In America’s brave new world, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has set up fake Twitter and Facebook accounts in order to catch a potential criminal.
They claim to be protecting the Internet by invading American’s privacy without warrants, for the sole purpose of catching the bad guys. Really?
DHS says they are now “protecting” Americans by programming a few sensitive hot-key words into their computer programs and then tracking those who are tweeting words they think fit a certain profile.
The DHS's “watch” list could land Americans on a collision course with secret agents tracking their every move. In other words, DHS can insert government agents into the “average Joe’s” life without serving a warrant or providing any explanation.
A few “key” words DHS is concerned with include “diseases” or “bio weapons” or “human to animal” or “outbreak” and “illegal immigrant.” In fact, DHS has outlined plans to scan blogs, Twitter and Facebook, according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
EPIC claims a Freedom of Information Act requested in February for more details has gone unanswered.
It’s also been reported by some news agencies that DHS can program their computers in order to target certain words and phrases. If a match is triggered, the personal information may be recorded and open to further investigation by agency officials.
It remains unclear how DHS will use the information gathered without a warrant on the Internet blogosphere. EPIC points out that the government has used scans of social media before to analyze events, like the 2010 BP oil spill, but using “fake” profiles on social media is new.
“The initiatives were designed to gather information from online forums, blogs, public websites, and message boards. [They plan] to store and analyze the information gathered, and then disseminate relevant and appropriate de-identified information to federal, state, local, and foreign governments and private sector partners,” according to an EPIC court filing.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
France looks to ICE to combat transnational gangs
More than one million gang members call America home and with that namesake comes exploding prison populations. These gang members have adopted violent behavior similar to their Mexican cartel competitors.
In fact, transnational gangs are commonplace in 80 percent of American communities. As a result, law enforcement officers must now devote more resources to combat gang-related violence in order to provide safety in communities throughout the United States.
"Transnational gangs are a worldwide problem, not confined to any single country," according to Mark Selby, unit chief for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) National Gang Unit.
As America competes in a new global marketplace, ICE points to dozens of reports that indicate transnational gangs operate in a growing number of countries. France's Gendarmerie Nationale, a leading law enforcement agency, face gang-related crime on a daily basis.
French gangs are typically affiliated with Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. These gangs are trafficking narcotics and implementing violence as a way to resolve their issues.Just like America these gangs are territorial and fiercely control criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
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After listening to an ICE’s gang-related presentation at a EUROPOL meeting, Captain Benjamin Suzzoni of the Gendarmerie Nationale convinced his superiors to let him learn more about ICE’s strategy to combat transnational crime.
While the French shadowed the ICE HSI team, they learned about common gang practices and new strategies to combat transnational gangs. The French officers witnessed real-life scenarios while on a ride along with the Dallas Police Department's Gang Unit.
“That evening, Gendarmerie Nationale personnel observed firsthand some ICE HSI strategies used to combat gangs, ranging from field interviews with known gang members to how agents utilize confidential informants.”
The French officers were impressed with the effectiveness of Operation Community Shield, a national gang enforcement initiative where ICE HSI partners with international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat gangs.
"We rely on all of our law enforcement partners. Without them, we wouldn't be able to successfully conduct the targeted anti-gang enforcement actions or long-term criminal enterprise investigations that we do," Selby said. "In the majority of cases, we know who we're going to arrest before we arrest them. Information sharing and intelligence from the local police departments that work with us allow us to do this."
The French officers said they would implement some of the tactics used by U.S. law enforcement in an effort to curb transnational gang activity in French communities.
Learn more about ICE's efforts to combat transnational gangs.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
In fact, transnational gangs are commonplace in 80 percent of American communities. As a result, law enforcement officers must now devote more resources to combat gang-related violence in order to provide safety in communities throughout the United States.
"Transnational gangs are a worldwide problem, not confined to any single country," according to Mark Selby, unit chief for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) National Gang Unit.
As America competes in a new global marketplace, ICE points to dozens of reports that indicate transnational gangs operate in a growing number of countries. France's Gendarmerie Nationale, a leading law enforcement agency, face gang-related crime on a daily basis.
French gangs are typically affiliated with Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. These gangs are trafficking narcotics and implementing violence as a way to resolve their issues.Just like America these gangs are territorial and fiercely control criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
Advertisement
After listening to an ICE’s gang-related presentation at a EUROPOL meeting, Captain Benjamin Suzzoni of the Gendarmerie Nationale convinced his superiors to let him learn more about ICE’s strategy to combat transnational crime.
While the French shadowed the ICE HSI team, they learned about common gang practices and new strategies to combat transnational gangs. The French officers witnessed real-life scenarios while on a ride along with the Dallas Police Department's Gang Unit.
“That evening, Gendarmerie Nationale personnel observed firsthand some ICE HSI strategies used to combat gangs, ranging from field interviews with known gang members to how agents utilize confidential informants.”
The French officers were impressed with the effectiveness of Operation Community Shield, a national gang enforcement initiative where ICE HSI partners with international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat gangs.
"We rely on all of our law enforcement partners. Without them, we wouldn't be able to successfully conduct the targeted anti-gang enforcement actions or long-term criminal enterprise investigations that we do," Selby said. "In the majority of cases, we know who we're going to arrest before we arrest them. Information sharing and intelligence from the local police departments that work with us allow us to do this."
The French officers said they would implement some of the tactics used by U.S. law enforcement in an effort to curb transnational gang activity in French communities.
Learn more about ICE's efforts to combat transnational gangs.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Calguns files a lawsuit against California DOJ.
The California Calguns Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s Department of Justice as well as Attorney General Kamala Harris for implementing a policy forcing gun owners to wait 10 days before they can take possession of additional firearms.
The case is entitled Jeff Silvester et. al. vs. Kamala Harris, et. al and was filed in the District of California Federal District Court in Fresno.
The Calguns Foundation signed on to the lawsuit with the Second Amendment Foundation and three individual plaintiffs.
“The State has absolutely no reason to infringe the rights of California gun owners who already possess firearms when they buy another one,” said Jason Davis who is the attorney for the plaintiffs. "California currently requires the registration of handguns in California. And, beginning January 2014, it will also require the registration of all newly-purchased rifles and shotguns. Notably, California keeps a current database of all residents who are prohibited by state or federal law from owning or possessing firearms."
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The plaintiffs, Jeff Silvester, Michael Poeschl, and Brandon Combs have firearms registered with the State of California. Combs and Silvester also have firearms licenses issued by the state that constitute continuous background checks. The plaintiffs argue that their law abiding background coupled with extensive background checks should remove them from the “cooling off” period.
“In just about every other state in the U.S., I as a law-abiding gun owner, could walk in and after passing an instant national background check, walk out with a firearm to defend myself in my home,” said Poeschl. “What’s really frustrating is that California is one of the few states that force gun owners to register all handguns that they buy. If the state’s database saying that I already lawfully own a gun isn’t proof that I don’t need a ‘cooling-off’ period, then what is?”
Currently, if Californians want to legally conceal carry a firearm they have to pass more stringent background checks. In most counties, residents have to provide detailed reasons in order to carry a weapon. Acceptable reasons include carrying large amounts of cash to banks or other businesses, bodily threats, or a member of the court system.
“I have a license to carry a loaded firearm across the state,” Silvester said. “It is ridiculous that I have to wait another 10 days to pick up a new firearm when I’m standing there in the gun store lawfully carrying one the whole time.”
The “cooling off” period also affects gun collectors.
“As a collector, I submitted to a Live Scan background check and obtained a Certificate of Eligibility to Possess Firearms from the State of California at my own expense,” said Brandon Combs. “In the Internet era, where every California gun dealer has a computer connected directly to the State’s databases, there is no logical reason to force me to wait 10 days and make another trip simply because California doesn’t want to acknowledge the Certificate that it issued to me. I have registered guns, and I have the State telling me that I can possess guns, but for some reason I can’t exercise my constitutionally protected rights for another ten days? That’s insane.”
Currently California enforces some of the nation’s toughest gun laws and has banned numerous weapons that can be purchased legally in other states.
"This lawsuit seeks to prevent the infringement of gun owners' rights and requests the 10 day ban on possessing firearms purchased not be applied to current gun owners who pass instant background checks," Davis concluded.
A copy of the complaint and case filings can be downloaded at http://calgunsfoundation.org/resources/downloads/category/20-silvester-v-harris.html
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The case is entitled Jeff Silvester et. al. vs. Kamala Harris, et. al and was filed in the District of California Federal District Court in Fresno.
The Calguns Foundation signed on to the lawsuit with the Second Amendment Foundation and three individual plaintiffs.
“The State has absolutely no reason to infringe the rights of California gun owners who already possess firearms when they buy another one,” said Jason Davis who is the attorney for the plaintiffs. "California currently requires the registration of handguns in California. And, beginning January 2014, it will also require the registration of all newly-purchased rifles and shotguns. Notably, California keeps a current database of all residents who are prohibited by state or federal law from owning or possessing firearms."
Advertisement
The plaintiffs, Jeff Silvester, Michael Poeschl, and Brandon Combs have firearms registered with the State of California. Combs and Silvester also have firearms licenses issued by the state that constitute continuous background checks. The plaintiffs argue that their law abiding background coupled with extensive background checks should remove them from the “cooling off” period.
“In just about every other state in the U.S., I as a law-abiding gun owner, could walk in and after passing an instant national background check, walk out with a firearm to defend myself in my home,” said Poeschl. “What’s really frustrating is that California is one of the few states that force gun owners to register all handguns that they buy. If the state’s database saying that I already lawfully own a gun isn’t proof that I don’t need a ‘cooling-off’ period, then what is?”
Currently, if Californians want to legally conceal carry a firearm they have to pass more stringent background checks. In most counties, residents have to provide detailed reasons in order to carry a weapon. Acceptable reasons include carrying large amounts of cash to banks or other businesses, bodily threats, or a member of the court system.
