Please take the time and read Moyers' full speech, then, give thanks we have FOIA as a tool to use for constant accountability and transparency over our federal government and how it operates.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Gay Execs Sell Jags; GayWheels, Ford = Friendly
Jeez, the sacrifices our gay executive directors make when it comes to giving up something to bring about social change. Some of them will soon be selling their luxury vehicles to help the movement, all because things aren't going so well lately for gays and the Ford Motor Corporation.
Getting rid of their Jags may crimp the fortunate leaders' style for a short time--until they can get to the nearest BMW or Hummer dealership!
Imagine the hardship if these folks had to ride a bike or use public transit, to help the planet and the movement.
Or if they lifted a finger to help queers murdered in Jamaica or executed in Iran or trying to march in the streets of Poland.
From the Blade blog tonight, on the meeting in Washington between gay leaders and Ford:
"This means I have to sell my Land Rover," [Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation] added, noting that he expected a significant number of other lesbians and gay men who own Land Rovers or Jaguars to do the same. Giuliano said he had purchased the Land Rover because of Ford's decision to advertise the brand in the gay media.
At the same time, the people at GayWheels.com, a site helping gays purchase cars, rate Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover as gay-friendly automakers.
When you click on one of the names at the link, GayWheels.com helps you get a free price quote.
Gay liberation hobbles forward in many strange ways.
Jeez, the sacrifices our gay executive directors make when it comes to giving up something to bring about social change. Some of them will soon be selling their luxury vehicles to help the movement, all because things aren't going so well lately for gays and the Ford Motor Corporation.
Getting rid of their Jags may crimp the fortunate leaders' style for a short time--until they can get to the nearest BMW or Hummer dealership!
Imagine the hardship if these folks had to ride a bike or use public transit, to help the planet and the movement.
Or if they lifted a finger to help queers murdered in Jamaica or executed in Iran or trying to march in the streets of Poland.
From the Blade blog tonight, on the meeting in Washington between gay leaders and Ford:
"This means I have to sell my Land Rover," [Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation] added, noting that he expected a significant number of other lesbians and gay men who own Land Rovers or Jaguars to do the same. Giuliano said he had purchased the Land Rover because of Ford's decision to advertise the brand in the gay media.
At the same time, the people at GayWheels.com, a site helping gays purchase cars, rate Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover as gay-friendly automakers.
When you click on one of the names at the link, GayWheels.com helps you get a free price quote.
Gay liberation hobbles forward in many strange ways.
NYT: Who Murdered Gay Jamaican AIDS Activist Steve Harvey?
What does it say about the U.S. gay groups and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission when the New York Times prints a lead editorial condemning the murder of Steve Harvey, a gay Jamaican AIDS activist, and the Gray Lady does not cite either the Human Rights (sic) Campaign or IGLHRC as among the groups deploring Harvey's murder?
For one thing, it abundantly shows how lame and silent these groups are on Harvey's death, and too many other gay bashings and murders in other countries.
If and when HRC and IGLHRC get around to issuing statements on Harvey's murder, they will be following in the footsteps of the New York Times. So much for gay leadership these days on global gay life and death.
Here's an excerpt from the Times editorial, and I ask you to read and share the full editorial.
-
December 13, 2005
The New York Times
Who Murdered Steve Harvey?
Jamaica has a well-earned reputation for homophobia and murderous violence against gay people, most recently the murder of an internationally known AIDS outreach worker, Steve Harvey, after he was abducted from his home at gunpoint. The killing of Mr. Harvey has drawn condemnation from international organizations like Unaids and Human Rights Watch, and it should prod the Jamaican government to pay attention to the gay rights issue. The country will never defeat its AIDS epidemic - and will continue to attract criticism from human rights organizations - unless it takes strong steps to combat homophobia, both among the police and in society as a whole.
As depicted in published accounts, the Harvey killing has the earmarks of a hate crime. One of the armed gunmen who forced his way into Mr. Harvey's house and demanded money is said to have asked Mr. Harvey and two other men who were with him if they were gay. The two other men are said to have denied being gay, and they were bound and left at the house. Mr. Harvey was driven away and shot. His death comes a year after the high-profile murder of Brian Williamson, a well-known gay activist who was found in his home with his throat cut. [...]
What does it say about the U.S. gay groups and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission when the New York Times prints a lead editorial condemning the murder of Steve Harvey, a gay Jamaican AIDS activist, and the Gray Lady does not cite either the Human Rights (sic) Campaign or IGLHRC as among the groups deploring Harvey's murder?
For one thing, it abundantly shows how lame and silent these groups are on Harvey's death, and too many other gay bashings and murders in other countries.
If and when HRC and IGLHRC get around to issuing statements on Harvey's murder, they will be following in the footsteps of the New York Times. So much for gay leadership these days on global gay life and death.
Here's an excerpt from the Times editorial, and I ask you to read and share the full editorial.
-
December 13, 2005
The New York Times
Who Murdered Steve Harvey?
Jamaica has a well-earned reputation for homophobia and murderous violence against gay people, most recently the murder of an internationally known AIDS outreach worker, Steve Harvey, after he was abducted from his home at gunpoint. The killing of Mr. Harvey has drawn condemnation from international organizations like Unaids and Human Rights Watch, and it should prod the Jamaican government to pay attention to the gay rights issue. The country will never defeat its AIDS epidemic - and will continue to attract criticism from human rights organizations - unless it takes strong steps to combat homophobia, both among the police and in society as a whole.
As depicted in published accounts, the Harvey killing has the earmarks of a hate crime. One of the armed gunmen who forced his way into Mr. Harvey's house and demanded money is said to have asked Mr. Harvey and two other men who were with him if they were gay. The two other men are said to have denied being gay, and they were bound and left at the house. Mr. Harvey was driven away and shot. His death comes a year after the high-profile murder of Brian Williamson, a well-known gay activist who was found in his home with his throat cut. [...]
Schwarzenegger Denies Tookie Williams Clemency
Unfortunately, Gov. Schwarzenegger has denied clemency to Stanley Tookie Williams and his five-page "Statement of Decision" is posted here.
State-sanctioned killing in California continues and as a gay activist who opposes the death penalty in Iran, where homosexuals are publicly hanged, I say abolishing capital punishment everywhere is an integral component of the gay agenda. Shame on Schwarzenegger!
Unfortunately, Gov. Schwarzenegger has denied clemency to Stanley Tookie Williams and his five-page "Statement of Decision" is posted here.
State-sanctioned killing in California continues and as a gay activist who opposes the death penalty in Iran, where homosexuals are publicly hanged, I say abolishing capital punishment everywhere is an integral component of the gay agenda. Shame on Schwarzenegger!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
"Brokeback" Box Office Report; Adorable Screen Caps of Heath, Jake
How did "Brokeback Mountain" do at the box office on opening day? It took in $191,543 on Friday showing on only five screens in three cities, according to Box Office MoJo. Don't know if that's considered a decent opening by Hollywood standards.
Wanna see dozens and dozens of screen captures from the movie? Full disclosure: Neither Heath nor Jake are the usual kind of men I find attractive, but I have to admit they look damn adorable and comfortable in the screen caps. Look at them here.
And last, but not least, click here to read Annie Proulx's original short story that appeared in the New Yorker magazine and inspired the movie.
How did "Brokeback Mountain" do at the box office on opening day? It took in $191,543 on Friday showing on only five screens in three cities, according to Box Office MoJo. Don't know if that's considered a decent opening by Hollywood standards.
Wanna see dozens and dozens of screen captures from the movie? Full disclosure: Neither Heath nor Jake are the usual kind of men I find attractive, but I have to admit they look damn adorable and comfortable in the screen caps. Look at them here.
And last, but not least, click here to read Annie Proulx's original short story that appeared in the New Yorker magazine and inspired the movie.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Bill Moyers Quotes from Petrelis Files on C-SPAN
During a very enjoyable medical marijuana moment after taking my evening AIDS cocktail, I channel surfed to C-SPAN and found Bill Moyers delivering an incredible talk this afternoon on FOIA. As Moyers spoke on FOIA and I medicated, it sounded a few times like he was citing my postings on FOIA and some of the requests I've made, but I thought it must have been the herb fiddling with my hearing. No way is Moyers someone who reads my blog, right?
Guess he does, because about midway through his talk where he addresses the attacks on FOIA by Cheney, Rummy and Scalia in 1975 and segues to the recent limited release of hundreds of pages on Samuel Alito by the Justice Department, mangles my blog's name and then goes on to quote this passage from a posting of mine from last month:
Only reporters were granted 180 minutes to peruse 470 pages of information, and my estimation, it would take about 39 seconds to quickly read each page and figure out if the information was newsworthy or worth pursuing further. Not a lot of time to carefully examine documents from our next possible Supreme Court justice.
Now, don't take just my word about what Moyers had to say tonight about my kvetching against the Justice Department on the very restricted access to some Alito papers, and everything he had to say today in his 45 minute talk. Go watch and listen to his entire speech at C-SPAN.org, using RealPlayer programming.
If you want to only hear Moyers quoting from Petrelis Files, fast forward to 33:44 and you'll be in the middle of what he had to say on limited release of Alito's records.
Go here to tune in: National Security Archives Conference on Secrecy and National Security
Bill Moyers, former LBJ Press Secretary and PBS Journalist, discusses secrecy and the Bush administration during a conference on national security and the right to know. The conference is hosted by the National Security Archives, a research institute and library located at The George Washington University which publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). [Scroll down, as this Moyers speech is number 9 on the list]
Knowing Moyers reads this blog is quite a rush. Thanks for the acknowledgement, Bill!
During a very enjoyable medical marijuana moment after taking my evening AIDS cocktail, I channel surfed to C-SPAN and found Bill Moyers delivering an incredible talk this afternoon on FOIA. As Moyers spoke on FOIA and I medicated, it sounded a few times like he was citing my postings on FOIA and some of the requests I've made, but I thought it must have been the herb fiddling with my hearing. No way is Moyers someone who reads my blog, right?
Guess he does, because about midway through his talk where he addresses the attacks on FOIA by Cheney, Rummy and Scalia in 1975 and segues to the recent limited release of hundreds of pages on Samuel Alito by the Justice Department, mangles my blog's name and then goes on to quote this passage from a posting of mine from last month:
Only reporters were granted 180 minutes to peruse 470 pages of information, and my estimation, it would take about 39 seconds to quickly read each page and figure out if the information was newsworthy or worth pursuing further. Not a lot of time to carefully examine documents from our next possible Supreme Court justice.
Now, don't take just my word about what Moyers had to say tonight about my kvetching against the Justice Department on the very restricted access to some Alito papers, and everything he had to say today in his 45 minute talk. Go watch and listen to his entire speech at C-SPAN.org, using RealPlayer programming.
If you want to only hear Moyers quoting from Petrelis Files, fast forward to 33:44 and you'll be in the middle of what he had to say on limited release of Alito's records.
Go here to tune in: National Security Archives Conference on Secrecy and National Security
Bill Moyers, former LBJ Press Secretary and PBS Journalist, discusses secrecy and the Bush administration during a conference on national security and the right to know. The conference is hosted by the National Security Archives, a research institute and library located at The George Washington University which publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). [Scroll down, as this Moyers speech is number 9 on the list]
Knowing Moyers reads this blog is quite a rush. Thanks for the acknowledgement, Bill!
All Opening Day SF "Brokeback Mountain" Shows Sold Out
Today is simply a beautiful day in San Francisco. The sun is out, not a cloud in the sky and it's warm enough that I don't have to wear a scarf or hat. Under these weather conditions I thought I'd have no problem getting a ticket for one of the first shows of "Brokeback Mountain" down at the Embarcadero Cinemas, where the film is playing on three screens.
Boy, was I wrong! I got to the theater a little after 11 a.m., expecting to see either the 12 noon or 1 p.m. shows, but they were sold out. Signs posted on the doors said all showtimes, except two in the mid-afternoon, were sold out completely.
Inside the lobby, at least a hundred people were either on line for the box office, the candy stand or heading into the theaters. I joined the ticket buyers' line and asked an usher how good my chances were of getting a ticket for the two available times in the afternoon. He said no way would I get into a showing today unless I pre-ordered online.
"But the signs on the doors say two shows aren't sold out. Why then are all these people standing on line for the box office?" I asked. He replied that since the sold-out signs were posted, remaining tickets flew out of the box office. The folks on line were probably picking up tickets purchased online, checking if there were any cancellations or no-shows, or getting tickets for a future show, he said.
Damn. With dozens of people in front of me, I left the box office line and observed the lucky ticket-holders.
As expected, it was mostly a diverse gay male crowd; young adults in torn jeans, middle-aged men in downtown business drag, muscle bears in tight shirts, etc. Saw one lesbian and one gay male couple, all decked out in genuine rodeo clothes, including big cowboy hats waiting to buy popcorn. And there was mix of African Americans, Latinos, Asians and white guys. I'd estimate about 20% of those in the lobby were women.
It was a happy crew, all in all, and I could feel their palpable excitement with being among the first few to see "Brokeback Mountain."
Guess I'll have to wait until next week to catch the flick, when the opening weekend is over and it's less crowded.
In the meantime, tonight I'm going to catch, for the fourth time in two months, the best film out there right now: Michelangelo Antonioni's restored 1975 masterpiece about alienation and one man's search for identity, "The Passenger," which is at the Opera Plaza for one more week, starring Jack Nicholson at his sexiest.
If I can't watch gay cowboys, then I'll take Nicholson and Antonioni.
Today is simply a beautiful day in San Francisco. The sun is out, not a cloud in the sky and it's warm enough that I don't have to wear a scarf or hat. Under these weather conditions I thought I'd have no problem getting a ticket for one of the first shows of "Brokeback Mountain" down at the Embarcadero Cinemas, where the film is playing on three screens.
Boy, was I wrong! I got to the theater a little after 11 a.m., expecting to see either the 12 noon or 1 p.m. shows, but they were sold out. Signs posted on the doors said all showtimes, except two in the mid-afternoon, were sold out completely.
Inside the lobby, at least a hundred people were either on line for the box office, the candy stand or heading into the theaters. I joined the ticket buyers' line and asked an usher how good my chances were of getting a ticket for the two available times in the afternoon. He said no way would I get into a showing today unless I pre-ordered online.
"But the signs on the doors say two shows aren't sold out. Why then are all these people standing on line for the box office?" I asked. He replied that since the sold-out signs were posted, remaining tickets flew out of the box office. The folks on line were probably picking up tickets purchased online, checking if there were any cancellations or no-shows, or getting tickets for a future show, he said.
Damn. With dozens of people in front of me, I left the box office line and observed the lucky ticket-holders.
As expected, it was mostly a diverse gay male crowd; young adults in torn jeans, middle-aged men in downtown business drag, muscle bears in tight shirts, etc. Saw one lesbian and one gay male couple, all decked out in genuine rodeo clothes, including big cowboy hats waiting to buy popcorn. And there was mix of African Americans, Latinos, Asians and white guys. I'd estimate about 20% of those in the lobby were women.
It was a happy crew, all in all, and I could feel their palpable excitement with being among the first few to see "Brokeback Mountain."
Guess I'll have to wait until next week to catch the flick, when the opening weekend is over and it's less crowded.
In the meantime, tonight I'm going to catch, for the fourth time in two months, the best film out there right now: Michelangelo Antonioni's restored 1975 masterpiece about alienation and one man's search for identity, "The Passenger," which is at the Opera Plaza for one more week, starring Jack Nicholson at his sexiest.
If I can't watch gay cowboys, then I'll take Nicholson and Antonioni.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Kenneth Cole Won't Provide Figures for AIDS Ad
In a message dated 12/8/2005 2:07:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, dpeda@kennethcole.com writes:
>
Michael:
I am not sure why you presume something deceptive is going on with the "We All Have AIDS" campaign, but in the spirit of the community that we have set out to gather, I will respond to your questions.
First, you should understand that, while I have invested a good deal of my own time and effort in this campaign over the past 12 months, it has not diminished my level of engagement in, or support for amfAR.
In putting this campaign together, I have been very fortunate to have received helpful technical support from a range of individuals and organizations, in particular from Viacom and the Kaiser Family Foundation, strategic partners in this effort, as well as from amfAR.
You will find a list of companies and organizations that have generously donated advertising space and other in-kind products and services to the campaign at www.weallhaveaids.com.
Finally, it's generally my preference not to broadcast the size or extent of my contributions to the causes I support. Since I am personally funding the "We All Have AIDS" campaign, I don't believe it serves any purpose to divulge how much I've expended on it to date.
I hope this helps to address your concerns.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Cole
-
Dear Kenneth,
You're reading your own fears into my simple questions to you last week about the costs of the ad campaign. Since when it is presumed wrong to ask how much an AIDS marketing campaign costs?
Frankly, you don't answer a single one of my questions. All you, or your p.r. department, say in your weak response is how wonderful everyone involved in the campaign is. Since you seem to have forgotten what my questions were, here's the link to them.
You have not addressed my concerns at all and I do think there is something terribly wrong that you can't tell me how much money is being spnet on the "We All Have AIDS" campaign.
I hope you reconsider your inability to answer my questions and commit to providing fiscal transparency for your important AIDS ad effort.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
In a message dated 12/8/2005 2:07:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, dpeda@kennethcole.com writes:
>
Michael:
I am not sure why you presume something deceptive is going on with the "We All Have AIDS" campaign, but in the spirit of the community that we have set out to gather, I will respond to your questions.
First, you should understand that, while I have invested a good deal of my own time and effort in this campaign over the past 12 months, it has not diminished my level of engagement in, or support for amfAR.
In putting this campaign together, I have been very fortunate to have received helpful technical support from a range of individuals and organizations, in particular from Viacom and the Kaiser Family Foundation, strategic partners in this effort, as well as from amfAR.
You will find a list of companies and organizations that have generously donated advertising space and other in-kind products and services to the campaign at www.weallhaveaids.com.
Finally, it's generally my preference not to broadcast the size or extent of my contributions to the causes I support. Since I am personally funding the "We All Have AIDS" campaign, I don't believe it serves any purpose to divulge how much I've expended on it to date.
I hope this helps to address your concerns.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Cole
-
Dear Kenneth,
You're reading your own fears into my simple questions to you last week about the costs of the ad campaign. Since when it is presumed wrong to ask how much an AIDS marketing campaign costs?
Frankly, you don't answer a single one of my questions. All you, or your p.r. department, say in your weak response is how wonderful everyone involved in the campaign is. Since you seem to have forgotten what my questions were, here's the link to them.
You have not addressed my concerns at all and I do think there is something terribly wrong that you can't tell me how much money is being spnet on the "We All Have AIDS" campaign.
I hope you reconsider your inability to answer my questions and commit to providing fiscal transparency for your important AIDS ad effort.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
Plain Dealer: Diebold Execs Gave to GOP Despite Ban
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a story this morning, with information and a headline that seems to have come from the blogosphere! Wouldn't you say the headline on my posting a few days ago about a Diebold executive giving money to Sen. DeWine influenced the paper's headline today?
The Plain Dealer: Diebold Execs Gave to GOP Despite Ban
From my blog: Diebold Exec Ignores Ban on Political Donations
Despite the lack of proper credit from the Plain Dealer, I still recommend that you read the paper's story on the Diebold executives and their latest donations.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a story this morning, with information and a headline that seems to have come from the blogosphere! Wouldn't you say the headline on my posting a few days ago about a Diebold executive giving money to Sen. DeWine influenced the paper's headline today?
The Plain Dealer: Diebold Execs Gave to GOP Despite Ban
From my blog: Diebold Exec Ignores Ban on Political Donations
Despite the lack of proper credit from the Plain Dealer, I still recommend that you read the paper's story on the Diebold executives and their latest donations.
Blade: Is GLAAD Sleeping with the Enemy, Ford?
Washington Blade reporter Steve Koval points out the odd relationship the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has these days with the Ford Motor Company in a posting to the paper's blog this morning. Koval asks some tough questions of GLAAD, which they should respond to immediately.
Kudos to Koval and the Blade for keeping tabs on GLAAD and for reminding readers about the important of transparency from our advocacy organizations.
From the Blade blog:
So where's my beef? Last week I received an e-mail from GLAAD urging me to buy a Land Rover or Jaguar, the very same Ford products that will no longer be advertised in gay publications. This was part of a purchase promotion between GLAAD and Ford that results in donations of up to $1,000 to GLAAD for each vehicle purchased. The program does not end until Dec. 31.
I don't blame GLAAD for the impeccably bad timing on its e-mail. However, I do blame it for not being more forthright now about its relationship with Ford. If GLAAD could send out an e-mail last week urging me to buy a Land Rover or Jaguar, it could have and should have sent me a second e-mail this week informing me of the controversy.
Broadcasting this information might result in less money going to GLAAD, but it would ensure that people had all of the relevant facts before making a purchase. Does GLAAD still want me to buy a Land Rover or a Jaguar? I don't know because they have not taken a position.
Transparency is also important because GLAAD is now in the position of criticizing Ford while financially benefiting from its current promotion with Ford. Until yesterday, GLAAD's website promoted Ford products. Now the page has disappeared without any explanation. [...]
Washington Blade reporter Steve Koval points out the odd relationship the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has these days with the Ford Motor Company in a posting to the paper's blog this morning. Koval asks some tough questions of GLAAD, which they should respond to immediately.
Kudos to Koval and the Blade for keeping tabs on GLAAD and for reminding readers about the important of transparency from our advocacy organizations.
From the Blade blog:
So where's my beef? Last week I received an e-mail from GLAAD urging me to buy a Land Rover or Jaguar, the very same Ford products that will no longer be advertised in gay publications. This was part of a purchase promotion between GLAAD and Ford that results in donations of up to $1,000 to GLAAD for each vehicle purchased. The program does not end until Dec. 31.
I don't blame GLAAD for the impeccably bad timing on its e-mail. However, I do blame it for not being more forthright now about its relationship with Ford. If GLAAD could send out an e-mail last week urging me to buy a Land Rover or Jaguar, it could have and should have sent me a second e-mail this week informing me of the controversy.
Broadcasting this information might result in less money going to GLAAD, but it would ensure that people had all of the relevant facts before making a purchase. Does GLAAD still want me to buy a Land Rover or a Jaguar? I don't know because they have not taken a position.
Transparency is also important because GLAAD is now in the position of criticizing Ford while financially benefiting from its current promotion with Ford. Until yesterday, GLAAD's website promoted Ford products. Now the page has disappeared without any explanation. [...]
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
William Ford's FEC File; Gave to Bush 41, Dubya
It doesn't surprise me in the least to learn that the head of Ford Motors Corporation really likes to give money to GOP candidates and that he gave to both Bush 41 and Dubya.
Here's the breakdown of his giving by party. $109,250 to GOP candidates and PACs, and only $27,750 to Democrats. He also donated $15,000 to the Ford PAC.
This is the list of all his donations from the Federal Election Commission:
FORD, WILLIAM MR. JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD/CHAIRMAN
2004 JOINT STATE VICTORY COMMITTEE (R)
$25,000
07/15/04
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
07/07/04
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
07/07/04
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/CHAIRMAN CEO
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CIVIC ACTION FUND
$5,000
12/17/03
Ford, William C. Jr.
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/Chairman & CEODINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
09/30/03
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Co./CEOROGERS, MICHAEL J (R)
House (MI 08)
ROGERS FOR CONGRESS
$2,000
09/15/03
FORD, WILLIAM C MR. JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/EXECUTIVEBUSH, GEORGE W (R)
President
BUSH-CHENEY '04 ( ) INC
$2,000
07/24/03
FORD, WILLIAM JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COCOLEMAN, NORM (R)
Senate - MN
NORM COLEMAN FOR U S SENATE
$500
09/27/02
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
08/28/02
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COLEVIN, CARL (D)
Senate - MI
FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN
$1,000
06/07/02
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/CHAIRMAN CEO
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CIVIC ACTION FUND
$5,000
02/28/02
Ford, William C. Jr.
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ChairmanDINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
01/16/02
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COLEVIN, CARL (D)
Senate - MI
FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN
$1,000
07/16/01
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS (D)
$20,000
11/03/00
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTORKILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS (D)
House (MI 13)
KILPATRICK FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS
$250
10/30/00
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
10/29/00
Ford, William C. Mr.
Dearborn, MI 48126MCCAIN, JOHN S (R)
President
MCCAIN 2000 INC
$1,000
02/15/00
FORD, WILLIAM
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORDABRAHAM, SPENCER SENATOR (R)
Senate - MI
ABRAHAM SENATE 2000
$1,000
08/04/99
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYKILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS (D)
House (MI 13)
KILPATRICK FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS
$500
10/14/98
FORD, WILLIAM
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYTOUMA, LESLIE ANN (R)
House (MI 12)
TOUMA FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE$500
05/28/98
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236NICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
08/09/96
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY
DEARBORN, MI 48126
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (soft-money donation)
$20,000
04/17/96
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CODOLE, ROBERT J (R)
President
DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC
$1,000
09/30/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236
DETROIT LIONS INCNICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
09/15/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236
DETROIT LIONS INCNICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
09/15/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYABRAHAM, SPENCER SENATOR (R)
Senate - MI
ABRAHAM FOR SENATE (1994)
$1,000
09/15/94
FORD, WILLIAM
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
FORD MOTOR COFARRELL-DONALDSON, MARIE (D)
House (MI 14)
FRIENDS OF MARIE FARRELL-DONALDSON FOR CONGRESS
$1,000
03/28/94
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
SELF-EMPLOYEDO'NEILL, MEGAN JANE (R)
House (MI 09)
COMMITTEE TO ELECT MEGAN O'NEILL
$1,000
10/11/93
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CO
MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY (R)
$2,000
06/14/93
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (soft-money donation)
$25,000
11/05/92
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CO
MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY (R)
$1,000
07/17/92
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 41823
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
BUSH - QUAYLE '92 COMMITTEE INC
$1,000
11/18/91
FORD, WILLIAM C MR
GROSSE POINTE FARM, MI 48236
FORD MOTORSVOINOVICH, GEORGE V (R)
Senate - OH
FRIENDS OF VOINOVICH
$1,000
07/20/88
FORD, WILLIAM C
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236BUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
BUSH QUAYLE COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
$1,000
12/22/87
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT, INC
$1,000
11/03/87
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDU PONT, PETE (R)
President
PETE DU PONT FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
07/02/87
FORD, WILLIAM C
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT, INC
$750
09/17/86
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE WOO, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDOLE, ROBERT J (R)
Senate - DC
DOLE FOR SENATE COMMITTEE, INC
$1,000
06/20/86
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE WOO, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDOLE, ROBERT J (R)
Senate - DC
DOLE FOR SENATE COMMITTEE, INC
$1,000
06/20/86
FORD, WILLIAM C MR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48326
FUND FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE, INC; THE
$5,000
05/19/86
FORD, WILLIAM
GROSSE PTE FARMS, MI 48236LOUSMA, JACK R (R)
Senate - MI
JACK LOUSMA FOR U S SENATE COMMITTEE
$500
10/30/84
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI
1983 REPUBLICAN SENATE-HOUSE DINNER COMMITTEE (R)
$2,500
07/12/83
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI
FORD MOTOR COMCCOLL, WILLIAM MD (R)
House (CA 43)
BILL MCCOLL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
05/19/82
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTIONS (R)
$500
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS * (R)
$1,000
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
1981 REPUBLICAN SENATE HOUSE DINNER (R)
$2,000
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS * (R)
$1,000
10/22/80
FORD, WILLIAM C JR MR
GROSSE PTE FARMS, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
05/20/80
FORD, WILLIAM C
G POINTE SHORES, MI 00000
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
01/22/79
It doesn't surprise me in the least to learn that the head of Ford Motors Corporation really likes to give money to GOP candidates and that he gave to both Bush 41 and Dubya.
Here's the breakdown of his giving by party. $109,250 to GOP candidates and PACs, and only $27,750 to Democrats. He also donated $15,000 to the Ford PAC.
This is the list of all his donations from the Federal Election Commission:
FORD, WILLIAM MR. JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD/CHAIRMAN
2004 JOINT STATE VICTORY COMMITTEE (R)
$25,000
07/15/04
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
07/07/04
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
07/07/04
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/CHAIRMAN CEO
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CIVIC ACTION FUND
$5,000
12/17/03
Ford, William C. Jr.
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/Chairman & CEODINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$2,000
09/30/03
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Co./CEOROGERS, MICHAEL J (R)
House (MI 08)
ROGERS FOR CONGRESS
$2,000
09/15/03
FORD, WILLIAM C MR. JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/EXECUTIVEBUSH, GEORGE W (R)
President
BUSH-CHENEY '04 ( ) INC
$2,000
07/24/03
FORD, WILLIAM JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COCOLEMAN, NORM (R)
Senate - MN
NORM COLEMAN FOR U S SENATE
$500
09/27/02
Ford, William
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ExecutiveKNOLLENBERG, JOSEPH K (R)
House (MI 09)
KNOLLENBERG FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
08/28/02
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COLEVIN, CARL (D)
Senate - MI
FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN
$1,000
06/07/02
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR.
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY/CHAIRMAN CEO
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CIVIC ACTION FUND
$5,000
02/28/02
Ford, William C. Jr.
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ford Motor Company/ChairmanDINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
01/16/02
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COLEVIN, CARL (D)
Senate - MI
FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN
$1,000
07/16/01
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS (D)
$20,000
11/03/00
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTORKILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS (D)
House (MI 13)
KILPATRICK FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS
$250
10/30/00
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDINGELL, JOHN D (D)
House (DC 15)
JOHN D. DINGELL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
10/29/00
Ford, William C. Mr.
Dearborn, MI 48126MCCAIN, JOHN S (R)
President
MCCAIN 2000 INC
$1,000
02/15/00
FORD, WILLIAM
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORDABRAHAM, SPENCER SENATOR (R)
Senate - MI
ABRAHAM SENATE 2000
$1,000
08/04/99
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYKILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS (D)
House (MI 13)
KILPATRICK FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS
$500
10/14/98
FORD, WILLIAM
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYTOUMA, LESLIE ANN (R)
House (MI 12)
TOUMA FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE$500
05/28/98
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236NICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
08/09/96
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY
DEARBORN, MI 48126
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (soft-money donation)
$20,000
04/17/96
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CODOLE, ROBERT J (R)
President
DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC
$1,000
09/30/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236
DETROIT LIONS INCNICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
09/15/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236
DETROIT LIONS INCNICHOLSON, JAMES B (R)
Senate - MI
NICHOLSON FOR U S SENATE INC
$1,000
09/15/95
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANYABRAHAM, SPENCER SENATOR (R)
Senate - MI
ABRAHAM FOR SENATE (1994)
$1,000
09/15/94
FORD, WILLIAM
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075
FORD MOTOR COFARRELL-DONALDSON, MARIE (D)
House (MI 14)
FRIENDS OF MARIE FARRELL-DONALDSON FOR CONGRESS
$1,000
03/28/94
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
SELF-EMPLOYEDO'NEILL, MEGAN JANE (R)
House (MI 09)
COMMITTEE TO ELECT MEGAN O'NEILL
$1,000
10/11/93
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CO
MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY (R)
$2,000
06/14/93
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (soft-money donation)
$25,000
11/05/92
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY JR
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR CO
MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY (R)
$1,000
07/17/92
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 41823
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
BUSH - QUAYLE '92 COMMITTEE INC
$1,000
11/18/91
FORD, WILLIAM C MR
GROSSE POINTE FARM, MI 48236
FORD MOTORSVOINOVICH, GEORGE V (R)
Senate - OH
FRIENDS OF VOINOVICH
$1,000
07/20/88
FORD, WILLIAM C
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236BUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
BUSH QUAYLE COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
$1,000
12/22/87
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT, INC
$1,000
11/03/87
FORD, WILLIAM C JR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDU PONT, PETE (R)
President
PETE DU PONT FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
07/02/87
FORD, WILLIAM C
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT, INC
$750
09/17/86
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE WOO, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDOLE, ROBERT J (R)
Senate - DC
DOLE FOR SENATE COMMITTEE, INC
$1,000
06/20/86
FORD, WILLIAM CLAY MR
GROSSE POINTE WOO, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COMPANYDOLE, ROBERT J (R)
Senate - DC
DOLE FOR SENATE COMMITTEE, INC
$1,000
06/20/86
FORD, WILLIAM C MR
GROSSE POINTE SHOR, MI 48326
FUND FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE, INC; THE
$5,000
05/19/86
FORD, WILLIAM
GROSSE PTE FARMS, MI 48236LOUSMA, JACK R (R)
Senate - MI
JACK LOUSMA FOR U S SENATE COMMITTEE
$500
10/30/84
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI
1983 REPUBLICAN SENATE-HOUSE DINNER COMMITTEE (R)
$2,500
07/12/83
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI
FORD MOTOR COMCCOLL, WILLIAM MD (R)
House (CA 43)
BILL MCCOLL FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
$1,000
05/19/82
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTIONS (R)
$500
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS * (R)
$1,000
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
1981 REPUBLICAN SENATE HOUSE DINNER (R)
$2,000
03/19/81
FORD, WILLIAM C
DEARBORN, MI 48126
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS * (R)
$1,000
10/22/80
FORD, WILLIAM C JR MR
GROSSE PTE FARMS, MI 48236
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
05/20/80
FORD, WILLIAM C
G POINTE SHORES, MI 00000
FORD MOTOR COBUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT
$1,000
01/22/79
BlackBoxVoting: About that Diebold Exec Donating to DeWine ...
The watchdogs at BlackBoxVoting pick up on my posting about a Diebold executive making a $1,000 donation this year to GOP Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine, despite the company's ban on such political giving. Here's what they say:
Diebold was more explcit in its letter to Velvet Revolution.
On June 2, 2004, the Board of Directors of Diebold, Incorporated authorized a change to the company’s corporate ethics policy to address the importance of strict neutrality concerning political candidates and issues. The policy states that the chief executive officer, president, and chief financial officer of Diebold, Incorporated and those Diebold, Incorporated executives identified by the company as responsible for the oversight of its election systems companies, as well as all employees of those companies, may not make contributions, directly or indirectly, to any political candidate, party, election issue or cause, or participate in any political activities, except for voting.
(Diebold posted this leter as a PDF file, but locked the content so that you could not cut & paste from it. Fortunately, the level of security was typical for Diebold.)
From Petrelis Files:
A Federal Election Commission file on Isac Tabib reveals he made a $1,000 this past June to Republican U.S. Senator Michael DeWine, who's up for reelection in 2006. Why let a little thing like the company's policy prohibiting such contributions stop Tabib from writing out a check to DeWine?
Tabib's monetary gift to DeWine shows one thing about Diebold. When they say something is company policy, it doesn't mean all that much.
Here you have yet another instance where Diebold has pored gasoline on the conspiracy fires. Diebold LOVES to disparage its critics as "cranks", yet it continues to lie and behave unethically and to do so in a thoroughly incompetent fashion. In fact, it is safe to say that Diebold is as proficient at lying as it is at programming voting machines.
Who is Isac Tabib? He is the VP of Technology for Diebold.
The watchdogs at BlackBoxVoting pick up on my posting about a Diebold executive making a $1,000 donation this year to GOP Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine, despite the company's ban on such political giving. Here's what they say:
Diebold was more explcit in its letter to Velvet Revolution.
On June 2, 2004, the Board of Directors of Diebold, Incorporated authorized a change to the company’s corporate ethics policy to address the importance of strict neutrality concerning political candidates and issues. The policy states that the chief executive officer, president, and chief financial officer of Diebold, Incorporated and those Diebold, Incorporated executives identified by the company as responsible for the oversight of its election systems companies, as well as all employees of those companies, may not make contributions, directly or indirectly, to any political candidate, party, election issue or cause, or participate in any political activities, except for voting.
(Diebold posted this leter as a PDF file, but locked the content so that you could not cut & paste from it. Fortunately, the level of security was typical for Diebold.)
From Petrelis Files:
A Federal Election Commission file on Isac Tabib reveals he made a $1,000 this past June to Republican U.S. Senator Michael DeWine, who's up for reelection in 2006. Why let a little thing like the company's policy prohibiting such contributions stop Tabib from writing out a check to DeWine?
Tabib's monetary gift to DeWine shows one thing about Diebold. When they say something is company policy, it doesn't mean all that much.
Here you have yet another instance where Diebold has pored gasoline on the conspiracy fires. Diebold LOVES to disparage its critics as "cranks", yet it continues to lie and behave unethically and to do so in a thoroughly incompetent fashion. In fact, it is safe to say that Diebold is as proficient at lying as it is at programming voting machines.
Who is Isac Tabib? He is the VP of Technology for Diebold.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Lesbians at State Dept Dinner; Karen Hughes' Silence
That Condi Rice sure knows how to invite an all-American diverse rainbow of folks to State Department dinners, including the openly lesbian crooner kd lang and her current gal-pal.
This gay activist never expected to see Condi's name linked in any way to lang's in a news photo caption, but there you have it.
Not only did the lesbian lovebirds rather proudly and casually display themselves, in some hot-hot outfits, but longtime self-avowed pot head Willie Nelson was also showed up to dine with Condi and company.
What I'd like to most know about the shindig is did Willie smoke any weed or nibble on a brownie during the night?
Condi: She's the (closeted?) hostess with the mostess and has fab friends to invite over for a bite to eat.
Speaking of the State Department, last week I wrote about the December 4-6 trip to Central America by the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes. I cracked wise about how she's like a diplomatic and press hurricane when she hits a region to promote the Bush agenda, usually generating much media attention.
Not this trip, at least not yet. Googling Hughes turns up nothing from her travels in the media, and to my real surprise, nothing about the trip, or whatever it is she's been saying to our neighbors to the south, has been posted on her page at the State Department's web site.
This is quite odd, given that she's has only one more day left on her trip before returning to the U.S., and after being in Central America for two days, with corporate bigwigs in her entourage, I'd expect _something_, anything on her trip to hit the newspapers or the State Department site.
Are no American newspapers following her journey? Has she contracted laryngitis and that is why no transcripts of her meetings and speeches have been posted by the State Department site?
Maybe we'll just have to wait until Hughes comes home to find out what she said and did on her latest excursion to foreign lands.
That Condi Rice sure knows how to invite an all-American diverse rainbow of folks to State Department dinners, including the openly lesbian crooner kd lang and her current gal-pal.
This gay activist never expected to see Condi's name linked in any way to lang's in a news photo caption, but there you have it.
Not only did the lesbian lovebirds rather proudly and casually display themselves, in some hot-hot outfits, but longtime self-avowed pot head Willie Nelson was also showed up to dine with Condi and company.
What I'd like to most know about the shindig is did Willie smoke any weed or nibble on a brownie during the night?
Condi: She's the (closeted?) hostess with the mostess and has fab friends to invite over for a bite to eat.
Speaking of the State Department, last week I wrote about the December 4-6 trip to Central America by the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes. I cracked wise about how she's like a diplomatic and press hurricane when she hits a region to promote the Bush agenda, usually generating much media attention.
Not this trip, at least not yet. Googling Hughes turns up nothing from her travels in the media, and to my real surprise, nothing about the trip, or whatever it is she's been saying to our neighbors to the south, has been posted on her page at the State Department's web site.
This is quite odd, given that she's has only one more day left on her trip before returning to the U.S., and after being in Central America for two days, with corporate bigwigs in her entourage, I'd expect _something_, anything on her trip to hit the newspapers or the State Department site.
Are no American newspapers following her journey? Has she contracted laryngitis and that is why no transcripts of her meetings and speeches have been posted by the State Department site?
Maybe we'll just have to wait until Hughes comes home to find out what she said and did on her latest excursion to foreign lands.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Diebold Exec Ignores Ban on Political Donations
Despite a ban on political contributions from Diebold
executives, implemented in June of 2004 after the voting
machine corporation's chief executive officer, Walden O'Dell,
came under heavy criticism for hosting a fundraiser
for George W. Bush and signing a letter promising to
deliver Ohio's electoral college vote to him.
one Diebold leader apparently never got the memo about
the ban.
USA Today published an insightful story last year on O'Dell trouble and his ban, that provides background to his voting machine company's political woes.
A Federal Election Commission file on Isac Tabib
reveals he made a $1,000 this past June to Republican
U.S. Senator Michael DeWine, who's up for reelection
in 2006. Why let a little thing like the company's
policy prohibiting such contributions stop Tabib from
writing out a check to DeWine?
By the way, DeWine will have at least one Democratic
Party challenger next year, none other than Iraqi war
vet Paul Hackett. You may have read Hackett's name in
the news lately because he lost a special election for
Ohio's second district seat in the House of
Representatives in August.
Who beat him? Rep. "Mean Jean" Schmidt, the vicious
Congresswoman who took to the House floor a few weeks
back to defame former Marine Rep. John Murtha after he
called for American troop reductions in Iraq.
Tabib's monetary gift to DeWine shows one thing about
Diebold. When they say something is company policy, it
doesn't mean all that much.
Despite a ban on political contributions from Diebold
executives, implemented in June of 2004 after the voting
machine corporation's chief executive officer, Walden O'Dell,
came under heavy criticism for hosting a fundraiser
for George W. Bush and signing a letter promising to
deliver Ohio's electoral college vote to him.
one Diebold leader apparently never got the memo about
the ban.
USA Today published an insightful story last year on O'Dell trouble and his ban, that provides background to his voting machine company's political woes.
A Federal Election Commission file on Isac Tabib
reveals he made a $1,000 this past June to Republican
U.S. Senator Michael DeWine, who's up for reelection
in 2006. Why let a little thing like the company's
policy prohibiting such contributions stop Tabib from
writing out a check to DeWine?
By the way, DeWine will have at least one Democratic
Party challenger next year, none other than Iraqi war
vet Paul Hackett. You may have read Hackett's name in
the news lately because he lost a special election for
Ohio's second district seat in the House of
Representatives in August.
Who beat him? Rep. "Mean Jean" Schmidt, the vicious
Congresswoman who took to the House floor a few weeks
back to defame former Marine Rep. John Murtha after he
called for American troop reductions in Iraq.
Tabib's monetary gift to DeWine shows one thing about
Diebold. When they say something is company policy, it
doesn't mean all that much.
Wockner Wire, Metro Weekly: Antigay Abuses & U.S. State Dept
I want to publicly express deep thanks to independent gay journalist Rex Wockner and the editor of Washington's Metro Weekly, Sean Bugg, for giving much-needed attention in recent days about the need for human rights advocates to submit reports of antigay abuses to the State Department in the next few weeks.
Have you sent news clippings, police reports and other such documents to the analysts at the State Department who compile and write the annual report? If you have, thanks very much. But if you haven't done so yet, send those reports to Mr. LeRoy Potts at the department: pottslg@state.gov.
Please do your part to make sure next year's human rights report is the most comprehensive report from the U.S. government on antigay rights abuses around the world.
-
The Wockner Wire
Activists in London and San Francisco are urging people around the world
to report antigay abuses to the U.S. State Department. [...]
Submissions must be received at the State Department before the end of
2005. [...]
"The massive scale of homophobic persecution worldwide is grossly
underdocumented in all official human rights reports," added London
activist Peter Tatchell of the gay-rights group OutRage!. "[We] will be
submitting evidence to the U.S. State Department based on our firsthand
evidence from LGBT refugees."
Reports should be e-mailed to pottslg@state.gov.
-
Metro Weekly
Mincing Words
By Sean Bugg
With continuing reports from Iran about the executions of gay men, as well as reports from all over the world of human rights violations against gay and lesbian people, it's important to keep pressure on our own government to make those human rights violations a priority. [...]
Personally, I'm of the mind that whatever your feelings on the death penalty on home ground, it's vital to take a stand for those gays and lesbians who face abuse, torture and death for their sexuality in ways that those of us in the U.S. often can't even imagine.
I want to publicly express deep thanks to independent gay journalist Rex Wockner and the editor of Washington's Metro Weekly, Sean Bugg, for giving much-needed attention in recent days about the need for human rights advocates to submit reports of antigay abuses to the State Department in the next few weeks.
Have you sent news clippings, police reports and other such documents to the analysts at the State Department who compile and write the annual report? If you have, thanks very much. But if you haven't done so yet, send those reports to Mr. LeRoy Potts at the department: pottslg@state.gov.
Please do your part to make sure next year's human rights report is the most comprehensive report from the U.S. government on antigay rights abuses around the world.
-
The Wockner Wire
Activists in London and San Francisco are urging people around the world
to report antigay abuses to the U.S. State Department. [...]
Submissions must be received at the State Department before the end of
2005. [...]
"The massive scale of homophobic persecution worldwide is grossly
underdocumented in all official human rights reports," added London
activist Peter Tatchell of the gay-rights group OutRage!. "[We] will be
submitting evidence to the U.S. State Department based on our firsthand
evidence from LGBT refugees."
Reports should be e-mailed to pottslg@state.gov.
-
Metro Weekly
Mincing Words
By Sean Bugg
With continuing reports from Iran about the executions of gay men, as well as reports from all over the world of human rights violations against gay and lesbian people, it's important to keep pressure on our own government to make those human rights violations a priority. [...]
Personally, I'm of the mind that whatever your feelings on the death penalty on home ground, it's vital to take a stand for those gays and lesbians who face abuse, torture and death for their sexuality in ways that those of us in the U.S. often can't even imagine.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Ex-Aussie PM: End Executions in U.S. (Iran's Gay Killings Cited)
This may be the first time I've read a mainstream news story in the English language that links the shameful use of capital punishment in the U.S. and Iran's death penalty, particularly the executions this year of homosexuals, teenagers, the retarded and drunks.
Nothing would please me more than if this article is used by the White House and State Department press corps to question Scott McClellan and Sean McCormick about America's state-sanctioned killings and an Australian politician calling for an end to the practice.
Thank you, Mr. Fraser, for issuing this call for a worldwide end to capital punishment.
-
December 5, 2005
The Australian
Fraser demands global ban on execution
By Greg Roberts
AUSTRALIA should use its influence with the US and the Commonwealth to lobby against the death penalty and implement an international protocol outlawing capital punishment, former prime minister Malcolm Fraser declared yesterday. [...]
But [current prime minister] John Howard said a diplomatic offensive against the US and other countries over the death penalty would not succeed.
"We're not going to change the attitude of countries about capital punishment," the Prime Minister said yesterday.
"I think we have to be realistic about what can be achieved."
Mr Howard said he would continue to lobby for Australians overseas on death row. "I'm against capital punishment because I recognise that the law is fallible," he said. [...]
Mr Fraser said the federal Government should tell the Bush administration of its concerns about the use of the death penalty in the US, where on the same day that Van was hanged, the 1000th prisoner since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976 was executed.
Mr Fraser said Australia should be more vocal in the forums of the Commonwealth, where capital punishment applies in many of the 53 member nations. "There are things Australia could be doing if we want to be taken more seriously on the matter," Mr Fraser told The Australian. "We have influence with the US. It could be raised in the Commonwealth as a matter of principle." [...]
For instance, recent "barbaric" executions in Iran had included the public hangings of two teenage boys for homosexual offences, a 16-year-old mentally retarded girl for sexual immorality, and a man after he was convicted a third time for drinking alcohol. [...]
This may be the first time I've read a mainstream news story in the English language that links the shameful use of capital punishment in the U.S. and Iran's death penalty, particularly the executions this year of homosexuals, teenagers, the retarded and drunks.
Nothing would please me more than if this article is used by the White House and State Department press corps to question Scott McClellan and Sean McCormick about America's state-sanctioned killings and an Australian politician calling for an end to the practice.
Thank you, Mr. Fraser, for issuing this call for a worldwide end to capital punishment.
-
December 5, 2005
The Australian
Fraser demands global ban on execution
By Greg Roberts
AUSTRALIA should use its influence with the US and the Commonwealth to lobby against the death penalty and implement an international protocol outlawing capital punishment, former prime minister Malcolm Fraser declared yesterday. [...]
But [current prime minister] John Howard said a diplomatic offensive against the US and other countries over the death penalty would not succeed.
"We're not going to change the attitude of countries about capital punishment," the Prime Minister said yesterday.
"I think we have to be realistic about what can be achieved."
Mr Howard said he would continue to lobby for Australians overseas on death row. "I'm against capital punishment because I recognise that the law is fallible," he said. [...]
Mr Fraser said the federal Government should tell the Bush administration of its concerns about the use of the death penalty in the US, where on the same day that Van was hanged, the 1000th prisoner since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976 was executed.
Mr Fraser said Australia should be more vocal in the forums of the Commonwealth, where capital punishment applies in many of the 53 member nations. "There are things Australia could be doing if we want to be taken more seriously on the matter," Mr Fraser told The Australian. "We have influence with the US. It could be raised in the Commonwealth as a matter of principle." [...]
For instance, recent "barbaric" executions in Iran had included the public hangings of two teenage boys for homosexual offences, a 16-year-old mentally retarded girl for sexual immorality, and a man after he was convicted a third time for drinking alcohol. [...]
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Gulf News: Muslim Scholar Wants UAE Gay Arrestees Executed
December 4, 2005
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Washington, DC 20037
Email: pottslg@state.gov
Dear Mr. Potts,
I am submitting this story and ask that its contents be considered for inclusion in next year's State Department human rights report on the United Arab Emirates, and how it treats basic freedoms for all of its citizens, including homosexuals.
Of particular concern to me is the mere mention in the Gulf News report of Islamic Sharia law which calls for the killing of homosexuals.
The November 29 article said, "On Monday UAE scholars and social experts denounced the 'homosexual wedding,' and stressed that such people should be punished by law.
"According to Islamic Sharia Laws, a man who has intercourse with another man 'should be executed,' said Abdul Salam Mohammad Darwish, an Islamic scholar and social and family counsellor. Darwish said, 'It is scandalous. It is not part of the Islamic religion or UAE culture.'"
I am troubled that Darwish says homosexuals should be punished by law, and it's Sharia law he wants executed, along with the men arrested.
As you know, there's been an alarming number of homosexuals and those suspected of male-to-male attractions publicly hanged in Iran this year, because the Islamic leaders in Tehran fervently follow Sharia law, so any time news accounts such as this appear and a religious scholar is quoted favorably about capital punishment for homosexuals, I ask that the State Department express strong condemnation of such talk and note it in the annual rights report for the United Arab Emirates.
Unfortunately, it can be a short period of time when comments like Darwish's hit the papers, and homosexuals are hanged.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
Gays Against Executions
San Francisco, CA
-
November 29, 2005
Gulf News
Policeman arrested over gay pictures
Abu Dhabi: A policeman suspected to have taken and distributed
pictures of those arrested in connection with a gay wedding in Abu
Dhabi has been taken into custody for questioning, an official said.[...]
The Abu Dhabi General Directorate of Police said agents from the
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested 26 men, some of who
were dressed as women.[...]
On Monday UAE scholars and social experts denounced the "homosexual
wedding," and stressed that such people should be punished by law.
According to Islamic Sharia Laws, a man who has intercourse with
another man "should be executed", said Abdul Salam Mohammad Darwish, an
Islamic scholar and social and family counsellor.
Darwish said, "It is scandalous. It is not part of the Islamic
religion or UAE culture".
"Surely it was not the first time they met. They must have held
parties and met in similar unacceptable and abnormal celebrations.
There had been reports of similar incidents in other emirates," he
said.
He warned against the increase in such deviant behaviour. "Some of the
males who live an extravagant life became decadent," he said.
The counsellor urged the authorities to place those "sick men" in an
intensive psychological and educational rehabilitation programme.
Colonel Najm Al Howsani, Director of Social Support Centre at Ministry
of Interior, where the 26 men who had been arrested were referred to,
said the suspects would undergo a psychological and physical therapy
after the court rules into their case.[...]
December 4, 2005
LeRoy Potts
U.S. Department of State
Office of Country Reports and Asylum Affairs
Washington, DC 20037
Email: pottslg@state.gov
Dear Mr. Potts,
I am submitting this story and ask that its contents be considered for inclusion in next year's State Department human rights report on the United Arab Emirates, and how it treats basic freedoms for all of its citizens, including homosexuals.
Of particular concern to me is the mere mention in the Gulf News report of Islamic Sharia law which calls for the killing of homosexuals.
The November 29 article said, "On Monday UAE scholars and social experts denounced the 'homosexual wedding,' and stressed that such people should be punished by law.
"According to Islamic Sharia Laws, a man who has intercourse with another man 'should be executed,' said Abdul Salam Mohammad Darwish, an Islamic scholar and social and family counsellor. Darwish said, 'It is scandalous. It is not part of the Islamic religion or UAE culture.'"
I am troubled that Darwish says homosexuals should be punished by law, and it's Sharia law he wants executed, along with the men arrested.
As you know, there's been an alarming number of homosexuals and those suspected of male-to-male attractions publicly hanged in Iran this year, because the Islamic leaders in Tehran fervently follow Sharia law, so any time news accounts such as this appear and a religious scholar is quoted favorably about capital punishment for homosexuals, I ask that the State Department express strong condemnation of such talk and note it in the annual rights report for the United Arab Emirates.
Unfortunately, it can be a short period of time when comments like Darwish's hit the papers, and homosexuals are hanged.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis
Gays Against Executions
San Francisco, CA
-
November 29, 2005
Gulf News
Policeman arrested over gay pictures
Abu Dhabi: A policeman suspected to have taken and distributed
pictures of those arrested in connection with a gay wedding in Abu
Dhabi has been taken into custody for questioning, an official said.[...]
The Abu Dhabi General Directorate of Police said agents from the
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested 26 men, some of who
were dressed as women.[...]
On Monday UAE scholars and social experts denounced the "homosexual
wedding," and stressed that such people should be punished by law.
According to Islamic Sharia Laws, a man who has intercourse with
another man "should be executed", said Abdul Salam Mohammad Darwish, an
Islamic scholar and social and family counsellor.
Darwish said, "It is scandalous. It is not part of the Islamic
religion or UAE culture".
"Surely it was not the first time they met. They must have held
parties and met in similar unacceptable and abnormal celebrations.
There had been reports of similar incidents in other emirates," he
said.
He warned against the increase in such deviant behaviour. "Some of the
males who live an extravagant life became decadent," he said.
The counsellor urged the authorities to place those "sick men" in an
intensive psychological and educational rehabilitation programme.
Colonel Najm Al Howsani, Director of Social Support Centre at Ministry
of Interior, where the 26 men who had been arrested were referred to,
said the suspects would undergo a psychological and physical therapy
after the court rules into their case.[...]