Wednesday, July 27, 2011
AMERICANS AGAINST BIG OIL RIPOFFS LAUNCHES ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN OPPOSING TRANSCANADA'S KEYSTONE PIPELINE!
Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs Launches Illinois Campaign Opposing TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline
Group warns of higher gas prices in Illinois if pipeline is approved
CHICAGO, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new citizens group called Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs, today announced an Illinois campaign opposing TransCanada's building of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The pipeline, if approved, would raise gasoline prices approximately 15 cents per gallon (or $6.55 per barrel) above 2008 prices in the Midwest, according to a report commissioned on behalf of TransCanada(1).
"This is a dirty, risky and expensive pipeline that will raise gas prices for Midwest consumers and farmers," said Kenny Bruno of Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs. "Midwestern officials should stand with consumers and stop this pipeline."
The campaign is formally launching with a billboard outside Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The billboard display will run for a month beginning July 14th to alert consumers to the pipeline's impact on gas prices in the Midwest. The billboard reads, "TransCanada's Pipeline = Higher Gas Prices. Don't Be Fooled By Big Oil!" The campaign's launch also includes a website, www.stopbigoilripoffs.com, which allows visitors to contact Illinois leaders to tell them to oppose the pipeline.
"TransCanada and refinery companies are planning to manipulate oil markets with this pipeline. We won't stand by and let that happen," said Bruno. If the project is approved, TransCanada's pipeline would cost American consumers as much as $3.9 billion annually, according to an independent analysis(2). The same independent analysis also suggests that the pipeline is intended to facilitate exports of the tar sands oil to China.
Keystone XL is supported by the American Petroleum Institute, a national trade association that supports America's continued reliance on fossil fuels. The industry stands to reap billions in profits for Canadian oil companies from the project at the expense of Midwest consumers by routing oil to Gulf Coast refineries, instead of directly to the Midwest.
"It's time for Midwest elected officials and President Obama to stand up to Big Oil by stopping a project that harms the environment and consumers," said Bruno.
About Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs:
Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs is a citizens group dedicated to protecting consumers from the market exploitations of big oil companies. To learn more, visit www.stopbigoilripoffs.com.
(1) "Western Canadian Crude Supply and Markets," p. 27, Purvin & Gertz Inc., February 12, 2009
(2) Philip K. Verleger, Jr. "The Tar Sands Road to China," p. 7, PKVerleger LLC, May 2011
SOURCE Americans Against Big Oil Ripoffs
Copyright 2011 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved
DEAD ATF AGENT'S LEGISLATION CRITICIZED BY U.S. FARMERS AND MAYORS!
HTTP://WWW.DESMOGBLOG.COM/CONTROVERSIAL-TRANSCANADA-KEYSTONE-XL-PIPELINE-CRITICIZED-FARMERS-MAYORS
30 March 11
Controversial TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Criticized By U.S. Farmers and Mayors
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A new policy adopted by the US National Farmers Union slams the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would pump bitumen from the Athabasca tar sands in Alberta thousands of miles across America's farm belt to Gulf Coast refineries in Texas. The Nebraska Farmers Union notes:
"The proposed route of the 1,980-mile pipeline would slice through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It would cross the Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska - source of 30 percent of the nation's agricultural water and drinking water for millions - with a pipeline carrying diluted bitumen, a thick, heavy, corrosive and toxic form of crude oil associated with pipeline ruptures at 16 times the rate of conventional crude."
Aside from concerns over the inevitable leaks and other environmental costs, many farmers along the proposed route are also incensed at heavy-handed pressure from TransCanada to surrender land against their will under "eminent domain" (expropriation) in order to create a right of way for the pipeline. This, argue the Nebraska Farmers Union and the farmers involved, is illegal. Since TransCanada is a Canadian corporation it should have no right to forcibly take land from US farmers.
"Midwestern landowners have felt they have been misled by a multi-national oil company that is planning to build a pipeline at all costs," said Graham Christensen, public affairs director for the Nebraska Farmers Union.
The farmers are joined in their opposition to the proposed pipeline by 25 mayors of US cities who, meeting in Washington last week, sent a joint letter expressing concern over the pipeline to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The pipeline, they say, would directly undermine the hard work municipal leaders are doing to build a clean energy future for their communities. From the letter:
"Increasing our dependence on environmentally destructive, high-carbon fuels such as tar sands oil sends the wrong message to our communities and citizens who work hard to lessen our dependence on oil, using innovative conservation, efficiency and other measures. We remain committed to creating solid and lasting energy and economic security, and believe this is best accomplished by lessening our dependence on oil."
So if Keystone XL is bad for farms and bad for cities, and the Texans definitely don't want it, who is it supposed to be good for?
Keystone XL pipeline map courtesy of NRDC.
Matthew Carroll's blog
TAGS: Athabasca oil sands, bitumen, Canada, crude oil, drinking water, eminent domain, General, Kansas, Keystone XL, keystone xl pipeline, Mayors, National Farmers Union, Nebraska, Nebraska Farmers Union, NFU, NRDC, Ogallala aquifer, oklahoma, tar sands, texas, TransCanada, US
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* Texans Fight Against TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline: Don't Mess With Texas
HOSTILE ANTI-AMERICAN LEGISLATION AUTHORED BY DEAD ATF AGENT, TERRY, FOLLOWED BY BIZARRE CANADIAN TEACHER'S UNION 911 LEGISLATION!
HOSTILE ANTI-AMERICAN LEGISLATION AUTHORED BY THE DEAD ATF AGENT, TERRY, BENEFITS THE CANADIAN, CHINESE, AND RUSSIAN CURRENCIES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE U.S. DOLLAR, AMERICAN FARMERS, AND AMERICAN CLEAN AIR, LAND, AND WATER, WAS BIZARRELY FOLLOWED BY...
A TEACHER'S UNION BILL FROM CANADA'S LABOUR PARTY TO EDUCATE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 911 WHILE THE SAME COUNTRIES WHO BENEFIT FROM LEGISLATION, HR 1938'S, HOSTILE ANTI-AMERICAN LEGISLATION PROTEST U.S. MILITARY FUNERALS THROUGHOUT CEMETERIES AND CONCESSION STANDS IN AMERICA'S FAILED CITIES AND CHICAGO'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS AND MALLS, I.E. WESTFIELD MALL.
QUITE BIZARRE...
JUST A REMINDER...THE 911 HIJACKERS ENTERED THE UNITED STATES BY ILLEGALLY CROSSING THE CANADIAN PIPELINE BORDER AND ILLEGALLY TAKING FLIGHT TRAINING IN FLORIDA BEFORE HIJACKING AMERICAN PLANES AND FLYING THEM INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S WORLD TRADE CENTER BUILDINGS....
UH...
A TEACHER'S UNION BILL FROM CANADA'S LABOUR PARTY TO EDUCATE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 911 WHILE THE SAME COUNTRIES WHO BENEFIT FROM LEGISLATION, HR 1938'S, HOSTILE ANTI-AMERICAN LEGISLATION PROTEST U.S. MILITARY FUNERALS THROUGHOUT CEMETERIES AND CONCESSION STANDS IN AMERICA'S FAILED CITIES AND CHICAGO'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS AND MALLS, I.E. WESTFIELD MALL.
QUITE BIZARRE...
JUST A REMINDER...THE 911 HIJACKERS ENTERED THE UNITED STATES BY ILLEGALLY CROSSING THE CANADIAN PIPELINE BORDER AND ILLEGALLY TAKING FLIGHT TRAINING IN FLORIDA BEFORE HIJACKING AMERICAN PLANES AND FLYING THEM INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S WORLD TRADE CENTER BUILDINGS....
UH...
SCARY PLOTTERS JUST GOT EVEN SCARIER WHILE OBAMA'S OWN PARTY EX-COMMUNICATES HIM!
IF THAT ISN'T ANTI-AMERICAN ENOUGH, THERE IS MORE...
AND...AND...THE HOSTILE CANADIAN PIPELINE WILL OPEN UP...AND...AND...RAIN 43 KIDNAPPED AMERICAN CHILDREN RIGHT ON YOUR FRONT PORCH...AND...AND...YOU'LL JUST HAPPEN TO OWN A PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC TO TERMINATE THE BIOLOGICAL PARENTS' RIGHTS...AND...AND...
THE SCARY PLOTTER'S CAN INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE CANADIAN CURRENCY AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR TO BENEFIT CHINA AND RUSSIA AT THE EXPENSE OF AMERICAN FARMERS AND THE U.S. FARMER'S LABOR UNION...
AND...AND...ISN'T THAT GREAT....
JUST AS THE REV. YUCK-MOUTH!
Bachmann's Former Church Defends Anti-Catholic View
7/15/11 05:58 PM ET
By Daniel Burke
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Lutheran denomination that GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann quit in June sought to explain its belief that the papacy is the anti-Christ after reports questioned whether Bachmann is anti-Catholic.
Six days before Bachmann officially launched her presidential campaign last month, the Minnesota Republican and her family verbally requested to leave Salem Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn., which is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
Synod spokesman Joel Hochmuth said Thursday (July 14) the Bachmanns had been members of Salem Lutheran for more than a decade, but had not attended the church for at least two years. They did not request a transfer to another congregation, he said.
The denomination says on its website: "We identify the anti-Christ as the papacy. This is an historical judgment based on Scripture."
Bachmann's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Republican, who has surged in recent presidential polls, denied that she is anti-Catholic in a 2006 debate. "It's abhorrent, it's religious bigotry. I love Catholics, I'm a Christian, and my church does not believe that the pope is the anti-Christ, that's absolutely false."
Bachmann also said that her pastor, the Rev. Marcus Birkholz, told her he was "appalled that someone would put that out."
According to Hochmuth, the pastor told Bachmann that WELS "primarily views the office of the papacy as the anti-Christ, not the individual popes themselves."
Asked for comment, Birkholz said Thursday, "I have been asked by my congregation not to give any more interviews."
An online report in The Atlantic magazine on Thursday (July 14) reported on WELS' anti-papal doctrine, and questioned whether Bachmann also subscribes to the view.
Bill Donohue, president of the watchdog Catholic League, said he does not believe Bachmann is anti-Catholic, but that "it is not inappropriate to ask some pointed questions of Rep. Bachmann and her religion's tenets."
Hochmuth said in an interview the anti-papal doctrine is "not one of our driving views, and certainly not something that we preach from the pulpit." Hochmuth said he doubts whether many members of WELS are aware of the doctrine, which dates to Protestant Reformer Martin Luther.
"As a confessional Lutheran church, we hold to the teachings of Martin Luther who himself maintained the papacy, and in turn the pope, has set himself up in place of Christ, and so is the anti-Christ," Hochmuth said.
He also described the anti-Christ as a theological principle, not a "cartoon character with horns."
Hochmuth added that "we love and respect Catholic Christians ... Yet we pray that they would come to see the errors of their church's official doctrine that the pope is infallible and that no one can be saved outside of the Roman Catholic Church."
Lutherans believe that individual salvation comes through faith alone, not through obedience to church doctrine or leaders.
With about 1,300 congregations and 400,000 members, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is one of the smallest and most conservative Lutheran denominations in the U.S.
AND...AND...THE HOSTILE CANADIAN PIPELINE WILL OPEN UP...AND...AND...RAIN 43 KIDNAPPED AMERICAN CHILDREN RIGHT ON YOUR FRONT PORCH...AND...AND...YOU'LL JUST HAPPEN TO OWN A PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC TO TERMINATE THE BIOLOGICAL PARENTS' RIGHTS...AND...AND...
THE SCARY PLOTTER'S CAN INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE CANADIAN CURRENCY AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR TO BENEFIT CHINA AND RUSSIA AT THE EXPENSE OF AMERICAN FARMERS AND THE U.S. FARMER'S LABOR UNION...
