Washington State Republicans thwarted in bid to subvert democracy
The New York Times reports that a judge has denied a request for a restraining order submitted by the Washington State Republican party asking that King County cease its recount in the governor's race. King County, perhaps coincidentally, is the most populous county in Washington State and one which in the original count favored the Democratic candidate, Christine Gregoire, over the Republican, Dino Rossi, by over 100,000 votes.

The Center for Traditional American Values takes the position that for democracy to work, votes must be counted. The Republican's claim - that ballots must be machine counted and may not be checked by hand - is patently ridiculous and clearly an attempt to suppress votes for their opponent. A party which claims to represent American values should value democracy above all; instead, the Republican party of today repeatedly demonstrates its disdain for the will of the people.

The Center for Traditional American Values salutes Judge Marsha J. Pechman for her commitment to democracy and wishes the best of luck to whichever candidate wins a free and fair election in Washington State. The Center hopes that, should Mr. Rossi win, his term will not be tarnished by the anti-American actions of his party on his behalf.
- posted by Auguste @ 10:41 PM 0 comments

 
Frivolous lawsuit filed by anti-environment group
The United States of America is a land of sweeping majesty and endless variety. Since the days of exploration and westward expansion, this nation has valued its environment as unique and, in many ways, the source of our strength. Careless hunting and land use in the early days have given way to a new American tradition: Conservation. In 1907, Teddy Roosevelt said: "Optimism is a good characteristic, but if carried to an excess, it becomes foolishness. We are prone to speak of the resources of this country as inexhaustible; this is not so."

The right balance of conservation and progress has not always been an easy one to strike; one important step was taken in 1973 when Congress ratified the Endangered Species Protection Act. However, a study by the Center for Biological Diversity found that in the thirty-one(*) years since the ESA was passed, one hundred eight species have become extinct. Most of those species were not on the protected list; the study found that eighty-three of the one hundred eight "experienced significant delays in gaining protection."

Given the United States' history of concern for her natural fauna, and given the harm done to endangered species by delays in the listing process, it is especially troubling that the Pacific Legal Foundation is suing to prevent forty-eight species of plant and animal from being added to the list. The Pacific Legal Foundation claims that this move will actually help these species survive - a claim which seems to fly in the face of all evidence.

The Center for Traditional American Values takes the position that the Endangered Species Protection Act is a vitally important piece of the puzzle in protecting our natural heritage. To see its effectiveness hamstrung by frivolous lawsuits brought by pro-corporation, anti-environment trial lawyers is unfortunate. The Center for Traditional American Values calls upon Congress to take action to relieve the US Fish & Wildlife Service of the burden of defending itself against such tactics and allow it to move forward with one of its most important functions: Ensuring the vital balance between progress and preservation, and protecting species in danger of extinction.

Direct all inquiries to the Center for Traditional American Values. Temporary e-mail: c4tav.pr@gmail.com

(*)Corrected from "twenty-one" due to faulty arithmetic.
- posted by Auguste @ 1:04 AM 0 comments