US Hates Blind People

USA, Canada and the EU attempt to kill treaty to protect blind people’s access to written material

by Cory Doctorow
Right now, in Geneva, at the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization, history is being made. For the first time in WIPO history, the body that creates the world’s copyright treaties is attempting to write a copyright treaty dedicated to protecting the interests of copyright users, not just copyright owners.

At issue is a treaty to protect the rights of blind people and people with other disabilities that affect reading (people with dyslexia, people who are paralyzed or lack arms or hands for turning pages), introduced by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay. This should be a slam dunk: who wouldn’t want a harmonized system of copyright exceptions that ensure that it’s possible for disabled people to get access to the written word?

The USA, that’s who. The Obama administration’s negotiators have joined with a rogue’s gallery of rich country trade representatives to oppose protection for blind people. Other nations and regions opposing the rights of blind people include Canada and the EU.

Update: Also opposing rights for disabled people: Australia, New Zealand, the Vatican and Norway.

Update 2: Countries that are on the right side of this include, “Latin American and Caribbean region including (Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Jamaica) as well as Asia and Africa.”

Activists at WIPO are desperate to get the word out. They’re tweeting madly from the negotiation (technically called the 18th session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights) publishing editorials on the Huffington Post, etc.

Here’s where you come in: this has to get wide exposure, to get cast as broadly as possible, so that it will find its way into the ears of the obscure power-brokers who control national trade-negotiators.

I don’t often ask readers to do things like this, but please, forward this post to people you know in the US, Canada and the EU, and ask them to reblog, tweet, and spread the word, especially to government officials and activists who work on disabled rights. We know that WIPO negotiations can be overwhelmed by citizen activists — that’s how we killed the Broadcast Treaty negotiation a few years back — and with your help, we can make history, and create a world where copyright law protects the public interest.

I am attending a meeting in Geneva of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This evening the United States government, in combination with other high income countries in “Group B” is seeking to block an agreement to discuss a treaty for persons who are blind or have other reading disabilities.

The proposal for a treaty is supported by a large number of civil society NGOs, the World Blind Union, the National Federation of the Blind in the US, the International DAISY Consortium, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), Bookshare.Org, and groups representing persons with reading disabilities all around the world.

The main aim of the treaty is to allow the cross-border import and export of digital copies of books and other copyrighted works in formats that are accessible to persons who are blind, visually impaired, dyslexic or have other reading disabilities, using special devices that present text as refreshable braille, computer generated text to speech, or large type. These works, which are expensive to make, are typically created under national exceptions to copyright law that are specifically written to benefit persons with disabilities…

The opposition from the United States and other high income countries is due to intense lobbying from a large group of publishers that oppose a “paradigm shift,” where treaties would protect consumer interests, rather than expand rights for copyright owners.

The Obama Administration was lobbied heavily on this issue, including meetings with high level White House officials. Assurances coming into the negotiations this week that things were going in the right direction have turned out to be false, as the United States delegation has basically read from a script written by lobbyists for publishers, extolling the virtues of market based solutions, ignoring mountains of evidence of a “book famine” and the insane legal barriers to share works.

disabilities

Bush’s Midnight Run

c’mon people!

pleeeeeese wake up!

Obama – To Curb Some Lobbyists

Obama Transition Announces Rules for Lobbyists in Transition
During a briefing today at the Presidential Transition Team headquarters, Obama Transition Co-Chair John Podesta announced the strictest, and most far reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history. The rules are:

• Federal Lobbyists cannot contribute financially to the transition.
• Federal lobbyists are prohibited from any lobbying during their work with the transition.
• If someone has lobbied in the last 12 months, they are prohibited from working in the fields of policy on which they lobbied.
• If someone becomes a lobbyist after working on the Transition, they are prohibited from lobbying the Administration for 12 months on matters on which they worked.
• A gift ban that is aggressive in reducing the influence of special interests.

Statement of Thomas Mann
Brookings Institution

“The ethical guidelines released today for the Obama transition are tough and unequivocal. They will prevent some honorable people with rich experience from serving in the transition. That is a real cost but it is more than balanced by the strong signal sent by the President-elect. He aspires to attract to government able individuals whose highest priority is to serve the public interest. This is a very constructive step in that direction.”

