Liberty
Matters News Service
February 17, 2005
Campaign to Yank PETA's Tax-Exempt Status
The Center for Consumer Freedom has launched an aggressive
campaign to have PETA's tax-exempt status revoked. The Center charges the wacky
organization has forfeited any claim to special tax consideration for a variety
of reasons, most notably its open financial support of eco-terrorist groups. It
gave $1,500 to the notorious Earth Liberation Front (ELF) in 2001 and in 1995
PETA gave $70,000 to Rodney Coronado who was convicted of firebombing a
Michigan State University research laboratory at the behest of the Animal
Liberation Front. According to information on the Center's website; "PETA pays
no federal taxes on its income. But few of these other tax-exempt groups share
PETA's total disregard for the law. In 2003 PETA collected over $24 million
from Americans, avoiding over $3.5 million in federal income taxes. Because
this tax break amounts to a huge subsidy, every American taxpayer is footing
the bill for PETA's behavior." To sign the petition exposing PETA's sins go to:
www.PETAPetition.com For additional information about PETA, visit
www.consumerfreedom.com.
Fish and Wildlife to Plant Falcons
The Fish and Wildlife Service
announced in the February 9 Federal Register they are planning to
"re-introduce" captive aplomado falcons into their "historic" habitat in
southern New Mexico and Arizona. If the proposed rule is finalized, says the
Service, they will release the birds as early as this summer and will continue
to release up to 150 more falcons annually for 10 more years until a
self-sustaining population is established. The falcon is a tropical species
that was never common north of the Rio Grande River and the feds' proposal is a
vast over-reach that should be viewed with suspicion, according to bird
experts. The bird will be classified as "Nonessential Population -- which means
it does not have full regulatory land-use control powers of a normally listed
Endangered Species. It is treated more like a Threatened Species with lower
level of gravity to 'harm,' especially casual harm…," according to R. J.
Smith of the Private Conservation organization. It is unclear how the feds
meddling will affect grazing and mineral exploration in the area but
environmental groups are already complaining the bird's "non-essential"
designation will make it easier for oil and gas companies to conduct
exploration, especially in the Otero Mesa region. "By not having to designate
critical habitat for the aplomado falcon, it gives them (oil and gas
developers) the green light to drill wherever they want to," said Oscar
Simpson, president of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
Federal Register: February 9, 2005
Environmentalists Rap Reintroducing
Falcons
Eco-terrorists Suspected in California Arson
Eco-terrorists are blamed for an arson fire
in the Sutter Creek apartment complex last week. The complex was still under
construction when seven firebombs were set off, causing an estimated $100,000
in damage. The words; "We will win - ELF," were sprayed on a storage building
on the site. This is the third incident in the area north of Sacramento in the
last two months. Three unexploded bombs were found at a home construction site
in Lincoln, December 26, 2004, and five explosive devises were discovered at an
office building site January 12 in Auburn. An agent with the FBI's Joint
Terrorism Task Force in Sacramento recently met with local builders and law
enforcement people to devise methods to make the construction sites more
secure. An organization formed to counter eco-terrorist strikes on building
construction, the Construction Industry Crime Prevention Program, sent out
packets to its 300 Northern California members with tips on how to prevent such
attacks. "I want to emphasize that this will not be the last one (eco-terrorist
strike)," said program director, Vicki Schlechter. "This pattern is far from
over in this area. It's just a miracle no one's been hurt or killed."
Eco-Terror Sparks
Anxiety
Invasive Species Invades Transportation Bill
Proponents of legislation that would
identify and remove "invasive or non-native species," from the American
landscape are trying to get a toehold by inserting codifying language into S
1072, the 2005 Transportation Bill. Private property rights advocates
successfully convinced the House last year to eliminate invasive species
references in HB 3550. The language addressing invasive species is still in
S1072, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity
bill, (SAFETE) under Title I, Sub-Title F, Sec. 166, "Control of invasive plant
species and establishment of native species." Invasive Species are defined as;
"non-indigenous species the introduction of which causes or is likely to cause
economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." The wording is
extremely vague and opens the door to eradication of non-native, beneficial
plants and animals. Sources in the Senate Environment and Public Works
Transportation Subcommittee tell us S 1072 will be marked up by the end of
March. Contact members of the Transportation Subcommittee to request that all
references to "invasive species" be removed from S1072. A win now will save a
floor fight later.
Highway Bill Senate Alert