Iraq bill includes millions for Miami meeting (8.5 mil)

[donsu]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/business/content/auto/epaper/editions/tuesday/business_f37a8244463e20d7007f.html

Buried in a bill that provides money for the war in Iraq is an $8.5 million federal boost for Miami to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference later this month.

Passed in the House last week and the Senate Monday, the FTAA money is a single line within the massive Iraq bill.

But for the 40 local communities expected to provide extra police officers and equipment at the conference, it helps ease the financial burden on already strapped cities and counties.

-=snip-

"Security is a critical element," said Cobb. "Doing it firmly, but friendly."
-------------------------------

why was it buried? why wasn't it a seperate issue?

S. Fl. cops being firmly friendly - what a concept.

[Mika]

1. More taxpayer cash for the Miamicuban extremists

Like Miami mayor Manny Diaz (Elian's CANF paid for lawyer), and the CANFers who run the place.



On edit--> Oh yeah, I forgot.. John Timoney is the new Miami police chief.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/special_packages/holiday_guide/4870823.htm

On Friday Timoney began his tenure as Miami's new police chief, taking on another formidable challenge: assuming control of a department reeling from federal charges that 13 officers fabricated evidence and planted guns.

Several hours into his first day, Timoney's tough reputation already had Miami's roughly 1,000-officer department abuzz.

Some inside police headquarters spoke of Timoney's famous scuffle at the Republican convention. Others recalled his last act of duty in Philadelphia one year ago when he helped chase several suspects into an abandoned row house after spotting them shooting into the air on New Year's Eve.

Several floors above, Timoney seemed unfazed by the hubbub. Taking a break from unpacking boxes in the office recently vacated by chief Raúl Martínez -- who resigned under fire following a Herald series documenting dozens of questionable shootings involving Miami police officers -- Timoney said he had no qualms about tackling tough issues.

[Rose Siding]

2. Robert C Byrd was the only Senator

who showed up to vote no in the voice vote for final passage.

There were only 5 repubs that showed up to vote yes but I don't know who they were. SO...NO ONE has to take any responsibility at all.

[htuttle]

3. I'm probably sounding like a broken record

But it bothers me to no end that Byrd didn't ask for a quorum call at that point to stop the vote or call for a roll call. If anyone knew the appropriate parliamentary levers to pull to do so, it would be Byrd. He gave a particularly rousing statement against the measure, but why no quorum call?

I think one of those 'bipartisan understandings' was reached where legislation is written and passed as if by magic, with no particular Senator's fingerprints on them. I'm aware of what some would consider the political realities of the situation, however, I don't agree (but all in all, it's just another brick in the wall. I still have to vote 'D' :shrug: ).

[Don_G]

4. Jeb Deserves A Cut Of The Graft Too

:grr:

[IndianaGreen]

5. Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas

FTAA is vehemently opposed in Latin America by the working class, peasants, and indigenous peoples.

"Free trade" is not working for the majority of the world. During the most recent period of rapid growth in global trade and investment-1960 to 1998-inequality worsened internationally and within countries. Without debt cancellation and rules to curtail rampant capital speculation, countries in the Global South will remain dominated by the Global North, inequality will increase, and the hope of achieving sustainable development will be farther off.

Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas

(For the full text go to the link provided at bottom)

1. The FTAA Expands a Proven Disaster

2. The Agreement Is Being Written Without Citizen Input

3. The Agreement Will Undermine Labor Rights and Cause Further Job Loss

4. The Agreement Will Exacerbate Environmental Destruction

5. The Agreements Will Hurt Family Farmers

6. The Agreement Will Lead to Privatization of Essential Services

7. The Agreement Will Jeopardize Consumer and Environmental Protections

8. The Agreement Will Spread the Use of GMOs

9. The Agreement Will Increase Poverty and Inequality

10. There Are Proven Alternatives

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/ftaa/topten.html

[Fla Dem]

6. Also included millions of $ for California

Also hidden in the bill was millions of $ for California fire relief. A gift for Arnold and a campaign sound bite for *. Bet it would not have been there if Davis was still governor.