Statement of Norm Ornstein
American Enterprise Institute

“Restoring trust in government is a prerequisite to enacting good policy and the tough choices the country needs. This ethics policy for the transition is a far-reaching, bold and constructive step to do just that. The policy may exclude some good people with deep experience in their fields, but it will also exclude those who see government service as a springboard to financial success, or who are more intent on pleasing future potential employers or clients than making tough choices in the public interest. As much as anything, this ethics policy is a statement about the tone and tenor of the Obama administration. It is a good sign.”

Statement of John Podesta
Co-Chair of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden’s Transition Team

“President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to change the way Washington works and curb the influence of lobbyists. During the campaign, federal lobbyists could not contribute to or raise money for the campaign. Today, the President-elect is taking those commitments even further by announcing the strictest, and most far reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history.”

change

of course I would have preferred at least 3 years and there are probably ways around this through intermarries, none-the-less, the gesture is a good one.

Interested, but not smitten, yet.

update

“President-elect Barack Obama, who vowed during his campaign that lobbyists “won’t find a job in my White House,” said through a spokesman yesterday that he would allow lobbyists on his transition team as long as they work on issues unrelated to their earlier jobs.”

shame.

Democratic Convention

Brought To You By Your Current and Future Corporate Rulers At:

* Qwest

General business issues; rewrite of the 1996 Telecommunications Act; Universal Service reform; video franchise relief; broadband deployment; protection of customer records; Networx.

* ForestCity

Military housing; completion of Southeast Federal Center Development under S.F.C. Public-Private Development Act of 2000; navigational servitude for Southeast Federal Center, Washington, D.C.; Transportation; federal funding for project; FEMA flood mapping issue; nuclear energy development; states use of eminent domain; funding of real estate development; project infrastructure.

* Union Pacific

Rail safety issues; rail homeland security issues; rail freight rate regulation and rail capacity issues; Rail Competition and Service Improvement Act; Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act; Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act; Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act.

* Xcel Energy

Climate change, renewable energy, related issues; Clean Energy Act of 2007; Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007; New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act; Energy Savings Act of 2007, including a clean energy portfolio standard; rail transportation of coal; solar investment tax credit; wind production tax credit; Climate Security Act; pole attachment and related electric utility issues; appropriations for carbon capture and storage research; Clean Energy Portfolio Standard proposals; Provisions in Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to extend renewable energy production tax credit; Tax issues regarding uranium enrichment and renewable energy; The Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act; Electric Utility Cap and Trade Act of 2007; appropriations bills; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act, including requirements for electric utility industry.

* SEIU

Contracting out of security guard functions by Federal Agencies; National Defense Authorization Act (extension of temporary authority for contract security guard functions in Department of Energy).

* Vail Resorts

No 2008 reports. (Most recent 2005, lobbying on Small Community Air Service program issues.)

* United Health Group

Medicare Modernization Act implementation; Health Savings Accounts; Medicare Part D; Healthcare IT; Mental health parity; Medicare Advantage; genetic non-discrimination; Health insurance issues; issues concerning federal payments to Medicare Advantage Plans; Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act; Legislation and regulation concerning industrial loan companies.

* Molson Coors (Filed as Coors Brewing Co.)

Tax policy; alcohol advertising and self regulation; beer industry’s advertising compliant resolution program, including scope of FTC inquiry into self regulatory compliance activities; exise tax on beer; The Clean Energy Act; Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act; Farm Bill Extension Act; Small Business Tax Reform legislation; ethanol production provisions;

