Political ‘bomb’ likely lacks fuse

Alicia Robinson

Democratic congressional candidate and UC Irvine international

business professor John Graham dropped a political bomb Monday at a

press conference he held to question the security of a nuclear

reactor on campus.

Graham’s charge that the reactor poses a danger to the surrounding

community as a potential terrorist target is largely unfounded, the

reactor’s supervisor, George Miller, said.

The reactor is largely unprotected and could be attacked with a

truck bomb, for example, but has been ignored by House Homeland

Security Committee Chairman Chris Cox, Graham said. Graham is hoping

to unseat Cox in the 48th Congressional District race in November.

Graham’s comments met with disdain from Miller, who is also a

chemistry department faculty member.

“I’m not sure how much he’s investigated, since he’s never

contacted me or, as far as I know, anyone at the facility,” Miller

said. “The facility is being looked at constantly and is thought to

be in a reasonably safe condition and not a major threat.”

The 35-year-old, 250-kilowatt reactor is a small one designed for

teaching and research, Miller said.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Cox told Graham he shares the desire

to make sure the reactor is not a threat, and he has asked the staff

of the House Homeland Security Committee to work with Graham and UC

Irvine to review the reactor’s security.

Cox criticizes proposed

gay marriage amendment

Passing a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage would be a

mistake that would open the door for a precedent-setting expansion of

federal judges’ power, Cox wrote in an editorial published in

Tuesday’s “Wall Street Journal.”

The congressman’s position is a rare parting of company with

President Bush, who has endorsed the federal marriage amendment.

The proposed amendment would bar states from recognizing same-sex

marriages, unlike the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined

marriage for federal purposes as a union between a man and a woman

but left states to decide their own definitions for all other

purposes.

In his editorial, Cox wrote that the constitutional amendment

“would be a cure far worse than the ailment” of judicial activism

such as the Massachusetts Supreme Court’s ordering the state

legislature to create a law recognizing gay marriages.

A majority of Americans oppose gay marriage, and 38 states already

have enacted initiatives or bills defining marriage as a union

between a man and a woman, he wrote.

The House is expected to vote on the marriage amendment today.

God picks sides; so should you

For those who aren’t interested in watching the televised debate

between President Bush and John Kerry tonight, local religious

activist and website operator Steve Gooden suggests another activity:

prayer.

Gooden is organizing a prayer vigil to support Bush and ask God to

protect Bush and give him wisdom, confidence and humility during the

debate.

“I’m hoping to help the president win the debate,” Gooden said. “I

am not praying for both of them, and yes, it is very Christian. I am

praying for the leader of this country.”

Gooden, of Costa Mesa, is the founder of a conservative youth

group and runs a pro-Bush website that discusses which presidential

candidate’s beliefs most resemble those held by Jesus Christ.

A prayer vigil will be held at Gooden’s house tonight, and he’s

talked to people around the country and overseas who also plan

vigils, he said. He’ll also organize vigils for the two subsequent

debates between the presidential candidates.

“Does God pick sides? Absolutely,” Gooden said. “God is not for

all, but he expects all to be for him.”

Anyone interested in the prayer vigils may go to

https://www.thepassionofbush. com and post a message to Gooden on the

message board.

New bill provides more down before next election cycle

The 2004 election season seems to have been going on forever, but

California voters will get more down time before the next election

cycle, with 2006 primary elections being held in June rather than

March.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed a bill sponsored by

retired Sen. Ross Johnson that moves the state’s primary election

back to June, which is when it was held until a 1996 legislative change.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said 70th District Assemblyman John

Campbell, who is the Republican candidate for Johnson’s Senate seat.

“I voted for it, and I think two things will happen. Voter turnout

will be increased, and the cost of elections will go down.”

Turnout has been low since the primary was moved to March, perhaps

because no one was ready to focus on the election that early in the

year, Campbell said. Also, candidates have to raise more money

because they start campaigning for a March primary in the previous

October or November, he said.

Luncheon to look back over legislative year, current races

Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and the Orange County

Taxpayers Assn. on Monday will host a luncheon focusing on the past

legislative year and key statewide candidate races and ballot

initiatives for November.

Sen. Dick Ackerman will discuss those issues at the event, which

begins with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon at the

Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. For a reservation,

call (714) 259-8400. Tickets are $55 with an advance reservation or

$65 at the door.