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Posted by Joel Mathis March 15, 2005 at 7:51 a.m.

On the "Seoul Train"

Sen. Sam Brownback's efforts on the international human rights scene continue to draw grudging admiration from some liberals.This time it's the folks at the liberal Web site [AlterNet][1] - who otherwise might be described as opposed to most everything Brownback stands for - in their discussion of the movie "Seoul Train."""'Seoul Train' is the story of the underground railroad that offers North Koreans a way out -- through China and finally into South Korea," the site reports. "The operation entails a remarkable amount of risk, as potential defectors face detention, torture, even death if they are caught by the North Korean regime. "Like every story with a villain, this one includes a hero. And like any good hero story, this hero comes in the form of a most unlikely character. Sen. Sam Brownback is a Republican Senator from Kansas "One might not place him in the middle of an 'all night CARE commercial,' as director/producer Lisa Sleeth described a portion of her footage, but he is exactly the man who came to the rescue."Senator Brownback has taken the issue of North Korean refugees under his wing, and put very public pressure on the UNHCR and China, and was able to literally save the lives of some of these would-be refugees."Other links:Sam Brownback links [(The Hill) Santorum's faith-based initiative:][2] "Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) has organized a course for members of Congress on Catholic doctrine that is being taught from his Senate hideaway in the Capitol. ... Santorum invited six House members and 10 senators to the event, all of whom are Catholic Republicans. Among those invited is Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), a former Protestant whom Santorum helped convert."[(Associated Press) GOP taking advantage of election gains:][3] "The Senate balance has shifted on abortion, too. 'Elections matter. We have a pro-life Senate,' said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a prominent abortion opponent." [(Financial Times) White House is quiet as Darfur killings continue:][4] "Ed Royce, a California Republican congressman who recently went to Darfur, said Mr. Bush remained 'very engaged' (on the issue of Sudan). But Mr. Royce suggested the US force a UN vote on oil sanctions. Senator Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican who co-sponsored the Darfur Accountability Act with Mr. Corzine, says that if the UN cannot produce agreement, it may be necessary to form another 'coalition of the willing'."Pat Roberts links [(Associated Press) Roberts in Fort Leavenworth:][5] "Kansas Senator Pat Roberts Monday is hosting a top-level Pentagon official at the Kansas military installation he calls 'the intellectual center of the Army.' Charlie Abell is the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness. He is touring Fort Leavenworth with Roberts to study its role in the war on terrorism, and the Army transformation efforts."Jerry Moran links [(Washington Times) Japan is pressed to lift beef ban:][6] "U.S. senators met with Japan's ambassador on Capitol Hill yesterday to express growing frustration over a ban on U.S. beef, but the lawmakers distanced themselves from a House threat to impose trade sanctions. ... The ambassador last week met with 14 Senate and House lawmakers, including Rep. Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican, who earlier this month introduced legislation calling for sanctions if Japan doesn't resolve the dispute."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][7] [1]: http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/2005/03/003198.html [2]: http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/031505/santorum.html [3]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/11134317.htm [4]: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ffff07a0-94c5-11d9-8dd3-00000e2511c8.html [5]: http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/1362872.html [6]: http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050314-091818-1170r.htm [7]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed