THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2008
NEWS
3A
POLITICS
Proposal to stimulate economy could backfire
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Bush, accompanied by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, tells reporters in the White House briefing room on Thursday that he and leaders of the Democratic-led Congress have agreed to work together on an economic stimulus package to boost the sagging U.S. economy.
BY BEN FELLER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Bush's chief negotiator on an economic aid deal said Sunday the Senate should quickly get behind a plan or risk drawing the resentment of a frustrated public.
The president and House leaders have agreed on a proposal to provide tax rebate checks to 117 million families and give businesses $50 billion in incentives to invest in new plants and equipment. The goal is to help head off a recession and boost consumer confidence.
"I don't think the Senate is going to want to derail that deal," Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said. "And I don't think the American people are going to have much patience for anything that would slow down the process."
But many senators said they are entitled to their ideas and that they never agreed to be deferential to the House and the White House on the final terms. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev, agreed that the negotiations should move through the House first, but he and other senators still want to have input.
The Senate is considering adding such elements as extending unemployment benefits for workers whose benefits have run out, boosting home heating subsidies, raising food stamp benefits and approving money for public works projects.
"We've got to take care of the people who are losing their jobs with more unemployment. We may have to look at food stamps for people who are falling out of the middle class," said New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate.
When asked if such ideas would be deal-breakers, Paulson said he did not "want to cast a shadow on
this rare bipartisan moment."
Paulson negotiated the deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. The secretary said some of the elements the Senate is considering may have merit but were excluded from the current deal to keep it simple and targeted.
"I believe that what we've got here is something that will work and will work quickly and more quickly than some other alternatives," Paulson said. "And again, once you start considering additions — the food stamps, unemployment insurance and so on — it's a slippery slope, and there is a real danger that we're going to bog down and screech to a stop."
"I believe that the House leaders were very decisive in keeping it simple," he added. "And I believe and I'm optimistic that the Senate leaders will do the same."
The president, too, has pushed the Senate to act swiftly. The White House is trying to strike a balance — respecting the right of the Senate to influence the legislation, but keeping the pressure on so that no momentum is lost in giving a boost to a sagging economy.
The administration hopes to start getting rebate checks out in May, assuming that Congress acts in the next few weeks.
Paulson said the economic program would boost job creation, consumer spending and confidence in the stock market.
Among others offering views on the economic plan, Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee said Sunday it should include money for public works.
Paulson said he knows that idea has some support, but he does not agree with it. He said the views of the presidential candidates tend to look ahead to next year.
"What we're again focused on here is something simple to get money into the economy quickly to make a difference, and infrastructure spending doesn't do that," Paulson said.
NAKURU, Kenya — Gangs armed with machetes and bows and arrows burned and hacked to death members of a rival tribe in the western Kenyan town of Nalavsha on Sunday as overwhelmed police stood by helplessly.
INTERNATIONAL
Kenyan ethnic clashes
spread to town of Naivasha
At least seven people were killed.
The fighting was the latest flashpoint of violence over President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election in the U.S.-allied African nation once considered a beacon of stability on the continent.
Groups from Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe set ablaze the homes of Luo rivals in the center of the town, about 55 miles northwest of Nairobi, the capital. Police did not intervene.
An Associated Press reporter counted bodies of seven victims hacked to death or burned alive in their homes.
More than 700 people have died in ethnic violence and clashes with police since Kibaki was declared that winner of Dec. 27 balloting in which observers say the counting was flawed. Some 255,000 people have been forced from their homes.
The eruption of violence in Naivasha appeared to have spread from Nakuru, Kenya's fourth-largest town some 50 miles away, where at least 25 people were killed on Friday.
Associated Press
ENTERTAINMENT FCC proposes $1.4 million fine for woman's'nude buttocks'on NYPD Blue
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue.
The fine is for a scene where a boy surprises a woman as she prepares to take a shower. The scene depicted "multiple, close-up views" of the woman's "nude buttocks" according to an agency order issued
ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The fines were issued against 52 stations either owned by or affiliated with the network.
late Friday.
FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aided between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The agency said the show was indecent because "it depicts sexual organs and excretory organs — specifically an adult woman's buttocks."
Associated Press
The agency rejected the network's argument that "the buttocks are not a sexual organ."
POLITICS
Florida governor endorses
McCain before GOP primarv
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florica Gov, Charlie Crist endorsed a beaming Sen. John McCain on Saturday night, delivering a boost three days before the state's pivotal primary.