AND...AND...ISN'T THAT GREAT....
JUST AS THE REV. YUCK-MOUTH!
Bachmann's Former Church Defends Anti-Catholic View
7/15/11 05:58 PM ET
By Daniel Burke
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Lutheran denomination that GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann quit in June sought to explain its belief that the papacy is the anti-Christ after reports questioned whether Bachmann is anti-Catholic.
Six days before Bachmann officially launched her presidential campaign last month, the Minnesota Republican and her family verbally requested to leave Salem Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn., which is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
Synod spokesman Joel Hochmuth said Thursday (July 14) the Bachmanns had been members of Salem Lutheran for more than a decade, but had not attended the church for at least two years. They did not request a transfer to another congregation, he said.
The denomination says on its website: "We identify the anti-Christ as the papacy. This is an historical judgment based on Scripture."
Bachmann's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Republican, who has surged in recent presidential polls, denied that she is anti-Catholic in a 2006 debate. "It's abhorrent, it's religious bigotry. I love Catholics, I'm a Christian, and my church does not believe that the pope is the anti-Christ, that's absolutely false."
Bachmann also said that her pastor, the Rev. Marcus Birkholz, told her he was "appalled that someone would put that out."
According to Hochmuth, the pastor told Bachmann that WELS "primarily views the office of the papacy as the anti-Christ, not the individual popes themselves."
Asked for comment, Birkholz said Thursday, "I have been asked by my congregation not to give any more interviews."
An online report in The Atlantic magazine on Thursday (July 14) reported on WELS' anti-papal doctrine, and questioned whether Bachmann also subscribes to the view.
Bill Donohue, president of the watchdog Catholic League, said he does not believe Bachmann is anti-Catholic, but that "it is not inappropriate to ask some pointed questions of Rep. Bachmann and her religion's tenets."
Hochmuth said in an interview the anti-papal doctrine is "not one of our driving views, and certainly not something that we preach from the pulpit." Hochmuth said he doubts whether many members of WELS are aware of the doctrine, which dates to Protestant Reformer Martin Luther.
"As a confessional Lutheran church, we hold to the teachings of Martin Luther who himself maintained the papacy, and in turn the pope, has set himself up in place of Christ, and so is the anti-Christ," Hochmuth said.
He also described the anti-Christ as a theological principle, not a "cartoon character with horns."
Hochmuth added that "we love and respect Catholic Christians ... Yet we pray that they would come to see the errors of their church's official doctrine that the pope is infallible and that no one can be saved outside of the Roman Catholic Church."
Lutherans believe that individual salvation comes through faith alone, not through obedience to church doctrine or leaders.
With about 1,300 congregations and 400,000 members, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is one of the smallest and most conservative Lutheran denominations in the U.S.
HOUSE GOP SUPPORTING FOREIGN HOSTILE CANADIAN OIL BUSINESS & SEIU AT THE EXPENSE OF U.S. FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS UNIONS EXPRESSED WILL!
TIME TO VOTE THEM OUT!
++++++++++
THE DEFINITION OF "IS" FROM THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY.
++++++++++
REP. DANIEL WEBSTER (R-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. JOE BARTON (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. TED POE (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. ED WHITFIELD (R-KY) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. FRED UPTON (R-MI) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. GENE GREEN (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++
REP. PETE OLSON (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. CORY GARDNER (R-CO) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. BILL SHUSTER (R-PA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. NICK RAHALL (R-WV) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. PAUL BROUN (R-GA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. CORRINE BROWN (D-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
+++++++++++
REP. KEVIN BRADY (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. JOHN MICA (R-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. DOUG LAMBORN (R-CO) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++
REP. BILL JOHNSON (R-OH) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. BILL FLORES (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++++
REP. DONNA CHRISTENSEN (D-VIRGIN ISLANDS) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
OH...BY THE WAY...THE UNITED STATES' CONSTITUTION EXPRESSLY STATES THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOT ENTITLED TO A SEAT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!
+++++++++++++
REP. JOHN SHIMKUS (R-IL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. TIMOTHY MURPHY (R-PA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! (DRANK TOO MUCH AT A BAR & DELUDES HE SAVED MARIEL ZAGUNIS FROM A KNIFE FIGHT WHILE FALSIFYING AMANDA KNOX STORIES AS MR. RYAN REMAINS WHEELCHAIR BOUND!)
++++++++++++
REP. SHELIA JACKSON-LEE (D-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
+++++++++++++
REP. STEVEN LATOURETTE (R-LA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
THE DEFINITION OF "IS" FROM THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY.
++++++++++
REP. DANIEL WEBSTER (R-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. JOE BARTON (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. TED POE (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. ED WHITFIELD (R-KY) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. FRED UPTON (R-MI) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. GENE GREEN (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++
REP. PETE OLSON (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. CORY GARDNER (R-CO) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. BILL SHUSTER (R-PA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. NICK RAHALL (R-WV) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. PAUL BROUN (R-GA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. CORRINE BROWN (D-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
+++++++++++
REP. KEVIN BRADY (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++
REP. JOHN MICA (R-FL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++
REP. DOUG LAMBORN (R-CO) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++
REP. BILL JOHNSON (R-OH) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++
REP. BILL FLORES (R-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
++++++++++++++
REP. DONNA CHRISTENSEN (D-VIRGIN ISLANDS) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
OH...BY THE WAY...THE UNITED STATES' CONSTITUTION EXPRESSLY STATES THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOT ENTITLED TO A SEAT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!
+++++++++++++
REP. JOHN SHIMKUS (R-IL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. TIMOTHY MURPHY (R-PA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
+++++++++++++
REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! (DRANK TOO MUCH AT A BAR & DELUDES HE SAVED MARIEL ZAGUNIS FROM A KNIFE FIGHT WHILE FALSIFYING AMANDA KNOX STORIES AS MR. RYAN REMAINS WHEELCHAIR BOUND!)
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REP. SHELIA JACKSON-LEE (D-TX) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION! HER ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT SHE WANTS TO SET UP A THIRD-WORLD TAX AGENCY ON AMERICANS!
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REP. STEVEN LATOURETTE (R-LA) SUPPORTS CANADIAN OIL PIPELINE CORPORATION AND SEIU AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S FARMERS & THE U.S. FARMERS' UNION!
FAST & FURIOUS COVER-UP BY ISSA'S PHARMACEUDICAL & OIL LOBBYISTS AS ATF AGENT TERRY AUTHORS PIPELINE LEGISLATION!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Icahn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Icahn
Issa to Postal Union: Stop Misleading Ads on Postal Service
7/11/2011
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WASHINGTON- Congressman Darrell Issa in a letter today to the American Postal Worker Union (APWU) asks the union to cancel a misleading ad campaign that falsely claims the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not receive taxpayer support when it does, in fact, receive hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money through preferential tax treatment and other benefits.
"A December 2007 report from the Federal Trade Commission includes a long list of implicit subsidies the Postal Service receives that are not available to private companies," said Issa in the letter to APWU President Cliff Guffey. The letter notes that "the Postal Service is exempt from, among other items, federal, state, and local income tax, all state and local taxes (including property tax), and vehicle registration and titling fees."
The letter also notes that USPS has access to borrowing directly from the United States Treasury at very low rates. As of the end of Fiscal Year 2010, the Postal Service had $4.1 billion in debt with an interest rate below 0.3% as well as an additional short-term revolving credit line of $3.4 billion at an interest rate of 0.206%.
Noting that these subsidies are worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually, Issa asked the union not to mislead the American people.
"While you and I have significant differences of opinion on how the Postal Service should be reformed, I believe we must be clear about the underlying facts. I ask you not to engage in a campaign to mislead the American people."
Issa, the author of the only legislation introduced this Congress which would return the Postal Service to solvency, has also called on the Postal Service and their allies to recognize that the decline in revenue is permanent, driven by the transition to electronic, paperless technology and not temporarily by the recession. Issa debunked these myths and others in a "Myth vs. Fact" paper published last week.
Click here for a copy of Issa's letter to APWU.
# # #
US Postal Service plans to close 3,653 post offices. Here's a list.
By David Gewirtz | July 27, 2011, 5:00am PDT
On its 236th anniversary, Ben Franklin’s original post office, along with over 3,500 others, is being stamped out.
Exactly 236 years ago yesterday, on July 26, 1775, a guy by the name of Benjamin Franklin opened a post office at what is now 316 Market Street, in Philadelphia. At the time, the newly opened post office didn’t fly an American flag, because America wasn’t yet a country.
Ben was a smart old goat. The post office he established operated in the same building as his old house.
Fast forward now exactly 236 years. Ben’s old post office is still operating. It’s the only one in America that doesn’t fly an American flag, to honor the fact that Franklin started it before America became a nation.
Unfortunately, in a very strange twist of fate, exactly 236 years to the day of Franklin’s founding of his post office, the operators of the Franklin branch, along with the postmasters of 3,653 other post offices throughout the nation, were informed that their branches are likely to be shut down.
While it seems short-sighted, completely unromantic, and slightly disrespectful to lump the Franklin Post Office in with all the others, the fact remains that the U.S. Postal Service is losing money. Many of the small branches that the USPS wants to shut down have an annual revenue of less than $27,500 with annual expenses usually in the $100,000 range.
The closings are expected to cost between 4,000 and 4,500 postal employees their jobs.
The world has changed since Franklin’s day. Back then, the postal service was a unique, reliable, cost effective way to get letters and packages transported reliably. The Postal Service’s package business (the one genuinely profitable portion of its operation) has been eaten into by the likes of UPS and Fedex, as well as by rising gasoline prices.
Although the post office is reputed to lose money with each standard letter sent, millions of people today now communicate in 140 character tweets or use Facebook to post status updates.
It’s deeply ironic, then, that the Post Office is previewing some of its new stamp designs on its Facebook stamps page. So far Kimberly, Judi, Maria, and three others like the stamp designs. Hey, at least six people like the designs, right? That’s something, anyway.
++++++++++++++++
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carl Icahn
February 16, 1936 (age 75)
Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Jewish
Alma mater
Princeton University and New York University School of Medicine (drop- out)
Occupation
Businessman: Chairman, Financier
Net worth
US$12.5 billion (2011)[1]
Children
Brett Icahn, Michelle Icahn
Carl Celian Icahn (born February 16, 1936) is an American financier, corporate raider, and private equity investor.
Icahn was raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York City, where he attended Far Rockaway High School.[2] His father was a cantor (a Jewish prayer leader), his mother was a schoolteacher.[3] He was educated at Princeton University (A.B., philosophy, 1957) and New York University School of Medicine, but left without graduating.
Icahn began his career on Wall Street in 1961. In 1968, he formed Icahn & Co., a securities firm that focused on risk arbitrage and options trading. In 1978, he began taking control of positions in individual companies.[2] He has taken substantial or controlling positions in various corporations including RJR Nabisco, TWA, Texaco, Phillips Petroleum, Western Union, Gulf & Western, Viacom, Uniroyal, Dan River, Marshall Field's, E-II (Culligan and Samsonite), American Can, USX, Marvel Comics, Revlon, Imclone, Federal-Mogul, Fairmont Hotels, Blockbuster, Kerr-McGee, Time Warner and Motorola. As of February 2010, Icahn is now trying to grab 4 seats on the Genzyme board.[4]
In 2008, Icahn showed interest in the takeover of Yahoo! and the ousting of Jerry Yang from his position as CEO to allow Microsoft to purchase the web company.[5]
In June 2008, Icahn launched The Icahn Report which campaigns for shareholder rights.* It hosts United Shareholders of America where individual investors can sign up and take part.
In July 2010, Icahn acquired 14 percent stake in Mentor Graphics because of which Mentor Graphics signed a Poison Pill provision. As of September 2010, Icahn owns just less than 15 percent of Mentor Graphics. On 22 February 2011 he made an offer to buy Mentor Graphics for about $1.86 billion in cash in a move to push other suitors to declare themselves.
