The Week in Review
ending October 6
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Message of Love.
From Oklahoma to Washington, DC.
Photo © NSM. |
Missed last week's stories? Get a complete
listing.
Want In The Hoop's list of the week's
Winners and Losers? Wait
no more.
Norton faces another contempt charge
For the second time since taking office, Secretary of Interior
Gale Norton has been faced with the possibility of contempt
in court charges for her department's handling of the trust
fund.
Like the first time, the charges center around alleged
incidents of retaliation of Interior employees. In a court
opinion, special master Alan Balaran blasts top
managers for failing to inform employees they
would be protected should they come forward with information
about the trust fund.
The criticism of the Interior comes in contrast to the
Department of Treasury, which has received praise
for its response to being held in contempt back in February
1999. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, however, isn't
letting the department off the hook and still considers
it in breach of trust to an estimated 300,000 American
Indians.
Get the Story:
Interior faces
contempt on trust fund (10/1)
Judge: Treasury
still in breach of trust fund (10/2)
Congress acts in wake of terrorism
September 11's terrorist attacks put on hold much of the
domestic agenda, including Indian policy, as Congress has
rushed to complete legislation considered vital to
America's response.
But thankfully for the Gwich'in Nation and
environmentalists, a $345 billion defense bill passed
this week by the Senate doesn't contain provisions
to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to
oil and gas development. Some Republicans had threatened
to hold back Senate business unless energy was considered
but somehow, bipartisanship won out.
The same might not be said for an anti-terrorism bill
quickly moving through both chambers. The House and
the Senate are closer to passing a bill that makes it
easier to investigate persons suspected of terrorism.
How the bill stands up to American's expectations of freedom
will be a test for the future.
Get the Story:
ANWR spared in
defense vote (10/3)
Anti-terrorism
bill expands police powers (10/4)
more stories
There's still more to read in the recap
of the top stories.
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