Arnold Schwarzenegger & John McCain Spring Into Action ’06 Fundraiser Invitation
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Privacy
Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Raising McCain
<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The last time Arnold visited
the Beverly Hilton Hotel, it was to declare defeat on all of his ballot
initiatives in last November's special election. On Monday he'll return
to the hotel to...</font>
Beatty warns Democrats it’s Schwarzenegger they want to beat
<p class="source">Associated Press</p>
<p>"I want us to win," Beatty said at a fundraiser for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, an advocacy group. Echoing a line made famous by President Reagan, he said the party should follow the GOP's lead and embrace the idea that "thou shalt not speak ill of another Democrat."</p>
Business boosts infrastructure;
<h3>The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has entered the fray on the proposal to rebuild the
state's roads, levees and schools, paying for a TV ad praising Gov.
Schwarzenegger's economic record.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>
<p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is serving as a cover for "publicly hated industries like big oil, insurance and HMOs."</p>
Governor’s ties to fitness lobbying group weigh heavy;
<h3>Conflict-of-interest issue hangs over Ohio muscle show</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p>
<p>Doug Heller of ArnoldWatch -- a watchdog effort of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights -- said the governor's support for the association last year was disturbing enough. But his activities this coming weekend, a year after the governor declared he had cut financial ties to the Arnold Classic, pose a "lingering question: Is Arnold still working for the muscle industry?"</p>
Fate of stem cell agency falls to court;
<h3>Litigation has scared off investors</h3><p class="source">Monterey County Herald (California)</p>
<p>''The stem cell institute's recent responsiveness to public input in a number of areas is encouraging,'' said John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which is not part of the court case. ''The stem cell oversight committee members finally understand they are a state agency and must involve the public.''</p>
Stem cell transparency
<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>It has taken more pressure from public interest groups than it should have to set the institute on the right path. That's probably because the governing board has no members from such groups, something the Legislature should correct once the three-year moratorium on amending Proposition 71 is over. Still, the board showed that it has learned how to listen and respond, one of its most promising steps so far.</p>
Killer prices?
<p class="source">NPR Marketplace Radio Program</p>
<p>Genentech's drug Avastin is a highly effective treatment for colon, breast, and lung cancer. It's also incredibly expensive. Genentech says society has to be willing to pay more for the benefits of life-sustaining drugs, but Commentator Jamie Court says drug companies have a moral obligation not to price them out of reach.</p>
Killer prices?
<h3>Genentech doubling price of cancer drug which clinical trial was government-funded</h3>
<p>Genentech's drug Avastin is a highly effective treatment for colon, breast, and lung cancer. It's also incredibly expensive. Genentech says society has to be willing to pay more for the benefits of life-sustaining drugs, but Commentator Jamie Court says drug companies have a moral obligation not to price them out of reach.</p>
The Bonds That Bind
<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">This letter was sent to Arnold
today calling on him to impose a moratorium on fundraising from any
construction and development industry interests that might benefit from
his proposed...</font>
FTCR letter to Stem Cell Committee Chairman Robert Klein
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Suit demands Apple replace scratched iPod nanos for free
<p class="source">Agence France Presse</p>
<p>Selling 'cool' stuff isn't 'cool' if the stuff doesn't work as advertised and Apple fails to comply with its obligations under its warranty and California laws," said Harvey Rosenfield, a lawyer for the Foundation of Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which is involved in the suit.</p>