April 27, 2006

September:   Sept. 29, 2006   Sept. 28, 2006   Sept. 27, 2006   Sept. 26, 2006   Sept. 21, 2006   Sept. 20, 2006   Sept. 19, 2006   Sept. 14, 2006   Sept. 13, 2006   Sept. 12, 2006   Sept. 07, 2006   Sept. 06, 2006 JULY:   Jul. 28, 2006   Jul. 27, 2006   Jul. 26, 2006   Jul. 25, 2006   Jul. 24, 2006   Jul. 20, 2006   Jul. 19, 2006   Jul. 18, 2006   Jul. 17, 2006   Jul. 13, 2006   Jul. 12, 2006   Jul. 11, 2006   Jul. 10, 2006 JUNE:   Jun. 29, 2006   Jun. 28, 2006   Jun. 27, 2006   Jun. 26, 2006   Jun. 22, 2006   Jun. 21, 2006   Jun. 20, 2006   Jun. 19, 2006   Jun. 16, 2006   Jun. 15, 2006   Jun. 14, 2006   Jun. 13, 2006   Jun. 12, 2006   Jun. 9, 2006   Jun. 8, 2006   Jun. 7, 2006   Jun. 6, 2006 MAY:   May 25, 2006   May 24, 2006   May 23, 2006   May 22, 2006   May 19, 2006   May 18, 2006   May 17, 2006   May 11, 2006   May 10, 2006   May 4, 2006   May 3, 2006   May 2, 2006 APRIL:   Apr. 27, 2006   Apr. 26, 2006   Apr. 25, 2006   Apr. 6, 2006   Apr. 5, 2006   Apr. 4, 2006 MARCH:   Mar. 30, 2006   Mar. 29, 2006   Mar. 28, 2006   Mar. 16, 2006   Mar. 15, 2006   Mar. 14, 2006   Mar. 9, 2006   Mar. 8, 2006   Mar. 7, 2006   Mar. 2, 2006   Mar. 1, 2006 FEBRUARY:   Feb. 28, 2006   Feb. 16, 2006   Feb. 15, 2006   Feb. 14, 2006   Feb. 8, 2006   Feb. 1, 2006 JANUARY:   Jan. 31, 2006 DECEMBER:   Dec. 16, 2005   Dec. 15, 2005   Dec. 14, 2005   Dec. 13, 2005   Dec. 8, 2005   Dec. 7, 2005   Dec. 6, 2005 Archives

Don’t get caught flat-footed in front of the press!  Below is a quick rundown of today’s “must reads.” – John T. Doolittle, House Republican Conference Secretary

The Morning Murmur – Thursday, April 27, 2006

1. United 93 - Wall Street Journal Op-ed
The father of a Flight 93 passenger reminds us to give thanks and support to those men, women, leaders and commanders who to this day continue the counterattacks on our enemy and in so doing keep us safe and our freedoms intact.

2. Senators to Push for $100 Gas Rebate Checks - CNN
Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday, which includes a proposal to open part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil exploration

3. Senate's Fiscally Irresponsible Spending Bill Should Be Vetoed - Human Events
Last night, the White House supplied the firm leadership needed to stop the Senate from hijacking this supplemental by issuing a strongly-worded promise to veto the bill if the extraneous spending is not removed. This line in the sand deserves high praise.

4. Dems Launch Door-to-Door Outreach Effort - Cybercast News Service
The Democratic National Committee says volunteers will go door-to-door in all 50 states on Saturday -- "to share the Democratic Party's bold vision for America and begin a series of conversations with the American people about the upcoming elections."

5. Dow Ends at 6-year High - Reuters
Stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials hitting a six-year high, buoyed by stronger-than-expected earnings from companies such as No. 1 brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos.

For previous issues of the Morning Murmur, go to www.GOPsecretary.gov

FULL ARTICLES BELOW:

1.  United 93 - Wall Street Journal Op-ed

The filmmakers got it right.

BY DAVID BEAMER
Thursday, April 27, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT

The calendar says it's April 25, 2006. At noon, my wife, Peggy, and I are walking around Battery Park--near the Tribeca area--in New York. It is our first time. The flowers are blooming; kids are fishing; people boarding the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Kids are laughing and noisy. The sun is shining. The vendors are hawking T-shirts, pretzels and some "designer" wares. And just up the street there is a hole in the skyline and in the ground.

In the park, there is a memorial with walls standing tall. Walls filled with so many names of those who gave their all in the Atlantic in World War II. How fitting that the names are here to honor those who gave their lives to enable this fun, this laughter--on this sunny day. The sights and sounds of freedom continue.

Fast forward--it is 10:30 p.m., April 25. We have just seen a movie premiere at the fifth annual Tribeca Film Festival. A film festival that has done so much to energize and revitalize the city, its people and especially the area that has that hole in the skyline and in the ground. This year the movie that had its worldwide premiere at the festival is titled "United 93." It is about the day when the hole in the skyline of New York was made--the day when a hole was made in the side of the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.--the day when a hole was made in a quiet mountain meadow in Pennsylvania. The day that our nation was attacked; the day when the war came home--Sept. 11, 2001. The day our son Todd boarded United 93.

Paul Greengrass and Universal set out to tell the story of United Flight 93 on that terrible day in our nation's history. They set about the task of telling this story with a genuine intent to get it right--the actions of those on board and honor their memory. Their extensive research included reaching out to all the families who had lost loved ones on United Flight 93 as the first casualties of this war. And Paul and his team got it right.

There are those who question the timing of this project and the painful memories it evokes. Clearly, the film portrays the reality of the attack on our homeland and its terrible consequences. Often we attend movies to escape reality and fantasize a bit. In this case and at this time, it is appropriate to get a dose of reality about this war and the real enemy we face. It is not too soon for this story to be told, seen and heard. But it is too soon for us to become complacent. It is too soon for us to think of this war in only national terms. We need to be mindful that this enemy, who made those holes in our landscape and caused the deaths of some 3,000 of our fellow free people, has a vision to personally kill or convert each and every one of us. This film reminds us that this war is personal. This enemy is on a fanatical mission to take away our lives and liberty--the liberty that has been secured for us by those whose names are on those walls in Battery Park and so many other walls and stones throughout this nation. This enemy seeks to take away the free will that our Creator has endowed in us. Patrick Henry got it right some 231 years ago. Living without liberty is not living at all.

The passengers and crew of United 93 had the blessed opportunity to understand the nature of the attack and to launch a counterattack against the enemy. This was our first successful counterattack in our homeland in this new global war--World War III.

This film further reminds us of the nature of the enemy we face. An enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve world domination and force a life devoid of freedom upon all. Their methods are inhumane and their targets are the innocent and unsuspecting. We call this conflict the "War on Terror." This film is a wake-up call. And although we abhor terrorism as a tactic, we are at war with a real enemy and it is personal.

There are those who would hope to escape the pain of war. Can't we just live and let live and pretend every thing is OK? Let's discuss, negotiate, reason together. The film accurately shows an enemy who will stop at nothing in a quest for control. This enemy does not seek our resources, our land or our materials, but rather to alter our very way of life.

I encourage my fellow Americans and free people everywhere to see "United 93."

Be reminded of our very real enemy. Be inspired by a true story of heroic actions taken by ordinary people with victorious consequences. Be thankful for each precious day of life with a loved one and make the most of it. Resolve to take the right action in the situations of life, whatever they may be. Resolve to give thanks and support to those men, women, leaders and commanders who to this day (1,687 days since Sept. 11, 2001) continue the counterattacks on our enemy and in so doing keep us safe and our freedoms intact.

May the taste of freedom for people of the Middle East hasten victory. The enemy we face does not have the word "surrender" in their dictionary. We must not have the word "retreat" in ours. We surely want our troops home as soon as possible. That said, they cannot come home in retreat. They must come home victoriously. Pray for them.

Mr. Beamer is the father of Todd Beamer, a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008294
 

2. Senators to Push for $100 Gas Rebate Checks - CNN

Under proposal, every U.S. taxpayer would get one
From Dana Bash

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday.

However, the GOP energy package may face tough sledding because it also includes a controversial proposal to open part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil exploration, which most Democrats and some moderate Republicans oppose.

Democrats are also expected to offer their own competing proposal, as members of both parties jockey for political position on the gas price issue.

The energy package, sponsored by Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Ted Stevens of Alaska, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, will be offered as an amendment to an emergency spending measure now before the Senate funding the Iraq war and hurricane relief, according to a senior GOP leadership aide.

Under Senate rules, either the GOP amendment or the Democratic alternative would probably need 60 votes to pass, which is considered unlikely. However, the amendments would give senators a change to cast votes on measures designed to help constituents being hit by high gas prices.

As outlined by the senior GOP leadership aide, the energy package would give taxpayers a $100 rebate, repeal tax incentives for oil companies and allow the Federal Trade Commission to prosecute retailers unlawfully inflating the price of gasoline.

