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CLEAN AIR ACT RUNS INTO TURBULENCE FROM CRITICSFeb 04, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.comby staff reportsCongress is getting ready to debate the Bush Administration’s proposed changes to the Clean Air Act, dubbed the “Clear Skies” initiative. At stake are considerations as to how soon reduced emissions should take effect. The Act has run into considerable opposition and energetic sniping. Critics such as Frank O’Donnell, argue for a time frame closer than the Administration’s 2018 target date, with its stated goal about improved air quality through simplified and less costly regulations The Washington Post reports that O’Donnell, former executive director of an organization...

Briefing on Parental Consent Act (H.R. 181)February 3, 2005Your efforts are paying off quickly! In less than two weeks, the Parental Consent Act of 2005 (H.R. 181) (ed.note: for description, see below) has 12 cosponsors. In addition, our petition to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Tom DeLay calling for a vote on H.R. 181 has 4,834 signers so far. To keep the momentum going, we will hold a briefing on H.R. 181 for congressional staffers on Tuesday, February 8. Dr. Karen Effrem, a pediatrician, will be the featured speaker. Our goal is to enlist more cosponsors for H.R....

NOW BIRD FLU ...Feb 02, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.comby Tim BrownIs “bird flu” the next SARS? The fear of so-called bird flu is growing in Southeast Asia. Thailand and Cambodia in addition to Vietnam have had cases of bird flu in humans. Flights between Hong Kong and Vietnam are broadcasting warnings of bird flu to passengers aboard the flight. It is rumored that China has cordoned off a strip along the Vietnam border as a buffer against the virus. The SARS virus debilitated the Asian economy. Business travel and exhibitions were cancelled. Many airlines cancelled service to and from Asian destinations....

IN VIRGINIA: DOUBLE JEOPARDY FOR SPEEDINGJan 25, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.comby staff reportsFreeMarketNews.Com, Jan. 25, 2005 - A bill has been introduced into the Virginia House of Delegates that would place an additional penalty on motorists who have received speeding tickets. The bill, cosponsored by two Republicans, Thomas Rust and David Albo, would add so-called “abuser fees.” A driver convicted of exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph in Virginia, would normally pay a fine of $100 with $50 in court costs, and have their license suspended for 90 days. The new plan would levy an additional $750 in fines on...

Jan 20, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.comby staff reportsDavid H. Smith, Newsbriefs Correspondent ZIMBABWE WANTS FAT AMERICAN TOURISTS TO WORK OFF POUNDS ON PLANTATIONS FreeMarketNews.Com, Jan. 20, 2005 - Zimbabwe is lurching toward another in a series of domestic crises it has endured over the years, under the despotic rule of Robert Mugabe. Inflation is currently running at around 150%, interest rates exceed 100% and unemployment is over 70%. Even the IMF has refused to lend more money to the endless financial sink that this once economically vibrant and self-sustaining nation has become. In an interview with Zimbabwe Independent, President Mugabe presented...

WHO IS ATTACKING CHINA AND WHY? By David Morgan, editor of Silver and Industry Trend InvestorThis article first appeared on FreeMarketNews.comChinese issuances are coming under attack and the press is doing what it does best — act as a gigantic echo chamber for whatever dominant financial influence has mustered the clout to utilize its services. In this case wire reports tell us that: “China Commissions Robinson cautions investors on Chinese stock and bond offerings.” If this were not enough to make you shiver, the report invokes the name of the U.S.’s dominant financial media enterprise to make sure you, the...