WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Capital Comment -- Daily news notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
For family viewing -- President George W. Bush has signed into law legislation originally introduced by Sen. George Allen, R-Va., to allow families and victims of the Sept. 11 terror attack on New York and Washington to view a closed circuit broadcast of the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui. Moussaoui has been indicted in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, as a conspirator in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "Zacarias Moussaoui is an accused conspirator in one of the most heinous mass murders in history," Allen said. "His trial will be one of the most compelling for the families of victims since the Nuremberg tribunal." Allen's legislation requires the closed-circuit broadcast of Moussaoui's trial to a number of "convenient locations," to be viewed by "victims of crimes associated with the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, 2001." The measure defines victims generally as those who were physically harmed in the attacks, or close family members or those with a "relationship of similar significance" to those who were killed in the attacks. The Moussaoui-broadcast provision was part of a supplemental appropriations bill to help fulfill spending needs largely related to the war on terror and homeland security, which passed the Senate July 24 on a 92-7 vote.
First and six -- The Democratic Leadership Council has released its 2002 State and Local Playbook. The DLC calls the book "Its premier policy product for elected officials and policymakers outside of Washington." This second edition, the first having been produced last year, is a menu of issues and policy prescriptions the group has field-tested "from which model initiatives can be implemented in states, cities and communities around the country."
The 2002 Playbook includes 73 total entries, with complete updates of all of last year's suggestions as well as 35 new entries. The document offers what the DLC calls "policy innovations" in seven key issue areas: education; e-government and e-commerce; environment, energy, and transportation; health care, homeland security and crime; state economic development; and social and family policy. Copies of the playbook can be obtained from the DLC by calling (202)546-0007 or on the Web at ndol.org/specials/playbook.
Crocodile wrestler rock -- Elton John, the flamboyant pop star who rocketed to stardom in the United States with such hits as "Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting" and "Philadelphia Freedom" is getting involved in U.S. politics. Sir Elton recently announced he would give a $500 per ticket private concert on Sept. 18 to raise funds for Democrat Janet Reno's gubernatorial campaign. The event is scheduled for eight days after the state's primary, indicating the Reno campaign is confident of victory. It is not currently known if John will perform his hit song "Crocodile Rock" as a tribute to Reno and to the former attorney general's mother who used to wrestle alligators every once in a while.
A shocking anniversary -- The Census Bureau has helpfully reminded everyone that Tuesday, Aug. 6, is the anniversary of the first time the electric chair was used to carry out a death sentence. On Aug. 6, 1890, in Auburn, N.Y., William Kemmler of Buffalo was electrocuted for the murder of his common-law wife the year before. According to the bureau, "This first attempt did not go well, and George Westinghouse Jr. called it a 'brutal affair.'" From 1930 to 2000, a total of 4,542 prisoners were executed under civil authority, all but 37 of them men. At last count, 3,527 prisoners are under sentence of death, the bureau said.
Crack shot policy -- Louisiana Republican Gov. Mike Foster is drawing fire for comments he made recently suggesting that women in the state should consider arming themselves. Speaking on his weekly radio show, Foster addressed the fear gripping the state capital of Baton Rouge because of a serial killer who has slain three women there in the past 10 months. "You have the right to get a gun permit," Foster said. "Learn to use it." One group, however, is praising him. The Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms calls the governor's advice "entirely appropriate under the circumstances." Joe Waldron, executive director of the group said: "We encourage concerned women in Baton Rouge to follow Mike Foster's advice. ... Get mace. Carry a baseball bat. Lock your doors. Those are all good steps. But the governor's best advice was to remind women they have a right to get a gun permit, and learn how to use a firearm. When a killer is on the loose, people have every right to take whatever measure is necessary to defend themselves. For women, especially, this is a matter of choice."
A six-pack worth of trouble -- The Center for Science in the Public Interest, the self-appointed guardians of the nation's health and diet, is taking on the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In a statement released Monday, it said the ONDCP "goofed when it chose NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer to carry its anti-drug message to America's youth, since both Spencer and NASCAR have lucrative deals pushing beer."
"As beer promoters, Jimmy Spencer and NASCAR are the wrong messengers," George Hacker, director of CSPI's Alcohol Policies Project said. "They're no better than the Budweiser frogs as anti-drug spokesmen. It really shows that the drug czar has a blind spot when it comes to booze."
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