Senators Request Education Dept. Records

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20050113/ap_on_go_co/williams_education_2

Leaders of a Senate committee have directed the Education Department to turn over records of its public relations contracts, at the same time reminding the education secretary of a federal ban on "propaganda."

The request comes after revelations that the Bush administration had paid a prominent black media commentator, Armstrong Williams, to promote the new education law that had been strongly supported by Bush.

In the same contract as the Armstrong arrangement, with the public relations firm Ketchum, the department paid for a video that promotes the law and appears as a news story without making clear the reporter was hired. The agency has also paid for ratings of reporters, with points given for flattering coverage.

"Given our jurisdiction over the funds involved, we would appreciate your careful review of the contract with Ketchum and the payment made to Mr. Williams," said Sens. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in a letter to Education Secretary Rod Paige.

[kysrsoze]

1. Yay, let the floodgates open on all this crap

This is disgusting and illegal. Of course for this like everything else, no one will be prosecuted.

[joanski01]

2. Arlen Specter? Wow!

My Senator (whom I didn't vote for). Just wait until the Repukes get ahold of him

[Liberty Belle]

4. Write and thank him, if this is what it seems.

He'll probably get nothing but flack from the Reps.

[KoKo]

3. Am I reading this correctly? Specter comes THROUGH FOR US!!!

Is this what I'm reading? Is it? :shrug:

[noamnety]

5. That's just one department

Not good enough. Who's requesting the records for the FDA, Social Security, the Dept. of the Interior, and so on?

(It's a good start, though, I'll admit that.)

[wicket]

6. kick

:kick:

[struggle4progress]

7. kick