The measure would also give the Transportation Department authority to issue fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicles, expand tax incentives for the use of hybrid vehicles and push for more research into alternative fuels and expansion of existing oil refineries.

The GOP senators are also calling on the Bush administration to suspend deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for six months to increase the nation's oil supply. President Bush announced Tuesday that he would halt new deposits into the reserve until after the summer driving season.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats on Wednesday called for a new energy bill and federal legislation to punish price gougers.

"There's no reason why we can't put forth a real energy policy that addresses the needs of this nation," said Rep. Bart Stupak, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, "from gouging to market manipulation to biofuels. We can do it."

And leaders of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday asked the Internal Revenue Service to let them examine the tax returns of the nation's 15 largest oil and gas companies, as part of a "comprehensive review" of oil industry profits.

"I want to make sure the oil companies aren't taking a speed pass by the tax man," said Grassley, the committee's chairman, in a written statement.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/27/gas.rebate/
 

3. Senate's Fiscally Irresponsible Spending Bill Should Be Vetoed - Human Events

by Brian Riedl
Posted Apr 27, 2006

The House quickly passed, with few changes, President Bush's request for $92 billion of supplemental funding for the global war on terrorism and hurricane-related relief. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee, in a stunning move of fiscal irresponsibility, veered far off course, adding $14 billion of non-emergency spending unrelated to the original purpose of the bill.

While some senators vow to strip out this additional spending, others are readying amendments to add $10 billion more to the bill, bringing it $24 billion over the President's request and vastly expanding its scope. But now the dynamic has changed.

Last night, the White House supplied the firm leadership needed to stop the Senate from hijacking this supplemental by issuing a strongly-worded promise to veto the bill if the extraneous spending is not removed. This line in the sand deserves high praise.

The Senate Bill

Additional funding is needed for continuing operations in Iraq, but the Senate's approach is irresponsible.

First, the Senate bill contains no offsets and makes no trade-offs to fund priorities like hurricane relief.

Second, the Senate bill abuses the definition of "emergency" and brazenly capitalizes on the plight of Katrina's victims and the need to fund war operations to cram in billions of dollars in unrelated spending while evading the budget caps established one year ago.

Third, the Senate bill piles all manner of unnecessary pork on top of an already expensive payload.

The Veto Promise

A Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) advises how the President views and will react to legislation being considered by Congress. The SAP released last night details the President's concerns with the supplemental bill and draws a clear line in the sand on spending:

However, the Senate reported bill substantially exceeds the President's request, primarily for items that are unrelated to the [Global War on Terrorism] and hurricane response. The Administration is seriously concerned with the overall funding level and the numerous unrequested items included in the Senate bill that are unrelated to the war or emergency hurricane relief needs. The final version of the legislation must remain focused on addressing urgent national priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline. Accordingly, if the President is ultimately presented a bill that provides more than $92.2 billion, exclusive of funding for the President's plan to address pandemic influenza, he will veto the bill. [1]

Railroad to Nowhere: A+

The SAP strongly objects to a $700 million earmark to move a privately-owned rail line that now runs along the Mississippi coast. Known as the "Railroad to Nowhere," this boondoggle project would purportedly move this rail line, recently rebuilt by the CSX Corporation, to make way for development along the coast. [2] But "Relocating the tracks would represent a substantial investment beyond pre-disaster conditions and would improperly require U.S. taxpayers to pay for private sector infrastructure," explains the SAP.

There is no reason to spend $700 million in federal taxpayer dollars to reroute a working rail line-especially one that recently received $300 million in repairs-to make room for possible casino development. This extravagant expenditure would be an insult to those wanting to rebuild homes and schools destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Farm Bailout: A

The SAP strongly opposes the $4 billion in agriculture assistance the Senate tucked into the bill: "In 2005, many crops had record or near-record production, and U.S. farm sector cash receipts were the second highest ever. Furthermore, the proposed level of assistance is excessive and may over-compensate certain producers for their losses."

Many of the specific spending items are duplicative and necessary. Assistance for livestock, trees, and specialty crops is already covered by Section 32 disaster payments. Dairy assistance duplicates payments already made by dairy co-ops. Other payments may go to owners of land already receiving Conservation Reserve Program payments. The $246 million in sugar and sugarcane subsidies could exceed that industry's losses, which may be partially covered by Section 32 and crop insurance funding anyway. Finally, the Department of Agriculture would have to spend tens of millions of dollars to administer this complex law, and farmers may be required to submit large amounts of paperwork. [3]

Highway and Transit Spending: A

The Administration also opposes $594 million added by the Senate for Federal Highway Emergency Relief for requirements unrelated to the Gulf hurricanes as well as $200 million for the Federal Transit Administration that was not requested.

Less than one year after enacting a mammoth $286 billion highway bill, senators accepted an amendment offered by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to add $594 million in additional highway spending. This money has nothing to do with Iraq or the Gulf Coast. Rather, it would address the "emergency relief highway backlog" across the country. Backlogged projects, by definition, are not emergencies. Indeed, many of these projects have been listed for years. The only project specifically mentioned in the committee report-the Kuhio Highway in Kauai, Hawaii-is located a safe distance of 4,085 miles from Hurricane Katrina's destructive path.

Other Items: A

The SAP strongly objects to $1.1 billion in assistance to the fisheries and seafood industries, which would come on top of the $21 million originally requested by the President. Billions of dollars in disaster-relief funds, community development funds, and small business loans have already been made available in the Gulf Coast region and should be available to these industries. Proposed grants such as $15 million for "seafood promotion strategies" cross the line into corporate welfare.

While the Administration does not single out AmeriCorps, the President's $92.2 billion cap should block the $20 million that Senate appropriators added to this wasteful and unnecessary program. Beyond the question of whether Washington should be paying "volunteers" tens of thousands of dollars annually, AmeriCorps has a long history of mismanagement. Providing this program with an additional $20 million-on top of its bloated $325 million budget-is a poor use of money that could be used to rebuild homes and infrastructure.

New Orleans Levees: Pass

The President requested an additional $2.2 billion to reinforce the levees of New Orleans. The White House seeks to offset this additional funding by reducing funds requested previously for disaster relief. Funding for priority policies should rely on reductions made elsewhere in the budget.

Avian Flu: C

Though only four months have passed since lawmakers appropriated $3.8 billion to prepare for a potential avian flu outbreak, the Senate bill includes an additional $2.3 billion for avian flu preparation. The President's SAP pledges to support this new funding because it would bring total avian-flu funding closer to his request of last year. If additional spending is needed-and if it cannot wait until the regular appropriations bills take effect on October 1-lawmakers should set priorities and come up with offsets.

Strong Leadership

The President is to be commended for his strong leadership in enforcing fiscal discipline. The White House Statement of Administration Policy draws a clear line in the sand by firmly pledging to veto the supplemental spending bill if non-avian flu funding exceeds $92.2 billion.

Overall, this SAP receives an A- in fiscal responsibility. The Senate should take this opportunity to reexamine its funding priorities and strip the $14 billion added to the bill in committee. In addition, the Senate should offset as much of the remaining spending as possible in order to fund American troops and rebuild the Gulf Coast without busting the federal budget.

If the Senate cannot take these common-sense steps, the President should follow through on his promise and veto the bill-that must be an ironclad promise. Kudos, Mr. President.

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=14355
 

4. Dems Launch Door-to-Door Outreach Effort - Cybercast News Service

By Susan Jones
April 27, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - Ding-dong, there's a Democrat at your door: The Democratic National Committee says volunteers will go door-to-door in all 50 states on Saturday -- "to share the Democratic Party's bold vision for America and begin a series of conversations with the American people about the upcoming elections."

"Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day" is part of the DNC's effort to gear up for the 2006 elections.

The nationwide event is intended to build strong Election Day teams for 2006 and beyond -- a "lasting Democratic Party infrastructure."

"Politics is at its best when we work together to create and strengthen our community," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean who will join door-knocking teams in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday.

"Our National Organizing Day will bring together neighbors and communities as we mobilize for the fall elections to make sure that Democrats are elected up and down the ticket, throughout America."

He said Democrats who knock on doors will tell their neighbors "what Democrats stand for, our vision for change, and the clear choice voters will face in November."

As part of the effort, Democrats plan to distribute "door hangers," which come in both English and Spanish/English versions and can be downloaded from the Internet.
The door hanger promises "a bold new direction for a secure America."

It outlines six points of the "Democratic vision," including honest leadership, real security, energy independence, economic security/educational excellence, healthcare that works, and retirement security.

The party says this will be the first national effort to reach out "door to door and neighbor to neighbor, all across America."

Americans dissatisfied with Congress

Democrats may get an earful from frustrated voters on Saturday.

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that the American people are not fond of either Democrats or Republicans in Congress.

Americans don't like the job that the Congress is doing; in fact, the congressional approval rating dropped 11 points from a similar poll conducted a month earlier.

