Coming in future issues…..

Progress Report on Fontenelle Trees

Greenpeace Ship Races
To Confront Iceland Whalers

Unsolved: Murder in Missouri

Nebraska Barns         

Following Iceland's announcement on August 6, 2003 that it is resuming whaling, Greenpeace's flagship, the MS Rainbow Warrior is en route to Iceland to campaign against the hunting of minke whales, which the government is attempting to justify on so called scientific grounds.

The first voyage of the Rainbow Warrior in 1978 was to Iceland to confront commercial whalers. Greenpeace is now returning to support local groups who also fear the government's announcement is a first step towards a resumption of full-scale whaling.

"No science justifies the killing of whales. This is simply an underhanded attempt by the Icelandic government to resume commercial whaling," said Gerd Leipold, Executive Director of Greenpeace International. "Whaling is part of Iceland's past, and must remain so."

Gerd Leipold campaigned in Iceland 25 years ago to stop the practice, and will be returning with the Rainbow Warrior to meet local people and discuss with them the way forward. Many local groups in Iceland have already expressed serious concerns about the Iceland government's plans. One whale watching station flew the national flag at half-mast the day the resumption was announced. The whale watching industry in Iceland generates significant income, which would be seriously threatened by commercial hunting.

It is estimated that about a dozen whale watching companies have been started in Iceland in the last ten years, generating $8.5 million in 2001. Commercial whaling generated $3 to 4 million between 1986-1989 when commercial hunts were stopped.

Many countries recognize that commercial whaling is unsustainable and conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises is essential to the health of the oceans. Today whales continue to face a complex array of threats posed by continued commercial whaling, toxic chemicals, global warming, ozone depletion, noise pollution, over-fishing and ship strikes.

More WPA stories about Nebraska by Nebraskans

Tax cuts by congress leaving states shortchanged for lack of federal funding has hit all states. The latest fallout is in New Hampshire where the trials of two men accused of soliciting teenage girls over the internet have been put on hold for lack of funds to prosecute..."I think that [the Old West mythology] is a good thing to have in your spine. But it shouldn't operate your brain" -- Kevin Costner, who is "friendly" with Bush "41," expressing concern about Bush "43" at a screening of his new Western, "Open Range" (New York Daily News)…Bush has signed an executive order that places big oil companies using Iraqi oil above the law by granting them exemptions to existing law and thus allowing them to legally break the law everyone else is governed by….confirmation of Mike Leavitt as the new Sec. of the EPA is by no means assured. Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D) of Connecticut, both presidential candidates, made it clear  that they will strenuously oppose Leavitt, and will use his confirmation hearings as a forum in which to denounce the administration. "We aren't going to have a real commitment to the environment until we have a new president," said Senator Kerry….New Govs-- Montana Gov. Judy Martz (R) and West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise (D) have announced they will not run for reelection next year….Latest from CA -- the LA Times poll shows bad news for Arnold Schwarzenegger. If Gov. Davis is recalled, 35% favor Lt. Gov. Bustamonte and 22% favor Arnold. The poll also showed considerable shrinkage in the recall vote with 50% favoring recall now and 45% against…. Senator Hart Redux? Colorado Democrats are pressuring former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart to run next year against Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell….In KY where Bush won in 2000 and has high ratings, the Democratic nominee for governor is running against Bush and the jobs he's cost KY.

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson: Phone: (202) 224-6551  Fax: (202) 228-001240, Suite 5 Dirksen Basement (Temp)
Washington, DC 20510
senator@bennelson.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel: Phone: (202) 224-4224  Fax: (202) 224-5213
346 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
chuck_hagel@hagel.senate.gov
Rep. Doug Bereuter: Phone:(202) 225-4806 Fax (202) 225-5686
2184 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Lee Terry:Phone: (202) 225-4155  Fax: (202) 226-5452  1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
talk2lee@mail.house.gov
Rep. Tom Osborne:Phone: (202) 225-6435  Fax: (202) 236-1385
507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
PLEASE NOTE: Congressmen Bereuter and Osborne do not have email

SEC. B, p2
Senate Moments

SEC. B, p3
HISTORY
SCRAMBLE