April 6, 1998--Volume II, Issue 6

Dish Network Keeps America’s Voice

Thanks to your phone calls, letters and e-mail notes, Dish Network has agreed to continue 24 hour broadcasting of the America’s Voice Network. America’s Voice is the only conservative, news talk television station providing unique programs by Michael Reagan, Paul Weyrich and Liberty Matters. The satellite system, Dish Network, was considering dropping or limiting programming for America’s Voice, claiming there was not enough interest. Your phone calls changed their mind. America’s Voice contacted us two weeks ago and said your quick response and the added support of other organizations sending out alerts made all the difference. Thanks! Now it is time to call and E-mail your thanks for their decision. e-mail feedback@echostar.com or call 1-800-333-3474

Supreme Court Will Decide Inverse Condemnation Case

The Supreme Court agreed March 30th "to decide whether people who sue local governments over land use decisions can get a jury trial." The Del Monte Dunes at Monterey Ltd sued the city of Montery, CA after they denied numerous attempts to get permission to develop 37 ocean front acres for a residential complex. The jury awarded the developer $1.45 million concluding that the city had violated Del Monte’s equal protection rights and the city’s land use restrictions amounted to a taking of property without just compensation. The 9th Circuit upheld the decision ruling that "Del Monte was entitled to have a jury try its inverse condemnation claim." Jury trials are not allowed when local governments condemn and pay for the property under the authority of eminent domain. The city argues that this decision "departs sharply from the accepted procedure for litigating such claims in both federal and state courts." Faxback Doc. 266

Regulation Without Ratification

Once again, the Clinton administration is attempting an end run around the Senate and the US Constitution, implementing the Climate Change Treaty by directive and ignoring the will of the people. Using state planning entities and NGO’s, as well as Federal Government agencies, action plans (to implement the treaty) are surfacing. The scope of these draconian measures is outlined in the newly released Maine Climate Change Action Plan. The central points of the plan mandate a number of extreme lifestyle and economic changes for the people of Maine. The most troubling details include a "residential dispersion tax" which would make it financially impossible for the majority of people to live outside of "municipal centers," "energy tightening" standards on all buildings, the phasing out of existing wood stoves, and many other restrictions. The full report is 66 pages long. (Call us for a copy) for 6 page analysis order Faxback Doc. 267

John Shuler Prevails – At Last!

March 17th, the U.S. District Court for Montana ruled in favor of John Shuler and his nine year legal battle with the Federal Government. In September of 1989, John Shuler shot and killed one of four grizzly bears threatening his life in his own yard. After notifying the Fish and Wildlife Service of the incident since the bears were protected under the Endangered Species Act, the federal government prosecuted and fined Shuler claiming that he had provoked the bear and "introduced himself into the zone of imminent danger." He was convicted and fined for the incident. Mountain States Legal Foundation filed a case in 1996 on behalf of Shuler claiming he acted in self-defense. Faxback Doc. 268

Environmental Education (Indoctrination) Up For Reauthorization

The EPA is pushing for reauthorization of the 1990 National Environmental Education Act. Even though the Act expired in 1996, they continue to appropriate and spend funds to run these nationwide programs without Congressional approval. In an overview of the law, The Center for the New West explains "In America’s classrooms today, children are taught that the only way to solve environmental problems is with a top down, command and control government regulation. The EPA’s own report to Congress makes it abundantly clear that the agency wants to encourage more not less, political activity by students." For a copy of the analysis order Faxback Doc. 269