* AT&T

Telecom issues, including implementation of The Telecommunications Act of 1996; congressional oversight and video franchise reform; FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Amendments Act; Improving Foreign Intelligence Surveillance to Defend the Nation and the Constitution Act; liability provisions re. federal authorization for acquisition of foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communications service provider; network neutrality issues; cash balance issues in the Pension Protection Act; telecommunications competition; Defense appropriations for telecommunications; SAFE Act of 2007; Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007; retiree health benefits (concerning prohibitions on companies reducing benefits under ERISA covered group plans); various health plan issues; arbitration issues in commercial contracts; the Cell Phone Tax Moratorium Act (supporting ban on new state taxes on cell phone services); Global Online Freedom Act of 2007; various telecommunications issues; billing and contract regulations in Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007; proposed importation ban on certain handsets; legislation allowing wireless competition on WMATA; broadband deployment issues; E-911 programs; Telephone Excise Tax Repeal Act of 2007; Internet Tax Freedom Act; Bellsouth merger issues; Video franchise reform; Truth in Caller Act; Universal Service Reform issues; International trade issues; FCC wireless spectrum rules; local telephone exchange issues; aviation telecommunications issues; federal communications spending (defense, homeland security, etc.) ; Air Traffic Control Modernization; company interests in Alaska; Rural Broadband Deployment Act; Internet tax issues; etc.

* Newmont

In support of Good Samaritan (mine cleanup) legislation; Interest in various mining law issues, Clean Water Act issues, public land issues, etc.; Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act (reform legislation).

* Hensel Phelps

Major construction company with federal contracts.

* AstraZeneca

Drug importation; foreign drug inspection program; medicaid drug rebates; drug safety; pediatric drug provisions; compounding issues; Children’s Health Insurance Program; Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Net of 2007; Medicare drug benefit; Medicaid drug rebate; drug price negotiation; FDA Revitalization Act; Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act; Physician Payments Sunshine Act; possible legislation re. increase in Medicaid base rebate rate; Medicare Part D amendments, includin “non-interference clause,” protected classes of drugs and MedicareAdvantage; various pharmaceutical legislation; Mental Health Parity Act of 2007; The Patent Reform Act of 2007, pharmaceutical patent protections; foreign drug inspection programs.

* Travelers

Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007; Homeowners Defense Act of 2007; National Insurance Act of 2007; Nondiscriminatory Use of Consumer Reports and Consumer Information Act of 2008; Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension; Homeowers Insurance Protection Act of 2007; America’s Climate Change Security Act of 2007; licensing of insurance operations; the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007; asbestos-related legislation; bankruptcy transparency issues; various insurance-related bills; climate change issues; pandemic, avian or bird flu issues; Fairness in Asbestos Injury Act; National Insurance Act; data privacy issues; national catastrophe legislation; the Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act; Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreements Act of 2006; insurance issues related to 2005 hurricane claims.

* 3M

Emissions control and safety systems (auto industry); airline and baggage security issues; federal appropriations; “science-based decision making on water and air quality”; chemical regulations; Global Online Freedom Act of 2007; patent-reform legislation; military health issues and records management; Prep Act coverage for N95 Respirators; disaster preparedness issues; pandemic influenza policy and liability policies; electricity transmission policies; alternative energy technology; proposed asbestos bans; climate change legislation; food safety and microbial detection issues; State Department appropriations and embassy operations; the Physician Paymens Sunshine Act of 2007; the Drug and Medical Device Company Gift Disclosure Act of 2007; the Medicare Funding Warning Response Act of 2008; the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007; proposed tax credit for medical research; health care information technology and electronic records issues; Medicare Reform implementation; border control policy, secure immigration documents, border management technology and related federal spending; labor standards; mandatory standards to protect miners in emergencies; technology used in Medicare and Medicaid programs; pension programs; transportation worker safety issues; energy policy; communications technology; economic stimulus legislation; Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act legislation; tax reduction legislation; various legislation on research and development tax credits; broadband deployment issues; tort reform measures; highway planning and Highway Trust Fund issues; federal procurement regulations; trade issues related to the company’s products; various proposed free-trade agreements (Panama, Columbia and Korea), and trade sanctions reform; electronic records in veterans programs; patent reform issues.

* Merck

Support increased funding for National Immunization Program; funding for Food and Drug Administration; monitor patent reform legislation; oppose drug importation into United States other than by the drug’s manufacturer; support the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the Better Pharmaceuticals for Children Act; oppose efforts to amend Medicare Modernization Act to impose government price controls on prescription drugs; support efforts to ensure appropriate access to vaccines under Medicare Part D; oppose expansion of, or increase in, Medicaid rebate; support intellectual property protections in trade negotiations; educate lawmakers, federal officials, on compulsory licenses required in Thailand and Brazil; patent reform; issues related to reauthorization of Prescription Drug User Fee Act; issues related to drug safety and pediatric drugs.

