Judicial Watch is a leader in the effort to educate the American people about the inner workings of the Security and Prosperity Partnership, a joint initiative of the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While the Bush administration continues to claim the partnership is merely an effort to foster greater cooperation between the three nations, critics believe the partnership represents a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
For those interested in learning more about the Security and Prosperity Partnership, JW will hold a panel discussion Wednesday, June 20th, 3 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Joining me on the panel will be: Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum; Rosemary Jenks, NumbersUSA; Dr. Robert Pastor, American University; and David Bohigian of the U.S. Department of Commerce. I’m looking forward to a vigorous discussion from these national leaders on this issue.
As I’ve discussed in previous updates, Judicial Watch has already uncovered and released partnership documents dealing with a wide-range of issues – everything from disease outbreaks to border security to economic development. And lest anyone think the partnership’s discussions are theoretical, these meetings include officials at the highest levels of the U.S. government. Many of the policy goals discussed have timetables for completion…some within the next six months.
JW’s efforts to make the Security and Prosperity Partnership transparent have become particularly important, given the lack of congressional oversight, and the fact that the media has been MIA on the issue. Judicial Watch remains committed to making sure the discussions are more open and transparent.
Click here to read the latest documents uncovered by Judicial Watch. These documents talk of taxpayer funded grants to subsidize Mexico’s infrastructure development. Please feel to come to attend our event. You can learn more here.
Hillary Instrumental in Starting Group Modeled on Judicial Watch
There are new Hillary Clinton biographies: "A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton, by Carl Bernstein and Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton, by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr. For the most part, these books add detail to what we already know: Hillary Clinton is incompetent, corrupt, vindictive, paranoid, and power-hungry. She will stop at nothing to achieve her personal ambitions. However, there is one new nugget of information in the Gerth and Van Natta offerings highlighted this week in an article by the National Review’s Byron York.
According to Gerth and Van Natta, Hillary Clinton was instrumental in launching the nonprofit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. As York writes, “Hillary wanted to ‘beat the GOP at their own game’ by setting up a group modeled on Judicial Watch, which had filed lawsuits against the Clintons in the 1990s.”
York continues: “Hillary helped line up donors for CREW, volunteered ideas, okayed the involvement of her top pollster, Mark Penn, and looked on as her ‘watchdogs’ went out after DeLay and other GOP leaders. Somehow she managed to keep her name out of all this.”
(York correctly points out that Hillary has conveniently ignored Judicial Watch lawsuits against the Bush administration. Our nonpartisanship is inconsistent with her vast right-wing conspiracy theory.)
As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In this case, had Judicial Watch not been so successful in exposing Clinton corruption and holding the Clintons accountable there would have been no need for Hillary to create what she saw as our alter-ego on the left.
Alcee Hastings to Lead Clinton Campaign in Florida
Staying with Hillary Clinton, it appears the New York Senator will have at least two former impeached public officials supporting her campaign for President of the United States: Her husband, Bill Clinton, and Florida Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings.
Hastings, who was impeached as a federal judge for perjury and bribery, has been named one of Hillary Clinton’s national campaign co-chairs. In a statement to the press, Clinton said, "With [Hastings’] help, we will bring our message of change throughout Florida and across the country."
Appointing Hastings to a campaign leadership position certainly sends a message, but it has nothing to do with “change.” In fact, considering Hillary’s sordid history of corrupt behavior, I’d say it signals more of the same.
Hastings is one of only six federal judges to be removed from office through impeachment for perjury and conspiracy to obtain a bribe. In 1983, Hastings was mired in a scandal involving the solicitation of a $150,000 bribe in return for favorable treatment for defendants in a racketeering case before him. In 1988, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (413-3) to impeach Hastings. In October 1989, following a trial, the Democratic-run Senate convicted Hastings and removed him from the bench. Four years later Hastings did what any disgraced public official would do – he ran, and was elected, to Congress.
The evidence against Hastings is summarized in a letter I sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last November. Incredibly, Pelosi, who was the Speaker-elect at the time, was considering Hastings to head the House Intelligence Committee. After much public outcry, Pelosi thought better of it, and Hastings was denied the key intelligence post.
Immigration Reform Bill Still Alive?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, stymied by a block of conservatives, was unable to secure the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the immigration reform bill and force a vote. (He could only manage 45.) Opponents of the bill, which provides amnesty for up to 12 million illegal aliens, were understandably pleased with the result. However, anyone who thinks this signaled the end of this bill, or other amnesty proposals in Congress, is mistaken. The bill may be on life support, but it’s not dead yet.
President Bush has been on Capitol Hill hoping to persuade enough Republicans to break ranks and allow the bill, which the White House supports, to the floor for a vote. Did he gain any ground?
"Look, we had a very, very good discussion, including some of our members who are not -- shall I say? -- keen on this measure, and others who are still taking a look at it and trying to decide how they're going to vote," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.
McConnell thinks, in the end, the votes will be there, saying the bill is “80 to 85 percent of the way to the finish line.” So, too, does Republican Senator (and presidential contender) John McCain, who told reporters he thought there could be a vote before the July 4th recess. (What a wonderful way to celebrate American independence, right?)
Bush’s lobbying push seems to have worked, as the bill is expected to be brought back to the Senate floor soon. A limited number of amendments will be considered, but it is far from certain whether the bill can still clear the Senate.
President Bush told reporters that he is aggressively pushing immigration reform because the “status quo is unacceptable.” True enough. But I fail to see how rewarding the very behavior you are trying to discourage is going to change the status quo for the better. What we need is border security and respect for the rule of law. (Click here to see how Judicial Watch is fighting to enforce federal immigration laws nationwide.)
It is not too late to make your voice heard on this issue. Here is the number for the congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Tom Fitton is president of Judicial Watch, Inc., a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law.