“I have a license to carry a loaded firearm across the state,” Silvester said. “It is ridiculous that I have to wait another 10 days to pick up a new firearm when I’m standing there in the gun store lawfully carrying one the whole time.”
The “cooling off” period also affects gun collectors.
“As a collector, I submitted to a Live Scan background check and obtained a Certificate of Eligibility to Possess Firearms from the State of California at my own expense,” said Brandon Combs. “In the Internet era, where every California gun dealer has a computer connected directly to the State’s databases, there is no logical reason to force me to wait 10 days and make another trip simply because California doesn’t want to acknowledge the Certificate that it issued to me. I have registered guns, and I have the State telling me that I can possess guns, but for some reason I can’t exercise my constitutionally protected rights for another ten days? That’s insane.”
Currently California enforces some of the nation’s toughest gun laws and has banned numerous weapons that can be purchased legally in other states.
"This lawsuit seeks to prevent the infringement of gun owners' rights and requests the 10 day ban on possessing firearms purchased not be applied to current gun owners who pass instant background checks," Davis concluded.
A copy of the complaint and case filings can be downloaded at http://calgunsfoundation.org/resources/downloads/category/20-silvester-v-harris.html
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Mexican Army arrests "El Chapo's" top security advisor- a blow to cartel
Mexican authorities said they captured the world’s most wanted man, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s, chief security advisor on Christmas.
President Felipe Calderon hasn’t released a statement on the high-profile arrest, but Mexican Army officials said the cartel security point man was apprehended in the Sinaloa city of Cuiliacan, but declined to disclose the cartel henchman’s name.
Mexican officials speculate the high-profile apprehension could lead to the arrest of “El Chapo” and will extensively interrogate the Sinaloa security advisor this week.
The Sinaloa cartel has suffered a string of U.S. drug distribution arrests as U.S. law enforcement officers confiscated drugs, money and weapons.
The Mexican war on drugs continues to accelerate despite hundreds of arrests and murders surging past 40,000 in the five-year fight. U.S. experts point to the lucrative drug business that grosses $25-35 billion every year. Advisors also contend that the U.S. is the largest consumer of illegal drugs and supports the drug trade south of the border.
American drug consumption has attributed to “El Chapo’s” wealth. In fact, Forbes magazine said, “El Chapo” is one of the wealthiest people on the planet. The magazine also designated “El Chapo” as one of the “World’s Most Powerful People.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
President Felipe Calderon hasn’t released a statement on the high-profile arrest, but Mexican Army officials said the cartel security point man was apprehended in the Sinaloa city of Cuiliacan, but declined to disclose the cartel henchman’s name.
Mexican officials speculate the high-profile apprehension could lead to the arrest of “El Chapo” and will extensively interrogate the Sinaloa security advisor this week.
The Sinaloa cartel has suffered a string of U.S. drug distribution arrests as U.S. law enforcement officers confiscated drugs, money and weapons.
The Mexican war on drugs continues to accelerate despite hundreds of arrests and murders surging past 40,000 in the five-year fight. U.S. experts point to the lucrative drug business that grosses $25-35 billion every year. Advisors also contend that the U.S. is the largest consumer of illegal drugs and supports the drug trade south of the border.
American drug consumption has attributed to “El Chapo’s” wealth. In fact, Forbes magazine said, “El Chapo” is one of the wealthiest people on the planet. The magazine also designated “El Chapo” as one of the “World’s Most Powerful People.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Alabama’s tough new illegal immigration law cuts state unemployment
Alabama recently made national news when it passed a strict new illegal immigration law, in fact, the federal government filed a lawsuit against the southern state.
However, a funny thing happened in Alabama, their unemployment rate fell more than a half of a percent last month. State officials suggest the tough new illegal immigration law led to illegals leaving the state and prompted local businesses to hire American citizens and legal immigrants to alleviate unemployment levels.
Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in October and dropped by 0.6 percent or 8.7 percent in November.
“The continued drop is proof that people — American Citizens [and] legal migrants, have suffered at the hands of politicians who choose politics over economics,” said Chuck Ellis, a council member in Northern Alabama’s Marshall County told the Daily Caller.
“What’s amazing is that in Marshall County, a county of 95,000 residents, 30,000 workforce eligible there are over 600 people who now have jobs that they didn’t have six months ago.”
Under Attorney General Eric Holder’s supervision, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative from the civil-regulation department Tom Perez, has been making plenty of trips to Alabama to encourage disenchanted illegals to file discrimination claims.
The Obama Administration continues their crack down of new state illegal immigration laws in order to keep a 2008 campaign promise to Hispanic lobbies. However, a multitude of issues with the president’s centerpiece legislation, health care overhaul, took more political capital than anticipated.
Plus a historic mid-term election saw Democrats lose control in the House, leaving Hispanics out in the cold as Republicans had no desire to reform immigration legislation.
As a result, Hispanic lobbies urged the Obama Administration to sue New Mexico, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.
Just last week, DOJ’s Perez released the results of a years-long investigation into Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The scathing report insinuated the Arizona Sheriff, known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, was targeting Latinos. Perez went on to say the DOJ would no longer assist Arizona with the enforcement of federal illegal immigration laws.
Sheriff Joe, as he is known to those in Arizona, quickly responded to the Justice Department and said, “We’re going to fight back, we’re going to show the politics involved.”
Many anti-illegal immigration activists point to the facts when it comes to enforcing the laws already on the books. “It’s illegal to hire someone without proper paperwork,” Anita Johnson said. “There are too many Americans looking for work and it’s up to businesses to step up and recognize they need to follow the law.”
Alabama is a perfect example of how enforcement helps Americans. “Just think what the unemployment numbers would be if all states followed Alabama’s example,” Johnson said.
Another voice in the illegal immigration debate is NumbersUSA Director Roy Beck and he had this to say, “The chief difficulties that America faces because of current immigration are not triggered by who the immigrants are but by how many there are. The task before the nation in setting a fair level of immigration is not about race or some vision of homogeneous white America; it is about protecting and enhancing the United States’ unique experiment in democracy for all Americans, including recent immigrants, regardless of their particular ethnicity.”
As the 2012 election cycle builds momentum, the illegal immigration dilemma will certainly play a key role in who Americans send to Washington DC.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
However, a funny thing happened in Alabama, their unemployment rate fell more than a half of a percent last month. State officials suggest the tough new illegal immigration law led to illegals leaving the state and prompted local businesses to hire American citizens and legal immigrants to alleviate unemployment levels.
Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in October and dropped by 0.6 percent or 8.7 percent in November.
“The continued drop is proof that people — American Citizens [and] legal migrants, have suffered at the hands of politicians who choose politics over economics,” said Chuck Ellis, a council member in Northern Alabama’s Marshall County told the Daily Caller.
“What’s amazing is that in Marshall County, a county of 95,000 residents, 30,000 workforce eligible there are over 600 people who now have jobs that they didn’t have six months ago.”
Under Attorney General Eric Holder’s supervision, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative from the civil-regulation department Tom Perez, has been making plenty of trips to Alabama to encourage disenchanted illegals to file discrimination claims.
The Obama Administration continues their crack down of new state illegal immigration laws in order to keep a 2008 campaign promise to Hispanic lobbies. However, a multitude of issues with the president’s centerpiece legislation, health care overhaul, took more political capital than anticipated.
Plus a historic mid-term election saw Democrats lose control in the House, leaving Hispanics out in the cold as Republicans had no desire to reform immigration legislation.
As a result, Hispanic lobbies urged the Obama Administration to sue New Mexico, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.
Just last week, DOJ’s Perez released the results of a years-long investigation into Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The scathing report insinuated the Arizona Sheriff, known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, was targeting Latinos. Perez went on to say the DOJ would no longer assist Arizona with the enforcement of federal illegal immigration laws.
Sheriff Joe, as he is known to those in Arizona, quickly responded to the Justice Department and said, “We’re going to fight back, we’re going to show the politics involved.”
Many anti-illegal immigration activists point to the facts when it comes to enforcing the laws already on the books. “It’s illegal to hire someone without proper paperwork,” Anita Johnson said. “There are too many Americans looking for work and it’s up to businesses to step up and recognize they need to follow the law.”
Alabama is a perfect example of how enforcement helps Americans. “Just think what the unemployment numbers would be if all states followed Alabama’s example,” Johnson said.
Another voice in the illegal immigration debate is NumbersUSA Director Roy Beck and he had this to say, “The chief difficulties that America faces because of current immigration are not triggered by who the immigrants are but by how many there are. The task before the nation in setting a fair level of immigration is not about race or some vision of homogeneous white America; it is about protecting and enhancing the United States’ unique experiment in democracy for all Americans, including recent immigrants, regardless of their particular ethnicity.”
As the 2012 election cycle builds momentum, the illegal immigration dilemma will certainly play a key role in who Americans send to Washington DC.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Alabama’s tough new illegal immigration law cuts state unemployment
Alabama recently made national news when it passed a strict new illegal immigration law, in fact, the federal government filed a lawsuit against the southern state.
However, a funny thing happened in Alabama, their unemployment rate fell more than a half of a percent last month. State officials suggest the tough new illegal immigration law led to illegals leaving the state and prompted local businesses to hire American citizens and legal immigrants to alleviate unemployment levels.
Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in October and dropped by 0.6 percent or 8.7 percent in November.
“The continued drop is proof that people — American Citizens [and] legal migrants, have suffered at the hands of politicians who choose politics over economics,” said Chuck Ellis, a council member in Northern Alabama’s Marshall County told the Daily Caller.
“What’s amazing is that in Marshall County, a county of 95,000 residents, 30,000 workforce eligible there are over 600 people who now have jobs that they didn’t have six months ago.”
Under Attorney General Eric Holder’s supervision, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative from the civil-regulation department Tom Perez, has been making plenty of trips to Alabama to encourage disenchanted illegals to file discrimination claims.
The Obama Administration continues their crack down of new state illegal immigration laws in order to keep a 2008 campaign promise to Hispanic lobbies. However, a multitude of issues with the president’s centerpiece legislation, health care overhaul, took more political capital than anticipated.
Plus a historic mid-term election saw Democrats lose control in the House, leaving Hispanics out in the cold as Republicans had no desire to reform immigration legislation.
As a result, Hispanic lobbies urged the Obama Administration to sue New Mexico, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.
Just last week, DOJ’s Perez released the results of a years-long investigation into Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The scathing report insinuated the Arizona Sheriff, known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, was targeting Latinos. Perez went on to say the DOJ would no longer assist Arizona with the enforcement of federal illegal immigration laws.
Sheriff Joe, as he is known to those in Arizona, quickly responded to the Justice Department and said, “We’re going to fight back, we’re going to show the politics involved.”
Many anti-illegal immigration activists point to the facts when it comes to enforcing the laws already on the books. “It’s illegal to hire someone without proper paperwork,” Anita Johnson said. “There are too many Americans looking for work and it’s up to businesses to step up and recognize they need to follow the law.”
Alabama is a perfect example of how enforcement helps Americans. “Just think what the unemployment numbers would be if all states followed Alabama’s example,” Johnson said.
Another voice in the illegal immigration debate is NumbersUSA Director Roy Beck and he had this to say, “The chief difficulties that America faces because of current immigration are not triggered by who the immigrants are but by how many there are. The task before the nation in setting a fair level of immigration is not about race or some vision of homogeneous white America; it is about protecting and enhancing the United States’ unique experiment in democracy for all Americans, including recent immigrants, regardless of their particular ethnicity.”
As the 2012 election cycle builds momentum, the illegal immigration dilemma will certainly play a key role in who Americans send to Washington DC.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
However, a funny thing happened in Alabama, their unemployment rate fell more than a half of a percent last month. State officials suggest the tough new illegal immigration law led to illegals leaving the state and prompted local businesses to hire American citizens and legal immigrants to alleviate unemployment levels.
Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in October and dropped by 0.6 percent or 8.7 percent in November.
“The continued drop is proof that people — American Citizens [and] legal migrants, have suffered at the hands of politicians who choose politics over economics,” said Chuck Ellis, a council member in Northern Alabama’s Marshall County told the Daily Caller.
“What’s amazing is that in Marshall County, a county of 95,000 residents, 30,000 workforce eligible there are over 600 people who now have jobs that they didn’t have six months ago.”
Under Attorney General Eric Holder’s supervision, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative from the civil-regulation department Tom Perez, has been making plenty of trips to Alabama to encourage disenchanted illegals to file discrimination claims.
The Obama Administration continues their crack down of new state illegal immigration laws in order to keep a 2008 campaign promise to Hispanic lobbies. However, a multitude of issues with the president’s centerpiece legislation, health care overhaul, took more political capital than anticipated.
Plus a historic mid-term election saw Democrats lose control in the House, leaving Hispanics out in the cold as Republicans had no desire to reform immigration legislation.
As a result, Hispanic lobbies urged the Obama Administration to sue New Mexico, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.
Just last week, DOJ’s Perez released the results of a years-long investigation into Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The scathing report insinuated the Arizona Sheriff, known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, was targeting Latinos. Perez went on to say the DOJ would no longer assist Arizona with the enforcement of federal illegal immigration laws.
Sheriff Joe, as he is known to those in Arizona, quickly responded to the Justice Department and said, “We’re going to fight back, we’re going to show the politics involved.”
Many anti-illegal immigration activists point to the facts when it comes to enforcing the laws already on the books. “It’s illegal to hire someone without proper paperwork,” Anita Johnson said. “There are too many Americans looking for work and it’s up to businesses to step up and recognize they need to follow the law.”
Alabama is a perfect example of how enforcement helps Americans. “Just think what the unemployment numbers would be if all states followed Alabama’s example,” Johnson said.
Another voice in the illegal immigration debate is NumbersUSA Director Roy Beck and he had this to say, “The chief difficulties that America faces because of current immigration are not triggered by who the immigrants are but by how many there are. The task before the nation in setting a fair level of immigration is not about race or some vision of homogeneous white America; it is about protecting and enhancing the United States’ unique experiment in democracy for all Americans, including recent immigrants, regardless of their particular ethnicity.”
As the 2012 election cycle builds momentum, the illegal immigration dilemma will certainly play a key role in who Americans send to Washington DC.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Fast and Furious claimed its first victim, Agent Terry, one year ago
It was just a year ago that ill-fated “Fast and Furious” gunwalking scheme claimed its first American victim- Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry.
Terry left southern Arizona station evening muster never knowing it would be his last. As he and his fellow Border Patrol agents prepared to hike into Peck Canyon, the only thing on their minds was to apprehend a “rip crew” responsible for robbing and terrorizing illegal immigrants passing through the desert seeking a better life in America.
However, new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memos had recently been given to all Border Patrol agents asking them to use less-than-deadly force, Terry complied and packed his gun that dispensed bean bag rounds.
As it turns out, Terry paid attention to the memos, and it cost him his life. During the December 2010 shootout in Peck Canyon, “rip crew” thugs fired AK-47 weapons indiscriminately in the dark desert night and killed the former Marine. He never had a chance.
Once the dust settled and help arrived, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was dead. He would not be home for Christmas.
Border Patrol agents eventually discovered a misguided Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) “Fast and Furious” investigation gun killed their colleague.
For nearly a year “Fast and Furious” has garnered headlines, but to this day nobody has been held accountable for letting thousands of guns “walk” into the willing hands of vicious Mexican cartel members. The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation has yielded little punishment for ATF and DOJ management personnel who authorized a program aimed at uncovering cartel gun trafficking patterns and gain splashy headlines.
However, it would take weeks, and several ATF whistleblowers to uncover the truth behind Agent Terry’s murder. It was a poorly executed ATF investigation, Fast and Furious, that put the U.S. government in the gun trafficking business and as it turns out Agent Terry would only be the first in a long list of people killed by guns once under the control of lawful gun dealers and watchful ATF officials.
A year later, countless inquiries by Congress have resulted in ATF and DOJ stonewalling. Documents and emails requested by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) have been heavily redacted and exacted little transparency from the Obama Administration.
The Terry family still doesn’t know who was responsible for the murder of their son. Officials in charge of ATF and DOJ have sealed records and hide behind the “ongoing” investigation excuse as reasons for their secrecy.
It looks as though the government is doing what they do best- covering up a deadly program.
Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry died a year ago today. He died defending a nation he believed in, and he died from a Fast and Furious gun.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Terry left southern Arizona station evening muster never knowing it would be his last. As he and his fellow Border Patrol agents prepared to hike into Peck Canyon, the only thing on their minds was to apprehend a “rip crew” responsible for robbing and terrorizing illegal immigrants passing through the desert seeking a better life in America.
However, new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memos had recently been given to all Border Patrol agents asking them to use less-than-deadly force, Terry complied and packed his gun that dispensed bean bag rounds.
As it turns out, Terry paid attention to the memos, and it cost him his life. During the December 2010 shootout in Peck Canyon, “rip crew” thugs fired AK-47 weapons indiscriminately in the dark desert night and killed the former Marine. He never had a chance.
Once the dust settled and help arrived, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was dead. He would not be home for Christmas.
Border Patrol agents eventually discovered a misguided Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) “Fast and Furious” investigation gun killed their colleague.
For nearly a year “Fast and Furious” has garnered headlines, but to this day nobody has been held accountable for letting thousands of guns “walk” into the willing hands of vicious Mexican cartel members. The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation has yielded little punishment for ATF and DOJ management personnel who authorized a program aimed at uncovering cartel gun trafficking patterns and gain splashy headlines.
However, it would take weeks, and several ATF whistleblowers to uncover the truth behind Agent Terry’s murder. It was a poorly executed ATF investigation, Fast and Furious, that put the U.S. government in the gun trafficking business and as it turns out Agent Terry would only be the first in a long list of people killed by guns once under the control of lawful gun dealers and watchful ATF officials.
A year later, countless inquiries by Congress have resulted in ATF and DOJ stonewalling. Documents and emails requested by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) have been heavily redacted and exacted little transparency from the Obama Administration.
The Terry family still doesn’t know who was responsible for the murder of their son. Officials in charge of ATF and DOJ have sealed records and hide behind the “ongoing” investigation excuse as reasons for their secrecy.
It looks as though the government is doing what they do best- covering up a deadly program.
Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry died a year ago today. He died defending a nation he believed in, and he died from a Fast and Furious gun.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
New study says Californian’s are on the hook for $500 billion in pension funds
California is broke, really broke. The governor has called for billion dollar budgetary cuts ahead of the New Year as revenues to Sacramento coffers were much lower than predicted. According to a new Stanford University report, the Golden States’ three largest public unions, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), and the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) have been promised $500 billion in pension funds.
The Stanford report concludes these union contracts promised public sector employees more than the state can afford.
The report outlines that public employee pension systems usually strive for 100 percent funding over the long term. However, these pension programs promised much more than they can deliver. Meaning, the taxpayer is on the hook for the difference.
“The combined unfunded liability for CalPERS, CalSTRS, and UCRP under the 6.2 percent discount rate is $290.6 billion, equal to more than three state General Fund budgets,” the report disclosed. “That figure represents an unfunded amount per household of nearly $24,000. Using a low-risk, or risk-free, discount rate, the combined unfunded liability for these three systems reaches $497.9 billion, or 17 percent more than that calculated in 2010.”
Stanford economic forecasters warn that state contributions to pension accounts made by the taxpayers will increase substantially over the next few years.
“Assuming a 6.2 percent discount rate and other minor demographic changes, current state spending on pensions is likely to increase from $4.8 billion in 2011-2012 to $14.6 billion, or the equivalent of 17.3 percent of current General Fund expenditures,” the report points out. The increased spending on pensions will eventually cut into other state non-pension spending, like education and social services.
The Stanford University pension report also explains that California state legislators need to act urgently. They contend each day that passes will cost Californians’ $3.4 million per day.
Possible solutions to the pension crisis include tax increases or reforms to the public employee pension contracts. “Revenue increases are unlikely to be approved absent pension reforms. Required pension system reforms include benefit reductions, such as prospective reductions for current employees, greater cost sharing, and governance reforms, particularly changes in the pension system accounting methods and assumptions,” the report concluded.
The report also took a look at Governor Jerry Brown’s suggestions to solve the impending pension shortfall, but only found minor positive elements. “Governor Brown’s proposal provides only modest additional cost savings. For example, Governor Brown’s proposal appears likely to reduce CalPERS state spending by more than $300 million in the first year and $6.2 billion over 10 years. At a 6.2 percent discount rate, the state’s combined annual shortfall for both CalPERS and CalSTRS is about $100 billion over the same period.”
It is necessary to note that California faces the largest budget deficit crisis in the nation. Many states like Illinois and New Jersey will keep a close eye on the Golden State and evaluate how California handles its public sector union pension shortfalls.
To read the entire report; http://siepr.stanford.edu/system/files/shared/Nation%20Statewide%20Report%20v081.pdf
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The Stanford report concludes these union contracts promised public sector employees more than the state can afford.
The report outlines that public employee pension systems usually strive for 100 percent funding over the long term. However, these pension programs promised much more than they can deliver. Meaning, the taxpayer is on the hook for the difference.
“The combined unfunded liability for CalPERS, CalSTRS, and UCRP under the 6.2 percent discount rate is $290.6 billion, equal to more than three state General Fund budgets,” the report disclosed. “That figure represents an unfunded amount per household of nearly $24,000. Using a low-risk, or risk-free, discount rate, the combined unfunded liability for these three systems reaches $497.9 billion, or 17 percent more than that calculated in 2010.”
Stanford economic forecasters warn that state contributions to pension accounts made by the taxpayers will increase substantially over the next few years.
“Assuming a 6.2 percent discount rate and other minor demographic changes, current state spending on pensions is likely to increase from $4.8 billion in 2011-2012 to $14.6 billion, or the equivalent of 17.3 percent of current General Fund expenditures,” the report points out. The increased spending on pensions will eventually cut into other state non-pension spending, like education and social services.
The Stanford University pension report also explains that California state legislators need to act urgently. They contend each day that passes will cost Californians’ $3.4 million per day.
Possible solutions to the pension crisis include tax increases or reforms to the public employee pension contracts. “Revenue increases are unlikely to be approved absent pension reforms. Required pension system reforms include benefit reductions, such as prospective reductions for current employees, greater cost sharing, and governance reforms, particularly changes in the pension system accounting methods and assumptions,” the report concluded.
The report also took a look at Governor Jerry Brown’s suggestions to solve the impending pension shortfall, but only found minor positive elements. “Governor Brown’s proposal provides only modest additional cost savings. For example, Governor Brown’s proposal appears likely to reduce CalPERS state spending by more than $300 million in the first year and $6.2 billion over 10 years. At a 6.2 percent discount rate, the state’s combined annual shortfall for both CalPERS and CalSTRS is about $100 billion over the same period.”
It is necessary to note that California faces the largest budget deficit crisis in the nation. Many states like Illinois and New Jersey will keep a close eye on the Golden State and evaluate how California handles its public sector union pension shortfalls.
To read the entire report; http://siepr.stanford.edu/system/files/shared/Nation%20Statewide%20Report%20v081.pdf
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Obama Administration discusses Islamic religion free speech behind closed doors
In an effort to clarify America’s free-speech policy regarding the Islamic religion, the Obama Administration held a multi-nation, closed-door meeting to discuss religious speech.
The conference attendees hope to appease Muslim nations by asking Americans to tone down their anti-Islamic religion rhetoric which the Administration claims may be the cause of unrest in the Middle East.
"We know that some people distort various religious doctrines to justify intolerance, foment violence or create strife that serves their narrow political purposes," said Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Johnson explained that offensive (religious) dialogue should be denounced, while "religion must never be used as an excuse to stifle freedom of expression."
The Islamic countries that attended the closed-to-media conference cite recent cartoons that mocked the prophet Muhammad and Florida preacher Terry Jones, who publically burns the Koran, as offensive and a reason for Americans to restrain their free speech rights’.
The Obama Administration hopes to broker a “middle ground” on this issue and invited nine European, nine Muslim as well as a few Latin American countries to participate in the three-day conference.
However, critics say the Administration is only pandering to the Middle East and point out that America already has a Constitution in place that sets clear free-speech parameters.
"Why is it that the U.S. Constitution must come second when representatives from Islamic counties such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan demand we must curb our religious liberties and free speech?" Andrea Lafferty, president of the Traditional Values Coalition asked. "Why is our government bending to Taliban values here on the home front?"