* Lennox

Energy legislation; climate change issues; trade issues.

* Allstate

Legislation related to “black box” recorders on new automobiles; the Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007; the Damaged Vehicle Information Act; Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act;patent reform legislation; Catastrophic Disaster Recovery Improvements Act; Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2007; Catastrophic Savings Accounts Act of 2007; National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007, and nearly two dozen pending, disaster-related bills; data security and identity theft legislation, including the Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2007 and the Counter Spy Act; homeowners’ insurance legislation; bills related to terrorism risk insurance; a proposed amendment to the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to clarify the entities against which sanctions may be imposed; various other insurance-related legislation.

* Ball Corp.

National Defense Authorization Act, and provisions related to Air Force missile and aircraft programs, Navy missile, combat aircraft and ship building programs; research and development provisions for Air Force space, satellite, combat aircraf, space control, cruise missile, space sensors and defense meteorology projects; defense appropriations in Air Force and Navy programs; Intelligence Authorization Act legislation, and Department of Defense intelligence appropriations; appropriations for NASA astrophysics and earth science programs, and NOAA weather satellite programs; legislation that would establish an Office of Space Commerce.

* United Airlines

Various aviation issues; appropriations for the Federal Avaiation Administration; legislation “to improve air carrier passenger services;” legislation to reduce restrictions on flights around Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport; war risk insurance issues; U.S. Postal Service mail carriage issues; airport congestion management; potential airline industry consolidation issues; federal spending on aviation issues; legislation related to employee pensions; proposed tax incentives for energy savings and renewable energy production; legislation creating a market-driven system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (via tradeable allowances); legislation clarifying airline crews’ eligibility under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; funding for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

* Visa

Various legislation related to credit card issuer practices, such as the Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act of 2007, the Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008, or the Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act; patent reform legislation; identity theft and personal data privacy and security legislation; the Privacy and Cybercrime Enforcement Act of 2007, including provisions related to tata breach notification and security requirements; legislation seeking to eliminate purchase card abuse and waste in government contracts; the Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2007; legislation related to withholding federal taxes from payments to government vendors; currency issues in the electronic payments industry.

* Wells Fargo

Credit card regulations, transaction fees, overdraft fees; legislation affecting home mortgages; proposed bankruptcy reforms affecting student loans or home mortgages; crop insurance programs; issues related to “autodialer” technology used to contact banking customers; patent reform; data security (Social Security number protection) legislation; federal student loan programs; various congressional actions on the subprime mortage issue; the Fair Labor Standards Act; proposed mortgage forgiveness legislation; proposed tax changes; various banking-related legislation, including the Federal Housing Finance Act and the Mortgage Reform and Predatory Reform Act.

* Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau

n/a

* Comcast

Issues related to digital television transition for broadcasters, including provisions regarding cable ownership limits, pole attachmets, leased access and cable regulations; requirements to carry C-SPAN and other public, governmental or educational programming; network management issues in the Internet Freedom Preservation Act; broadband issues; the Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007; patent reform legislation; the State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2007; the Economic Stimulus Package of 2008; and various tax issues.

* Amgen

Issues related to drug safety, follow-on biologics; various legislation related to pharmaceuticals, including the Patient Protection and Innovative Biologics Medicines Act of 2007; Medicare coverage and reimbursement issues; Medicaid drug rebate programs; patent reform and intellectual property issues.

* Pepsi

Agriculture legislation affecting commodities like sugar, oats and sunflower; environmental sustainability issues; food safety issues and import safety issues, including pending legislation; Food and Drug Administration appropriations; patent reform; health issues; extension of research and development tax credits; exise taxes on Puerto Rico rum; incentives for use of hybrid heavy duty trucks, among other environmental incentives for businesses; tax reforms; the Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement; trade issues affecting sugar and other sweeteners; visa issues for foreign employees; greenhouse gas emission reduction programs; coinage issues, like legislation that could affect the weight and composition of coins used in vending machines.

* CoBank

Agriculture appropriations; the Farm Bill; Farm Credit Administration regulations, and proposed regulations; Farm Service Agency Lending issues; Rural Utility Service lending issues; funding for various farm support programs; issues related to biofuels, clean renewable energy bonds, clean coal bonds and rural renaissance bonds; farm lending programs; rural broadband programs; agricultural export issues.

* Target

Trade issues, including those involving China and Vietnam; draft legislation on “Organized Retail Crime”; the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act; various legislation on credit card fees; the Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2007; renewable energy initiatives and tax credits for solar power; food safety legislation; legislation calling for implementing “unfinished recommendations” of the 9/11 Commission; anti-methamphetamine legislation; the Access to Community Pharmacy Preservation Act of 2007; retirement issues; business tax issues; sales tax issues; the Affordable Footwear Act of 2007; possible collaboration with government on education programs; trade and customs valuation issues.

* NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)

Proposed bankruptcy reforms to prevent foreclosures, such as the Helping Families Save their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2007 or the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008; proposed tax incentives for renewable energy or energy conservation; federal appropriations for major housing programs or job training programs; the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007; brownfields legislation; various legislation affecting incentives for “green” building; affordable housing programs, rural housing programs and related tax issues; mortgage reform and “anti-predatory lending” legislation; employer verification and other immigration-related issues; Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act; labor issues, including opposition to the Protecting American Workers Act, and other legislation; environmental legislation, including the Clean Water Restoration Act, the Combat Illegal Logging Act and the Ban Asbestos in America Act; America’s Climate Security Act of 2007; “Smart Growth” programs; arbitration issues in proposed tort reforms; the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007; transportation issues; small business concerns with the recent housing downturn.

* Lilly

Drug importation issues; Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement issues; pharmaceutical regulations; tax issues; patent issues; the Pathway for Biosimilars Act; the Access to Live-Saving Medicine Act; Patient Protection and Innovative Biologic Medicines Act of 2007; Affordable Biologics for Consumers Act; Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2007; comparative effectiveness provisions in the Enhanced Health Care Value for All Act of 2007; the Drug and Medical Device Company Gift Disclosure Act; opposition to increased Medicaid rebates in the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; legislation affecting Medicare Part D programs; patient safety legislation; patent reform; issues affecting dual-eligible Medicare program participants or prescription medications for mental health; the Sunshine in Litigation Act; FDA reform; SCHIP legislation; various other Medicare, Medicaid or pharmaceutical issues.

* Teletech

No 2008 lobbying reports. (Most recent report in 2007: monitoring VOIP regulatory issues, potential rewrite of Telecommunications Act of 1996; monitoring government contracts for telecommunications.)

* BNSF

Freight rail issues in general, including railroad rates, proposals affecting antitrust exemptions and the railroad; Rail Antitrust Enforcement Act, tax credits, rail capacity, rail infrastructure; Railroad Competition Improvement and Reauthorization Act, railroad safety legislation, and various Department of Transportation issues; railroad issues in America’s Climate Security Act; Farm Bill provisions affecting transportation of grain; energy issues concerning coal transportation; infrastructure tax credits; proposed re-regulation of the railroads; appropriations for rail freight security and safety; plans to transport high-level nuclear wastes to Yucca Mountain; trade issues; train control technology; employee background checks requirements; lobbied on Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, climate change legislation and a bill that would fully implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations; funding for technical assistance on rail corridor project in East Africa; equipment purchase provisions in economic stimulus package; asbestos litigation reform bill.

* Medtronic

Patent reform; dozens of health-care related bills, including legislation related to safety of advanced medical devices, pricing for medical devices, promotion of new health information technology systems, pain management programs, etc.; Farm Bill provisions allowing medical device sales representatives to train using live animals; Medicare reimbursement issues; sections of the Wounded Warrior Act related to improved treatment of pain; Physician Payment Sunshine Act of 2007; research and development tax credits; issues relating to FDA preemption of state medical device requirements.

* US Bank

Legislation reauthorizing New Markets Tax Credit.

* Xerox

U.S. policy on global warming, proposed cap and trade systems, Energy Star certification specifications for energy efficient appliances; manufacturing tax issues; research and development tax credits; Medicare and ERISA issues in health care; information technology issues related to foreign trade; SEC rulemaking issues; government contracting issues; issues involving foreign trade and the Information Technology Agreement of the European Union.

* ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company)

Farm Bill provisions, including all matters related to agriculture, food, feed and renewable energy and foreign trade; other legislation affecting renewable fuels; freight rail issues; appropriations.

* Lockheed Martin

Defense authorization and appropriations bills; defense spending on ship building, combat systems, sensors, radar systems, aircraft, trucks, Air Force and Navy aerospace programs, etc.; appropriations in Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection programs, Coast Guard and other agencies; supplemental appropriations for the war in Iraq; appropriations for military construction, information technology in various federal departments; airport security projects; environmental laws affecting the natural resource damages program, safe water legislation, etc.; U.S. government support for business opportunities in India; international taxation, export control and various foreign trade policies; research tax credits in economic stimulus legislation; bills affecting contracting rules, anti-fraud efforts and payments to vendors.

* Ford

Fuel efficiency issues, climate change issues; employee benefits, health care and pension issues; corporate governance and tax issues; arbitration rules; intellectual property rights and patent issues; legislation banning use of asbestos; fuel efficiency incentives in various legislation; environmental laws such as proposed caps on vehicle emissions; regulations on noise levels for new hybrid vehicles; the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007; research tax credits; tax issues; Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2007; trade issues involving Japan and Korea.

* Anheuser-Busch

“All matters relating to the malt beverage industry, family entertainment and the regulation of marine mammals, endangered species and wildlife”; solid waste disposal issues and legislation affecting recycling deposits; commodity programs, conservation programs and agricultural policy; aviation issues; alcohol taxes; funding for alcohol abuse and driver safety programs; labeling requirements, advertising restrictions and others affecting alcohol marketing; trade and currency issues related to China; amusement park ride safety regulations, and consumer product safety legislation involving children’s products; labor law proposals, including the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007; agriculture and wayer issues; indecency legislation and regulation; restrictions on tax deductability of corporate advertising; under-age drinking programs.

* Colorado Ski Country USA

n/a

* Motorola

Telecommunications issues, such as wireless legislation, FCC regulations, and component materials for certain electronic devices; immigration reform and H-1B visas; appropriations for communications equipment, border security technology, automated license plate identification, port security, biometrics, inventory tracking, airport baggage tracking, radio frequency identification, interoperable emergency communications systems, health care information technology and other technologies; patent reform; China currency issues; issues affecting foreign sales; patent reform; legislation related to Iran and Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization; research tax credits.

* Western Union

Regulation of money transfers and remittances to foreign countries, and immigration reform in general; Homeland Security efforts to stop money laundering; use of Social Security numbers and tax identification numbers in background checks for money transfers; restrictions on remittances to Cuba; international affairs issues; legislation that would eliminate regulatory burdens on insured depository institutions and money services businesses.

* Coca-Cola

Health issues, including the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2007; visa issues (supporting an increase in H-B1 visas); agriculture issues related to sugar commodities and biofuels; water issues; patent reform; issues about nutrition and marketing to children; bottle recycling mandates on climate protection legislation; food safety issues; coinage issues (regarding weight and make-up of coins); supporting research into expanding the benefits of folic acid; tax issues related to foreign income; currency issues related to China exchange rates; Columbia Free Trade Agreement and related labor issues; Russia’s accession to World Trade Organization; seeking federal government help regarding taxes or regulationsin Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, etc.

* PCL

Major construction company with federal contracts.

* American Wind Energy Association

Department of Energy wind energy research and development programs; legislation regarding efforts to halt climate change (the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act) including allocation of allowances and distribution of auction revenue; federal regulations regarding energy transmission; production tax credits in various legislation; tax policies; renewable energy standards in energy legislation.

* Lehman Brothers

Various legislation related to financial services, including the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, Emergency Loan Modification Act of 2008, CFTC Reauthorization Act of 2007, the Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2007, Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2007, and the Homeownership Preservation and Protection Act of 2007; tax issues related to prepaid derivative contracts; the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007; Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007; Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007; general tax issues.

