Passport Services Online Application Status-Checks

Passport Services Introduces Online Application Status-Checks

Effective today, August 12, 2005, customers who have recently applied for a U.S. passport and want to know the status of their application may do so by accessing

travel.state.gov/passport/get/status using a standard Internet browser. Customers can securely enter their last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number to receive information on the status of their application. A customer’s personal information will remain in our system only long enough for he or she to complete their inquiry, thus protecting that data, as authorized by law. This information will then be deleted from our system.

This service will enhance the status-check option currently only available to customers by phone or email at the National Passport Information Center (NPIC). It will also allow Passport Services to better allocate resources at NPIC by freeing Customer Service Representatives to respond to other calls and inquiries, reducing waiting time.

Customers may still request an application status-check via email, at travel.state.gov, or by calling, toll-free, the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793).

For more information on applying for a U.S. passport, forms, and a wealth of other international travel information, please visit our website at travel.state.gov.

2005/779 ### Released on August 12, 2005 Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, August 12, 2005

more at passport or Travel and passports or Department of State and State Department

Singapore, Proliferation Security Initiative

Singapore Hosts Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Interdiction Exercise (DEEP SABRE)

The United States will participate in a multinational Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) interdiction training exercise, DEEP SABRE, hosted by Singapore August 15-19, 2005, in the South China Sea. This is the eighteenth exercise in support of the Proliferation Security Initiative since President Bush announced the PSI in Krakow, Poland on May 31, 2003. It is the first PSI exercise hosted by Singapore, the first to be conducted in Southeast Asia, and it highlights the importance of the PSI in the Asian-Pacific region.

The Singapore-hosted exercise is advancing the operational capabilities of PSI participating nations by integrating an at-sea boarding (conducted by a combination of military and law enforcement forces) with a port search operation (conducted primarily by law enforcement). The exercise also will promote greater awareness of and involvement in the PSI throughout the region.

Many countries will participate in the exercise, including states from the Asian-Pacific region. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States will contribute operational assets to the exercise. Observers have been invited from the Asia Pacific region.

For the United States, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS JOHN PAUL JONES and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) ship-boarding team as well as a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft will participate.

Robert Joseph, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security will observe the start of the exercise.

For additional information on the Proliferation Security Initiative, please see state.gov/t/np/. 2005/778, Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, August 12, 2005

Source: state.gov more at Singapore or Proliferation Security Initiative and DEEP SABRE or Department of State and State Department

Freedom Calendar 08/13/05 - 08/20/05

August 13, 1818, Birth of Lucy Stone, Republican anti-slavery and women’s rights activist; founder of American Woman Suffrage Association in 1869.

August 14, 1996, Pacific Research Institute President Sally Pipes, addressing Republican National Convention on future of civil rights movement, calls for government which “treats all its citizens equally under the law”.

August 15, 1988, President Ronald Reagan addresses Republican National Convention: “Our Party speaks for human freedom, for the sweep of liberties that are at the core of our existence”.

August 16, 1817, Birth of Republican anti-slavery and civil rights activist U.S. Rep. Henry Davis (R-MD).

August 17, 1937, Republicans organize opposition to former Ku Klux Klansman and Democrat U.S. Senator Hugo Black, appointed to U.S. Supreme Court by FDR; his Klan background was hidden until after confirmation.

August 18, 1920, Republican-authored 19th Amendment, giving women the vote, becomes part of Constitution; 26 of the 36 states to ratify had Republican-controlled legislatures.

August 19, 1862, Republican newspaper editor Horace Greeley writes Prayer of Twenty Millions, calling on President Lincoln to declare emancipation.

August 20, 1996, Bill authored by U.S. Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY) to prohibit racial discrimination in adoptions, part of Republicans’ Contract With America, becomes law.

“Let me appeal to that great class who love liberty, truth, justice and humanity to stand by the party that abolished slavery”

Governor Oliver Morton (R-IN), whose statue is in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol and also at the entrance to the Indiana State Capitol Building, 1866

SOURCE: 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar more at Freedom Calendar or Republican and Republicans

bush radio address 08/13/05 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 08/13/05 full audio, text transcript

President's Radio Address Crawford, Texas

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I met in Texas with Secretary of State Rice, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and the rest of my senior foreign and defense policy advisors. We discussed recent events in Iraq, including the political progress that is taking place in that country. Despite the acts of violence by the enemies of freedom, Iraq's elected leaders are now finishing work on a democratic constitution. Later this year, that constitution will be put before the Iraqi people for their approval.

The establishment of a democratic constitution is a critical step on the path to Iraqi self-reliance. Iraqis are taking control of their country, building a free nation that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself. And we're helping Iraqis succeed. We're hunting down the terrorists and training the security forces of a free Iraq so Iraqis can defend their own country. Our approach can be summed up this way: As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down. And when that mission of defeating the terrorists in Iraq is complete, our troops will come home to a proud and grateful nation.

The recent violence in Iraq is a grim reminder of the brutal nature of the enemy we face in the war on terror. Our mission in Iraq is tough because the enemy understands the stakes. The terrorists know that a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will be a crippling blow to their hateful ideology. And that is why our work in Iraq is a vital part of the war on terror we're waging around the world.

This war on terror arrived on our shores on September the 11th, 2001. Since that day, the terrorists have continued to kill -- in Madrid, Istanbul, Jakarta, Casablanca, Riyadh, Bali, Baghdad, London, and elsewhere. The enemy remains determined to do more harm. The terrorists kill indiscriminately, but with a clear purpose -- they're trying to shake our will. They want to force free nations to retreat so they can topple governments across the Middle East, establish Taliban-like regimes in their place, and turn the Middle East into a launching pad for attacks against free people.

The terrorists will fail. Because we are fighting a murderous ideology with a clear strategy, we're staying on the offensive in Iraq, Afghanistan and other fronts in the war on terror, fighting terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at home. When terrorists spend their days and nights struggling to avoid death or capture, they're less capable of arming and training and plotting new attacks on America.

We're also spreading the hope of freedom across the broader Middle East, because free societies are peaceful societies. By offering a hopeful alternative to the terrorists' ideology of hatred and fear, we are laying the foundations of peace for our children and grandchildren.

In the war on terror, our troops are serving with courage and commitment, and their bravery is inspiring others to join them. All of our services met or exceeded their active duty recruitment goals last month, and the troops closest to the fight continue to reenlist in impressive numbers. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are all on track to meet or exceed their reenlistment goals for the year. Our troops know the stakes of this war, and Americans can have pride and confidence in our all-volunteer forces.

In recent days, we have seen again that the path to victory in the war on terror will include difficult moments. Our nation grieves the death of every man and woman we lose in combat, and our hearts go out to the loved ones who mourn them. Yet, even in our grief, we can be confident in the future, because the darkness of tyranny is no match for the shining power of freedom.

The terrorists cannot defeat us on the battlefield. The only way they can win is if we lose our nerve. That will not happen on my watch. Withdrawing our troops from Iraq prematurely would betray the Iraqi people, and would cause others to question America's commitment to spreading freedom and winning the war on terror. So we will honor the fallen by completing the mission for which they gave their lives, and by doing so we will ensure that freedom and peace prevail.

Thank you for listening.

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 13, 2005

more at President Bush or Iraq and Middle East or Afghanistan

Ed Cox Receives the Teddy Roosevelt Award

Queens County Republican Party honored Ed Cox Ed Cox Receives the Teddy Roosevelt Award for Public Service

The Queens County Republican Party honored Ed Cox at a dinner last night in Howard Beach presenting him with the Teddy Roosevelt Award for Public Service. Past recipients of the award have included Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Cox received a standing ovation from the more than 250 in attendance after an inspiring speach about continuing the great Roosevelt tradition of public service.
State Senator Serphin Maltese praised Cox for his record of service and accomplishment to New York State.

August 10th 2005 Source: edcoxforny more at Ed Cox or Jeanine Pirro or HILLARY CLINTON and New York Senate or republican and republicans

Pirro and Clinton Margin Rapidly Narrows by 14%

Pirro and Clinton Margin Rapidly Narrows by 14%WNBC/Marist Poll

Voters favor Senator Hillary Clinton at opening bell, but many voters waiting for round two: In a poll conducted last night on the 2006 race for U.S. Senate in New York, incumbent Senator Hillary Clinton receives the support of 50% of registered voters compared with 28% for Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro. More than one in five voters are not taking sides, a significant increase from a similar poll conducted in April.

To read the latest: WNBC/Marist Poll in PDF format.

Source: jeaninepirro2006.com more at Jeanine Pirro or HILLARY CLINTON and New York Senate or republican and republicans

Interview of the President by Israeli Television

Interview of the President by Israeli Television Channel 1, By Yaron Deckel, Israeli Television Channel 1, Bush Ranch, Crawford, Texas

August 11, 2005 7:17 A.M. CDT

Q Mr. President, thank you very much for the first interview granted to Israeli TV and for hosting us in your beautiful ranch in Texas.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, welcome, thanks for coming. It's an honor to have you here and it's an honor to speak on Israeli TV.

Q I understand why you like this place better than the White House.

We are on the eve of the disengagement and you have expressed your full support in disengagement, trying to help Prime Minister Sharon in his struggle. And I would like to ask why is it so important to you, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, let me speak about my relationship with Prime Minister Sharon, if you don't mind. We've grown close, and one of the reasons why is I appreciate a person who when he says something, means it. And I hope he appreciates that about me. In other words, I said early on we're going to join in fighting terror so that Israel could be secure and America secure and other free nations secure.

Secondly -- and I have, and he knows I keep my word and I know he keeps his word. Secondly, what I appreciate is somebody who thinks boldly for peace. And Ariel Sharon came to the White House and said we're going to disengage from the Gaza. And I was struck by what a bold decision that was. And the disengagement is, I think, a part of making Israel more secure and peaceful and I agree with the Prime Minister.

It's important because the United States is a strong ally of Israel and, therefore, if you're a strong ally, you want there to be peace for your ally.

Q You know, the main concern of Israel is that the disengagement might lead not to more security, but, on the contrary, to more violence. Do you understand the concerns?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, absolutely, I understand. And I can understand why people think this decision is one that will create a vacuum into which terrorism will flow. I happen to disagree. I think this will create an opportunity for democracy to emerge. And democracies are peaceful. And, therefore, it's very important for the United States, as an active participant in this process, to encourage the formation of security forces that will defeat terror, just like the road map calls for -- these are Palestinian security forces -- and to encourage the Palestinians to develop a peaceful state.

Q You had announced that you will support the disengagement by some aid the administration will provide Israel to develop the northern and southern -- the Galilee and the Negev.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q Has any decision been made regarding this issue?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I did say when the Prime Minister was here that the Negev and Galilee present great opportunities for economic development. And we understand that. So I'm going to send teams over to assess the opportunities available for the United States to help Israel. And they'll report back to me. But we have made no focus yet on specific budget items.

Q Mr. President, are you troubled by the fierce opposition Prime Minister Sharon, your partner, is facing in his own camp, in the Likud Party? According to the polls, he might lose because of the disengagement.

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, on democracy there's going to be dissent. And, secondly, the Prime Minister has made a very strong, bold decision. And I can understand why people are debating the issue. But I'm confident he's made the right decision. And I can also assure the Israeli people the decision he made has brought the United States and Israel even closer together.

Q Have you any opinion about Mr. Netanyahu, who stands to succeed him and now is leading the opposition?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I met Bibi Netanyahu -- of course, he's well known in the United States -- he's going to make the decision he thinks is necessary for Israel's good, and there's just a disagreement between two friends. But I believe the decision that Prime Minister Sharon has made and is going to follow through on will be good for Israel.

Q And why are you so sure it's going to lead to more security?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, it's an opportunity -- first of all, the previous system wasn't working. I mean, there was an intifada, there was death, there was killing. And if you notice, there's been a calm in attacks. One attack is too many, but there's been fewer attacks. And I think in the long run, two states living side-by-side in peace is the ultimate solution for Israeli's security.

In the meantime, we've got to work to dismantle terrorist organizations and that's precisely what the road map calls for.

Q How urgent is it that Mr. Abbas take more actions against terrorism? How urgent is it? Because you said that it's not enough, what they have done so far.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think -- and I've told that to the Prime Minister Abbas -- or President Abbas. He's a strong -- he strongly understands the need to dismantle terrorists. He knows that a democracy can't exist so long as you've got armed groups willing to take law in their own hands. And he's committed to a democratic state. And we've got work to do with him. And that's why we've got a general on the ground there that's helping to try train and coordinate Palestinian forces to fight off the terrorists who would want to stop the process for peace.

Q But would you accept a permanent cease-fire with the Hamas movement, for instance?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, Hamas is on the terrorist group.

