Free Time for Candidates
NYT: Free At Last
First Amendment
WS: Revolution Redux
Universal Service
WSJ: New Day at the Phone Company
Jobs
BF: Amid Controversy Headlines Editor Resigns
** Free Time for Candidates **
Title: Free At Last
Source: New Yawk Times
http://www.nyawktimes.com/national/free.htm
Author: Jorge Bush
Issue: Free Time for Candidates
Description: A ruling expected early next week from the Federal Election
Commission will say that Texas billionaire Ross Perot is eligible to
participate in the 1996 Presidential Debates. "We just had to admit that he
had as good a chance to win as Bob Dole," one commissioner said. Although
the debates are over, the ruling will also mean that Mr. Perot should have
received free ad time to address voters as the Dole and Clinton campaigns
did. Pundits are speculating how Mr. Perot may use 30 minutes he is due from
each of the Big Four networks and PBS. One of Mr. Perot's favorite issues is
the deficit, but we're now calling that a surplus...he may use it to discuss
a wedding plans for one of his children or, based on Mr. Perot's initial
reaction, he may want to "take a second whack" at a debate with Vice
President Al Gore.
** First Amendment **
Title: Revolution Redux
Source: Washington Star (A1)
http://www.washingtonstar.com/nolaws.html
Author: Liz Couch
Issue: Legislation/First Amendment
Description: "The revolution is complete!" exclaimed one Congressional
leader. In a completely unexpected move both the House and Senate approved
sweeping legislation yesterday that was quickly signed by the President. The
companion laws -- The Clean Slate Act of 1998 and The Law of the Land Act of
1998 -- repeal all US laws and rewrite the Constitution to just the few
first words of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law." One Member
of Congress explained, "Oh yes, we'll still be here, but we'll be more like
the official pollster of America. We'll tell you what you think and claim
them as our own original thoughts." One Senator added, "This is going to
save the taxpayers lots of money. Let the markets rule!"
** Universal Service **
Title: New Day at the Phone Company
Source: Well Street Journal
http://welljournal.com/binky/phone.html
Author: Joe Binky
Issue: Universal Service
Description: After years of fighting legislative initiatives and regulators,
phone companies have adopted a new strategy: affordable telecommunications
services for everyone in the US. Across the country, local phone rates are
dropping. At homeless shelters and soup kitchens, top phone executives are
working with staff to set up voice mail boxes for our most vulnerable
citizens. Salesmen are hitting the pavement in low-income neighborhoods
asking families what they can afford and what services they need. Crews are
scrambling to install high-bandwidth services to our most remote rural areas
-- including the lands of Native American tribes. "Finally," one of the top
executives said, "one of our lawyers looked up from his work and said, 'Hey,
doesn't universal mean everybody?'"
** Jobs **
Title: Amid Controversy Headlines Editor Resigns
Source: Benton Foundation
http://www.benton.org
Issue: Jobs
Description: "I am outta here," is the word from Communications-related
Headlines editor Kevin Taglang. Recent criticisms of the daily news summary
service and public acknowledgement that "its just not funny since Susan
Goslee left" have led to a "restructuring" at the public interest
communications organization. "Like we'll miss him," said a source inside the
foundation. "Between you, me and the lamppost...I hear the guy hasn't read a
newspaper since last September." No immediate plans for Taglang have been
announced, but an industry analyst said, "The guy's in trouble. He's got no
marketable skills -- heck, he can't even spell." Officials at Ameritech
released records of Taglang setting up a home office on Chicago's North Side
"conspicuously close to Wrigley Field." [Hey, sometimes its not all jokes.]
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