* State Farm Insurance

Interests include legislation that would remove antitrust exemptions and subject insurance industry to Federal Trade Commission regulation, and various legislation related to natural disasters, including the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act, Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007, the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2007 and Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2007; Also lobbies on patent issues, intellectual property; legislation permitting the use of repair parts not made by the original vehicle manufacturer; promote federal incentives for states to adopt statewide building safety codes; insurance regulation issues in the National Insurance Act of 2007; promotes creation of catastrophic savings accounts similar to tax-deferred health savings accounts; promote teen driver safety awareness efforts; monitor new rules requiring companies to give consumers notice and opt-out opportunity before consumer reports are shared with affiliates for marketing; privacy provisions of FTC and Office of Thrift Supervision; supported the Cameron Colbransen Kids Transportation Act of 2007 (now law), to address safety threats to young children in vehicle accidents.

* SEIA

No filings in 2008. (Most recent, 2007: advocating extension of solar investment tax credits.)

* United Launch Alliance

Interested in legislation concerning the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, including authorization and appropriations bills for NASA and the Department of Defense.

* Google

Regulation of online advertising; privacy issues; issues related to acquision of DoubleClick; patent and copyright reform legislation; fair use excemptions and treatment of “orphan” works; Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship Act of 2007; Pro IP Act; online consumer protection issues, including online child safety issues, privacy and data security; federal energy standards and incentives; provisions to accelerate the commercialization of plug-in vehicles; immigration issues including H-1B and employment-based visa reform; promoting scientific research and education funding in various bills; E-Government Reauthorization Act of 2007; Internet tax issues; net neutrality rules; FCC rules on broadband practices; spectrum allocation issues; varioius related legislation, including the Broadbad Data Improvement Act and Broadband Census Act; issues related to broadcast political advertising; freedom of expression and intellectual property rights in international trade agreements; spyware issues; openness and competition in the online services market.

* Kroger

Farm Bill provisions, including food labeling, nutrition issues, food stamp programs and other issues; fees for debit and credit card transactions; data security; restrictions on use of carbon monoxide in meat, poultry and seafood; food safety legislation; organized retail crime legislation; Medicaid drug reimbursement for retail pharmacies; the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2007; regulations concerning tamper-resistant prescription pads; pension reforms; issues related to pet food safety and mandatory recalls.

* Southern Company

Utilities issues, including the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Climate Stewardship Act of 2007, the Home Energy Generation Act; various environmental and climate change legislation; renewable portfolio standards; railroad competition and anti-trust enforcement legislation; tax issues involving depreciation of electricity distributio assets, and various tax incentives; Clean Air Act regulations and Clean Water Act requirements for electric utility industry facilities, like cooling water intake structures; funding issues for nuclear power, biorefinery systems, etc.; terrorism risk insurance issues; nuclear power plant safety legislation; Department of Energy carbon capture research and development; trade provisions related to the importation of uranium.

* PNM Resources

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; clean coal technologies; climate change issues; energy efficiency programs; production or investment tax credits, collaborative energy research credits; incentives for energy efficiency; legislation promoting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; proposed cap and trade emissions-reduction programs; Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007; Global Warming Reduction Act of 2007; Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act; Railroad Competition and Services Improvement Act of 2007; collaborative energy research tax credits; renewable portfolio issues, eminent domain issues for energy corridors.

* Anthem

Less than $5,000 in lobbying reported in 2008; no topic specified.

* PCI (Property Casualty Insurers of America)

Monitoring climate change legislation and impact on insurance industry, including America’s Climate Security Act of 2007; Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007; Flood Insurance Reform Modernization Act of 2007; Insurance Industry Cooperation Act of 2007.

* TW Telecom (formerly Time Warner Telecom)

Issues related to the 1996 Telecommunications Act and wireline regulation.

* MWH

Contract issues with FEMA related to post-Hurricane Katrina cleanup in New Orleans, including environtmental issues, engineering, construction services in water, waste-water and environmental remediation.

rocky mountain news

McCain – redux redux -“Hey, you damn kids get off my lawn!”

Outside his advanced age, health concerns and his flip flopping John McCain has problems on a whole host of issues, Mr. “Straight Talk” has a lot of splainin‘ to do.