Forty-five percent of those polled said they want Democrats to control Congress (down from 50 percent in March); 39 percent of registered voters said they want Republicans to control Congress (up from 37 percent in March).

Forty-four percent of those polled said they are tired of Republicans and Democrats fighting; 36 percent said nothing gets done on important issues; 34 percent said too many congressmen are corrupt and unethical; and 22 percent said Congress simply goes along with President Bush.

The poll questioned 1109 adults -- 48 percent men, 52 percent women. The overall margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percent.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200604/POL20060427a.html
 

5.  Dow Ends at 6-year High - Reuters

Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:08 PM ET
By Chris Sanders

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials hitting a six-year high, buoyed by stronger-than-expected earnings from companies such as No. 1 brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. and as a key broker dropped its "sell" rating on General Motors Corp.

The latest string of results in a stronger-than-forecast earnings season overshadowed investors' worries about rising interest rates after orders in March for durable goods such as airplanes and refrigerators surpassed expectations.

Anheuser-Busch reported stronger-than-expected earnings, sending its shares up 5.3 percent, or $2.27, to $44.90 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Merrill Lynch & Co., the biggest U.S. broker, upgraded General Motors Corp. to "neutral," saying it sees early signs of a turnaround, and making GM the Dow's top gainer as it rose 7.9 percent, or $1.70, to $23.11.

"The consensus going into the quarter was that earnings were going to (rise) somewhere north of 10 percent and they have handily beaten expectations," said Joe Liro, an economist and market strategist with Stone & McCarthy Research Associates, who pinned the rising markets on Wednesday on the flow of positive earnings news.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 71.24 points, or 0.63 percent, at 11,354.49, its highest close since January 19, 2000. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index closed up 3.67 points, or 0.28 percent, at 1,305.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index finished up 3.33 points, or 0.14 percent, at 2,333.63.

Government data showed orders for durable goods -- manufactured items meant to last three years or more -- surged

in March, reviving worries the Federal Reserve would continue to raise rates into the second half of the year to cool a sizzling economy and ward off inflationary pressures.

At the same time, greater durable goods orders means higher revenues for the manufacturers of those products, and possibly better profits going forward.

HOME BUILDERS CLIMB, BIOTECHS FALL

Stocks also extended Wednesday's upward swing after a report showed a 13.8 percent jump in new home sales in March, which far exceeded expectations..

The Dow Jones index of home builders' stocks rose 1.6 percent. That mirrored gains in stocks such as Toll Brothers Inc., up 1.1 percent, or 36 cents, at

$33.30.

Weakness in biotech shares limited the Nasdaq's gains.

Shares of Gilead Sciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company whose drugs include HIV virus and bird flu treatments, fell 6.7 percent, or $4.11, to $57.31.

Analysts said there was concern that Gilead's royalties for flu drug Tamiflu for the year may not meet expectations.

AT&T UP, S&P UTILITIES INDEX DOWN

Shares of AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp., which own Cingular Wireless, and Verizon Communications, which owns Verizon Wireless with Vodafone Group Plc, all rose and helped lead the S&P 500 higher on Wednesday after Sprint Nextel Corp., the No. 3 U.S. wireless service, reported results below expectations and fed concerns it is losing market share to its bigger rivals.

AT&T rose 2.2 percent, or 56 cents, to $26.16, while BellSouth was up 2.1 percent, or 69 cents, at $33.74. Shares of Verizon rose 1.8 percent, or 58 cents, to $33.08. All are traded on the NYSE.

While the broader stock market appears to be taking the spike in bond yields in stride, one group is taking it on the chin: utilities. The S&P 500's utilities index is down by about 1 percent for a second straight day and is now the second-worst performer, behind health care, in the index for the year.

Utilities pay the largest dividend yields over any other stock market sector and become less appealing when bond yields rise and become more competitive.

The yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury note hit 5.13 percent during the day -- its highest in about four years. Late in the day, the 10-year note's yield was 5.11 percent, up from 5.07 percent on Tuesday. The 10-year note's price, which moves in the opposite direction of its yield, was down 9/32 late Wednesday at 95-11/32.

Volume was heavy on the New York Stock Exchange, where abut 1.77 billion shares changed hands, above last year's daily average of 1.61 billion. On Nasdaq, about 2.16 billion shares traded, above last year's daily average of 1.80 billion.

Advancers outnumbered decliners by a ratio of about 6 to 5 on the Big Board, while on Nasdaq, about eight stocks rose for every seven that fell.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2006-04-26T220821Z_01_N21323349_RTRUKOC_0_US-MARKETS-STOCKS.xml&rpc=23

 

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