Crist praised McCain as a "true American hero." At a county GOP dinner in St. Petersburg, Crist added, "After thinking about it as much as I have, I don't think anybody would do better than the man who stands next to me, Sen. John McCain."
It was the second high-profile endorsement in as many days for McCain, who is locked in a tight primary race with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Crist stepped to the podium a little more than 24 hours after Sen. Mel Martinez announced he was backing his colleague in the Senate. Officials said Martinez, who campaigned Saturday with McCain, had prodded the governor to follow his lead.
Crist said he would campaign for McCain in the coming days." I just feel in my heart he's the right man for the job at the right time" he told reporters afterward.
The winner of next week's primary will capture all 57 delegates at stake, a large prize that will set the stage for a virtual nationwide primary on Feb. 5.
Crist's endorsement was sought by all the GOP presidential rivals, including Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Associated Press
STATE
Kline spends campaign funds on cell phone bills
State law doesn't allow payment of business expenses and gifts that aren't part of a political campaign for which the money was raised. However, it's unclear if the expenditures were improper.
TOPEKA - Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline spent nearly $5,000 left over from his unsuccessful campaign for attorney general on cell phone bills and gifts last year.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Sunday that $4,270 from the 2006 campaign was spent on cell phone bills last year and about $600 went toward 'appreciation gifts."
Carol Williams, executive director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, said the agency reviews all campaign finance reports.
"If we have questions,we will ask for an explanation,"Williams said in a telephone interview Sunday.
However, she would not say whether the commission had questions about Kline's report. Commission staff members have a long-standing policy of not confirming whether someone is under investigation, in keeping with a state law keeping such matters confidential.
Brian Burgess, spokesman for Kline, said the $4,270 spent on cell phone bills was a careless error and the money went toward phones that weren't even being used. Burgess said it was not an attempt to intentionally subvert the law.
"This could easily be cleared up just by looking at the phone bill, which we would gladly provide to the commission if they decide to look into the matter," Burgess said. "But so far, one has asked."
Associated Press
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS January 28, 2008 SENATE
ABWA Meeting
Welcome Back! Tuesday, January 29th @ 7pm Alderson Auditorium (4th floor Kansas union) Casual Dress New & returning members--come hear about what ABWA has in store for the Spring semester! Food & Prizes!!!
Join the Commission on the Status of Women for our first Women's History Month planning meeting!
KU Hillel and the KU Center for Sustainability are hosting a roundtable discussion on the 31st in conjunction with a nation-wide event called Focus the Nation. The subject of the discussion is climate change policy responses at various levels of government. Scheduled panelists include: Provost Richard Lariviere, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson state Senators and Representatives, and Mayor Sue Hack. The discussion will be moderated by award winning journalist and NBC Environmental Correspondent Simran Sethi.
Come Join the discussion at the Dole Institute of Politics, Thursday January 31st from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
When: Monday, January 28th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Wheat Room in the Kansas Union
Who: You and your friends.
There will be delicious food!
Looking to volunteer?
Center for Community
Outreach can help!
Contact us!
405 Kansas Union (in the SILC office)
864-4073 • cco@ku.edu
www.ku.edu/~cco
Focus the Nation
Center for Community Outreach
challenging, educating anewness
We have 15 volunteer programs working throughout Lawrence and can connect you to many local programs.
iHuman. the life of david
Wesley tuesdays @ 8 smith hall wesleyku.org
Do you want to join a club or be a leader in a global organization?
AIESEC is the world's largest student-based organization spanning over 100 countries and 800 universities.
AIESEC believes individuals should look for opportunities to build their global network, expand their worldview, and gain leadership skills. We believe individuals should use their leadership skills and a global perspective to increase international understanding and cooperation. Our belief is that if large numbers of individuals were to act in this way, it could be a solution to a more secure and peaceful world.
more secure and peaceful world.
By participating in AIESEC U.S., you will have the opportunity to: Apply for our high-quality international traineeship
exchange program.
- Seek experiences that enable you to lead with a global perspective in AIESEC's diverse environment.
- Acquire practical, hands-on professional skills.
- Join a global network of people from over 90 countries.
- Expand your worldview by interacting with people from all over the world and gaining new perspectives on global issues.
Check out our Info Sessions At the Kansas Union Tuesday, January 29, 3:00 in the Kansas Room Wednesday, January 30th, 7:00 in Alderson Auditorium Tuesday, February 5th, 7:00 in the Walnut Room Or contact Katelyn, at aieseckansas.pr@gmail.com