UNDER KIM'S SKIN: North Korea has launched a new offensive to vilify the United States and Japan while trying to ingratiate herself with Russia and China. And, reported Talon News on August 12, U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton, a longtime staunch conservative, has become a top target of the Communist government's ire. "North Korea once again reserved its harshest words for U.S. Undersecretary of State Bolton, who initially provoked the nation's wrath when he called life in North Korea a 'hellish nightmare' and called Kim Jong-il a 'tyrannical dictator. . .,'" reported Talon. "'[Bolton's] remarks make us doubt whether he is a man with the elementary faculty of thinking and face of a man or not,' a statement from North Korea read in part. 'He is, indeed, one like an animal running about recklessly, devoid of reason, and an ugly fellow who cannot be regarded as a human being.'" NOW THE UN: As the pro-homosexual rights global onslaught by the Western world's cultural elites continues, the United Nations has begun to get involved. At the United Nations' first panel on "gay rights" August 4, speakers called for the enshrinement of homosexual rights in international treaties. The UN is considering the provision of benefits to the partners of its homosexual employees. At the panel, Rep. Barney Frank (D.-Mass.) threatened to oppose a trade deal with Egypt because of that country's prosecution of men who commit sodomy. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed the panel and then later said, "Individuals' rights must be protected. There is a tendency to discriminate, and this is a tendency we should move away from and be much more tolerant and much more compassionate." A week before, when asked about same-sex marriage, Annan had said that "individuals should be allowed to make their own choices and that we should be careful not to draw conclusions, or adopt prejudicial attitudes, towards people for their choices and preferences." However, Annan said that he was expressing his personal views and not United Nations policy, which he said should avoid this particular question—for now. STILL TRYING: As liberal former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean continues to surge in Democratic primary polls, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) continues his quest to be the sensible, moderate alternative to liberal extremism within his party while still attacking President Bush. Not only did he criticize fellow Democrats for opposing the war to topple Saddam Hussein—the type of criticism that the media has been focused on—in a speech at the National Press Club on August 4, he said, "Some Democrats still prefer old, big government solutions to our problems. But with record deficits, a stalled economy and Social Security in danger, we can't afford that." Lieberman also mentioned his trademark concern about degenerate pop culture, which Democratic candidates—dependent on donations from Hollywood moguls—tend to avoid. "Some are silent about the marketing of violent or sexual entertainment to our children," said Lieberman. "But we should be allies with parents in the struggle to protect their kids." STILL TRYING II: Some people may have forgotten, but formerly-pro-life Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D.-Ohio) is still running for President (and for his congressional seat at the same time). In an item headlined "Kucinich: He Questioned Intelligence Before Questioning Intelligence Was Cool," the Hotline reported August 5, "Rep. Dennis Kucinich adviser Steve Cobble takes issue with Tim Russert's comment, 'No major Democrat stood up and said, "This intelligence may be bogus." A hundred and eighty members of the House cited the nuclear threat as a reason for voting for the resolution to go to war with Iraq' ('Meet the Press,' Aug. 3, 2003). . . . Cobble points to a statement Rep. Dennis Kucinich issued Dec. 19, 2002. From the statement: 'Despite their recent increase in rhetoric and "war talk," the fact remains that to this date they have not provided evidence for a war.'" OBSCENITY LIVES: Though many prosecutors have stopped going after violators of obscenity laws, the U.S. Justice Department has chosen to prosecute some particularly egregious pornographers who sell videos of women being raped and murdered. Robert Zicari, Janet Ramano, and Extreme Associates have been indicted on ten counts by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mary Beth Buchanan. "This week's indictment is a huge victory for women. . .," said Rep. Joe Pitts (R.-Pa.) on August 8. "It's unacceptable [conduct] in a civilized society."
