Sam Brownback links (AP) Vietnamese Boat People Arrive in L.A.: Monday’s arrivals were the first of some 1,600 Vietnamese refugees expected to make their way to this country under an agreement allowing asylum-seekers scattered in the Philippines since 1989 to resettle in the United States. … Over the years, several hundred refugees were resettled in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe. But the vast majority remained in limbo in the Philippines as politicians and activists sought a resolution. “I just thought it was so clearly wrong,” said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which held a hearing on the issue in February 2004. “The right thing to do was to grant them permanent status so they can get on with their lives.”(Agape Press) Commentary & News Briefs: The second Stand for Israel National Briefing gets under way tomorrow in Washington, DC. Stand for Israel director George Mamo says an impressive array of leaders, both from the U.S. and Israel, are scheduled to address the two-day briefing. The event will kick off with Ambassador Daniel Ayalon, Israel’s ambassador to the United States. Also, Mamo notes, “We’ve got Senators Rick] Santorum and [Sam] Brownback, Deputy Whip [Mike] Pence, Howard Kohr from AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Council]. … Stand for Israel is the outreach and education arm of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the group’s director explains, “and what we’re trying to do is reach out to all of those many Christians who support Israel but just don’t know what to do.”[(RedState.Org Commentary) Mackinac Conference Report: The first keynote speaker was Senator Sam Brownback. He’s a dark horse to watch who has a strong core support among religious conservatives. He emphazised both economic issues and social issues, as well as his farming roots in Kansas. Conservative judicial candidates are the biggest issue to him, and he wants us to elect a new senator. He’s a good speaker, and didn’t have the usual senatorial arrogance I see on CSPAN.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.