Posted by Joel Mathis July 14, 2005 at 7:04 a.m.

Minor incidents

Pat Roberts links [(Washington Post) Abu Ghraib Tactics Were First Used at Guantanamo:][1] Interrogators at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, forced a stubborn detainee to wear women's underwear on his head, confronted him with snarling military working dogs and attached a leash to his chains, according to a newly released military investigation that shows the tactics were employed there months before military police used them on detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. ... Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) called the Guantanamo abuse relatively "minor incidents" that should not be a matter of national interest.Sam Brownback links [(Kansas City Star) Brownback takes presidential hopes to Carolina:][2] Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback is scheduled to visit South Carolina this weekend, an early trip to a Republican primary state that strategists view as vital to his presidential prospects. In the last few months, Brownback, a favorite of socially conservative GOP activists, has made several trips to Iowa and one to New Hampshire, other states with early nominating contests. "Senator Brownback continues to travel to discuss the issues facing the country," said Brian Hart, Brownback's spokesman.[(AllAfrica.Com) Weekend Prayer Event Puts Renewed Focus on Darfur in Sudan:][3] eligious groups across the country are participating in a Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Victims of Genocide in Darfur from July 15 through 17 to try to force action to stop the killing, which has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives over the past two years and left 2.5 million more in jeopardy. ... Some of the members of Congress in attendance spoke from personal experience about Darfur. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), who traveled to Darfur with Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) a year ago, said the weekend events would enable Americans across the country "to pray for peace for the people of Sudan."Dennis Moore links [(The Hill) $1M Club is formed by NRCC :][4] But the Democrats appear to be holding their own in competitive districts. Reps. John Barrow (Ga.), Melissa Bean (Ill.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Chet Edwards (Texas), Stephanie Herseth (S.D.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Charlie Melancon, Dennis Moore (Kans.) and John Salazar (Colo.) - the 10 "Frontline" Democrats considered vulnerable - have raised an average of $400,000. At this time in 2003 they had raised an average of just $282,000, a DCCC spokeswoman said. Todd Tiahrt links [(Wichita Business Journal) Tiahrt supports reduction in trade barriers:][5] A resolution that calls for a reduction of barriers that keep American businesses from competing in the global market has the support of U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard), who represents Wichita in the U.S. Congress. The measure, H.Res. 352, is expected to pass the House Wednesday, say officials in Tiahrt's office. Tiahrt says the resolution calls for the review of rules and policies that "hinder American businesses from competing on a level playing field."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][6] [1]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071302380.html [2]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/12123422.htm [3]: http://allafrica.com/stories/200507140001.html [4]: http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/071405/nrcc.html [5]: http://wichita.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2005/07/11/daily20.html [6]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed