July 27, 1998 

Gore to Designate Rivers Monday

The White House Press Office has announced Vice President Gore will designate the "American Heritage Rivers" this Monday. On Thursday, he and President Clinton will travel to Todd, NC for a photo op. (Congressman Charles Taylor [R-NC] has fought CEQ about designating a river in his district). A final effort to stop the program was attempted last week when Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) called on grassroots support to help pass his amendment that would keep CEQ from spending funds on the program. But, at the last minute, Stearns caved in to the opposition and did not offer the amendment. At least the grassroots had the courage to stand up to the president. Where is our Congress?` Faxback Doc. 321 

EO 13083 - Clinton’s Latest Power Grab!

On May 14, 1998, during a meeting in Birmingham, England, Bill Clinton signed into law Executive Order 13083 entitled "Federalism." So much controversy has erupted about the EO that high-level meetings with states and elected officials have caused White House officials to postpone its implementation until mid November. The EO sets forth nine conditions for when federal intervention and preemption of states and local governments is justified. The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution states that if the power is not specifically granted to the feds, or specifically denied to the States, the federal government has no authority. Basically, this EO gives carte blanche authority to the federal government bureaucrats. Congressman Michael Collins (R-GA) has introduced H.C.R 299 to counter EO 13083. ACTION: Call and ask your Congressman to co-sign this resolution and stop this Administration from taking more power from the people. Faxback Docs. 320, 323, 324 

Bill Restricts EPA Implementing Climate Change Treaty

Promising language has been added to the VA/HUD Appropriations Bill (HR 4194) that restricts the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement portions of the Kyoto global warming treaty signed by President Clinton but not yet ratified by the Senate. Fearing the treaty would not pass the Senate, Clinton has already taken steps to implement it through the agencies without authorization. The bill language keeps the agencies from doing this. The bill is to resume debate on the House floor this Tuesday. ACTION: Call your Congressman and make sure he/she supports this language. 

ESA – Watch Closely

Word is that Senator Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID) is going to try to amend his S 1180 bill or parts of it into the Interior Appropriations bill that just passed the House. Speculation has it that Kempthorne will offer "compromise" language with "Safe Harbor" or "No Surprises" type amendments. ACTION: Call today and tell your Senator no bill is better than Kempthorne’s ESA. 

International Criminal Court a Done Deal

On July 17, 1998 in Rome, Italy the U.N. Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court voted 120 to 7 to create what Henry Lamb calls "the final essential mechanism to establish Global Governance." This international legal body does not recognize, nor will it in any way incorporate the concept of trial by jury. Parties that ratify the statute "shall" cooperate with the Prosecutor; conform national laws to meet the requirements of the International Criminal Court (ICC); use national police powers and facilities to capture individuals; and confiscate property when directed to do so by the Prosecutor. Jail terms run from 30 years for most offenses up to life in prison. Enforcement powers allow confiscation of any type of asset, both personal and corporate. The United States Government could not block an investigation of American citizens. Any American outside the boundaries of the U.S (including military personnel) could be subjected to investigation, arrest, detention, asset confiscation, and ultimately conviction and imprisonment. All without the benefit of the Constitutional protections that have kept us free for over 200 years. To quote Mr. Lamb, " the International Criminal Court now gives the world the legal instrument it needs to attack the United States for the crimes of success and prosperity." Faxback Doc. 322