Briefing book casts Alito as mainstream
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito’s opinions on abortion, discrimination and other contentious issues are the work of a mainstream jurist, not the ideologue depicted by critics, the White House argues in a voluminous briefing book meant for Republican senators.
Alito’s dissent in a 1991 abortion ruling showed “concern for the safety of women,” the material says. By approving a requirement for spousal notification, he “reflected the position advanced by the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania.”
A 1996 dissent in a sex discrimination case in which Alito sided with the employer shows he “simply questioned the wisdom of a ‘blanket rule'” on dismissing such complaints before trial, in the White House view.
Bush nominated Alito, a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee are scheduled to begin Jan. 9.
Bush to meet with Brazilian president
BRASILIA, Brazil – Fresh from the Summit of the Americas, President Bush is sitting down for a meeting Sunday that may have an even greater impact on his relationship with Latin America, and it’s with one man – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
“Brazil is an absolutely critical player in the hemisphere,” said Michael Shifter, vice president for policy at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. “There is a limit to how much progress the U.S. can make on any issue, free trade included, without Brazil’s support and cooperation.”
Bush says more trade between the United States, Brazil and other nations in the Western Hemisphere would help create jobs, spread democratic values and lift people out of poverty.
Unrest reaches Paris; 28 cars torched
PARIS – Ten nights of urban unrest that brought thousands of arson attacks on cars, nursery schools and other targets from the Mediterranean to the German border reached Paris where at least 28 cars were burned overnight in the French capital, government officials said Sunday.
At least 918 vehicles – including those in Paris – were burned during the 10th night of violence, said the Interior Ministry’s operational center tracking the violence. There was no word yet on damage in Paris to shops, gymnasiums, nursery schools and other targets that have been attacked around the country.
Police made 186 arrests nationwide overnight.
Escaped death row inmate may have had help
HOUSTON – Authorities launched a nationwide manhunt for a death row inmate who walked unnoticed out of a Texas county jail and began an investigation into whether he had help making the brazen escape.
The U.S. Marshals Office on Saturday designated Charles Victor Thompson a federal fugitive and offered a $10,000 reward for his capture. Officials also alerted airports, border officials and other law enforcement agencies.
Thompson, 35, of the Houston suburb of Tomball, escaped Thursday after meeting with an attorney, though not his defense attorney of record, authorities said. He was condemned in 1999 for the shooting deaths of ex-girlfriend Dennise Hayslip, 39, and her boyfriend, Darren Keith Cain, 30.