Oct. 14, 2006

WASHINGTON — “Under the Influence,” an Oct. 9 report by Public Citizen’s Congress Watch, exposes the torrent of corporate cash pouring into the coffers of Republican incumbents scrambling to stave off defeat in the Nov. 7 election.

PITTSBURGH — Laughter, cheers and applause filled the Steelworkers union headquarters here, Oct. 7, when Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea introduced steelworkers who had forced Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to flee into a subway closet the day before.

DALLAS — Here and in other Texas cities — Garland, San Antonio and Fort Worth — Communist Party national board member Elena Mora reported on her recent trip to Venezuela. Her whirlwind Texas tour in the first week of October was directly linked to the People’s Weekly World fund drive.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) announced it tested a nuclear weapon Oct. 9, provoking international condemnation from allies and enemies alike, as well as calls for negotiations, not confrontation.

PITTSBURGH — “How would you feel if you worked a lifetime to build a great company, made sacrifices to save the company and now are being told that the company, after paying millions in bonuses to top management and investing in low-wage countries, needs to close more American plants?

As a new study finds that 600,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the U.S. invasion (see editorial, page 12), Americans contemplate the bitter costs here at home.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Native American tribes, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and environmental groups have won a huge victory here.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.: Coach fights for equality for girls team
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.: Fight to restore abortion rights tightens

INDIANAPOLIS — As the drive to dump the Bush agenda on Election Day enters its final month, faith-based and other activists across the country have intensified their advocacy of peace and justice, elevating these issues in the electoral debate.

California’s Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying hard to convince voters he has learned from the across-the-board defeat of his proposals in last year’s special election. But a look at some of the measures he vetoed and signed helps to reveal the real Arnold.