Q He made a cease-fire with them.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, he's elected by the Palestinians. I am not. On the other hand, I can express my opinions to him, which I have. And I don't believe you can have a peaceful, democratic state with armed groups willing to take the law in their own hands.

Q As a believer, Mr. President, what do you say to Jewish believers who think that God sent them to settle in the biblical Israel and they will not obey any decision of elected government?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, there are admonitions in the Bible that does talk about the role of government relative to man. And Israel is a democracy and democracies are able to express the will of the people. The Prime Minister is expressing what he thinks is in the best interests of Israel and the people will decide, ultimately, whether or not that decision makes sense.

Q You know, things in the Middle East constantly change. And nobody predicted the U.S. will start dialogue with the PLO in the '80s, and then Prime Minister -- late Prime Minister Rabin signing an accord with Yasser Arafat. Do you see any similar development with the Hamas in the future?

THE PRESIDENT: Here's what I see. I see relations with a peaceful Palestinian state that is run by -- that is founded on democratic institutions. That's what I believe can happen -- and should happen. I mean, in order to ultimately defeat terror -- whether it be in Palestinian territories or Iraq or Iran -- there must be open, transparent societies based upon rule of law.

Q Your time frame was a Palestinian state in 2005. Would you like to update the time frame, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: I think Israel -- the people of Israel must understand that now is an opportunity for the Palestinians to show leadership and self-government in Gaza. And that's why my focus is intensely upon Gaza. We hope that the disengagement goes well. And we understand that once Israel has withdrawn, it's now up to the Palestinians to show the world that they can self-govern in a peaceful way.

Q You said that once the disengagement is carried out, both sides will help together to the road map to meet their obligations. And Prime Minister Sharon vowed that there will be no political progress until the Palestinians will act forcefully against terrorism. Do you share this view with him?

THE PRESIDENT: Here's the way I view it. One, I think that the road map does call for dismantling terrorist organizations. And, secondly, I think -- I know that the disengagement from Gaza presents an opportunity for a Palestinian state which is peaceful to begin to grow. In other words, it goes to show that -- that there's a chance to show the Israelis and the Palestinians that there's a better life ahead. And in order to do that in Gaza -- in Gaza --

Q So the burden is upon the Palestinians once the disengagement is over?

THE PRESIDENT: I think the burden is on -- everybody has got obligations. You know, obviously, the peaceful withdrawal by Israelis from the Gaza is part of the burden. The terrorists -- dismantling terrorist organizations is part of the burden. I think the --

Q Should it be the first -- the first step before anything other happens?

THE PRESIDENT: Gaza?

Q The dismantling of the terrorist organizations?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that's a part of a process. You see, dismantling a terrorist organization is not only taking arms and isolating terrorists, but it's also showing the Palestinians and the Israelis that a peaceful state can emerge. This is what the opportunity is. And that's why I think that Prime Minister Sharon's decision was so bold.

But we have a -- let me finish the obligations. Israelis have obligations, the Palestinians have obligations. The United States has an obligation. That's why Mr. Wolfensohn and our general on the ground is there, to help establish the institutions necessary for a peaceful state to emerge. Arab nations have got obligations now -- one, to not incite violence. Two, to help isolate and bring to justice terrorists. And, three, to provide funds to help these -- the Gaza to become a place of prosperity and peace.

Q You mentioned Iran and I wonder, Mr. President, how imminently is the Iranian threat? There was a release lately of the U.S. intelligence that they won't have any capability in the next 10 years. Is this your latest information, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: My latest information is that the Iranians refuse to comply with the demands of the free world, which is: do not in any way, shape or form have a program that could yield to a nuclear weapon. And the United States and Israel are united in our objective to make sure that Iran does not have a weapon. And in this particular instance, the EU 3 -- Britain, France and Germany -- have taken the lead, been helping to send the message, a unified message to the Iranians.

Look, in all these instances we want diplomacy to work. And so we're working feverishly on the diplomatic route. And, you know, we'll see if we're successful or not. As you know, I'm --

Q And if not?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, all options are on the table.

Q Including use of force?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, as I say, all options are on the table. The use of force is the last option for any President. You know, we've used force in the recent past to secure our country. It's a difficult -- it's difficult for the Commander-in-Chief to put kids in harm's way. Nevertheless, I have been willing to do so as a last resort in order to secure the country and to provide the opportunity for people to live in free societies.

Q I won't be finishing this interview without asking you about your decision in Iraq. Knowing what you know today, you made the right decision, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I did. The world is safer without Saddam Hussein in power.

Q Is it?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Absolutely. Saddam Hussein -- you know, we made the decision on a lot of factors. One factor, of course, is that the world thought he had weapons of mass destruction -- not just the United States, but the entire world. I went to the United Nations. The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution that said to Saddam Hussein: disarm or face serious consequences. Once again, he defied the world.

But we also made the case that Saddam Hussein had terrorist ties. Abu Nidal was in Iraq. Zarqawi, the man who's inflicting so much murder and chaos on innocent Iraqis, was in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was an enemy of the United States -- enemy of a lot of countries. And there's no doubt in my mind that we're safer as a result of him not being in power. And there's no doubt in my mind that a democratic Iraq will be a part of a change in the broader Middle East that will lay the foundations for peace.

You know, a lot of the world says, well, unless you are a certain type of person you can't live in a free society. I strongly disagree with that. I believe that imbedded into everybody's soul is the desire to live in freedom. That's what I believe, that there is an Almighty and the Almighty plants a sense of being free. Therefore, if given a chance, people will live in a free society -- and free societies are peaceful societies.

Q Any plans to visit in the state of Israel? I know you were there as a governor of Texas.

THE PRESIDENT: I was. (Laughter.)

Q What mostly impressed you in the Holy Land?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I'll never forget waking up in the hotel and seeing this golden shine on the Old City. It was just -- and I remember waking up Laura, I said, "Laura, you're not going to believe -- you're not going to believe this fantastic sight."

The other thing, of course, that sticks in my mind was the helicopter tour I took of the West Bank -- and my guide was Ariel Sharon. It was one of the great ironies of all time. I was a governor, he was in the cabinet. And he said, "Would you like to take a helicopter ride?" to me. Governor Cellucci, who went on to be the ambassador to Canada, and Governor Leavitt, who is now in my Cabinet, and Governor Racicot, the four of us. We said, sure, and we got in the chopper and the tour guide was Ariel Sharon as we choppered all throughout the West Bank.

Q Will you visit again?

THE PRESIDENT: I'd love to visit again sometime.

Q In your term?

THE PRESIDENT: I hope so. And I hope to visit and proclaim success as a result of a bold decision that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has made, and I think I'll be able to do that.

Q Mr. President, I do thank you very much for this interview and for your time.

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming.

END 7:36 A.M. CDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 12, 2005

more at President Bush or Israel and Prime Minister Sharon or Ariel Sharon and Israeli or Palestinian and Middle East

China Missile Technology

China Missile Technology

Question: Do we believe China provided missile technology to Pakistan related to yesterday’s test

Answer: As is standard practice, we do not comment on intelligence matters.

2005/777, Released on August 11, 2005

Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC August 11, 2005 Question Taken at the August 8, 2005 Daily Press Briefing

more at China or Pakistan and Missile Technology or intelligence at Department of State or State Department

Kyrgyz Republic Inauguration

Presidential Delegation to Kyrgyz Republic Inauguration of President Kurmanbek Saliyevich

President Bush today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Inauguration of President Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev of the Kyrgyz Republic on August 14.

The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce, will lead the delegation. He will be accompanied by the Honorable Steven M. Young, Ambassador of the U.S. to the Kyrgyz Republic.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 12, 2005

more at President Bush or Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev or Carlos Gutierrez and Kyrgyz Republic or Kyrgystan

H.R. 1132, Prescription Electronic Reporting Act

President Signs Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

On Thursday, August 11, 2005, the President has signed into law;

H.R. 1132, the "National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005," which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to States to establish or improve programs to electronically monitor dispensing of controlled substances.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 12, 2005

more at H.R. 1132 or Prescription Electronic Reporting Act and Health and Human Services or President Bush

President Meets with Defense and Foreign Policy Teams

President Meets with Defense and Foreign Policy Teams, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, Bush Ranch, Crawford, Texas, 12:01 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. I'm pleased to welcome Secretary Rumsfeld and members of his team back to Crawford, and I'm pleased to welcome Secretary Rice and her team. We just had a meeting with the -- the Vice President and I had a meeting with the defense team and earlier this morning with Condi Rice and Don Rumsfeld. We'll have a joint luncheon, and then we'll visit with the Secretary of State's folks.

We discussed recent developments in Iraq, including the political progress that is taking place in that country. Despite the acts of violence by the enemies of freedom, Iraq's elected leaders are now finishing work on a democratic constitution. And later this year that constitution will be put before the Iraqi people for their approval.

The establishment of a democratic constitution is a critical step on the path to Iraqi self-reliance. Iraqis are taking control of their country. They're building a free nation that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself.

And we're helping them succeed. We have a strategy to help them succeed. On the one hand, we're hunting down the terrorists, and we're training the Iraqi security forces so Iraqis can defend themselves. Our approach can be summed up this way: As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down. And when that mission of defeating the terrorists in Iraq is complete, our troops will come home to a proud and grateful nation. The mission in Iraq is tough, because the enemy understands the stakes. A free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will deliver a serious blow to their hateful ideology.

The second part of our strategy is to help freedom prevail in Iraq. The recent violence in Iraq is a grim reminder of the brutal enemies we face in the war on terror. And we are a nation at war. The war arrived on our shores on September the 11th, 2001. And since that day, the terrorists have continued to kill. They have killed in Madrid and Istanbul and Jakarta and Casablanca and Riyadh and Bali and London and elsewhere, and they are determined to do more harm. And they kill indiscriminately. In other words, they don't care who they kill.

And they kill because they're trying to shake our will. They're trying to drive free nations out of parts of the world, so they can topple governments across the Middle East, and establish Taliban-like regimes in the Middle East, and turn that region into a launching pad for attacks against free people, and they will fail.

After September the 11th, I made a commitment to the American people that this nation will not wait to be attacked again, and we're going to stay on the offense. And we're fighting the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere so we do not have to face them here at home.

We're also fighting the murderous ideology, the hateful ideology of the terrorists, and we're doing so by spreading freedom. See, our ideology is hopeful and optimistic and uplifting. I've got great optimism about the spread of freedom because I believe deep in everybody's soul is the desire to be free, and I know that history has shown that peaceful societies are those that are free, that democratic neighbors don't war, that democracies promote peace.

In these times of war, a heavy burden falls on the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. This morning, we discussed the steps we're taking to deal with the increased demand on our forces. For example, we've been working to rebalance our forces, moving about 80,000 people out of skills that are in low demand into the skills that are high demand, so we do not have to call upon the same forces repeatedly.

We've also taken steps to improve the call-up process for our Guard and for our Reserves. We've provided them with earlier notifications. We've given them greater certainty about the length of their tours. We minimized the number of extensions and repeat mobilizations.

We're working hard to ensure our troops and their families are treated with the dignity they deserve, and the respect they've earned. In the war on terror, our troops are serving with courage and commitment, and their courage is inspiring others. All of our services met or exceeded their active duty recruitment goals in July. The Army, which was below its monthly recruiting targets earlier this year, exceeded its July active duty recruitment goal by nearly 10 percent, though it's still behind for the year. The Navy, Air Force and Marines are on track to meet or exceed their active duty recruiting goals for 2005. And the troops closest to the fight continue to reenlist in impressive numbers. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are all on track to meet or exceed their reenlistment goals for the year. Americans can have pride and confidence in our all-volunteer force.

I appreciate so very much the Secretaries and their teams who've joined me today. I want to thank the Vice President for being here. We've had fruitful discussions so far, and we'll continue to have fruitful discussions throughout the day.

With that, I'll be glad to answer some of your questions. Deb.

Q Mr. President, on Iran again, has the U.S. intelligence sorted out what role the new Iranian President might have played in the '79 embassy take-over? And will he be given a visa to attend the U.N. meetings in New York early next month? And wouldn't denying him a visa damage the EU3 negotiations on their nuclear program and inflame the anti-American sentiment that Karen Hughes -- is the very thing that Karen Hughes is trying to abate?

THE PRESIDENT: That's a really long question. Whew. Let me start off by saying that we're still investigating allegations and/or this guy's potential involvement in the hostage crisis. We're in agreement with -- we have an agreement with the United Nations to allow people to come to meet, and I suspect he will be here to meet -- at the United Nations.

On Iran, I can't remember the first four questions you asked on the question, but --

Q Well, those are the first two and then -- (laughter) --

THE PRESIDENT: No disrespect, by the way.

Let me talk about Iran. As you know, the IAEA today issued a report that expressed serious concerns about Iranian decisions, and that's a positive first step. You know, our strategy is to work with the EU3 -- France and Great Britain and Germany -- so that the Iranians hear a common voice speaking to them about their nuclear weapons ambitions. And I appreciate the IAEA's positive first step. As you know, there will be a report back after a period of time, and we look forward to working -- hearing what that report says.

But the point is that -- is that the world is coalescing around the notion that the Iranians should not have the means and the wherewithal to be able to develop a nuclear weapon.

Steve.

Q Thank you, sir. You're increasing U.S. troops -- increasing U.S. troop strength in Iraq for the upcoming elections. What happens -- is it possible those troops will be asked to stay on longer if needed to help improve security? And if I may, what happens if Iraq misses the deadline for drafting the new constitution?

THE PRESIDENT: Right. As to the constitution, one of the meetings we had this morning was with Zal, our ambassador in Baghdad. And he gave us a briefing as to the progress on the constitution. We have made it clear that we believe that constitution can be and should be agreed upon by August 15th. And so I'm operating on the assumption that it will be agreed upon by August the 15th. And Zal said that, you know, obviously there are some difficult issues -- federalism being one, role of religion. Hopefully the -- the drafters of the constitution understand our strong belief that women ought to be treated equally in the Iraqi society. But those are issues that still are out there. Although -- and he did say that there seems to be a spirit of cooperation and a deep desire for people to work closely together.

As for the troops, no decision has been made yet on increasing troops or decreasing troops. I know there's a lot of speculation and rumors about that. We did, as you might recall, increase troops for the Iraqi election and for the Afghanistan elections. It seemed to have helped create security, and I know the Secretary of Defense is analyzing that possibility.

I also know there's a lot of folks here in the United States that are, you know, wondering about troop withdrawals. They're concerned about the violence and the death. They hear the stories about a loved one being lost to combat. And, you know, I grieve for every death. It breaks my heart to think about a family weeping over the loss of a loved one. I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place.

I also have heard the voices of those saying, pull out now, and I've thought about their cry, and their sincere desire to reduce the loss of life by pulling our troops out. I just strongly disagree. Pulling the troops out would send a terrible signal to the enemy. Immediate withdrawal would say to the Zarqawis of the world, and the terrorists of the world, and the bombers who take innocent life around the world, you know, the United States is weak; and all we've got to do is intimidate and they'll leave.

Pulling troops out prematurely will betray the Iraqis. Our mission in Iraq, as I said earlier, is to fight the terrorists, is to train the Iraqis. And we're making progress training the Iraqis. Oh, I know it's hard for some Americans to see that progress, but we are making progress. More and more Iraqi units are becoming more and more capable of fighting off the terrorists. And remember, and that's a country where 8.5 million Iraqis went to the polls. They've said, we want to be free. And our mission is to help them have a military that's capable of defeating those who would like to dash their ambitions to be free.

Withdrawing before the mission is complete would send a signal to those who wonder about the United States' commitment to spreading freedom. You see, I believe and know that we're at war, and we're at war against a hateful ideology. And the way to defeat that ideology in the long-term is to spread a hopeful ideology, one that says to young girls, you can succeed in your society, and you should have a chance to do so; one that says to moms and dads, you can raise your child in a peaceful world without intimidation; and one that says to people from all walks of life, you have a right to express yourself in the public square.

It's the spread of liberty that is laying the foundation of peace, and is very important for our citizens -- no matter what side of the political aisle you're on -- to understand that the mission is a vital mission and it's one that will be -- that we obviously couldn't complete if -- if we -- if we didn't fulfill our goals, which was to help the Iraqis.

Yes, Steve.

Q Just to make clear, you're referring to Mrs. Sheehan here, I think?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm referring to any grieving mother or father, no matter what their political views may be. Part of my duty as the President is to meet with those who've lost a loved one. And so, you know, listen, I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan. She feels strongly about her -- about her position. And I am -- she has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America. She has a right to her position. And I've thought long and hard about her position. I've heard her position from others, which is, get out of Iraq now. And it would be -- it would be a mistake for the security of this country and the ability to lay the foundations for peace in the long-run, if we were to do so.

But no, Steve, I've met with a lot of families, and I have done my best to bring comfort to the families and honor to the loved one, and get different opinions when you meet with moms and dads and sons and daughters and wives and husbands of those who have fallen. One opinion I've come away with universally is that, you know, we should do everything we can to honor the fallen. And one way to honor the fallen is to lay the foundation for peace.

Hutch.

Q Mr. President, these rumors about a troop draw-down really took flight when some of your military people starting talking about drawing down in spring. What was that about? Are they out of line?

THE PRESIDENT: I think they were rumors; I think they're speculation. One of the things that we did announce was a joint Iraqi-U.S. commission to look at the security situation in Iraq. Clearly -- my position has been clear, and the position -- therefore, the position of this government is clear, that as Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down. And that means that there's a -- obviously, the conditions on the ground depend upon our capacity to bring troops home, and the main condition, as to whether or not the Iraqis have got the capability of taking the fight to the enemy.

And so I suspect what you were hearing was speculation based upon progress that some are seeing in Iraq as to whether or not the Iraqis will be able to take the fight to the enemy. In other words, you've got people -- obviously, it's important to plan. It's important to think down the road. And you've got people saying, well, if the Iraqis are capable, if more and more units are capable of taking the fight to the enemy, it would then provide an opportunity to replace coalition troops with those Iraqis. I think that's what you're seeing. I think it's kind of what we call speculation. And the decision finally will be made by me upon the recommendation of General Casey, through Secretary Rumsfeld, to me.

Q Does that speculation grounded in fact, to you, given the way things have gone just recently?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, the -- I am pleased with the progress being made when it comes to training Iraqi units. One of the things I announced at Fort Bragg was our strategy to embed our troops within Iraqi units so to better facilitate the training of those Iraqi units. And this morning, General Casey reported to me and Secretary Rumsfeld and -- the folks standing right back here -- reported to us that more and more units are becoming more and more capable, and that the embedding process is working.

Now, there's not that many that can stand alone yet, but there are a lot more that are -- have gone from raw -- you know, that raw recruit stage, to plenty capable. In some cases, some units need no United States or coalition force help; in some cases, they need minimal help. But the point is, is that there is a matrix, and we're following that matrix as more and more troops become capable and competent. And so my answer to you is that we are making progress.

