Nation Topics - California | The Nation

The article reports that University of California Los Angeles graduate Andrew Jones started a website aimed at exposing professors he perceived as radicals "actively proselytizing" their political beliefs. He paid students to tape and report on their professors lectures and posted the results, a list of the "Dirty Thirty," on his website. The university community has condemned Jones's attempt to curtail academic freedoms and conservative supporters have resigned from his advisory board.

The article presents California Representative Henry Waxman's views on the concepts of transparency and accountability in United States government. It is the author's views that the Constitution's system of checks and balances does not work when the White House and Congress try to shield government corruption and abuse from scrutiny. Various pieces of legislation aimed at curbing government waste and corruption are discussed.

The article presents California Representatives Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee views regarding the war in Iraq. It is suggested that George W. Bush's "stay the course" philosophy regarding the war may keep U.S. troops there indefinitely. The authors state that a major policy shift regarding Iraq is long overdue. It is the author's view that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq and appeal to the United Nations.

The article reports the author's views on reducing youth and gang violence in the United States and making California safer. The argument is given for funding partnerships with Byrne grants and Community Oriented Policing programs, rather than relying on punitive measures and underfunded juvenile justice programs. This can be done with collaborations among law enforcement agencies, social services agencies, parents and schools. The author plans to introduce legislation that will give tax credits to organizations participating in a program for alternative school students.

The article looks at the universal pre-kindergarten movement in California. Preschool activist Rob Reiner is pushing for a proposed measure that would guarantee access to preschool for every child in California. Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, and New York offer universal preschool programs. The push for early childhood education comes from research on the cognitive and emotional development of children. The Perry Preschool study showed the advantages of preschool among poor children. The universal pre-kindergarten movement has created a media campaign to promote the benefits of early learning.

Focuses on the declining popularity of Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lack of support for a special election on measures that would enhance Schwarzenegger's budget authority, extend probation for new teachers, and impose a new way to redraw electoral districts; Discussion of antilabor measures supported by Schwarzenegger; Desire of Schwarzenegger to prevent public-employee labor unions from making large political donations; Reliance of the California Democratic Party on union contributions; Impact of Schwarzenegger's anti-immigration proposals on his public support.

Reviews the book "The Golden West: Hollywood Stories," by Daniel Fuchs.

Reports that domestic surveillance may be returning to the United States through the coordinated efforts of the National Guard, the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, state and local police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Reference to an investigation of a California National Guard intelligence unit that had monitored an antiwar demonstration; Report that state and federal laws forbid such surveillance activities; Statement that the National Guard is prohibited from taking part in domestic law enforcement; Lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the FBI, charging that the FBI is engaging in intimidation based on political association; List of universities in the U.S. where at least one campus officer's overtime and expenses are paid by the FBI.

Presents profiles of various progressive city leaders around the U.S. Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, CA; Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah; Pegeen Hanrahan, Mayor of Gainesville, Florida; Elaine Fleming, Mayor of Cass Lake, Minnesota; Ross Mirkarimi, City Supervisor of San Francisco, CA; JoAnn Watson, Council member in Detroit; Bill Perkins, Council member in New York City; John Herrera: Alderman, Carrboro North Carolina.

Presents a political comic strip which criticizes the performance of Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California.