Bookeristas In The News

USA: GOP Chairman Ends Abortion Insurance For Employees

A chagrined GOP Chairman Michael Steele has told Republican National Committee staff to immediately stop providing RNC employees with insurance for elective abortions — an option that Congressional Republicans strongly oppose as Democrats try to pass a health care overhaul bill. "Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose," the moderate-conservative Republican said late yesterday after learning of the abortion coverage from a news report. "I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled." Mr. Steele instructed staff to inform the insurance carrier that the RNC wanted to opt out of elective abortion coverage, RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said. She said the policy has been in effect since 1991.

The memo said the RNC received a phone call from a reporter on Wednesday asking whether the RNC's health care policy, through Cigna, covered elective abortions for employees. On Thursday, Politico.com published a report citing two sales agents for Cigna who said the RNC's policy covered elective abortion. The Cigna employees said the RNC didn't choose to opt out of abortion coverage when given the opportunity, Politico.com reported.

France: Anti-Rama Yade Army Lies In Wait

Paris Match discusses the enemies of Rama Yade, the outspoken French Secretary of State for Sport and moderate-conservative who is France's most popular political figure (article in French): "While cabinet ministers marched to defend tooth and nail the nomination of Jean Sarkozy [son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy who is only 23 and still in college] at the head of EPAD, Rama Yade dissented, later earned herself a patent of courage. But this symbol of love, if today her best protection, may be destructive. Jealousy? Resentment? Or excessive zeal to please the prince who tried to disgrace her: her colleagues hesitate more now to say how much they hate her...."

It continues about the former human rights minister: "Without the president's current dire straits, would Rama Yade still be in government? Unlikely. In ruling against Minister Roselyne Bachelot on the taxation of sports clubs, she crossed the yellow line. But after the controversy Clearstream, Frederic Mitterrand [government official who admits to having sex with boys in Thailand] and Jean Sarkozy [nepotism scandal], the head of state can't afford a new crisis. In his entourage, it is said that Rama Yade demonstrated 'a calm and impressive serenity.' The young woman was nevertheless aware of the fragility of her position. 'She understood that she must leave his isolation, build networks that can defend her when required', explains a heavyweight within the [ruling center-right] majority. Last week, she was able to count on the support of Xavier Bertrand, also unfavorable to challenging tax benefits for sports clubs. The UMP secretary general provides counseling to Rama Yade to 'get results, stay calm and not polemic.'"

USA: City Council Candidate Arrested On Drug Trafficking Charges

A candidate trying to unseat Orlando (Fla.) City Commissioner Daisy Lynum was arrested for drug charges late last night. Ezell "EZ" Harris was the target of what the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation dubbed "Operation EZ": agents raided the conservative Republican's home and business, Easy Travel Plan Net, after allegations of drug trafficking.

Harris has been a vocal critic of Ms. Lynum for years, and is running for city council on a "law and order" platform. According to the Huffington Post, he launched his campaign at a Tea Party rally.

Harris faces four charges, including trafficking in 14 grams or more of hydrocodone, dispensing drugs without a license, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, the trafficking charge would put Harris behind bars for a long time: it carries a 15-year minimum sentence. He's being held in lieu of $100,400 bail.