Did You Know?
President Barack Obama signed an executive order that directs the closure of the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo within a year.
About 250 detainees are being held at Guantanamo, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Of the more than 500 detainees who have been transferred from Defense Department custody, 18 allegedly have resumed terrorist activities and another 43 former detainees are suspected of having resumed their former lives.
Defense Officials Address Detainee Concerns
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2009 - As the Defense Department prepares plans to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, defense officials acknowledge the possibility that released detainees could return to the battlefield.
E Mail From Our Visitors
It didn't take long to get responses to the story on the closing of the Guantanamo detention center. Following is an excerpt from one. I'll publish it in it's entirety later when I get the e mail department up. Lots of good things coming, stay tuned!
USS New York
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
The ship's motto, 'Never Forget'
It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
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Former AIG Vice President Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
WASHINGTON Tuesday, January 27, 2009 – The former vice president of reinsurance of American International Group Inc. (AIG), was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme to manipulate AIG’s financial statements, the Department of Justice announced.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security Expands Fast-Track Disability Processes
More than 100,000 Disabled Applicants Get Quick Decisions
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that improvements to the agency’s computer modeling system have increased the number of claimants receiving expedited approvals for disability benefits. Social Security’s two-track system -- the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process and Compassionate Allowances -- is now fast-tracking about 4 percent of all disability cases, a sharp increase from the 2.7 percent of cases fast-tracked last year.
"In practical terms, this means that this year 100,000 to 125,000 disabled Americans -- those with the most severe disabilities -- will be approved for benefits in about 10 days instead of waiting the three to four months it typically takes for an initial decision," Commissioner Astrue said. "These initiatives are truly a lifeline for those who need it most."
Under QDD, a predictive computer model analyzes specific data within the electronic file to identify cases where there is a high potential that the claimant is disabled and where Social Security can quickly obtain evidence of the person's allegations.
Through Compassionate Allowances, Social Security expedites the processing of disability claims for applicants with medical conditions so severe that their conditions by definition meet Social Security's standards.
These fast-track systems increase the efficiency of the disability process and also help free up resources so the agency can better cope with an increase of about 250,000 cases resulting from the current economic downturn.
"During these tough economic times, getting Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits quickly to Americans who are unable to work helps them and strengthens our economy.
For SSI recipients, expedited approvals also ensure they immediately get the vital medical coverage they need," Commissioner Astrue said. "It is critical that we continue to embrace innovative technologies in order to improve the services we provide to the public."
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police assisted by Coalition Forces killed one militant and detained four others in Washir District, Helmand province Feb. 7...........
KABUL, Afghanistan - Two Coalition service members, one member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police and one local national civilian were killed Feb. 8, by an improvised explosive device in Helmand, Afghanistan. Additionally, one member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police was wounded............
KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S. Forces Afghanistan is aware that an incident involving an IED explosion took place in the Nad Ali district of Helmand Province Feb. 8............
LAUREL, MD - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator Benjamin Cardin and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Congressman John Sarbanes today visited Patuxent Research Refuge and Wildlife Research Center in Maryland to highlight the job creation and conservation benefits of President Obama's economic recovery plan, which is currently before Congress............
Wrigley says it's suspending ad campaigns featuring Chris Brown as its spokesman for Doublemint gum............
Alex Rodriguez admitted Monday that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 when he played for the Texas Rangers............
California - For the backers of Proposition 8, the state ballot measure to stop single-sex couples from marrying in California, victory has been soured by the ugly specter of intimidation. Some donors to groups supporting the measure have received death threats and envelopes containing a powdery white substance, and their businesses have been boycotted............
Sam Tanenhaus, Week in Review editor and alleged conservative, declares "Conservatism Is Dead" on the cover of The New Republic............
Arcadia, FL - I heard that Conservatism, Communism, God, ad infinitum was dead before...Webmaster B...........
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Pirate Hijacking Resolved Peacefully; U.S. Monitors Situation
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2009 - Pirates released the Ukrainian ship Faina, which they had held for ransom along with its 21-member crew and cargo since hijacking the vessel off the coast of Somalia in September.
PIRATES
ATF Statement Regarding
West Memphis, Ark.
Bombing
The ATF, with the assistance of the FBI and West Memphis Police Department, is investigating an explosion in West Memphis, Ark. ATF has 18 special agents from three states currently at the crime scene and FBI sent agents to assist. ATF has confirmed that an explosive device was used in the bombing incident. A doctor was critically injured and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The investigation is continuing with additional ATF special agents and the ATF bomb truck, as well as an FBI special agent bomb technician. ATF is encouraging anyone with information to contact its tip line at 1-888-ATF-BOMB.
CONTACT:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Little Rock, Arkansas
(501) 228-8403
From Federal Bureau of Investigation
Intelligence Note
Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
February 3, 2009
Work-At-Home Scams
Consumers need to be vigilant when seeking employment on-line. The IC3 continues to receive numerous complaints from individuals who have fallen victim to work-at-home scams.
Victims are often hired to "process payments", "transfer funds" or "reship products." These job scams involve the victims receiving and cashing fraudulent checks, transferring illegally obtained funds for the criminals, or receiving stolen merchandise and shipping it to the criminals.
Other victims sign up to be a "mystery shopper", receiving fraudulent checks with instructions to cash the checks and wire the funds to "test" a company's services. Victims are told they will be compensated with a portion of the merchandise or funds.
Work-at-home schemes attract otherwise innocent individuals, causing them to become part of criminal schemes without realizing they are engaging in illegal behavior.
Job scams often provide criminals the opportunity to commit identity theft when victims provide their personal information, sometimes even bank account information to their potential "employer." The criminal/employer can then use the victim's information to open credit cards, post on-line auctions, register Web sites, etc., in the victim's name to commit additional crimes.
If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov
U.S. Navy Ship Freed
Pearl Harbor Hawaii Tue, 10 Feb 2009 - The Navy freed The USS Port Royal, a guided missile cruiser that ran aground off the coast of Hawaii last week during sea trials, after routine maintenance in drydock. The Port Royal will return to drydock and there will be an investigation of the grounding. There is no evidence of damage at this reporting.
President Barack Obama said he will take a look at a proposal to investigate former Bush administration officials............
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will join leaders of the Ford’s Theater Society, the National Park Service and the District of Columbia at a press conference and ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to re-open Ford’s Theatre. He will speak at the event to initiate the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln. Ford’s Theatre Society, in partnership with the National Park Service, is reopening the doors of Ford’s Theatre after an 18-month renovation............
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will join Senator Richard Durbin to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln at a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Thursday, Feb. 12. The commemoration is an annual event, required by an act of Congress, that dates back to the Memorial's dedication in 1922............
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Saying he needed to restore order to a broken process, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced his strategy for developing an offshore energy plan that includes both conventional and renewable resources............
USS Vella Gulf Crew Captures Pirates in Gulf of Aden
American Forces Press Service
AT SEA ABOARD USS VELLA GULF, Feb. 11, 2009 - The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven pirates in the Gulf of Aden today after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel.
The event marks the first time Combined Task Force 151, a multinational effort to fight piracy in the region, has apprehended suspected pirates, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said.
At about 3 p.m., the Marshall Islands-flagged motor vessel Polaris sent a distress call to all ships in the area, reporting that a small skiff containing seven suspected pirates had attempted a forcible boarding of their vessel using a ladder. Polaris crew members removed the ladder before pirates could come aboard, officials said.
Vella Gulf responded immediately and intercepted the skiff and several men on fitting the physical descriptions given by Polaris crew members. A Vella Gulf visit, board, search and seizure team conducted a consensual boarding and found several weapons.
Polaris met up with Vella Gulf, and the crew provided positive visual identification of the suspected pirates. The suspects were brought onboard Vella Gulf, where they were processed and are being held until they are transferred to a temporary holding facility onboard the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
Cold War Models Are Obsolete, National Security Advisor Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2009 - The U.S. National Security Council and NATO must break out of their Cold War designs and adapt to 21st century challenges, National Security Advisor James L. Jones said this week
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WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama to Focus on Budget Priorities Next Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar marked the 160th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior today in a ceremony at the Yates Auditorium in the Main Interior Building. In addition to the 600 employees who packed the auditorium to watch the event, Department employees around the nation watched via satellite broadcast or listened via teleconference bridge. The Department was established on March 3, 1849.
Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States, showing that nearly a third of the nation’s 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other threats.
New Orleans, LA – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Central Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208, held today in New Orleans, attracted $703,048,523 in high bids.The sale was conducted by Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) and had 70 companies submitting 476 bids on 348 tracts comprising over 1.9 million acres offshore Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The sum of all bids received totaled $ 933,649,315.
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