Washington, D.C.

9-11 families plan watchdog list

Families of 9-11 victims said Wednesday they would keep a “watchdog” list of any members of Congress who oppose legislation enforcing changes recommended by the 9-11 commission.

“We need to have a list of the lawmakers. We need to follow who’s opposing and disagreeing and why,” said Lorie Van Auken, a member of the Family Steering Committee, which lobbied successfully for an independent commission to investigate the attacks.

The commission’s final report urges rapid fundamental changes in how the legislative and executive branches of government oversee the nation’s intelligence apparatus, consolidating oversight into one group of lawmakers and one person in the White House who answers directly to the president.

President Bush has said he will study the commission’s recommendations but has stopped short of endorsing them.

Virginia

Falwell target of new politicking complaint

A watchdog group says the Rev. Jerry Falwell violated campaign-finance laws by endorsing President Bush and soliciting funds for a conservative political action committee on his ministries’ Web site.

In a complaint filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission, the Campaign Legal Center said Jerry Falwell Ministries and a lobbying organization affiliated with Falwell were politicking for the president by endorsing him earlier this month, which they are barred from doing as nonprofit corporations.

The complaint follows a separate letter sent by a religious watchdog group to the Internal Revenue Service accusing Falwell of violating his ministries’ tax-exempt status by endorsing a political candidate.

In an e-mail newsletter sent to followers July 1, Falwell urged conservatives to vote for Bush and “flood Campaign for Working Families with financial help.”

Michigan

Poll shows John Ramsey has shot at legislature

John Ramsey, father of slain child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, is in a close race with three other Republicans for the state House less than a week before the primary election, according to poll results released Wednesday.

The survey by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA shows that many in the northern Michigan district have an unfavorable impression of Ramsey. But it also suggests he is benefiting from the crowded field, pollster Ed Sarpolus said.

Of 401 likely Republican voters surveyed July 22-26 by phone, 18 percent supported Ramsey. Kevin Elsenheimer, an attorney, was supported by 20 percent, while 17 percent backed Jeff Garfield, a county official. Sixteen percent favored Craig Ryan, a former legislative aide. The rest were undecided or supported other candidates.

Alabama

Appeals court upholds ban on sex toy sales

A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld a 1998 Alabama law banning the sale of sex toys in the state, ruling the Constitution doesn’t include a right to sexual privacy.

In a 2-1 decision overturning a lower court, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the state had a right to police the sale of devices that can be sexually stimulating.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented merchants and users who sued to overturn the law, asked the appeals court to rule that the Constitution included a right to sexual privacy that the ban on sex toy sales would violate. The court declined.

“If the people of Alabama in time decide that a prohibition on sex toys is misguided, or ineffective, or just plain silly, they can repeal the law and be finished with the matter,” the court said.