As of 2007, Icahn and his affiliates currently own majority positions in firms including ACF Industries, American Railcar Industries, XO Communications, Philip Services, and NYSE-listed Icahn Enterprises, formerly known as American Real Estate Partners.
Icahn was a director of Blockbuster until January 2010, and the chairman of Imclone, Icahn Enterprises, XO Communications, WestPoint Home, Cadus, and American Railcar Industries. He is a beneficial owner of Adventrx Pharmaceuticals, Vector Group and has had significant holdings in Time Warner. Icahn tried to take over Marvel Comics, coming into conflict with Avi Arad, Ron Perelman, and Ike Perlmutter.[6] Marvel ended up being acquired by The Walt Disney Company in late 2009.
In 2004, Icahn purchased a large block of stock of Mylan Laboratories, after Mylan had announced a deal to acquire King Pharmaceuticals. Icahn threatened a proxy fight over the acquisition, on the ground that the deal required Mylan to overpay. In early 2005, Mylan gave up its efforts to acquire King, but according to the management, the decision was made after it monitored relevant facts, not due to pressure from Icahn.
In 2006, Icahn sold his stake in KT&G (Korea Tobacco & Ginseng) for a substantial profit.
Icahn sold his casino interests in Nevada on 21 February 2008. They included the Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie's Boulder, Arizona Charlie's Decatur, and Aquarius Casino Resort which are operated through American Entertainment Properties, a subsidiary of Icahn's major company, Icahn Enterprises. The sale price of $1.3 billion was roughly $1 billion more than he paid for the properties.
Icahn made an attempted run as a major shareholder of Time Warner, owning about 3.3% of the company valued at billions of dollars. He has been actively seeking to influence the direction of Time Warner, often in conflict with its former chief executive, Richard Parsons. Although Time Warner recently sold 5% of its AOL division, Icahn has been pressing for additional action to increase shareholder value. On February 7, 2006, a group led by Icahn and Lazard Frères CEO Bruce Wasserstein unveiled a 343-page proposal calling for the breakup of Time Warner into four companies and stock buybacks totaling approximately $20 billion. On February 17, 2006, the Icahn-led group agreed with Time Warner to not contest the re-election of Time Warner's slate of board members at the 2006 shareholders meeting. In exchange for the Icahn group's cooperation, Time Warner would buy back up $20 billion of stock, nominate more independent members to the board of directors, cut $1 billion of costs by 2007, and continue discussions with the Icahn group over their proposal, particularly on the future of Time Warner Cable.
Icahn's hedge funds currently own 5.6% of biotechnology company Biogen Idec. Beginning in 2007, Icahn has steadily increased his stake in Biogen, seeking to possibly acquire, break up, and/or sell off various parts of the company.[7] As of June, 2009, Icahn has managed to seat two of his allies on Biogen's board with the apparent goal of splitting the company into two entities and possibly replacing CEO James C. Mullen, of whom he has been highly critical.[8]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Icahn
Issa to Postal Union: Stop Misleading Ads on Postal Service
7/11/2011
Share
WASHINGTON- Congressman Darrell Issa in a letter today to the American Postal Worker Union (APWU) asks the union to cancel a misleading ad campaign that falsely claims the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not receive taxpayer support when it does, in fact, receive hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money through preferential tax treatment and other benefits.
"A December 2007 report from the Federal Trade Commission includes a long list of implicit subsidies the Postal Service receives that are not available to private companies," said Issa in the letter to APWU President Cliff Guffey. The letter notes that "the Postal Service is exempt from, among other items, federal, state, and local income tax, all state and local taxes (including property tax), and vehicle registration and titling fees."
The letter also notes that USPS has access to borrowing directly from the United States Treasury at very low rates. As of the end of Fiscal Year 2010, the Postal Service had $4.1 billion in debt with an interest rate below 0.3% as well as an additional short-term revolving credit line of $3.4 billion at an interest rate of 0.206%.
Noting that these subsidies are worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually, Issa asked the union not to mislead the American people.
"While you and I have significant differences of opinion on how the Postal Service should be reformed, I believe we must be clear about the underlying facts. I ask you not to engage in a campaign to mislead the American people."
Issa, the author of the only legislation introduced this Congress which would return the Postal Service to solvency, has also called on the Postal Service and their allies to recognize that the decline in revenue is permanent, driven by the transition to electronic, paperless technology and not temporarily by the recession. Issa debunked these myths and others in a "Myth vs. Fact" paper published last week.
Click here for a copy of Issa's letter to APWU.
# # #
US Postal Service plans to close 3,653 post offices. Here's a list.
By David Gewirtz | July 27, 2011, 5:00am PDT
On its 236th anniversary, Ben Franklin’s original post office, along with over 3,500 others, is being stamped out.
Exactly 236 years ago yesterday, on July 26, 1775, a guy by the name of Benjamin Franklin opened a post office at what is now 316 Market Street, in Philadelphia. At the time, the newly opened post office didn’t fly an American flag, because America wasn’t yet a country.
Ben was a smart old goat. The post office he established operated in the same building as his old house.
Fast forward now exactly 236 years. Ben’s old post office is still operating. It’s the only one in America that doesn’t fly an American flag, to honor the fact that Franklin started it before America became a nation.
Unfortunately, in a very strange twist of fate, exactly 236 years to the day of Franklin’s founding of his post office, the operators of the Franklin branch, along with the postmasters of 3,653 other post offices throughout the nation, were informed that their branches are likely to be shut down.
While it seems short-sighted, completely unromantic, and slightly disrespectful to lump the Franklin Post Office in with all the others, the fact remains that the U.S. Postal Service is losing money. Many of the small branches that the USPS wants to shut down have an annual revenue of less than $27,500 with annual expenses usually in the $100,000 range.
The closings are expected to cost between 4,000 and 4,500 postal employees their jobs.
The world has changed since Franklin’s day. Back then, the postal service was a unique, reliable, cost effective way to get letters and packages transported reliably. The Postal Service’s package business (the one genuinely profitable portion of its operation) has been eaten into by the likes of UPS and Fedex, as well as by rising gasoline prices.
Although the post office is reputed to lose money with each standard letter sent, millions of people today now communicate in 140 character tweets or use Facebook to post status updates.
It’s deeply ironic, then, that the Post Office is previewing some of its new stamp designs on its Facebook stamps page. So far Kimberly, Judi, Maria, and three others like the stamp designs. Hey, at least six people like the designs, right? That’s something, anyway.
++++++++++++++++
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carl Icahn
February 16, 1936 (age 75)
Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Jewish
Alma mater
Princeton University and New York University School of Medicine (drop- out)
Occupation
Businessman: Chairman, Financier
Net worth
US$12.5 billion (2011)[1]
Children
Brett Icahn, Michelle Icahn
Carl Celian Icahn (born February 16, 1936) is an American financier, corporate raider, and private equity investor.
Icahn was raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York City, where he attended Far Rockaway High School.[2] His father was a cantor (a Jewish prayer leader), his mother was a schoolteacher.[3] He was educated at Princeton University (A.B., philosophy, 1957) and New York University School of Medicine, but left without graduating.
Icahn began his career on Wall Street in 1961. In 1968, he formed Icahn & Co., a securities firm that focused on risk arbitrage and options trading. In 1978, he began taking control of positions in individual companies.[2] He has taken substantial or controlling positions in various corporations including RJR Nabisco, TWA, Texaco, Phillips Petroleum, Western Union, Gulf & Western, Viacom, Uniroyal, Dan River, Marshall Field's, E-II (Culligan and Samsonite), American Can, USX, Marvel Comics, Revlon, Imclone, Federal-Mogul, Fairmont Hotels, Blockbuster, Kerr-McGee, Time Warner and Motorola. As of February 2010, Icahn is now trying to grab 4 seats on the Genzyme board.[4]
In 2008, Icahn showed interest in the takeover of Yahoo! and the ousting of Jerry Yang from his position as CEO to allow Microsoft to purchase the web company.[5]
In June 2008, Icahn launched The Icahn Report which campaigns for shareholder rights.* It hosts United Shareholders of America where individual investors can sign up and take part.
In July 2010, Icahn acquired 14 percent stake in Mentor Graphics because of which Mentor Graphics signed a Poison Pill provision. As of September 2010, Icahn owns just less than 15 percent of Mentor Graphics. On 22 February 2011 he made an offer to buy Mentor Graphics for about $1.86 billion in cash in a move to push other suitors to declare themselves.
As of 2007, Icahn and his affiliates currently own majority positions in firms including ACF Industries, American Railcar Industries, XO Communications, Philip Services, and NYSE-listed Icahn Enterprises, formerly known as American Real Estate Partners.
Icahn was a director of Blockbuster until January 2010, and the chairman of Imclone, Icahn Enterprises, XO Communications, WestPoint Home, Cadus, and American Railcar Industries. He is a beneficial owner of Adventrx Pharmaceuticals, Vector Group and has had significant holdings in Time Warner. Icahn tried to take over Marvel Comics, coming into conflict with Avi Arad, Ron Perelman, and Ike Perlmutter.[6] Marvel ended up being acquired by The Walt Disney Company in late 2009.
In 2004, Icahn purchased a large block of stock of Mylan Laboratories, after Mylan had announced a deal to acquire King Pharmaceuticals. Icahn threatened a proxy fight over the acquisition, on the ground that the deal required Mylan to overpay. In early 2005, Mylan gave up its efforts to acquire King, but according to the management, the decision was made after it monitored relevant facts, not due to pressure from Icahn.
In 2006, Icahn sold his stake in KT&G (Korea Tobacco & Ginseng) for a substantial profit.
Icahn sold his casino interests in Nevada on 21 February 2008. They included the Stratosphere, Arizona Charlie's Boulder, Arizona Charlie's Decatur, and Aquarius Casino Resort which are operated through American Entertainment Properties, a subsidiary of Icahn's major company, Icahn Enterprises. The sale price of $1.3 billion was roughly $1 billion more than he paid for the properties.
Icahn made an attempted run as a major shareholder of Time Warner, owning about 3.3% of the company valued at billions of dollars. He has been actively seeking to influence the direction of Time Warner, often in conflict with its former chief executive, Richard Parsons. Although Time Warner recently sold 5% of its AOL division, Icahn has been pressing for additional action to increase shareholder value. On February 7, 2006, a group led by Icahn and Lazard Frères CEO Bruce Wasserstein unveiled a 343-page proposal calling for the breakup of Time Warner into four companies and stock buybacks totaling approximately $20 billion. On February 17, 2006, the Icahn-led group agreed with Time Warner to not contest the re-election of Time Warner's slate of board members at the 2006 shareholders meeting. In exchange for the Icahn group's cooperation, Time Warner would buy back up $20 billion of stock, nominate more independent members to the board of directors, cut $1 billion of costs by 2007, and continue discussions with the Icahn group over their proposal, particularly on the future of Time Warner Cable.
Icahn's hedge funds currently own 5.6% of biotechnology company Biogen Idec. Beginning in 2007, Icahn has steadily increased his stake in Biogen, seeking to possibly acquire, break up, and/or sell off various parts of the company.[7] As of June, 2009, Icahn has managed to seat two of his allies on Biogen's board with the apparent goal of splitting the company into two entities and possibly replacing CEO James C. Mullen, of whom he has been highly critical.[8]
Monday, July 25, 2011
JUDICIAL WATCH UNCOVERS PELOSI'S SCHOOL-OF-HARD "KNOX-QADDAFI" COVERUP TO CONCEAL HER CRIMINAL AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT USE!