And I've said all along we'd like to get our troops home as soon as possible -- but soon as possible is conditions-based. And so we're monitoring progress. The important thing for the American people to know is we are making progress. There's a political track on which we're making progress, and the security track on which we're making progress. And I know it's tough and I know it's hard work, but America has done hard work before. And as a result of the hard work we have done before, we have laid the foundation for peace for future generations.

And I remind people, when they think about the conflict we're in, to think about World War II, when an enemy of ours -- Japan, for example -- is now a loyal friend and an ally because of the hard work we did, not only during the war, but in the post-war reconstruction of Japan.

And the sacrifices that our troops are making, our family are making, are -- are unbelievably noble, and I am incredibly proud of our military, and I know most of the American people are, as well.

Listen, thank you all, very much.

END 12:20 P.M. CDT

more at President Bush or Condoleeza Rice and Donald Rumsfeld or Cindy Sheehan and Iraq

Able Danger, Common Knowledge

Common Knowledge of senators and in the public domain for months, this from a transcript dated June 12, 2005

NBC’s Meet the Press This is a partial transcript from NBC's MEET THE PRESS from June 12, 2005.

MR. RUSSERT: You talk about--and here we get to The New York Times on Thursday: "Mr. Weldon's strongest argument is Ali's report from May 17, 2003, that Iran planned to hijack an airplane in Canada and strike a nuclear reactor in the United States whose name began `Sea.' Mr. Weldon said the plant was later identified as Seabrook Station in New Hampshire. He contended that the August 2003 arrest of 19 Muslim men in Toronto on vague suspicions of terrorism proved the prediction was correct. The congressman said the arrests might have prevented the deaths of `hundreds of thousands' of Americans. But Canadian officials later dropped all security-related charges against the men, leaving only routine immigration charges. And Alan Griffith, a spokesman for the Seabrook nuclear plant, said the alleged plot `was never deemed a credible threat' by federal officials."

REP. WELDON: Well, that, again, differs with the meeting I had on January 26 in my office with two members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the governor's representative for security, the intelligence officer for New Hampshire. They, in fact, told me that the first day that they were informed of the credible threat to Seabrook was on November the 24th. That was the exact day that my informant told me that the reactor was going to be hit.

You know, Tim, this gets down to whether or not we're going to allow the CIA to be totally trusted. There are good agents in the CIA, doing great work. My book's dedicated to them. But they failed in 1992 when the highest-ranking-ever KGB defector, Vasily Mitrokhin, wanted to defect to the U.S. The CIA said, "We don't need him." His information, which was picked up by the British--he became a person who lived in Britain till his death last year--was a treasure trove of information about the Soviet KGB.

The CIA doesn't have a good record. They failed to predict 9/11. They failed to understand North Korea had a three-stage missile before it was launched in 1998. They were wrong on the National Intelligence Estimate, 95, 19, about the threat of long-range missile attack against us. And they've ignored Able Danger, the Special Forces command's secret project against al-Qaeda that ran in '99 and 2000, which CIA officials I've talked to said they weren't even aware of.

There are a lot of things that need to be looked at. That's the role of the Congress, and I'm going to play that role, because in the end my job--I have to sit in the living room with those young people's families who come home in body bags. I am never going to give that responsibility up to some pencil pusher. I'm going to push the process until we in the Congress get the legitimate answers that the people want us to get.

Find more here from the office of Joseph R. Biden Jr.

more at able danger or Curt Weldon and Joe Biden or al-Qaeda and Special Forces

National Archives to Open Additional Materials Relating to John Roberts

National Archives to Open Additional Materials Relating to John Roberts

WHAT: Approximately 500 pages of material from five series of records from Record Group 60: Department of Justice have been processed for release. These records relate to Roberts’ tenure as Special Assistant to the Attorney General in 1981-82. The papers consist of notes, memoranda and other materials written by, or sent to John Roberts. Some of these documents may be duplicative of materials that were previously opened.

This release is in response to FOIA requests under the provisions of the Federal Records Act and is part of an ongoing process to review and make available materials found in the holdings of the National Archives that relate to Judge John Roberts.

WHERE: The records will be available on the Internet at: archives.gov/news/john-roberts/. A reference set of the documents will be open for research at the National Archives College Park Facility, located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD.

WHEN: The records will be open to the public at 9 AM on Thursday, August 11, 2005.

# # #

Records Pertaining to John G. Roberts, Jr., Record Group 60: Department of Justice, Records Released on August 11, 2005 (ALL FILES ARE IN PDF FORMAT)

Correspondence Files of Kenneth W. Starr, Counselor to the Attorney General, 1981-83 Accession No. 60-88-0498

Files of Carolyn B. Kuhl, Special Assistant to the Attorney General: Attorney General Project File, 1981-82 Accession No. 60-98-0832

Classified Files of F. Henry "Hank" Habicht, II, Special Assistant to the Attorney General: Attorney General's Classified Project Files, 1982 Accession No. 60-95-0949

Classified Files of Attorney General William French Smith: Attorney General's Classified Project Files, 1981- 85 Accession No. 60-89-0506

Unclassified Files of the Assistant Attorney General Accession No. 60-89-0173

General Correspondence Files, 1981-84 Accession No. 60-88-0495

Records Released on August 1, 2005

Records of the Attorney General Accession No. 60-89-0372

For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at: 202-501-5526.

05-100 more at John Roberts or Department of Justice and Supreme Court or FOIA and SCOTUS

The President to nominate two, designate one 08/11/05

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate two individuals and designate one individual to serve in his Administration:

The President intends to nominate John J. Danilovich of California, to be Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He is presently Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Federative Republic of Brazil and has previously served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Illustrious Government of the Republic of Costa Rica. Ambassador Danilovich earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University in 1972 and a master's degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California (London) in 1980.

The President intends to nominate Jacqueline Ellen Schafer of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Administrator (Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade) at the United States Agency for International Development. Ms. Schafer is presently Deputy Assistant Administrator (Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade) at the United States Agency for International Development. Previously she has held the position of Director for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Director for the California Department of Fish and Game.

