November 26, 2001

Texas Eagle Forum News & Notes

AVIATION SECURITY BILL PASSES CONGRESS
The government begins building the biggest new federal agency in decades to overhaul security at airports and in the air. "I think we've done everything humanly possible to make flying safer," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Under the bill, signed into law by President Bush Nov. 19, the Department of Transportation will supervise airport security and make baggage screeners and supervisors federal employees within a year (all 28,000 of them). The bill provides for more air marshals on flights, requires more cockpit reinforcement, increases security around the airport, allows pilots to carry guns, adds a security fee of up to $10 per trip and requires all bags to go through screening. The first year cost of the security package is an estimated $2.6 billion, almost triple what airlines are paying for security.
Source: USA Today, 11/19/01

THE FEDS AT THE AIRPORT
While most were pleased with the passage of the Aviation Security Bill, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) wrote in his weekly column (11/19/01), "…congressional Republicans and Democrats voted that last Friday to pass a very bad aviation bill that vastly expands the scope of the federal government. The bill grants the airlines billions of taxpayer dollars in new subsidies, imposes new taxes on travelers, and rewards the federal unions by creating thousands of new government jobs." Paul says that he has heard from many airline pilots in the wake of Sept. 11, and not one agreed that airport security should be federalized. He said that Congress should be privatizing rather than nationalizing airport security. "The free market can and does produce excellent security in many industries," writes Paul. "No government agency will ever care about the bottom line security and profitability of the airlines more than the airlines themselves. Airlines cannot make money if travelers and flight crews are afraid to fly, and in a free market they would drastically change security measures to prevent further tragedies." 

Maybe Congress should have taken a look at a recent study by the Brookings Institute before they voted to federalize airport security. According to the study, government workers take a very dim view of the expectations, demands, accountability and efficiency of their comrades. Federal workers think 23.5% of their colleagues are "not up to par." And just 30% believe their agency does a very or somewhat good job of disciplining poor performers.
Source: Human Events, 11/12/01

DEMOCRATS PUSH TO BOLSTER SAGGING EDUCATION FUNDS
The nation's economic downturn to forcing states to cut billions of dollars from their education budgets, and leading congressional Democrats are pushing for more federal education spending. Sen. Ted Kennedy (R-MA) and Rep. George Miller (R-CA) cite an expected $11.3 billion shortfall in state education budgets in fiscal 2002. David Griffith of the National Association of State Boards of Education says states support the Democrats' bid for money. "States are under the gun right now," he says. Congressional negotiators are working to reconcile differences in education bills approved by the House and Senate. The Republican-controlled House proposes about $24 billion in spending. The Senate, run by Democrats, wants $33 billion. The federal government is spending $18.4 billion this year on elementary and secondary education.
Source: USA Today, 11/19/01.

BAD IDEA, BAD TIMING
The economic stimulus is tied up in committee. The President's judicial nominations are still on hold. There is no Senate vote on energy self-sufficiency. In short, there is a lot of work to be done. But where are Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO)? They are spending the next few days in Mexico, reopening discussions with the Mexican government on legalizing eight million illegal immigrants in the U.S. 
Source: Gary Bauer fax, 11/16/01

BUSH SAYS MILITARY TRIBUNALS ARE NECESSARY
President Bush defended his executive order that would allow the Secretary of Defense to establish military tribunals to try some foreigners accused of terrorism or aiding terrorism. "The option to use a military tribunal in time of war makes a lot of sense and is the absolute right thing to do," Mr. Bush said. Civil libertarians and some members of Congress have questioned the wisdom and necessity of circumventing the usual constitutional safeguards that U.S. civilian courts provide. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has scheduled hearings later this month on the issue.
Source: USA Today, 11/20/01

BUSH HOSTS RAMADAN DINNER 
President Bush hosted a dinner at the White House with envoys from Islamic nations to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. It was an act meant to rebut charges that the U.S. is waging a religious war in Afghanistan. Speaking at the start of the meal, Bush embraced Ramadan and the upcoming holiday season as a time for nations to celebrate together and understand one another better. It was the first time a president has hosted a Ramadan meal. In a public relations campaign aimed at blunting criticism of airstrikes in Afghanistan, Bush often makes the point that the U.S. is waging war on terrorism, not Islam. He has visited a mosque and had met with Islamic leaders at the White House.
Source: USA Today, 11/20/01

REAGAN'S RECORD
President Ronald Reagan has now lived longer than any other President. As of November 6, he was 92 days shy of his 91st birthday. The runners up, John Adams and Herbert Hoover, died 118 days and 294 days shy of their 91st birthdays respectively.
Source: Human Events: 11/12/01

WILD ABOUT HARRY
The movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, grossed over $93.5 million in its first weekend, breaking the record of $72.1 million by The Lost World: Jurassic Park in 1997. Other records also fell by the wayside as Harry Potter posted the top three one-day box office haul, according to studio estimates. The numbers weren't entirely surprising considering the movie opened in 3,672 theaters-more than half the theaters in the country-and on 8,200 screens, both records. The movie is based on the first book of British author J. K. Rowling's adventure series about a school for witches and wizards. The series has been criticized by some Christian parents as demonic, occultic and glorifying witchcraft. 

Editor's Note: Parents have a right and a responsibility to monitor what their children are reading and/or viewing. To find out why some parents and Christian leaders are concerned, Jeremiah Films has produced an excellent video entitled, "Harry Potter, Witchcraft Repackaged, Making Evil Look Innocent." Call 1-800-828-2290 for details.

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