Judicial Watch Uncovers New Documents Detailing Pelosi's Use of Air Force Aircraft for Her Family in 2010
Records Also Detail Massive Pelosi-Led Bipartisan Congressional Junket to Detroit Auto Show
Contact Information:
Press Office 202-646-5172, ext 305
Washington, DC -- July 21, 2011
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has obtained new documents from the United States Air Force (USAF) detailing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of USAF aircraft in 2010. The records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which include flight manifests, expense summaries, copies of receipts and Congressional correspondence, detail a number of trips made by Speaker Pelosi in 2010, including:
•A May 6-10, 2010, Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan and Germany “to discuss issues of mutual interest in Qatar and Afghanistan, as well as conduct oversight on women’s issues (troops) in Afghanistan and to visit with US troops and meet with government officials in Germany.” The total cost of military travel was $204,135.00. The records indicate then-Speaker Pelosi made a personal request that the “maximum per diem allowance be made available at the enhanced rate of an additional $50.”
•Numerous trips were made by Speaker Pelosi between San Francisco and Andrews Air Force Base. Several of these trips included members of Speaker Pelosi’s family, including her husband, daughter, granddaughters and son-in law. For example, one “Staff Summary Sheet” detailing a January 4, 2010, flight from San Francisco to Andrews Air Force Base notes that Pelosi’s daughter Christina “owes for $99.00 (flight) and $7.82 (meal).” The documents suggest that the Speaker’s office was billed for the fees but do not indicate whether the bills were paid.
•A January 7-11, 2010, Congressional Delegation to Detroit, Michigan, for the expressed purpose of reviewing “the impact of congressional appropriations and policy in promoting innovation, technological development and job creation in US auto industry.” The Detroit trip required $24,336.60 in commercial air travel and an additional $10,046.87 in expenses. The Pentagon also paid for military escorts for the trip.
•One document notes that the mode of transportation for the trip would be “Comair and Milair,” (commercial air travel and military air travel). However, the only cost related to the military portion of the transportation detailed in the records is a $15,000 advance secured for ground transportation, meals and lodging. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) drove himself to Detroit and sought $228 in mileage reimbursement. A total of 24 House Members (16 Democrats, 8 Republicans), led by then-Speaker Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), were on the list of trip participants.
Overall, according to documents uncovered by Judicial Watch in January 2011, Pelosi used the Air Force aircraft for a total of 43 trips, covering 90,155 miles, from January 1 through October 1, 2010. Judicial Watch, through FOIA, continues to pursue other records related to Pelosi’s use of Air Force aircraft.
Previous documents obtained by Judicial Watch show the former Speaker’s military travel cost the USAF $2,100,744.59 over one two-year period — $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. For example, purchases for one Pelosi-led congressional delegation traveling from Washington, DC, through Tel Aviv, Israel to Baghdad, Iraq May 15-20, 2008 included: Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey’s Irish Crème, Maker’s Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine.
Judicial Watch also previously uncovered internal Department of Defense (DOD) documents email correspondence detailing attempts by DOD staff to accommodate Pelosi’s numerous requests for military escorts and military aircraft as well as the speaker’s last minute cancellations and changes. For example, in response to a series of requests for military aircraft, one DOD official wrote, "Any chance of politely querying [Pelosi's team] if they really intend to do all of these or are they just picking every weekend?...[T]here's no need to block every weekend 'just in case'..." The email also notes that Pelosi's office had, "a history of canceling many of their past requests."
Judicial Watch also uncovered emails from the DOD that show the Pentagon worked hand-in-hand with congressional offices prior to releasing documents regarding congressional military travel under the FOIA. These “heads up” emails involved FOIA requests filed by Judicial Watch, The Wall Street Journal, Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call, among other organizations, related to the use of military aircraft by a number of congressional members, including Pelosi.
Following numerous press reports documenting Pelosi’s misuse of military air craft, current House Speaker John Boehner announced that he would fly commercial between his home district and Washington, DC. Nevertheless, Judicial Watch has initiated a separate investigation into travel since Republicans took control of the House.
“These documents further detail former Speaker Pelosi’s shameless abuse of military air craft during her tenure as House Speaker. Providing sweetheart travel deals for her adult children are an abuse of her high public office,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “But this scandal is much larger than Speaker Pelosi, as the massive Detroit Auto Show junket shows. Members of the House are able to obtain permission from the Office of the Speaker for the use of military luxury and military-supported travel for congressional delegation trips. These trips, known as CODELs, have exploded in number and cost. Speaker Boehner needs to reform this abuse of our military’s assets. For all the recent talk about corporate luxury jets here in Washington, the American people might be surprised to learn the Air Force has an entire wing of luxury jets (in addition to President Obama’s Air Force One planes) for the use of congressmen and top administration officials.”
Documents Uncovered
•USAF Documents, part 1
•USAF Documents, part 2
•USAF Documents, part 3
HOUSE CONSIDERS INTERIOR DEPT 2012 SPENDING AS OBAMA'S INTERIOR DEPT HELD IN CONTEMPT & PUSHES 71% OF U.S. JOBS TO WEST AFRICA WITH REP. JACKSON-LEE!
Ten Oil Rigs Have Exited the Gulf of Mexico Since President Obama’s Moratorium Went Into Effectby Kevin Mooney
Ten oil rigs have left the Gulf of Mexico since the Obama Administration imposed a moratorium on deepwater oil and gas drilling in May 2010, according to documentation the Pelican Institute obtained from Sen. David Vitter’s (R-La.) office.
The ten rigs named in the document are: Marinas, Discover Americas, Ocean Endeavor, Ocean Confidence, Stena Forth, Clyde Bourdeaux, Ensco 8503, Deep Ocean Clarion, Discover Spirit, and Amirante. The rigs have left the Gulf for locations in Egypt, Congo, French Guiana, Liberia, Nigeria and Brazil.
“This highlights the problem we have with losing domestic energy production as a result of the drilling moratorium and the slow permitting,” David Kreutzer, a research fellow in Energy Economics and Climate Change at the Heritage Foundation, said. “We must also keep in mind that the impacts are not instantaneous, the rigs may be idle for a while, but once they move it’s going to be difficult to move them back once they are drilling in say Nigeria or Brazil. The oil companies must have confidence they can move forward with their drilling plans and to know these plans won’t be revoked. Only certainty will bring them back.”
Although federal officials announced they were lifting the restrictions last October, a “de-facto moratorium” remains in effect that stifles energy production and undermines large and small businesses in the Gulf region, industry officials have argued.
“I don’t think the people in Washington D.C. who implement these policies have an understanding of how much this has impacted our economy, especially in Louisiana,” Renee Baker, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said. “We can’t just look at the large businesses to understand what’s happening, there are small businesses that do a lot of services for the rigs and they have been set back. We just want to see people get back to work.”
Unfortunately, the “political uncertainty” surrounding the Gulf region has discouraged companies from making investments that could help spur economic growth, Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), laments. Even before the 10 rigs cited in the document from Vitter’s office pulled out, eight other rigs that were planned for the Gulf were detoured away, Briggs said.
“When you have companies that would be spending hundreds of millions of dollars, or some cases, billions of dollars, they need certainty,” Briggs explained. “We don’t have that now and I don’t expect that we will anytime soon. We will be in a deteriorating position until this changes.”
Briggs also questions the necessity of the moratorium that was imposed in response to the explosion of British Petroleum’s (BP) Macondo oil well on April 20 of last year. The accident resulted in the death of 11 workers and caused an estimated five million barrels of crude oil to spill into the Gulf.
Despite whatever missteps were involved with BP’s oil drilling operations, the industry as a whole has a “great safety record” in the Gulf, but this has not been taken into account, Briggs noted.
“We would have implemented new rules and guidelines without any federal action. This could have been done without a moratorium. There is no getting around how severe the regulatory fallout has been for us,” Briggs said.
Meanwhile, Sen. David Vitter has called out top Obama administration officials for issuing what he views as conflicting and misleading statements on the correct number offshore drilling permits. A U.S. Justice Department motion filed in March stated there are 270 shallow water permit applications pending and 52 deepwater permit applications pending.
But in testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this past March, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the Interior Department had received only 47 shallow water permit applications over the previous nine months and that only seven deepwater permit applications were pending. Michael Bromwich, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, told Vitter personally that only six deepwater permits were pending, and he publicly stated that deepwater permits would be limited because “only a handful of completed applications have been received.”
Over the past three months, deepwater permits are down 71 percent from their historical monthly average of 5.8 permits per month, Robert Bluey, a blogger and journalist with the Heritage Foundation, has reported on The Scribe. Shallow-water permits have also fallen in the past few weeks by 34 percent from the historical monthly average of 7.1 permits, Bluey reported.
In February, Judge Martin Feldman issued ruling holding the Interior Department in civil contempt for its refusal to comply with his previous injunction against the offshore drilling moratorium. This type of ruling typically serves either to coerce compliance with a federal order or to compensate a party that has suffered unnecessary injuries. But the administration remains recalcitrant. In fact, it was recently reported in the Times-Picayune that more regulations could be forthcoming.
Ten oil rigs have left the Gulf of Mexico since the Obama Administration imposed a moratorium on deepwater oil and gas drilling in May 2010, according to documentation the Pelican Institute obtained from Sen. David Vitter’s (R-La.) office.
The ten rigs named in the document are: Marinas, Discover Americas, Ocean Endeavor, Ocean Confidence, Stena Forth, Clyde Bourdeaux, Ensco 8503, Deep Ocean Clarion, Discover Spirit, and Amirante. The rigs have left the Gulf for locations in Egypt, Congo, French Guiana, Liberia, Nigeria and Brazil.
“This highlights the problem we have with losing domestic energy production as a result of the drilling moratorium and the slow permitting,” David Kreutzer, a research fellow in Energy Economics and Climate Change at the Heritage Foundation, said. “We must also keep in mind that the impacts are not instantaneous, the rigs may be idle for a while, but once they move it’s going to be difficult to move them back once they are drilling in say Nigeria or Brazil. The oil companies must have confidence they can move forward with their drilling plans and to know these plans won’t be revoked. Only certainty will bring them back.”
Although federal officials announced they were lifting the restrictions last October, a “de-facto moratorium” remains in effect that stifles energy production and undermines large and small businesses in the Gulf region, industry officials have argued.
“I don’t think the people in Washington D.C. who implement these policies have an understanding of how much this has impacted our economy, especially in Louisiana,” Renee Baker, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said. “We can’t just look at the large businesses to understand what’s happening, there are small businesses that do a lot of services for the rigs and they have been set back. We just want to see people get back to work.”
Unfortunately, the “political uncertainty” surrounding the Gulf region has discouraged companies from making investments that could help spur economic growth, Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), laments. Even before the 10 rigs cited in the document from Vitter’s office pulled out, eight other rigs that were planned for the Gulf were detoured away, Briggs said.
“When you have companies that would be spending hundreds of millions of dollars, or some cases, billions of dollars, they need certainty,” Briggs explained. “We don’t have that now and I don’t expect that we will anytime soon. We will be in a deteriorating position until this changes.”
Briggs also questions the necessity of the moratorium that was imposed in response to the explosion of British Petroleum’s (BP) Macondo oil well on April 20 of last year. The accident resulted in the death of 11 workers and caused an estimated five million barrels of crude oil to spill into the Gulf.
Despite whatever missteps were involved with BP’s oil drilling operations, the industry as a whole has a “great safety record” in the Gulf, but this has not been taken into account, Briggs noted.
“We would have implemented new rules and guidelines without any federal action. This could have been done without a moratorium. There is no getting around how severe the regulatory fallout has been for us,” Briggs said.
Meanwhile, Sen. David Vitter has called out top Obama administration officials for issuing what he views as conflicting and misleading statements on the correct number offshore drilling permits. A U.S. Justice Department motion filed in March stated there are 270 shallow water permit applications pending and 52 deepwater permit applications pending.
But in testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this past March, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the Interior Department had received only 47 shallow water permit applications over the previous nine months and that only seven deepwater permit applications were pending. Michael Bromwich, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, told Vitter personally that only six deepwater permits were pending, and he publicly stated that deepwater permits would be limited because “only a handful of completed applications have been received.”
Over the past three months, deepwater permits are down 71 percent from their historical monthly average of 5.8 permits per month, Robert Bluey, a blogger and journalist with the Heritage Foundation, has reported on The Scribe. Shallow-water permits have also fallen in the past few weeks by 34 percent from the historical monthly average of 7.1 permits, Bluey reported.
In February, Judge Martin Feldman issued ruling holding the Interior Department in civil contempt for its refusal to comply with his previous injunction against the offshore drilling moratorium. This type of ruling typically serves either to coerce compliance with a federal order or to compensate a party that has suffered unnecessary injuries. But the administration remains recalcitrant. In fact, it was recently reported in the Times-Picayune that more regulations could be forthcoming.
BAD NEWS: AMERICANS ARE STILL WAITING FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON ILLINOIS & COOK CO. STATE'S ATTORNEYS ROLE IN SUPPORT OF NARCO & CHILD TRAFFICKERS
Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control Holds Hearing on Counternarcotics Efforts in Afghanistan
Examined production, sale and distribution of illicit drugs that fund Taliban, undermines stability
July 20, 2011
Washington–U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, held a hearing today examining U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan.
The hearing explored the production, sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the country that funds the Taliban, corrupts public officials, and undermines political stability and the rule of law. The hearing highlighted the future of counternarcotics efforts in the country as U.S. troop levels are reduced in the coming years.
Senator Feinstein also honored fallen DEA Special Agents killed in a 2009 helicopter crash after a firefight with Taliban drug traffickers.
Senator Feinstein’s opening remarks:
“I am holding today’s hearing to assess our counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan as we begin the drawdown of international troops.
I think we can all agree that the Taliban has morphed into a hybrid. It is one part terrorist organization, one part global drug trafficking organization.
For the past two years, virtually every heroin processing lab raided by the DEA, U.S. Special Forces, and Afghan Police had ties to the Taliban. What our forces find when they raid drug labs is not only large quantities of opium and heroin but also improvised explosive devices, – IEDs – bomb making materials and Taliban training manuals. In just one raid last year, 2,056 pounds of the highest-grade heroin with a wholesale value of $56 million was seized.
Experts agree that it may take many years to get the drug trade in Afghanistan under control. Therefore, as the U.S. military begins to scale back its presence this month, we must ensure that our civilians continue to support counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan.
A year ago this month, the Caucus released a bipartisan report entitled, “U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan” which contained several policy recommendations. I would like to highlight progress that has been made and what remains to be done.
First, the good news:
The Caucus recommended increasing the capacity of the Afghan counternarcotics forces. With the support of the State and Defense Departments, the Afghan Counternarcotics Police Vetted Units were doubled in size and now have over 500 officers.
Corruption in Afghanistan is a huge problem and the Caucus recommended that: “Whenever possible, U.S. law enforcement personnel assigned to assist the Afghan police in drug investigations should expand those cases to include targeting corrupt Afghan officials.”
The investigation of narcotics cases has in fact led to corruption cases, most notably the arrest last year of Mohammad Zia Salehi, the head of Afghanistan’s National Security Council and one of President Karzai’s most trusted staff members. A U.S.-sponsored vetted unit conducted court-authorized wire intercepts that led to evidence that Salehi was soliciting a bribe of $10,000 and a new car to impede an investigation of a money exchange firm that is alleged to have funneled $3 billion in undeclared cash out of the country.
The Caucus’s report recognized that it is essential to remove the leadership of Afghan drug trafficking organizations. Investigators have been successful in targeting top-level Afghan drug traffickers who support the Taliban with the federal narco-terrorism statute and, when possible, have gotten those kingpins to the U.S. to face justice.
This leads to the bad news:
While we have a strong narco-terrorism law and several ongoing proactive investigations, there is no extradition treaty between Afghanistan and the United State. Therefore, it is up to the Afghan government to decide on a case-by-case basis if they will allow these individuals to stand trial in the United States. Unfortunately, this has not happened since June 2009 when Haji Bagcho was brought to the United States for trial.
Our report also suggested increasing dedicated assets for air support of counternarcotics missions priorto the U.S. military drawdown. While the State Department agreed to purchase two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters for counternarcotics use, the Director of the State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Air Wing advised Caucus staff that based on the mission requirements, a total of six S-61s are needed. Additionally, I recently learned that the two S-61s’ delivery is not expected until 2014. This is very troubling, and I hope we can cut through our government’s red tape to get these helicopters to Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Before I close, I would be remiss not to mention that the counternarcotics effort has not been without sacrifice. On October 26, 2009, three DEA Special Agents were killed in a helicopter crash after a firefight with Taliban drug traffickers that also claimed the lives of seven servicemen. On October 29, 2009, the remains of DEA Special Agents Forrest Leamon, Chad Michael, Michael Weston and the fallen U.S. service members were met by President Obama at Dover Air Force base who honored the men and paid his respects at the dignified transfer ceremony.
Co-Chairman Grassley and I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the families of those DEA agents who gave their lives fighting narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan and hereby enter their obituaries into the record for today’s hearing.”
###
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 818-C, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202.228.3081
Examined production, sale and distribution of illicit drugs that fund Taliban, undermines stability
July 20, 2011
Washington–U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, held a hearing today examining U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan.
The hearing explored the production, sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the country that funds the Taliban, corrupts public officials, and undermines political stability and the rule of law. The hearing highlighted the future of counternarcotics efforts in the country as U.S. troop levels are reduced in the coming years.
Senator Feinstein also honored fallen DEA Special Agents killed in a 2009 helicopter crash after a firefight with Taliban drug traffickers.
Senator Feinstein’s opening remarks:
“I am holding today’s hearing to assess our counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan as we begin the drawdown of international troops.
I think we can all agree that the Taliban has morphed into a hybrid. It is one part terrorist organization, one part global drug trafficking organization.
For the past two years, virtually every heroin processing lab raided by the DEA, U.S. Special Forces, and Afghan Police had ties to the Taliban. What our forces find when they raid drug labs is not only large quantities of opium and heroin but also improvised explosive devices, – IEDs – bomb making materials and Taliban training manuals. In just one raid last year, 2,056 pounds of the highest-grade heroin with a wholesale value of $56 million was seized.
Experts agree that it may take many years to get the drug trade in Afghanistan under control. Therefore, as the U.S. military begins to scale back its presence this month, we must ensure that our civilians continue to support counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan.
A year ago this month, the Caucus released a bipartisan report entitled, “U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan” which contained several policy recommendations. I would like to highlight progress that has been made and what remains to be done.
First, the good news:
The Caucus recommended increasing the capacity of the Afghan counternarcotics forces. With the support of the State and Defense Departments, the Afghan Counternarcotics Police Vetted Units were doubled in size and now have over 500 officers.
Corruption in Afghanistan is a huge problem and the Caucus recommended that: “Whenever possible, U.S. law enforcement personnel assigned to assist the Afghan police in drug investigations should expand those cases to include targeting corrupt Afghan officials.”
The investigation of narcotics cases has in fact led to corruption cases, most notably the arrest last year of Mohammad Zia Salehi, the head of Afghanistan’s National Security Council and one of President Karzai’s most trusted staff members. A U.S.-sponsored vetted unit conducted court-authorized wire intercepts that led to evidence that Salehi was soliciting a bribe of $10,000 and a new car to impede an investigation of a money exchange firm that is alleged to have funneled $3 billion in undeclared cash out of the country.
The Caucus’s report recognized that it is essential to remove the leadership of Afghan drug trafficking organizations. Investigators have been successful in targeting top-level Afghan drug traffickers who support the Taliban with the federal narco-terrorism statute and, when possible, have gotten those kingpins to the U.S. to face justice.
This leads to the bad news:
While we have a strong narco-terrorism law and several ongoing proactive investigations, there is no extradition treaty between Afghanistan and the United State. Therefore, it is up to the Afghan government to decide on a case-by-case basis if they will allow these individuals to stand trial in the United States. Unfortunately, this has not happened since June 2009 when Haji Bagcho was brought to the United States for trial.
Our report also suggested increasing dedicated assets for air support of counternarcotics missions priorto the U.S. military drawdown. While the State Department agreed to purchase two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters for counternarcotics use, the Director of the State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Air Wing advised Caucus staff that based on the mission requirements, a total of six S-61s are needed. Additionally, I recently learned that the two S-61s’ delivery is not expected until 2014. This is very troubling, and I hope we can cut through our government’s red tape to get these helicopters to Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Before I close, I would be remiss not to mention that the counternarcotics effort has not been without sacrifice. On October 26, 2009, three DEA Special Agents were killed in a helicopter crash after a firefight with Taliban drug traffickers that also claimed the lives of seven servicemen. On October 29, 2009, the remains of DEA Special Agents Forrest Leamon, Chad Michael, Michael Weston and the fallen U.S. service members were met by President Obama at Dover Air Force base who honored the men and paid his respects at the dignified transfer ceremony.
Co-Chairman Grassley and I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the families of those DEA agents who gave their lives fighting narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan and hereby enter their obituaries into the record for today’s hearing.”
###
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 818-C, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202.228.3081
SITTING IN MURDOCH'S BAY WISHING THE WINE WOULD JUST GO AWAY!
Oregon Rep. David Wu hears calls to resign after revelations of unwanted sexual encounter
Saturday, July 23, 2011
By The Oregonian The Oregonian
Rep. David Wu is facing pressure to resign in the face of allegations of a sexual impropriety involving the daughter of an old friend in California.
BY CHARLES POPE, BETH SLOVIC and HARRY ESTEVE
Pressure on Democratic Rep. David Wu to resign intensified Saturday as leaders in his own party began confronting the embattled Oregon lawmaker over allegations that he had an unwanted sexual encounter last Thanksgiving with a young California woman.
Wu spent the day in private absorbing calls from party operatives and lawmakers in Oregon and Washington, D.C. Reaction ranged from public calls for his resignation and attacks on his character to more private conversation about what's next for Wu.
The conversations were triggered by an accusation, first reported by The Oregonian on Friday, that Wu was involved in an aggressive sexual encounter with the daughter of a longtime friend and campaign donor in California during a visit over Thanksgiving.
The incident became known to Wu's staff when the young woman left a distraught message in May on the phone line of the congressman's district office in Portland. She accused Wu of aggressive and unwanted sexual behavior, according to sources with direct knowledge of the message and its contents.
The young woman and her family have declined comment. The Oregonian is not identifying her. The newspaper has a policy of not naming possible victims of sexual assault unless they request it.
The Oregonian’s continuing coverage of David Wu in Congress.Wu continued to ignore requests for explanation or comment on Saturday. Since The Oregonian first asked about the allegations Tuesday, Wu has responded only with the one sentence statement he issued Friday night: "This is very serious, and I have absolutely no desire to bring unwanted publicity, attention, or stress to a young woman and her family."
The fallout Saturday from party leaders and opponents was a unified judgment that the seven-term member of the House had seriously jeopardized his ability to serve and could damage the party's larger efforts in the 2012 election.
Among those contacting Wu was House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who spoke with Wu by telephone Saturday. The substance of the call was not disclosed. But a source with knowledge of the day's conversations said a second party leader called Wu and urged him to resign.
In all, at least three senior party leaders in Washington spoke to Wu Saturday. Wu spent the day in Washington contemplating his future and had not come to a decision, several sources said.
In Oregon, response ranged from reserved to negative. Glen Geller, vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Washington County, declined comment.
But Rep. Mary Nolan, a Portland Democrat who lives in Wu's district and is running for the Portland City Council, came close to calling for Wu's resignation.
"These are serious allegations," Nolan said. "He has said that himself. I can't judge their veracity, but if they're true, then he shouldn't be serving in Congress."
Wu's troubles fuel an already hot race for the Democratic primary. Congressional incumbents are rarely challenged by members of their own party, but Wu already has two declared opponents for the Democratic nomination next year.
On Saturday, Katherine Pfeiffer, campaign manager for state Rep. Brad Witt in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 1st District, said the Witt campaign was saddened by the allegations. "The congressman owes the citizens he represents a detailed response," Pfeiffer said.
State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, who is also challenging Wu in the primary, called an afternoon news conference to say that Wu needs to "be accountable for his conduct."
"It is a serious incident and one in a long line of serious incidents," Avakian said, adding that Wu has "no business" serving in Congress.
Rep. Mitch Greenlick, a Portland Democrat who lives in Wu's district and has endorsed Avakian, said the latest development should seal the congressman's fate.
"He might as well save himself the trouble and resign," Greenlick said. "He's dead meat."
Greenlick said he expects more Democrats to join the call for Wu to step down. Some have hesitated, concerned that his previous troubles were the result of a "mental health episode" that was being treated.
Now, Greenlick said, "enough is enough. This guy's got to get out of the way. He's got to get out of the public light."
Rep. Jeff Barker, a Democrat from Aloha who also endorsed Avakian, called the latest episode, "one more nail in the coffin." "I think he has too many personal problems in his life right now," Barker said. "Congress isn't the right place for him right now. He needs to be some place else."
Republicans, too, renewed their calls for Wu to resign. "There's a pattern here, and Oregon deserves better," said Greg Leo, spokesman for the Oregon Republican Party.
After considering a run for Wu's seat, state Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, said in March he would not seek the Republican nomination to challenge Wu. "The guy needs to resign," Starr said. "He clearly cannot be effective as a legislator."
-- Charles Pope
KARZAI YELLS "FIRE" IN THE THEATRE AS BILLIONS OF U.S. TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS GO MISSING WHILE POLICE BLOCK & OBSTRUCT U.S. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION!
Karzai Blocks Probe Of Missing Billions In US Aid
July 21st, 2011
Posted By Angelia Phillips.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is blocking efforts by U.S. officials to locate billions of dollars given to aid Afghanistan’s economy, stymieing efforts to combat money laundering of drug money, corruption and funding terrorists.
Karzai is prohibiting U.S. Treasury agents from accessing the Afghan government’s central bank by allowing and even contributing to “hostile working conditions” for advisers there, according to a new report by the U.S. Inspector General’s Office for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
“The United States has poured billions of aid dollars into a country plagued by corruption, insurgency and the narcotics trade,” Inspector General Herbert Richardson told reporters.
Afghanistan must become a “full partner” fighting corruption, he told U.S. news media such as Fox News’ national security correspondent Catherine Herridge
Two months ago, the Law Enforcement Examiner reported on what had been characterized as the largest theft of funds in U.S. history, taxpayers’ money earmarked for Iraq had disappeared, according to a Washington, D.C., public-interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and abuse.
In a mind-boggling example of government corruption, billions of dollars flown to Iraq for post-invasion “reconstruction” have vanished and may never be recovered, say officials from Judicial Watch.
Bundled in chunks of $100 bills, the cash was sent from the United States to Iraq in turboprop military cargo planes known as C-130 Hercules. About $2.4 billion fit in each aircraft and 21 flights made trips, transporting a total of $12 billion in American currency to Iraq by 2004
For years federal audits have determined that more than half of that money could not located by auditors, but there seemed to be some hope that some of the funds could be retrieved.
However, this week the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart Bowen, essentially confirmed that $6.6 billion in cash was likely stolen and may never be recovered.
Bowen referred to it as “the largest theft of funds in national history,” in a Los Angeles Times newspaper report that pointed out the missing money is enough to run a major public school district for an entire year.
The L.A. Times story also claims that the mystery is a growing embarrassment to the Pentagon, which has long asserted that it could track the cash if given the time to do it.
This is simply the latest of many reports documenting the pervasive fraud and waste in Iraq reconstruction efforts, which have received more than $100 billion from U.S. taxpayers.
In the last few years Inspector General audits have exposed the sordid details of costly projects that never got completed or are rife with excessive delays and shoddy work.
There are also investigations into bribery and embezzlement cases such as the one reported by the Law Enforcement Examiner in which Major Derrick L. Shoemake, 49, pleaded guilty in June before U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee in the Central District of California to two counts of accepting bribes while serving overseas.
According to the court document, Major Shoemake served at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait as a contracting officer’s representative in charge of coordinating and accepting delivery of bottled water in support of U.S. troops in Iraq.
While serving in Kuwait, Shoemake agreed to assist a contractor with his delivery of bottled water. In return, the contractor paid Shoemake $215,000, most of which was delivered to Shoemake’s designee in Los Angeles.
Major Shoemake received an additional $35,000 from a second contractor for his perceived influence over the award of bottled water contracts in Afghanistan. In total, Shoemake admitted receiving approximately $250,000 from these two government contractors in 2005 and 2006.
ILLINOIS & COOK CO. STATES' ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATE WITH BRITISH PAKI TERRORISTS LAWSUIT AGAINST U.S.A. WHILE TRAFFICKING CHILDREN!
Pakistani legal action targets U.S. drone program Saeed Shah | McClatchy
Newspapers • Published July 19, 2011
ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani lawyer filed charges Monday against the CIA's former legal counsel for authorizing drone missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal area that activists say killed mostly innocent civilians.
Advocacy groups hope that the charges against John A. Rizzo, a now-retired longtime CIA lawyer, will lead eventually to a lawsuit in the United States over the controversial, secretive drone program, which is highly unpopular in Pakistan but has become a central tool of the Obama administration's fight against al Qaida and Taliban militants in Pakistan's remote tribal areas near Afghanistan.
The use of the unmanned drones began in 2004, but President Barack Obama has ramped it up significantly. While the CIA and other U.S. government officials don't publicly comment on the drones as a matter of policy, Washington claims privately that there are few civilian victims.
Lawyers connected with the case said they focused on Rizzo, 63, because he discussed the process of drone targeting, determining who should be "blown to bits," as he put it in an interview with Newsweek magazine earlier this year. Rizzo, who retired in 2009, described how he signed off on a monthly hit list, though he said at one point that "they tried to minimize collateral damage, especially women and children."
The charges filed in Islamabad by lawyer Shahzad Akbar — who's working with the British-based legal aid group Reprieve — are on behalf of two men who say they lost family members in drone attacks. They come as the U.S. and Pakistani militaries are struggling to patch an uneasy alliance that's been on the rocks since the May U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
A separate lawsuit that Akbar filed late last year in Pakistan named the CIA station chief in Islamabad. The official was forced to flee the country and U.S.-Pakistani ties were badly strained.
George Little, a CIA spokesman, didn't comment on the lawsuit specifically but said: "American counter-terrorism operations are precise, lawful and effective. They're coordinated across our government."
Though never admitted by the agency, the CIA's drone program is meant to assassinate suspected extremists hiding in Waziristan and other parts of Pakistan's tribal area, a wild mountainous region on the Afghan border. Drones are the only weapon readily available to the U.S. there, because Pakistan won't allow American soldiers on the ground.
Waziristan is almost impossible for outsiders to enter without Pakistani army escorts, so verifying drone attacks and casualties is a murky process. News stories on drone strikes often rely on unnamed Pakistani intelligence officials.
A London art gallery is preparing to open on Tuesday an exhibition of photographs by a Waziristan resident that show what he says is the aftermath of drone attacks, including images of dead and injured children.
The photographer, Noor Behram, who visited the sites of 27 drone attacks, said that one militant was killed for every 10 or 15 innocent people.
It wasn't possible for McClatchy to confirm the authenticity of Behram's often-grim photographs.
An analysis by the New America Foundation, an independent research organization in Washington, shows that 258 drone strikes have taken place in Pakistan since 2004, mostly in Waziristan. They've killed somewhere from 1,579 to 2,490 people, the foundation says.
It estimates that 20 percent of those killed were militants, though that percentage dropped to 5 percent last year, which saw a record number of 118 drone attacks.
Officially, the Pakistani government condemns the drone strikes but it secretly cooperates with them, even allowing the use of an air base from which the drones take off. However, the Pakistani military reportedly has grown opposed to the frequency with which drone strikes are used now.
(Shah is a McClatchy special correspondent.)
Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/18/1730067/pakistani-legal-action-targets.html#ixzz1T9svnFe2
Newspapers • Published July 19, 2011
ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani lawyer filed charges Monday against the CIA's former legal counsel for authorizing drone missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal area that activists say killed mostly innocent civilians.
Advocacy groups hope that the charges against John A. Rizzo, a now-retired longtime CIA lawyer, will lead eventually to a lawsuit in the United States over the controversial, secretive drone program, which is highly unpopular in Pakistan but has become a central tool of the Obama administration's fight against al Qaida and Taliban militants in Pakistan's remote tribal areas near Afghanistan.
The use of the unmanned drones began in 2004, but President Barack Obama has ramped it up significantly. While the CIA and other U.S. government officials don't publicly comment on the drones as a matter of policy, Washington claims privately that there are few civilian victims.
Lawyers connected with the case said they focused on Rizzo, 63, because he discussed the process of drone targeting, determining who should be "blown to bits," as he put it in an interview with Newsweek magazine earlier this year. Rizzo, who retired in 2009, described how he signed off on a monthly hit list, though he said at one point that "they tried to minimize collateral damage, especially women and children."
The charges filed in Islamabad by lawyer Shahzad Akbar — who's working with the British-based legal aid group Reprieve — are on behalf of two men who say they lost family members in drone attacks. They come as the U.S. and Pakistani militaries are struggling to patch an uneasy alliance that's been on the rocks since the May U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
A separate lawsuit that Akbar filed late last year in Pakistan named the CIA station chief in Islamabad. The official was forced to flee the country and U.S.-Pakistani ties were badly strained.
George Little, a CIA spokesman, didn't comment on the lawsuit specifically but said: "American counter-terrorism operations are precise, lawful and effective. They're coordinated across our government."
Though never admitted by the agency, the CIA's drone program is meant to assassinate suspected extremists hiding in Waziristan and other parts of Pakistan's tribal area, a wild mountainous region on the Afghan border. Drones are the only weapon readily available to the U.S. there, because Pakistan won't allow American soldiers on the ground.
Waziristan is almost impossible for outsiders to enter without Pakistani army escorts, so verifying drone attacks and casualties is a murky process. News stories on drone strikes often rely on unnamed Pakistani intelligence officials.
A London art gallery is preparing to open on Tuesday an exhibition of photographs by a Waziristan resident that show what he says is the aftermath of drone attacks, including images of dead and injured children.
The photographer, Noor Behram, who visited the sites of 27 drone attacks, said that one militant was killed for every 10 or 15 innocent people.
It wasn't possible for McClatchy to confirm the authenticity of Behram's often-grim photographs.
An analysis by the New America Foundation, an independent research organization in Washington, shows that 258 drone strikes have taken place in Pakistan since 2004, mostly in Waziristan. They've killed somewhere from 1,579 to 2,490 people, the foundation says.
It estimates that 20 percent of those killed were militants, though that percentage dropped to 5 percent last year, which saw a record number of 118 drone attacks.
Officially, the Pakistani government condemns the drone strikes but it secretly cooperates with them, even allowing the use of an air base from which the drones take off. However, the Pakistani military reportedly has grown opposed to the frequency with which drone strikes are used now.
(Shah is a McClatchy special correspondent.)
Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/18/1730067/pakistani-legal-action-targets.html#ixzz1T9svnFe2
AMY CONTINUES TO WINE WHILE U.S. FAA LOSES $30 M A DAY AS TERRORISTS PLAN REVENUE FOR BRITISH VIRGIN AIR!
FAA Losing $30 million Per Day Until Congress Passes Funding
July 25, 2011 11:24 AM
Amy Bingham reports:
Today 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees were told not to report for work, the government lost $30 million in airline tax revenue and $2.5 billion worth of airport construction projects were left abandoned.
For the first time in history, the Federal Aviation Administration has been shut down because Congress adjourned Friday without passing a bill to continue its funding.
The shut down does not affect TSA security screeners, air traffic controllers or flight safety inspectors in any way.
“I want to make this very clear. The traveling public’s travel will not be compromised,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “[Air traffic] controllers went to work all over America this week. People are flying safely all over America.”
In a conference call with reporters this morning LaHood said Congress' inability to keep the FAA up and running "is exactly why the American people are fed up with Washington.”
“We cannot afford to wait,” LaHood said. “Congress needs to get its act together, come back to Washington and get to work this week to pass an FAA reauthorization bill.”
In the meantime, projects such as plans to improve airport efficiency, inspections at five airports to approve runways for larger planes and engineering initiatives to design quieter approaches in and out of airports have all been halted, said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
"This is going to slow down our ability to expand to keep up with growing demand,” Babbitt said. “We just simply want to have Congress do its job and let us get back to running the safest and best aviation system in the world.”
LaHood said there is “no excuse” for Congress failing to at least pass a “clean” funding bill, like it has 20 times since the last long-term authorization bill expired in 2007.
Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin proposed such a “clean” bill Friday afternoon, but was met with objections from Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah, who said the Senate should pass the House’s version of FAA reauthorization instead, which passed the lower chamber in April.
The House bill includes two sticking points for Senate Democrats. First, it cuts subsidies for rural airports and second, it rolls back a new law making it easier for airline employees to unionize.
“Let's fight this out next week or the week after,” Durbin said on the Senate floor Friday. “What I'm offering is neutrality, political neutrality, a clean extension. But what I'm afraid I'm going to get back is an insistence that if you don't take the House Republican proposal, we'll shut it down. I don't think that's a good choice for America."
"Let us as politicians do our battles here. Let's never do them at the expense of ordinary people across America,” Durbin continued.
Hatch responded by saying Senate Republicans were committed to passing a long-term funding bill like the one passed by the House, not another short-term extension.
“It is unfortunate that cow-toeing to big labor has effectively grounded efforts to get a long-term FAA reauthorization off the ground,” Hatch said.
July 25, 2011 in Amy Bingham, FAA | Permalink | Share | User Comments
July 25, 2011 11:24 AM
Amy Bingham reports:
Today 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees were told not to report for work, the government lost $30 million in airline tax revenue and $2.5 billion worth of airport construction projects were left abandoned.
For the first time in history, the Federal Aviation Administration has been shut down because Congress adjourned Friday without passing a bill to continue its funding.
The shut down does not affect TSA security screeners, air traffic controllers or flight safety inspectors in any way.
“I want to make this very clear. The traveling public’s travel will not be compromised,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “[Air traffic] controllers went to work all over America this week. People are flying safely all over America.”
In a conference call with reporters this morning LaHood said Congress' inability to keep the FAA up and running "is exactly why the American people are fed up with Washington.”
“We cannot afford to wait,” LaHood said. “Congress needs to get its act together, come back to Washington and get to work this week to pass an FAA reauthorization bill.”
In the meantime, projects such as plans to improve airport efficiency, inspections at five airports to approve runways for larger planes and engineering initiatives to design quieter approaches in and out of airports have all been halted, said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
"This is going to slow down our ability to expand to keep up with growing demand,” Babbitt said. “We just simply want to have Congress do its job and let us get back to running the safest and best aviation system in the world.”
LaHood said there is “no excuse” for Congress failing to at least pass a “clean” funding bill, like it has 20 times since the last long-term authorization bill expired in 2007.
Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin proposed such a “clean” bill Friday afternoon, but was met with objections from Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah, who said the Senate should pass the House’s version of FAA reauthorization instead, which passed the lower chamber in April.
The House bill includes two sticking points for Senate Democrats. First, it cuts subsidies for rural airports and second, it rolls back a new law making it easier for airline employees to unionize.
“Let's fight this out next week or the week after,” Durbin said on the Senate floor Friday. “What I'm offering is neutrality, political neutrality, a clean extension. But what I'm afraid I'm going to get back is an insistence that if you don't take the House Republican proposal, we'll shut it down. I don't think that's a good choice for America."
"Let us as politicians do our battles here. Let's never do them at the expense of ordinary people across America,” Durbin continued.
Hatch responded by saying Senate Republicans were committed to passing a long-term funding bill like the one passed by the House, not another short-term extension.
“It is unfortunate that cow-toeing to big labor has effectively grounded efforts to get a long-term FAA reauthorization off the ground,” Hatch said.
July 25, 2011 in Amy Bingham, FAA | Permalink | Share | User Comments
L.A. POLICE REMAIN COMPLICIT, FAST, & FURIOUSLY INCOMPETENT IN FALSIFICATION & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT! NICE PHOTO OF HOPE SOLO!
Son, Girlfriend of CEO Die After Incidents at San Diego Mansion
Published July 18, 2011
FoxNews.com
The 6-year-old son of a prominent pharmaceutical executive died Sunday, almost a week after falling down the stairs at his family's mansion and four days after his father's girlfriend was found dead hanging from a balcony in the house.
Max Shacknai died Sunday at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego nearly a week after falling down stairs at the historic mansion owned by his father, Medicis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. chairman and chief executive Jonah Shacknai, on San Diego Bay.
Mystery Surrounds Deaths of CEO's Son, Girlfriend Inside San Diego Mansion
The 6-year-old son of a prominent pharmaceutical executive died Sunday, almost a week after falling down the stairs at his family's mansion and four days after his father's girlfriend was found dead hanging from a balcony in the house.
The boy's death also comes four days after the body of Shacknai's girlfriend, 32-year-old Rebecca Nalepa, was found nude, bound and hanging from a balcony on Wednesday, Fox5SanDiego.com reports.
Nalepa was reportedly with the child at the time of the accident two days earlier. Officials have yet to determine if her death was a suicide or a homicide.
Jonah Shacknai, along with his ex-wife Dina Romano, the boy's mother, released a statement, saying: "With great sadness, Dina and I convey the tragic passing of our beloved son, Max (affectionately known as Maxie)."
"Despite heroic efforts on the part of paramedics and hospital staff, he was unable to recover from the injuries suffered early last week," the statement said. "His loving, kind and vibrant spirit will forever be in our hearts and those whom he touched every day. The loss to our families, Max's many friends of all ages and teammates, and the community is immeasurable."
Max fell down the stairs on Monday at the historic Spreckels mansion in Coronado in what police called a tragic accident. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse when paramedics found him and took him to Rady Children's hospital.
On Wednesday, officials said Shacknai's 32-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Nalepa, was found dead hanging nude from a balcony at the mansion, her hands and feet bound. Shacknai's brother, Adam, who was staying in the mansion guesthouse, called to report Nalepa appeared to be dead, police said. Jonah Shacknai was not at home.
Sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran has called the death "very bizarre."
Sheriff's investigators said last week they have not established any connection between the two deaths, and have not determined if Nalepa was a crime victim and have made no arrests. They said they have not ruled out suicide.
Phone messages left late Sunday with sheriff's homicide investigators were not immediately returned.
The 27-room Spreckels mansion was built in 1908 in the wealthy seaside suburb of about 24,000 people on San Diego Bay.
Coronado had just one homicide last year, and the police department asked the sheriff's department to help with the investigation.
Jonah Shacknai, 54, founded Medicis, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has been chairman and CEO since 1988.
L.A. POLICE INCOMPETENT & BAFFLED BY INTERNATIONAL COOK COUNTY CHILD TRAFFICKERS & TERRORISTS' ARSONS!
LA authorities say arsonist is torching vehicles
The Associated Press
07/25/2011 11:46:59 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Cars, sport utility vehicles and motorhomes have been going up in smoke, with some of the blazes spreading to apartment buildings, in what authorities said Monday was the work of a serial arsonist in the San Fernando Valley.
As many as 18 arson fires might have been set in a 1 1/2-square-mile area of North Hollywood since Thursday. The fires began about 3 a.m., with several following in quick succession. No fires were reported Monday morning.
Police have increased helicopter and ground patrols, and off-duty arson investigators have been called in to work with officers. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also assisting local agencies.
Authorities have received no witness reports describing an arsonist or a suspect vehicle, Interim Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings said in a news release. The department has asked for help from the public.
Arson and counter-terror battalion chief Michael Greenup said the arsonist does not seem to be targeting specific individuals.
"It's totally random," he said.
No injuries have been reported, but some residents have been chased out of apartments by flames, and homes have been gutted when vehicle fires spread.
The fires included a torched motor home at about 3:15 a.m. Saturday, followed by another blaze an hour later that gutted three vehicles in a subterranean parking garage and spread to an apartment unit.
Before dawn on Sunday, several vehicles were torched at a four-story condominium. and a blaze minutes later damaged a three-story apartment building. Another apartment fire was reported 15 minutes later, and another motor home was set ablaze just before 4 a.m.
Two cars were set on fire a short time later, then three more cars and a motor home.
"If it's somebody working alone, they're working very quickly because they light a fire every five minutes," Greenup said.
The Associated Press
07/25/2011 11:46:59 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Cars, sport utility vehicles and motorhomes have been going up in smoke, with some of the blazes spreading to apartment buildings, in what authorities said Monday was the work of a serial arsonist in the San Fernando Valley.
As many as 18 arson fires might have been set in a 1 1/2-square-mile area of North Hollywood since Thursday. The fires began about 3 a.m., with several following in quick succession. No fires were reported Monday morning.
Police have increased helicopter and ground patrols, and off-duty arson investigators have been called in to work with officers. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also assisting local agencies.
Authorities have received no witness reports describing an arsonist or a suspect vehicle, Interim Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings said in a news release. The department has asked for help from the public.
Arson and counter-terror battalion chief Michael Greenup said the arsonist does not seem to be targeting specific individuals.
"It's totally random," he said.
No injuries have been reported, but some residents have been chased out of apartments by flames, and homes have been gutted when vehicle fires spread.
The fires included a torched motor home at about 3:15 a.m. Saturday, followed by another blaze an hour later that gutted three vehicles in a subterranean parking garage and spread to an apartment unit.
Before dawn on Sunday, several vehicles were torched at a four-story condominium. and a blaze minutes later damaged a three-story apartment building. Another apartment fire was reported 15 minutes later, and another motor home was set ablaze just before 4 a.m.
Two cars were set on fire a short time later, then three more cars and a motor home.
"If it's somebody working alone, they're working very quickly because they light a fire every five minutes," Greenup said.
U.S. FLORIDA TAXPAYER DOLLARS USED TO VIOLATE AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TO INFORM PUBLIC CASEY ANTHONY'S DAD IS REALLY AMY WINEHOUSE "MURDOCH'S"!
GOP lawmaker compares Congress to Amy Winehouse
By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY
Singer Amy Winehouse, pictured here in 2007, was found dead this weekend in her London apartment. CAPTIONBy Dave Hogan, Getty ImagesA freshman Missouri lawmaker is comparing Congress and its penchant for spending money to Amy Winehouse, the retro soul singer who was found dead this weekend.
Rep. Billy Long, a Republican who was voted best auctioneer in the Ozarks for seven consecutive years, tweeted this a few hours ago:
No one could reach AmyWinehouse before it was too late. Can anyone reach Washington before it's too late? Both addicted - same fate???
Preliminary autospy results on Winehouse's death were inconclusive. The Grammy Award winner, who had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, was found dead in her London apartment on Saturday. Winehouse was 27.
Congress must raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by Aug. 2 or the United States will risk default. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have introduced separate plans to raise the debt limit and cut federal spending.
Long, one of many GOP freshmen elected to Congress with Tea Party support, has tweeted and retweeted about the debt limit impasse in recent days. Among other things, he said he was looking for "credible solutions" to the U.S. debt crisis after he tweeted that Moody's and Standard & Poors, two leading credit agencies, are looking to downgrade America's AAA credit rating.
Our colleague Ann Oldenburg has more about Winehouse in the Lifeline Live blog.
By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY
Singer Amy Winehouse, pictured here in 2007, was found dead this weekend in her London apartment. CAPTIONBy Dave Hogan, Getty ImagesA freshman Missouri lawmaker is comparing Congress and its penchant for spending money to Amy Winehouse, the retro soul singer who was found dead this weekend.
Rep. Billy Long, a Republican who was voted best auctioneer in the Ozarks for seven consecutive years, tweeted this a few hours ago:
No one could reach AmyWinehouse before it was too late. Can anyone reach Washington before it's too late? Both addicted - same fate???
Preliminary autospy results on Winehouse's death were inconclusive. The Grammy Award winner, who had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, was found dead in her London apartment on Saturday. Winehouse was 27.
Congress must raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by Aug. 2 or the United States will risk default. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have introduced separate plans to raise the debt limit and cut federal spending.
Long, one of many GOP freshmen elected to Congress with Tea Party support, has tweeted and retweeted about the debt limit impasse in recent days. Among other things, he said he was looking for "credible solutions" to the U.S. debt crisis after he tweeted that Moody's and Standard & Poors, two leading credit agencies, are looking to downgrade America's AAA credit rating.
Our colleague Ann Oldenburg has more about Winehouse in the Lifeline Live blog.
CONGRESSMAN RAUL GRIJALVA REMAINS SILENT AS TWO-THIRDS OF THE QUARTZSITE POLICE DEPT. SUSPENDED UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION!
5 Quartzsite police officers suspended
Jul 22, 2011 9:38 AM CDT
QUARTZSITE, Ariz. (AP) - Five members of the 14-member Quartzsite police department are on suspension after leveling accusations against the police chief.
Assistant town manager Al Johnson tells The Arizona Republic several officers had continued to make allegations against Quartzsite Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert even though the officers knew the allegations were false.
In May, 10 of the western Arizona town's 14 sworn officers passed a no-confidence vote against the chief. They alleged in a written statement that Gilbert uses "bully tactics" to intimidate members of the community if they disagree with his methods.
Johnson says complaints against Gilbert include the chief improperly taking time off from work and violating the town's vacation and sick leave policy.
Johnson says an outside law firm investigated and determined the allegations against the chief were unfounded.
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
++++++++++++++
Your Congressman Does Not Like Fox – Raul Grijalva
The U.S. Representative to Congress for the district including Quartzsite is Raul Grijalva (click to write him a note). He is said to ”not like Fox” and would not speak when contacted by a Fox News reporter. He later issued a written statement. That statement indicated that the Congressman did not feel the situation in Quartzsite is dire. SEE Video from Fox - select “3:10 to Quartzsite”.
++++++++++++++
Jul 22, 2011 9:38 AM CDT
QUARTZSITE, Ariz. (AP) - Five members of the 14-member Quartzsite police department are on suspension after leveling accusations against the police chief.
Assistant town manager Al Johnson tells The Arizona Republic several officers had continued to make allegations against Quartzsite Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert even though the officers knew the allegations were false.
In May, 10 of the western Arizona town's 14 sworn officers passed a no-confidence vote against the chief. They alleged in a written statement that Gilbert uses "bully tactics" to intimidate members of the community if they disagree with his methods.
Johnson says complaints against Gilbert include the chief improperly taking time off from work and violating the town's vacation and sick leave policy.
Johnson says an outside law firm investigated and determined the allegations against the chief were unfounded.
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com'>http://www.azcentral.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
++++++++++++++
Your Congressman Does Not Like Fox – Raul Grijalva
The U.S. Representative to Congress for the district including Quartzsite is Raul Grijalva (click to write him a note). He is said to ”not like Fox” and would not speak when contacted by a Fox News reporter. He later issued a written statement. That statement indicated that the Congressman did not feel the situation in Quartzsite is dire. SEE Video from Fox - select “3:10 to Quartzsite”.
++++++++++++++
Friday, July 22, 2011
RUSSIA RESPONSIBLE FOR BOMBING OF UNITED STATES' EMBASSY IN GEORGIA!
Russia Responsible for U.S. Embassy Bombing
And America is silent.
Jul 22, 2011 • By DANIEL HALPER
Eli Lake has a pretty big scoop today on Russian espionage in Georgia: A bomb targeting the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi has been linked, by Georgian intelligence, to a series of bombings around the country over the last 12 months that all lead back to Russia's GRU.
A bomb blast near the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi, Georgia, in September was traced to a plot run by a Russian military intelligence officer, according to an investigation by the Georgian Interior Ministry.
Shota Utiashvili, the most senior official in charge of intelligence analysis for the ministry, said in an interview with The Washington Times that the recent spate of bombings and attempted bombings - including what he said was a blast targeting the U.S. Embassy - was the work of Russian GRU officer Maj. Yevgeny Borisov….
"These are extraordinarily specific and detailed allegations delivered by the government of Georgia," said Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican. "On the basis of this report, the Congress should examine these allegations of a Russian-sponsored attack on a U.S. Embassy and its personnel.
"If true, a Russian-sponsored attack on a U.S. Embassy would constitute the most serious crisis in U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War and put to lie any 'reset' in bilateral relations."
The American Conservative's Daniel Larison gets right to work, defending Moscow from these charges (because real American conservatives carry water for the Kremlin, right?). But at least he's paying attention. The Obama administration, for its part, has said not a word about this attack on a U.S. embassy. At least when the Syrians attacked our embassy in Damascus earlier this month the Obama administration asked for financial compensation, after refusing to use force to defend U.S. property.
The deeper point here, though, is the extent to which the Obama administration will go to preserve the illusion of a relationship based on "mutual interests" and "mutual respect" with a corrupt, authoritarian regime in Russia. In exchange for Russian help on Iran (which, as the Washington Post editors point out today, continues unabated in its pursuit of nukes, despite the imposition of sanctions) and some limited logistical support for the war in Afghanistan, the United States gets … what, exactly?
America abandons its allies in Georgia, even as they double their commitment to the war in Afghanistan, where Georgian troops are fighting alongside U.S. Marines in the most dangerous areas of Helmand province. America abandons the cause of democracy and rule of law in Russia, where those responsible for the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky go about their business without fear of prosecution because they themselves are the prosecutors. America carries water for the Russians at the World Trade Organization, where consensus rule may soon be trampled by the imperatives of reset. America pretends that Medvedev is the head of the Russian government while Putin runs a kleptocracy of current and former FSB agents. And, of course, America watches silently as the Russians reassert a sphere of influence in their neighborhood—rolling back the color revolutions, propping up dictators, and demanding the obedience of their neighbors through threats and intimidation.
And this is what the Obama administration would have us believe is their greatest foreign policy success.
And America is silent.
Jul 22, 2011 • By DANIEL HALPER
Eli Lake has a pretty big scoop today on Russian espionage in Georgia: A bomb targeting the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi has been linked, by Georgian intelligence, to a series of bombings around the country over the last 12 months that all lead back to Russia's GRU.
A bomb blast near the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi, Georgia, in September was traced to a plot run by a Russian military intelligence officer, according to an investigation by the Georgian Interior Ministry.
Shota Utiashvili, the most senior official in charge of intelligence analysis for the ministry, said in an interview with The Washington Times that the recent spate of bombings and attempted bombings - including what he said was a blast targeting the U.S. Embassy - was the work of Russian GRU officer Maj. Yevgeny Borisov….
"These are extraordinarily specific and detailed allegations delivered by the government of Georgia," said Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican. "On the basis of this report, the Congress should examine these allegations of a Russian-sponsored attack on a U.S. Embassy and its personnel.
"If true, a Russian-sponsored attack on a U.S. Embassy would constitute the most serious crisis in U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War and put to lie any 'reset' in bilateral relations."
The American Conservative's Daniel Larison gets right to work, defending Moscow from these charges (because real American conservatives carry water for the Kremlin, right?). But at least he's paying attention. The Obama administration, for its part, has said not a word about this attack on a U.S. embassy. At least when the Syrians attacked our embassy in Damascus earlier this month the Obama administration asked for financial compensation, after refusing to use force to defend U.S. property.
The deeper point here, though, is the extent to which the Obama administration will go to preserve the illusion of a relationship based on "mutual interests" and "mutual respect" with a corrupt, authoritarian regime in Russia. In exchange for Russian help on Iran (which, as the Washington Post editors point out today, continues unabated in its pursuit of nukes, despite the imposition of sanctions) and some limited logistical support for the war in Afghanistan, the United States gets … what, exactly?
America abandons its allies in Georgia, even as they double their commitment to the war in Afghanistan, where Georgian troops are fighting alongside U.S. Marines in the most dangerous areas of Helmand province. America abandons the cause of democracy and rule of law in Russia, where those responsible for the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky go about their business without fear of prosecution because they themselves are the prosecutors. America carries water for the Russians at the World Trade Organization, where consensus rule may soon be trampled by the imperatives of reset. America pretends that Medvedev is the head of the Russian government while Putin runs a kleptocracy of current and former FSB agents. And, of course, America watches silently as the Russians reassert a sphere of influence in their neighborhood—rolling back the color revolutions, propping up dictators, and demanding the obedience of their neighbors through threats and intimidation.
And this is what the Obama administration would have us believe is their greatest foreign policy success.
ISSA STATEMENT ON NEWS OF FURTHER $1.3 BILLION U.S. TAXPAYER LOSS IN OBAMA'S CHRYSLER BAILOUT!
Congressman Issa Statement on News of $1.3 billion U.S. Government Loss in Resolving Chrysler Bailout
7/21/2011
Share40WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) today released the following statement on news that the Obama Administration had closed the outstanding bailout loan to Chrysler at a $1.3 billion loss to taxpayers:
"I am deeply disturbed to learn that the Obama Administration left $1.3 billion taxpayer dollars on the table in resolving its bailout of Chrysler. The Administration has sold out an American icon to a foreign company using TARP funds underwritten by taxpayers. Now they are essentially giving that same company $1.3 billion of taxpayer money.
"This deal gives Fiat another channel for Italian-made cars to be sold and will let them receive a reliable revenue stream from American consumers for years to come, all with little or no money invested in the deal in the first place.
"At a time when American taxpayers must make tough choices to repay their mortgages—even on houses worth less than they paid—it is unfathomable that Italian automaker Fiat and its subsidiary Chrysler got away with repaying less than the full amount borrowed from the U.S. government."
# # #
7/21/2011
Share40WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) today released the following statement on news that the Obama Administration had closed the outstanding bailout loan to Chrysler at a $1.3 billion loss to taxpayers:
"I am deeply disturbed to learn that the Obama Administration left $1.3 billion taxpayer dollars on the table in resolving its bailout of Chrysler. The Administration has sold out an American icon to a foreign company using TARP funds underwritten by taxpayers. Now they are essentially giving that same company $1.3 billion of taxpayer money.
"This deal gives Fiat another channel for Italian-made cars to be sold and will let them receive a reliable revenue stream from American consumers for years to come, all with little or no money invested in the deal in the first place.
"At a time when American taxpayers must make tough choices to repay their mortgages—even on houses worth less than they paid—it is unfathomable that Italian automaker Fiat and its subsidiary Chrysler got away with repaying less than the full amount borrowed from the U.S. government."
# # #
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