NPD 3.31.09

*Obama signed an omnibus lands bill which set aside 2 million additional acres of land for wilderness protection.

*Republicans in Minnesota are now talking about dragging out the Coleman-Franken dispute for "years" by doing multiple appeals. If they are legitimate appeals, and all signs point to them not being such, then fine. But, if they are appealing in what is essentially a delay tactic, then the courts need to put a stop to accepting their petitions.

*Today is special election day in New York's 20th district! Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy are vying to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, a former congresswoman who was elevated to replace Hilary Clinton as New York's junior senator. There is some talk that if the Republican, Tedisco, loses, that the Republican National Chairman Michael Steele will be ousted from his job (that he started only a couple months ago).

*Democratic Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania is being probed left and right on charges of corruption. He said, "If I'm corrupt, it's because I take care of my district." Whoops.