The President intends to designate Carlos Marin of Texas, to be Acting United States Commissioner of the United States and Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission. He is presently Principal Engineer and Operations-Treaty Compliance Policy Advisor for the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Mr. Marin is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 11, 2005, Personnel Announcement

more at President Bush or Mexico and International Development or Millennium Challenge Corporation

methanol produced by Methanex

Background Information on the Methanex Claim

The methanol produced by Methanex is, among other things, used as an ingredient to produce the gasoline additive MTBE. Based on findings that MTBE contaminates drinking water, California banned the use of MTBE in California gasoline. Methanex claimed that the ban violated the provisions of NAFTA’s Chapter Eleven prohibiting nationality-based discrimination against investors and their investments, requiring fair and equitable treatment of investments and prohibiting uncompensated takings of property. Methanex also alleged that the ban on the use of MTBE related to Methanex because it was adopted with the intention of harming Methanex and other foreign methanol producers in order to benefit the U.S. ethanol industry.

The United States maintained that the California measures did not relate to Methanex and therefore could not be the basis for a NAFTA Chapter Eleven claim. It also maintained that Methanex was not treated differently from U.S.-owned methanol producers, was not treated in violation of any minimum standard of treatment required by international law and did not suffer an expropriation of its property.

The Tribunal agreed with all of these arguments made by the United States. It held that Methanex did not face any nationality-based discrimination, was not treated in a manner that could be said to violate international law standards and did not suffer an expropriation of any property interest. Moreover, the Tribunal held that the California measures were not intended to harm Methanex or other foreign methanol producers and did not otherwise relate to Methanex; thus the claim was not covered by the investor-State arbitration provisions of the NAFTA.

The members of the tribunal are V.V. Veeder, Professor Michael Reisman and J. William Rowley.

The full text of the award is available on the State Department’s website at state.gov/s/l/c5818. 2005/775, Released on August 10, 2005, Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, August 10, 2005

more at methanol or NAFTA and Methanex or Department of State or State Department and MTBE or ethanol

Arrest of War Crimes Indictee Milan Lukic

Arrest of War Crimes Indictee Milan Lukic

The U.S. welcomes the arrest on August 8 by Argentinean authorities of Milan Lukic, a fugitive indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. We appreciate the Government of Argentina’s work to bring fugitive war crimes indictees to justice. Together, we remain committed to denying safe haven anywhere for indicted war criminals. Every indictee will face justice.

The U.S. continues to call on all authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly within the Republika Srpska, as well as in Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro to fulfill their international obligations to the Tribunal at the Hague without further delay. This includes the apprehension and transfer of Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic, Ante Gotovina and all other fugitives on their territories.

2005/773 Released on August 10, 2005 Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC, August 10, 2005 Source: state.gov more at Department of State or State Department and Milan Lukic or Argentina and International Criminal Tribunal or Bosnia and Croatia

Cambodia: Conviction of Opposition Members

Cambodia: Conviction of Opposition Members

The United States condemns the August 9 conviction by a military court of Cheam Channy and conviction in absentia of Kong Piseth on charges of fraud and establishment of an illegal armed group. The conduct of the trial appears to violate international standards, raises again questions about the competence and independence of Cambodia’s judiciary and constitutes further intimidation of opposition voices. We urge appropriate review of this case. We again call on the Cambodian National Assembly to immediately restore the immunity of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) parliamentarians that was stripped by the National Assembly on February 3, an action we strongly condemned.

2005/771 Released on August 9, 2005 Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman, Washington, DC, August 9, 2005 Source: state.gov more at Department of State or State Department and Cambodia or Kong Piseth

Ed Cox for Senate Exploratory Committee

Statement from Ed Cox for Senate Exploratory Committee On Jeanine Pirro’s Decision to Run for U.S. Senate Albany, New York . . .August 8, 2005

“Rather than spending these critical months deciding which office to seek, Ed Cox has been working hard to develop an aggressive effort to defeat Senator Clinton in 2006. Mr. Cox has been traveling across New York building relationships and earning the support of the Republican and Conservative Parties.

His more than 30 years of experience in New York, in Washington and in the international arena, on a wide range of issues, makes him best qualified candidate to mount this challenge. We remain confident that the members of both the
Republican and Conservative Parties will come to that conclusion as well.

Ms. Pirro’s limited record and her positions on the issues will prevent her from motivating Republican and Conservative voters. That is simply a recipe for a resounding defeat.

Mr. Cox remains committed to building a winning effort. He is confident that he will ultimately be the nominee of both parties.”

August 8th 2005 Source: edcoxforny more at Ed Cox or Jeanine Pirro or HILLARY CLINTON and New York Senate or republican and republicans

PIRRO ANNOUNCES FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

Good morning and thank you all for coming.

Today I announce my candidacy for United States Senator from the State of New York.

This is the culmination of a lifetime of commitment, advocacy and public service on behalf of New Yorkers - everyday New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet, who worry about their jobs and car payments,

their quality of their children's education, affordable health care and their elderly parents. I come to this race as a fighter, an advocate and an agent for change.

30 years ago, I made a career choice to enter public service. That commitment has never wavered. There is a simple reason for that: no where does a person have a better opportunity to help strengthen our community, than in service to its citizens. I have long believe that the first order of government is the protection of its citizens, and that each of us has an obligation to be the voice of the voiceless, the alienated, the disenfranchised -the people who never thought they had a chance.

For the past 30 years, it has been my job - each and everyday to work for New Yorkers, to protect them and defend them. My candidacy is a continuation of that public service on behalf of all New Yorkers.

Now, I believe it is time to take the fight to the next level - its time for our voices to be heard in the United States Senate.

Throughout my career, serving the people of New York as a judge and a prosecutor, I have refused to follow the political agendas of either the extreme left or the extreme right. I have always put people's interests first, and I always will.

Because, to me, the fight is about what is right, what is fair and what is just. No one and no agenda trump that.

I decide issues, based upon the facts before me, and the core moral values I learned from my parents growing up in a small town in upstate New York, not on the basis of what politics dictate:

As such, I support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent -- but I also support the right of a woman to choose.

I support the President on the War on Terror. But I also believe that the assault weapons ban should not have been allowed to expire.

I believe in immigration - we are all the sons and daughters of immigrants who settled here in search of freedom -- but I also believe in the Patriot Act so we can better fight the war on terror.

Likewise, I believe that stem cell research is important to finding cures for diseases that have long plagued so many. I believe the restrictions imposed by President Bush were wrong and applaud Senator Frist for showing real leadership on this issue. But I also believe in the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, named after Laci and Connor Peterson - criminals must be made accountable for the whole of the havoc they wreak.

I am running for the Senate because New York deserves a Senator who will give her all to the people of New York for a full term - full time -- and not miss votes to campaign in the 2008 Presidential primaries. You can't run for two offices at the same time.

