Lawmakers Rebuke Manhattan Mosque Opponents

A pair of Democrats released an online slideshow today highlighting what they say is a pattern of discrimination occurring against Muslims worldwide.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) say the series of photos is meant to focus attention on the growing opposition to a proposed mosque that would be constructed blocks from the World Trade Center site in Manhattan.

“The hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric from opponents of the Cordoba House, especially political leaders, is inexcusable,” said the two lawmakers in a joint statement. “In a country founded on the principles of religious freedom we should not be in the business of picking and choosing when to apply those principles. It is unfortunate that so many national leaders have said they would deny Muslims or persons of any faith the right to build a place of worship.”

NIH Receives $10 Million From BP To Research Health Issues

British oil mogul BP, the corporation responsible for the months-long oil spill disaster that has plagued the Gulf Coast since the Deepwater Horizon rig’s explosion on April 20th, announced Tuesday that it will be sending $10 million to the National Institutes of Health to support studies on acute and long term health issues associated with the oil spill.

The funding will go to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, or GRI, a ten year, $500 million research program established by BP and conducted by the NIH, “to better understand and mitigate the environmental and potential health effects of the Gulf spill.”

“BP, in collaboration with the Unified Command, provided task specific training, supplied personal protective equipment and conducted extensive environmental and worker monitoring to protect the health of response workers involved in the cleanup,” said Bob Dudley, CEO of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. “But there is much still to be learned from this incident, and BP is providing this funding to NIH because it is well positioned to assure the quality and the integrity of the independent research process.”

New Poll Gives GOP Reason For Optimism

A new Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll out today shows Republicans with a large lead over Democrats in at least one vital category. According to the poll, Republicans hold a 49%-40% lead with likely voters, a potentially devastasting sign for Democratic incumbents and challengers alike.

Overall, the mood between parties is spilt evenly at 43% apiece. But voters who are fed up with Democrats appear to overwhlem those on the opposite side. Additionally, 61% of those surveyed said they believe the country is on the wrong track, a stark increase from 48% who said the same in a similar poll taken last year…

David Westin To Step Down From ABC News

The President of ABC News, David Westin, announced yesterday that he is leaving the network after 13 years on the job. Westin said he simply would like to move on to other opportunities.

“I’ve always admired those few who know when it’s time to move on,” Westin wrote in a staff memo that was given to The Associated Press by a staffer. “This is the right time for me.”

Westin, 58, oversaw the network through enjoyable and challenging moments alike. ABC’s morning and nightly newscasts remained a steady second place to NBC during Westin’s tenure. However, the sudden death of longtime anchor Peter Jennings and the severe injuries suffered by reporter Bob Woodruff in Iraq marked doubtless low-points during the past decade.

Westin will stay at the network until the Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, names his successor…

Obama To Push For Business Tax Relief

The New York Times is reporting that President Barack Obama will call this week for tax write-offs for businesses making investments in capital. Under the proposal, businesses would be allowed to deduct items such as equipment purchases through next year. The White House says the plan will lower the price of goods and create jobs…