Alcove 9: An Annotated List of Reference Websites

U.S. Government, Politics, and Law: Interest Groups

Christian Coalition
Pat Robertson's group has an extensive web site devoted to promoting their cause. It includes information about the organization's history and policies, extensive congressional and media guides, information on how to lobby public officials, guides to current legislation and issues, and information for prospective members and donors.

Common Cause
This political watchdog group, whose motto is "Holding Power Accountable," has an extensive web site covering both very current topics and on-going issues such as campaign finance. It includes information about the organization, state activities, and news releases.

National Organization for Women
The major U.S. feminist organization's website includes news releases, synopses of current issues, and information for prosepctive members and donors. The site makes extensive use of Java scripts and pop-up windows.

National Right to Life Committee
This web site for the most prominent organization opposing abortion has sections covering issues like the RU 489 pill and euthanasia, and includes information for prospective members and donors, an online newsletter, updates on federal legislation, Congressional voting records (by state, in PDF format), press releases, and a listing of state affiliates.

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
This group's web site emphasizes discussions of relevant pro-choice issues from a religious perspective. On-going features covered include information about Clergy for Choice and other interdenominational groups.

The Right-to-Know Network
Collection of information maintained by two nonprofit organizations, and consisting primarily of free access to U.S. government databases and some full-text documents related to the environment and housing. Most useful as a "one-stop shopping" resource for U.S. government environmental databases (e.g. toxic waste spills, Superfund sites).