Here’s the short list, a taste, of potential political problems for McCain:

McCain and the Keating Five – the 1980 S&L Scandal – bad timing all around, especially during this latest housing crisis.

Confessing to the Enemy – John Kerry was destroyed telling the American people what he thought of Vietnam 30 years ago, McCain actually confessed to the enemy. The Swift Boating of John Kerry opened the door to the Swift Boating of John McCain.

McCain- Feingold Campaign Finance Reform– Not popular with his own party. He also has a few other problems, marrying the heir to United Liquor doesn’t fair well with many on the right.

Cindy McCain, John’s wife, won’t release her tax returns – They have filed Separately for 28 years. So what are they hiding? First Lady Hillary Clinton is probably wishing she would have done the same.

Cindy Divests $2 Million in Sudan-Related Holdings

Cindy’s Family

McCain’s Religion – From Episcopalian to Baptist. Though McCain attends the North Phoenix Baptist Church in Arizona, when he’s in town, he has never been baptized in the church. In order to be a Baptist it is essential to actually undergo baptism. Then there’s the anti-Catholic Rev. John “The Great Whore” Hagee

McCain’s Mob Ties

McCain’s Bad Temper

McCain’s Immagration

McCain’s Adultery

McCain DCI

McCain Lobbyist

McCain says he’s Too Old

Lobbyist

a very nervous McCain

McCain’s Health – McCain refuses to give up the “socialized” government health care plan provided to him courtesy of the US tax payers. Because he has several pre-conditioned illnesses, including cancer, the plan John McCain proposes would NOT accept him. Where does that leave you?

too old

The beginning introduction is painfully long, but this is very interesting

On Iraq

Vietnam Veterans Against McCain

McCain supports the terrorists

Speeches

McSame

Oh heck!

Book:McCain temper boiled over in ’92 tirade, called wife a ‘c**t’

canceled fund raiser
“The Texan, Republican Clayton Williams, made the joke during his failed campaign against Democrat Ann Richards. Williams compared rape to the weather, saying, “As long as it’s inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.” He also compared Richards to the cattle on his ranch, saying he would “head her and hoof her and drag her through the dirt.”
what kind of people does this guy know?

Vet Challenges John McCain on Vet Voting Record

SS

McCain Connected to Enron and Big Oil

McCain can’t get a break

McCain + Bush = McBush

Mccain’s flipflop

McCain’s Racism

McCain Hates the Troops

disclaimer: as the NRA would say…. “need ammunitions?”
there’s plenty here with ample reasons not to elect John McCain. This doesn’t mean I support Obama. On the contrary, search this blog and you’ll find just as many reasons NOT to vote or elect him either. No need to tell me a third party hasn’t a chance, because I know the odds. Still, I hope that the American people will wake up to the crap spoon feed to us daily by the corporate MSM, I also hope that the 100k people who don’t even bother to vote will realize the power they actually have regrading this election. There comes a time when you have to step away from your fears and take a stand. Look closely, there is no difference between Obama and McCain they are both bought and sold by corporate interests who care not for you. I encourage you to vote or write in a third party, don’t be afraid send a message of no confidence this November, make your vote sacred again.

McCain Adviser Was Lobbyist for Georgia

John McCain’s top foreign-policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, is a leading expert on U.S.-allied Georgia — and was a paid lobbyist for the former Soviet republic until March, in the run-up to what has become a major battle between Georgia and Russia.

Democratic rival Barack Obama’s presidential campaign was quick to try to paint Mr. Scheunemann’s dual roles as a conflict of interest after Sen. McCain swiftly took Georgia’s side in the dispute, and cited it as evidence that Sen. McCain is “ensconced in a lobbyist culture,” as Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan told reporters over the weekend.

But given the rapid escalation of the fighting, and the fact that Georgia is being viewed as a victim of its neighbor’s aggression, Mr. Scheunemann’s ties to the small nation and its pro-Western Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili may look less like a weakness and more like a strength in the first foreign-policy crisis of the general election campaign.

more

lied?

how many homes?

it ain’t much, but we call it home

McBush

The Draft

If You Marry a Wealthy Women

so much more

McCain POW Jokes

McCain rape Joke