In Brief - October 23rd, 2007

Here is today's quick news digest:

• The Alaska Democratic Party today launched a thorough, comprehensive website that profiles Ted Stevens' deep connections to corporate interests and makes a solid case for why he is embarrassing Alaska and needs to leave the U.S. Senate. You can see it for yourself at RetireTed.com
• People for the American Way has managed to create what is perhaps the most hilarious parody of the year: Right Wing Facebook.
• The Republican National Committee is on the verge of punishing states that have decided to hold early caucuses and primaries in violation of party rules by stripping the offending states of half their convention delegates.
• Glenn Beck continues to make insensitive comments. Why CNN hasn't fired him, and why he ever had a show to begin with, is difficult to fathom.
• Chris Dodd's heroic efforts to stop retroactive immunity for telecoms by threatening filibuster in the Senate for a corporate friendly bill are gathering momentum, with Senators Obama and Clinton offering conditional support for a filibuster in statements today.
• The Mount St. Helens Coldwater Visitor Center is closing due to lack of funding. It's a perfect example of the George W. Bush legacy: billions and billions of dollars spent on a pointless foreign occupation with endless American casaulties while treasured National Parks and Monuments break down due to lack of investment. Our common wealth is suffering thanks to years of Republican neglect, but we can still restore it.
• After deciding not to an appeal an European Union ruling that found it guilty of running afoul of antitrust regulations, Microsoft announced yesterday it would make significant concessions, including dropping the price it charges for interoperability information and allowing developers of open source software to have access for a one time of fee of around $14,300.

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