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'''Melvin Sembler''' is the Ambassador to Italy appointed by [[George W. Bush]], under accusation of "buying" his appointment[. [http://thestraights.com/people/straight-officials/board/sembler/sembler-family-contributions.htm]. Former  Sembler was appointed Ambassador to Australia and Nauru appointed by [[George H.W. Bush]]. Former Sembler is the former Financial Chair for the [[Republican National Committee. Large ]] and a large contributor to [[Republican ]] campaigns and , as well as a personal friend of both Bush and [[Dick Cheney ]] families.  Sembler is CEO of [[Sembler Co.]], one of America's largest shopping mall chains. Co, co-founder of [[Drug Free America Foundation]], (formerly Straight, Inc.). His wife is , [[Betty Sembler]], current head of currently heads the [[Drug Free America Foundation]].

In the late 70's a drastic step was taken by the government to curtail [[drug abuse ]] through synanon-based drug rehabilitation centers. Grant money was given in order to establish a number of rehabilitation camps, most of which used the moniker of "Project SEED" or "The SEED". The basis of these programs was a military bootcamp atmosphere, often using food and sleep deprivation, as well as constant yelling and insults, to encourage abstinence from drugs. In a number of instances, the deprivation bordered on near fatal, and the verbal abuse translated into physical abuse, or even rape.

For 17 years Mel Sembler's Straight program was the biggest chain of juvenile drug rehabilitation programs in America. But former clients have come forward to say they were severely abused by Straight's "[[brainwashing ]] methods." There have been over 40 suicides associated with Straight and its imitators. The anti-Straight crowd continues to protest Mel Sembler. His business interests are protested by the Uhurus for allegations of racial descrimination and by anti-[[Iraq war ]] activists.  The Sembler story is at "[http://www.thestraights.com theStraights dot com]".

It is possible that Mel Sembler may be removed from his ambassadorship. According to the World Peace Herald:*"Among these, reportedly, is Mel Sembler, the U.S. ambassador to Rome, who has made it plain he would like not to be recalled for at least another two years. But the sources understand the shopping mall developer and Bush supporter has been told a partial extension is not in the cards."[http://www.wpherald.com/North_America/storyview.php?StoryID=20041213-060311-4177r] 

*Official US State Dept Biography, "[http://www.usembassy.it/mission/amb/amb-bio-en.htm Mel Sembler U.S. Ambassador to Italy]", US [[Department of State]], accessed June 2004.*Wesley Fager, "[http://www.thestraights.com/melsembler/index.htm Unauthorized Biography of Ambassador Melvin Sembler ]." by Wesley Fager.

*Roland Flamini [http://www.wpherald.com/North_America/storyview.php?StoryID=20041213-060311-4177r "Analysis: New Bush term will have revamped diplomatic team',"]''World Peace Herald'', December 13, 2004.*John Gorenfeld, [http://media.orkut.com/articles/0145.html "His Own Private Abu Ghraib,"] ''orkut'', March 23, 2005.