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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
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January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
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Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
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Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
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Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
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Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
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Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
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Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
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January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
June 22, 2009
/ 30 Sivan 5769
How GOPers can crack the AmeriCorps scandal
By
Byron York
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
What's next in the budding scandal over President Obama's abrupt firing of Gerald Walpin, the inspector general of AmeriCorps?
Republican investigators on Capitol Hill know one thing very well. As minorities in both House and Senate, they have no power to compel the White House to disclose anything. And majority Democrats, at least for now, are not inclined to help the opposition uncover embarrassing facts about one of President Obama's favorite federal programs.
So Republicans are brainstorming things they can do by themselves to shake loose information from an administration that has no obligation to cooperate with them. And indeed, there are a few ways.
The first is to enlarge the scope of the AmeriCorps investigation to include the Justice Department. Walpin was fired in part because of his aggressive investigation of the misuse of AmeriCorps funds by Sacramento mayor and prominent Obama supporter Kevin Johnson. The acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento, Lawrence Brown, took a strongly pro-Johnson position in the matter, even though there's no question that Johnson misused federal money. In the end, Brown played a key role in helping Johnson get off easy and in setting in motion the chain of events that led to Walpin's firing. Republicans intend to pursue the Justice Department for an explanation.
A second possible step involves the candidate, still un-chosen, who will take Walpin's place as the next inspector general for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps. That person will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Republicans have significant powers to slow down and even block the nomination unless they are given the information they seek about the Walpin affair.
A third step would be to push for greater emphasis on inspectors general at the Corporation. Recently, President Obama signed a $5.7 billion measure that will triple the size of the domestic volunteer agency. Republicans can argue that if you are going to triple the money for an agency, you should also increase the money for the agency's inspector general, to ensure that taxpayer money will be well spent. Increased attention to inspectors general means increased attention to the Walpin affair.
A fourth step concerns Alan Solomont, the Democratic fundraiser appointed by President Obama to chair the Corporation board. It just happens that Solomont has also been nominated to be the next U.S. ambassador to Spain. Republicans could threaten to hold up his nomination until they get the information they seek.
A fifth and final step involves Lawrence Brown, the previously-mentioned acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento. If the president chooses to nominate Brown to be the permanent U.S. attorney, then Brown will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Republicans could put a hold on that nomination, too.
With their majority, Senate Democrats could work around any hold or other measure that has only the support of Republicans. But it could be a slow and frustrating process, especially at a time when Democrats are working to pass the president's hyper-ambitious domestic agenda. That's what could give the GOP leverage.
As the Walpin revelations continue, it appears some Republicans are ready to act. This week, Sen. Charles Grassley, a longtime champion of inspectors general, expressed frustration with his inability to get much information out of the Justice Department. (Grassley has sent many requests to the department, one of them for more information about the AmeriCorps affair.)
"I've learned that holding up nominees for an executive branch agency is an effective tool to get answers," Grassley said. "So, until we start getting answers to these outstanding requests, I'm noticing my intention to hold certain Justice Department nominees."
In the past, you've probably heard about secret holds in the Senate, in which a single senator hides behind the rules to block a nomination while remaining anonymous. Grassley wouldn't do that. Fastidious about keeping the public informed on what he's doing, if Grassley tries to stop a nominee, he'll do it out in the open, by name, and he'll tell the White House exactly why he's doing it. And he'll keep doing it until he gets what he wants.
It's possible that these measures won't be necessary, that the White House will act in accordance with the president's promise to conduct its business in a spirit of transparency and openness. But just in case that doesn't happen, Republicans are studying their options.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment on Byron York's column by clicking here.
Previously:
06/16/09 Worried about Sotomayor? Consider Andre Davis
06/08/09 Can Mitch Daniels save the GOP?
06/01/09 When the Dems derailed a Latino nominee
05/26/09 Why the GOP will defeat Obama on healthcare
05/19/09 Rosy report can't hide stimulus problems
05/12/09 The Reagan legacy is the man himself
05/05/09 Sen. Specter, meet your new friends
04/27/09 Ted Olson: ‘Torture’ probes will never end
04/20/09 Who's Laughing at the Axis of Evil today?
04/14/09 Congress needs Google to track stimulus money
04/06/09 Beyond AIG: A bill to let Big Government set your salary
03/30/09 On Spending and the Deficit, McCain Was Right
03/24/09 It's Obama's crisis now
03/17/09: Geithner-Obama economics: A joke that's not funny
© 2009, NEA
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