WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- UPI's Capital Comment for Nov. 19, 2001
Capital Comment -- News notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
Huh? -- The venerable news magazine The Economist issued the following correction in the current issue: "In the issues of December 16th 2000 to November 10th 2001, we may have given the impression that George Bush had been legally and duly elected president of the United States. We now understand that this may have been incorrect, and that the election result is still too close to call. The Economist apologizes for any inconvenience."
Rolling up to victory -- James Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has claimed victory in his bid for re-election. As ballot counting entered its third day, Hoffa led rival Tom Leedham, president of a Teamster local in Oregon, by 66 percent to 34 percent. The namesake son of one of organized labor's most legendary figures, Hoffa is credited with restoring credibility to the union after allegations of political corruption helped drive his predecessor, Ron Carey, from office.
From the Ashcroft of disaster... -- People for the American Way, the liberal political organization that heads many of the left's coalition efforts against Republicans, is calling for emergency congressional oversight hearings into what it calls "a relentless assault on civil liberties" being perpetrated by Attorney General John Ashcroft. The group, which was quite vocal in its opposition to Ashcroft's confirmation, has released a short memo outlining what it believes those assaults -- actions taken by the Department of Justice in response to the Sept. 11 terror attack -- to be and is asking Congress to take a look.
Sorry wrong tent -- Heads were being scratched around Washington after the president of a group calling itself The Religious Freedom Coalition published the following message in its November newsletter: "I was greatly disappointed when Islamic imams were allowed to pray at our National Cathedral on the Day of Remembrance held for those who were lost on September 11th. My distress came not only because prayers were being said at the National Cathedral to a pagan god..." Our source is perplexed because they were under the impression that, in America, Muslims were entitled to religious freedom, too.
Bull fight -- House GOP Conference Chairman J.C. Watts got into a dust up with a Hispanic colleague last week after he released a statement on the then-upcoming trip of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., to Mexico.
The Oklahoma Republican excoriated the two Democrats for meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox while the economic stimulus package was left unfinished. House Democrat Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Robert Menendez of New Jersey called Watts' statements about the trip -- "Today I open the paper and find out the top two Democrats are packing their bags for Mexico. Ay caramba... Hey, Democrat leaders: No siesta for you." -- "patronizing at best, and racist at worst."
"On behalf of the Hispanic Community in the United States and our Mexican neighbors," Menendez said, "and as the only elected leader of either party in the Congress of Hispanic descent, I demand an apology." No apology is expected.
Red flag -- The Defenders of Property Rights are raising a red flag over a planned move by HUD Secretary Mel Martinez to approve a "legislative guidebook" for state and local governments to use as a guide to land-use issues. The group says the guidebook, as currently drafted, "federalizes local and state land use control, trammels private property rights, discriminates against minority business owners and impedes economic development" by making the Gore "Smart Growth" agenda the official policy recommendation of the U.S. government on land use issues.
Advertorial updates -- Pfizer, the multi-national pharmaceutical firm, underwrites a program to bring topical editorials on various public policy issues to the public. The company recently updated its Web site at pfizerforum.com, where people can view what the company calls "advertorials" with several new pieces including one by Columbia University's Frank Lichtenberg on "Are Innovative Medicines Worth the Higher Price?"
In a spirit of bi-partisanship -- The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation honors Carter-era national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski at its third annual Truman-Reagan Freedom Awards dinner. The event, scheduled for Dec. 11 in Washington, will also fete retiring U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and author Vladimir Bukovsky.
Personnel notes -- Ed Brookover, former political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee and a favorite son of the great state of Ohio, has been named chairman of the political practice of the Washington consulting firm Greener and Hook.
Got a tip for UPI's Capital Comment? E-mail it to [email protected]
