Washington, D.C.

Allegations postpone vote on U.N. nominee

John Bolton’s nomination as U.N. ambassador suffered an unexpected setback Tuesday when the Republican-controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee scrapped plans for a vote in favor of a fresh look at allegations of unbecoming conduct.

No date was set for a vote, but a delay of at least two weeks seems likely while the committee looks into fresh allegations, including those of a Dallas businesswoman who says Bolton berated her at an international conference a decade ago.

Some Democrats also bluntly questioned Bolton’s veracity.

The decision to postpone a vote closed a rancorous session in which Republicans first sought to push Bolton through the Foreign Relations Committee and Democrats resisted.

“We’ll all have to trust each other,” said Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., the committee chairman, in sealing the unanimous agreement.

Washington, D.C.

Report: Voting woes persisted in 2004

It didn’t feature much in the way of butterfly ballots, hanging chads or protracted Supreme Court fights. But the first hearing Monday of the Commission on Federal Election Reform made it clear that the 2004 election was not without problems.

Former president Jimmy Carter and ex-secretary of state James Baker, who co-chair the commission, invited a dozen experts to American University to recommend ways to improve the nation’s voting system. The commission will consider those suggestions, along with others expected at a second hearing in June, and submit its recommendations to Congress.

Those invited to testify Monday provided a dizzying list of electoral problems that might make some wonder how any ballots were counted in November: Absentee ballots that were never delivered; voters arbitrarily struck from the rolls; confusing ballots.

“Years of inattention and, yes, complacency at all levels of government have given us an election management system that is not up to the task,” said Kay Maxwell, president of the League of Women Voters.

Washington, D.C.

Report: Traffic signal operations lax

Backed up at a traffic light? Frustrated when you hit a red light only a block after driving through a green? Odds are, those traffic signals may need some work.

A new survey being released today says the nation’s traffic signal operations are largely inefficient, leading to frustration and unnecessary delays for motorists, wasted fuel and more air pollution as vehicles constantly stop and go.

The survey, prepared by a coalition that included the Federal Highway Administration and various transportation groups, was based on surveys last fall of 378 traffic agencies in 49 states. It found:

• 68 percent said they have either no documented management plan for their traffic signal operation, or their plan is to simply respond to problem intersections as they happen.
• 71 percent don’t have staff to monitor traffic before and after normal working hours.
• 57 percent said they don’t conduct routine reviews of traffic signals within three years.

Washington, D.C.

iPods becoming popular target for thieves

The burglar visited every room of Sara Scalenghe’s District of Columbia apartment, stealing an expensive digital camera and a gold necklace passed down from her grandmother. But Scalenghe did not begin seething until she confirmed her biggest fear: Her new iPod had been swiped, too.

The digital music player held 50 favorite songs, ranging from Mozart to Italian rap. The device also contained thoughts on a looming dissertation and recorded conversations with friends.

“I know it sounds silly, but it changed everything. I was really upset,” said the 34-year-old graduate student.

Thefts of digital music players are rising, police say. And victims said they felt the thieves got an illicit glimpse at their musical tastes and even their “souls.”

Roughly the size of a cell phone, iPods and other MP3 players allow users to create unique playlists of thousands of songs that can be taken anywhere. The devices typically sell for $100 and up; the songs are an additional expense.