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LOS ANGELES - Immigration advocates are struggling to frame images of this week's clash between police and protesters in a way that promotes their cause, with some activists considering using the event to attract supporters. Some advocates believe the police action against mostly peaceful demonstrators could add urgency to efforts to create a path to citizenship for the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. But others worry the reform movement could be blamed for the melee and that immigrants will be afraid to participate in future demonstrations. "These kinds of situations, if they are framed properly, can be a powerful...

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2007 – The Defense Department recognized a troop-support group and a corporation here today for their teamwork in supporting the nation’s servicemembers. Jeanette Cram, founder of Treat the Troops, an America Supports You home-front group, and DuPont Teflon received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Dorrance Smith presented both a medal and a copy of the citation describing their accomplishments. America Supports You is a DoD program that highlights and facilitates support for the nation’s men and...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today thanked members of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program for their unwavering support to the men and women of the armed forces. “Hero Hugs” founder Bailey Reese meets with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld following the secretary’s remarks at the America Supports You Summit at the Pentagon, Dec. 13. Reese has sent more than 16,000 care packages to troops through her child-run organization based in Niceville, Fla. Photo by Carmen L. Burgess  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. America Supports You highlights support for U.S. servicemembers and...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2006 -- One hundred military families are sleeping easier this year thanks to USA Cares and the Homeownership Preservation Fund. “Across the nation, many military families are facing financial difficulty and a loss of income due to extended military service,” Hugh Dukes, executive director of USA Cares, said. “We’re helping relieve the stress our troops are facing, allowing them to focus on their jobs, by alleviating financial strains … that might force a foreclosure.” USA Cares, based in Radcliff, Ky., is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways Americans and the...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2006 -- Before a White House meeting with President Bush this afternoon, grassroots troop-support groups learned what their work means to servicemembers during a luncheon here hosted by America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting America’s support of the nation’s servicemembers. Bailey Reese, 10, of Niceville, Fla., founded Hero Hugs after seeing what the National Guard was doing in response to Hurricane Katrina. She wanted servicemembers to know they're appreciated. She and several other America Supports You groups met with President Bush at the White House on Oct. 20. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  '(Click photo...

Groups, daughter endorse JeffersonBy JANET MCCONNAUGHEY Associated Press writer Published: Oct 3, 2006 U.S. Rep. William Jefferson delivers brief remarks Monday after receiving endorsements at his campaign headquarters in New Orleans. Jefferson, an eight-term congressman, has endorsements including more than a dozen political groups, including the Democratic Executive Committees of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes, 18 ministers, and 19 labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO. Associated Press photo by BILL HABER NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Rep. William Jefferson’s initial endorsements this year are led by his daughter and five other state legislators, a former legislator and one of the city’s...

California leads the states in how much Section 527 issue-advocacy groups spend on state elections — $5.2 million, up more than 300 percent from the 2004 election cycle. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics says this is part of a national trend in which these tax-exempt groups, which can raise unlimited money, are shifting their focus from federal to state politics. California Common Cause policy advocate Ned Wigglesworth said the explosion in state-level spending underscores that "527s are the 'billionaire boys clubs' of politics — they're created specifically to skirt campaign laws and give some of the richest people...

America Supports You: Groups Honor Troops with CelebrationBy Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2006 -- Waxhaw, N.C., is planning an all-American celebration of freedom to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor the nation’s servicemembers. Patte Kennedy, owner of Southsiders, and Tommy Nicholson are all smiles after hanging a collection of patriotic art and “Letters to the Troops” on the walls of Southsiders Deli in Waxhaw, N.C. They were hanging the collection in preparation for Flags Across The Nation's Sept. 9 event. “Waving Patriotism” is being held to remember 9/11 and support the...

The Washington Post warns of "Pakistan's Awkward Balancing Act on Islamic Militant Groups." But if one looks closely at the actions of Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, it is clear that he has made his choice to side with the West, there's no going back, and he is beyond the pale of reconciliation with his country's lunatic Islamists. The scale has tipped to one side. It is time for Musharraf to explicitly say so and do so, as he'll never appease Pakistan's radicals. Here's an excerpt from the Post: The basic problem for Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, is that he...

Retired utility worker Charles Warren worries his quality of life is slipping and says that illegal immigrants are to blame. The 55-year-old retiree complains about day laborers waiting for work outside the nearby Home Depot, saying they give his neighborhood "a Third World look." "Ten or 15 years ago, the neighborhood wasn't like this," Warren said. "The states are overpopulated, there is oversprawl, and immigration is contributing to this." After seeing a television commercial that blamed many of California's woes on illegal immigrants, Warren immediately donated $50 to the sponsoring group, Californians for Population Stabilization. And he's not the only...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2006 -- A trio of organizations with a long history of military support recognized 12 volunteer groups today for their programs that contribute to servicemembers’ quality of life. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Lynne, congratulate Clare Lanigan, 15, Kids Serve Too youth co-chair, for winning a $7,500 grant during the 2006 Newman's Own Award ceremony at the Pentagon Aug. 11. Kids Serve Too, in partnership with Warner Brothers, spearheaded "A Thousand Thanks to Military Children," sending letters of thanks signed by a wide range of children's...

WASHINGTON, August 1, 2006 -- Golf enthusiasts put their skills on the line to benefit two troop-support programs during the “Birdies for the Brave” golf outing at Tournament Players Club Avenel, in Potomac, Md., July 27. The event featured a morning golf clinic conducted by Birdies for the Brave founder and spokesman, reigning Masters champion Phil Mickelson, according to a Birdies for the Brave news release. During an afternoon reception, Mickelson thanked attendees for their participation and their donations to his effort to support the troops. Mickelson has pledged to donate $100 for every birdie and $500 for every eagle...

By Monique Reuben / American Forces Press Service Pat Monahan (right), lead singer for the group Train, and Jimmy Stafford, the group's guitarist, entertain a sold-out crowd at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts, in Vienna, Va., July 24. More than 100 servicemembers and their guests enjoyed the concert thanks to defense contractor Northrop Grumman and the USO of Metropolitan Washington. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley Entertainer Connie Stevens speaks at a barbecue dinner as part of USO of Metropolitan Washington and Northrop Grumman's military salute event July 24 at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing...

Palestinian groups agree deal for return of Israeli Hamas leaders in Damascus are last obstacle to Gaza ceasefire Conal Urquhart in Ramallah Tuesday July 25, 2006 The Guardian (UK) Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have agreed to stop firing rockets at Israel and to free a captured Israeli soldier in a deal brokered by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. The deal, agreed on Sunday, is to halt the rocket attacks in return for a cessation of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, and to release Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured on June 25, in exchange for...

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 – With a name that sounds like a Madagascar Penguins' plan, Operation Christmas Stocking has commenced. During the 2005 Operation Christmas Stocking campaign, Operation Give shipped about 14,000 pounds of stockings stuffed with goodies. Last year the gifts went to troops in Afghanistan. This year Stars for Stripes and Operation Give, with the help of FedEx as Santa Claus, will ship their goodies to troops in Iraq. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Thanks to the efforts of Stars for Stripes and Operation Give, troops in Iraq will have Christmas stockings this holiday...

GLENN DALE, Md. - On a sunny Tuesday, House members who belong to the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus left suits and ties behind, grabbed shotguns and headed for the firing range. In a Washington equivalent of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," more than a dozen lawmakers took advantage of a light schedule at the Capitol to play hooky. The lawmakers got expert shooting advice from Olympic double trap champion Kim Rhode while they mingled with representatives of the outdoor-sports industry who footed the bill for the "Great Congressional Shoot-Out" and barbecue. There was no public accounting for the special interest money. No...

The National Council of La Raza's annual convention in downtown Los Angeles today is turning out to be a who's who of Latino power brokers - with local politicians rearranging their schedules and attendees buzzing about who will come. But behind all the schmoozing and banquets, one of the nation's best-known civil rights groups is courting a lower-profile player, one some say is just as powerful a player: hometown associations. The hundreds of associations - built up over decades by tens of thousands of expatriates who send home billions of dollars a year - are increasingly flexing their political muscle...

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2006 – The Tournament Players Club of Boston and the Defense Department's America Supports You program teamed up over the Fourth of July weekend to play golf and raise funds to benefit groups who support the nation's servicemembers. Members of a color guard from the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, out of Devens, Mass., flank Tournament Players Club of Boston official Brian Connor (left), Paul Keating Sr., owner of event sponsor Alder Foods (center), and Amy Sullivan of TPC of Boston during a TPC of Boston golf fund-raiser July 3. The event benefited three nonprofit troop-support...

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 – Frequent moves make it difficult for military spouses to maintain relationships with friends they make at each new assignment. Vicki Cariello, a Navy wife and family support group adviser in Gulfport, Miss., helps a girl sort through Easter eggs at a unit's Spouses Club Hub event. Spouse club Leaders like Cariello can create personalized Web sites for their groups, giving military spouses the ability to network with each other on the Internet. Courtesy photo   But thanks to Meredith Leyva and her CinCHouse.com Web site, military spouses can now stay in touch with one another...

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2006 – President Bush met with representatives from 14 grassroots troop support groups at the White House today to talk about how they can best support America's servicemembers. Members of the Defense Department's America Supports You grassroots organizations, including actor Gary Sinise (back, right), meet with President Bush in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, June 26. Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band have entertained the troops on numerous USO tours. The actor is also cofounder of the Operation Iraqi Children, which sends school supplies to Iraqi children. Photo by William D. Moss  (Click...