New York deserves a Senator who has New York's interests at heart - not the divided loyalties of one seeking to satisfy the needs of the people in Iowa, New Hampshire or Florida.

When Hillary first came to New York and said she wanted to be a New Yorker, she asked us to put out a welcome mat and New York did. But now she wants to use New York as a doormat to the White House. New York deserves better. If Hillary wants to be President, she should be honest with herself and her constituents -- and say so.

When Hillary Clinton first moved to our state, she went on a listening tour to learn about New York. She claimed she heard New Yorkers concerns. She made a lot of promises. Like the promise of tens of thousands of new jobs for upstate New York.

I wonder if she has forgotten what she heard on that tour. Even worse, forgotten about the promises she made to New Yorkers.

Hillary Clinton has shortchanged New York; she hasn't delivered and she will find out that the people of New York have not forgotten her empty promises.

But I am not Hillary Clinton.

I am a New Yorker through and through. I was born and grew up in Elmira, where my mom still lives. As a teenager, I worked in a dairy and was the first in my family to graduate from college. I went to college in Buffalo and law school in Albany, served as a county judge, and now I serve as the DA of Westchester, where I live and raise my family.

As DA, I have seen the problems innocent victims face and I've taken action to find solutions. I've battled to change our laws so we can protect battered women, abused children and the elderly; so that we can hold pedophiles accountable; mandate DNA testing for convicted criminals; fight public corruption and stop the too often deadly practice of underage drinking with its tragic consequences for our youth.

As District Attorney, I have battled to protect our families against gang violence, fraud, internet child pornography, pedophilia, drugs and identity theft.

I've aggressively prosecuted those who pollute our environment to ensure that our air and water are clean for our children for generations to come.

I have taken on the mob, prosecuted deadbeats who skip out on child support, headed one of the nation's first domestic violence and child abuse units, created high-tech crimes and environmental crimes bureaus and when people were targeted because of the color of their skin, their religion or ethnicity, I fought for hate crimes legislation to protect them.

I have fought to change laws in Albany to keep sexually violent predators off the streets and prevent them from moving from community to community in order to hide their past so they can abuse again. I believe every parent has a right to know who these pedophiles are and where they live.

Certainly, as a judge and a prosecutor, I have dedicated myself to insuring the safety and security of our citizens. But security is much more than protection against crime.

Security also means knowing you'll have the financial resources to take care of yourself and your loved ones in your golden years. Security means growing our communities economically to create long-term job stability. Security means having access to affordable medical care when you need it. And that kind of security will be my mission in Washington.

There are so many issues facing New York and our Nation that deserve a full discussion during the next 15 months, and I look forward to addressing them in greater detail in the weeks and months ahead. You will know where I stand on the issues, from making tax cuts permanent to guaranteeing our children the education they deserve by holding schools accountable for the job they are entrusted to do.

Like many New Yorkers, I am tired of the bickering that has tied our Nation's political system in knots. There are many good Republicans, as there are many good Democrats, and their voices must triumph over the extremists.

The United States Senate has seen increasing partisanship and polarization. Just a few months ago, the Senate was almost torn apart when Democrats used the right of filibuster indiscriminately to block too many of the President's judicial nominees and the Senate majority leader threatened the "nuclear option" to end all filibusters.

A group of fourteen Senators -- seven Democrats led by Joe Lieberman and seven Republicans led by John McCain -- fashioned a compromise whereby both parties would be reasonable and respectful of one another's rights. Hillary Clinton chose to remain with the partisan Democrats in the standoff against partisan Republicans. I would have joined the moderates as their fifteenth member. I pledge to you that as your Senator, I will not be part of the problem in the United States Senate. Instead, I will stand with those who work to craft solution.

Recently, Hillary Clinton decided to attack all Republicans by claiming we are "tearing down the blocks of democracy one by one by one."

Hillary Clinton may believe that all Republicans are cut from the same cloth but that's just a convenient excuse to avoid a real debate. In this race, Hillary Clinton will have to put away her litmus test and run against me on the merits.

I'm Republican red on fiscal policy with conservative beliefs on making tax cuts permanent, but I've got broad blue stripes on the social issues that don't change based on the office I am running for.

I pledge to run a campaign on the merits and will not stoop to negative character assassination of my opponent. I challenge her, and her surrogates, to do the same. I will campaign on the issues that define me and those issues that matter most to the people of New York. You will know where my opponent and I disagree and where we agree. For while we are from different political parties, no one candidate or party owns any issue and no party owns my vote on any issue.

As your Senator, I will be what I have always been: an outspoken advocate for those in need, a crusader against injustice and a believer in the American dream of a level playing field for all.

But mostly, I'm the one candidate running for Senator from New York who really wants to be Senator from New York.

And I'm going to win.

Thank you.

Source: jeaninepirro2006.com more at Jeanine Pirro or HILLARY CLINTON and New York Senate or republican and republicans

Today, the President signed into law, H. R. 3

Statement on Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act

Today, the President signed into law:

H. R. 3, the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users," which authorizes funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs for FYs 2005-2009. ###

more at President Bush or H.R.3 and Transportation Equity Act or Transportation

President to nominate one, appoint five and recess appoint one

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual, appoint five individuals, and recess appoint one individual to serve in his Administration:

The President intends to appoint Alan R. Nelson of Arkansas, to be Alternate Federal Cochairperson at the Delta Regional Authority. Mr. Nelson is presently the Director of Communications for Arkansas Governor Michael Huckabee. He is currently the Governor's alternate to the Delta Regional Authority Board. Mr. Nelson graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in political philosophy from Ouachita Baptist University.

The President intends to appoint Andre B. Lacy of Indiana, to be a Member of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Advisory Committee on the Arts.

The President intends to appoint Lance Edward Armstrong of Texas, to be a Member of the President's Cancer Panel, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring February 20, 2008.

The President intends to appoint Zell Miller of Georgia, to be a Member of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The President intends to nominate John E. Maupin, Jr. of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board, for the remainder of a six-year term expiring September 30, 2010.

The President intends to reappoint Pamela Nelson of Texas, to be a Member of the Commission of Fine Arts, for a four-year term.

The President has signed the recess appointment of Eric S. Edelman of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. President Bush announced the intention to nominate Mr. Edelman on March 31, 2005, and his nomination was sent to the Senate on May 16, 2005.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 9, 2005, Personnel Announcement

more at President Bush or recess appointment and Zell Miller or Social Security and Politics