Officials contend the closed-door conference is an opportunity to resolve issues that are sensitive to Islamic nations.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The conference attendees hope to appease Muslim nations by asking Americans to tone down their anti-Islamic religion rhetoric which the Administration claims may be the cause of unrest in the Middle East.
"We know that some people distort various religious doctrines to justify intolerance, foment violence or create strife that serves their narrow political purposes," said Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Johnson explained that offensive (religious) dialogue should be denounced, while "religion must never be used as an excuse to stifle freedom of expression."
The Islamic countries that attended the closed-to-media conference cite recent cartoons that mocked the prophet Muhammad and Florida preacher Terry Jones, who publically burns the Koran, as offensive and a reason for Americans to restrain their free speech rights’.
The Obama Administration hopes to broker a “middle ground” on this issue and invited nine European, nine Muslim as well as a few Latin American countries to participate in the three-day conference.
However, critics say the Administration is only pandering to the Middle East and point out that America already has a Constitution in place that sets clear free-speech parameters.
"Why is it that the U.S. Constitution must come second when representatives from Islamic counties such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan demand we must curb our religious liberties and free speech?" Andrea Lafferty, president of the Traditional Values Coalition asked. "Why is our government bending to Taliban values here on the home front?"
Officials contend the closed-door conference is an opportunity to resolve issues that are sensitive to Islamic nations.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The holiday season doesn’t slow Mexican cartels from smuggling illicit drugs
It may be the Yuletide season, but that hasn’t stopped drug smugglers from wanting to earn some extra Christmas cash. This week in San Diego, Border Patrol agents played Grinch and snatched nearly $700,000 worth of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Yesterday, Border Patrol agents, patrolling along Interstate 15 stopped a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a pickup truck. After the stop, agents called a Border Patrol K-9 team to conduct a cursory inspection of the vehicle. The K-9 positively alerted agents to the interior of the truck where agents discovered five bundles of methamphetamine in a black trash bag. “The total weight of the meth was 12.02 pounds and worth an estimated $240,400,” according to Border Patrol Agent Scott Simon.
In a separate bust, Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint just east of San Diego, arrested a 23-year-old male Mexican national for smuggling 3.53 pounds of heroin worth $45,890 in the soles of two pairs of dress shoes.
“Agents encountered the individual while performing an immigration inspection of a commercial bus travelling to San Diego,” Scott said. “During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the man’s luggage, where agents discovered packages of heroin hidden inside of a pair of brown shoes. Agents also located similar packages inside of a pair of black shoes the man was wearing.”
At the same I-8 checkpoint, Border Patrol detained a 39-year-old male U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle 39.68 pounds of cocaine. The nervous driver was sent to secondary inspection, where a K-9 team led agents to the gas tank. Inside the tank, Border Patrol found 15 bundles of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $396,800.
All the suspected smugglers and $683,000 worth of narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and two pickup trucks were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Yesterday, Border Patrol agents, patrolling along Interstate 15 stopped a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a pickup truck. After the stop, agents called a Border Patrol K-9 team to conduct a cursory inspection of the vehicle. The K-9 positively alerted agents to the interior of the truck where agents discovered five bundles of methamphetamine in a black trash bag. “The total weight of the meth was 12.02 pounds and worth an estimated $240,400,” according to Border Patrol Agent Scott Simon.
In a separate bust, Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint just east of San Diego, arrested a 23-year-old male Mexican national for smuggling 3.53 pounds of heroin worth $45,890 in the soles of two pairs of dress shoes.
“Agents encountered the individual while performing an immigration inspection of a commercial bus travelling to San Diego,” Scott said. “During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the man’s luggage, where agents discovered packages of heroin hidden inside of a pair of brown shoes. Agents also located similar packages inside of a pair of black shoes the man was wearing.”
At the same I-8 checkpoint, Border Patrol detained a 39-year-old male U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle 39.68 pounds of cocaine. The nervous driver was sent to secondary inspection, where a K-9 team led agents to the gas tank. Inside the tank, Border Patrol found 15 bundles of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $396,800.
All the suspected smugglers and $683,000 worth of narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and two pickup trucks were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Friday, December 9, 2011
New Secure Communities immigration report shows Warren Institute liberal bias
Now that the GOP presidential candidates opened the proverbial immigration can of worms, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) decided to reexamine a Warren Institute study that is being touted on both sides of the political aisle.
Looking at ICE’s Secure Communities program, CIS found the Warren Institute report (located at the University of California, Berkeley Law School) is misleading. CIS released its first in a three-part series report using the identical database that the Warren Institute's analyzed.
After obtaining the documents from a Freedom of Information Act request, CIS concluded the Institute report contained factual flaws.
CIS contends that the Warren Institute obtained the ICE records and those documents reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse of authority by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). The Warren Institute further claims ICE participated in numerous unlawful actions including; wrongful arrests of thousands of U.S. citizens, a pattern of racial profiling against Latinos, and denial of due process for aliens in removal proceedings.
The allegations made by the Warren Institute has since made main-stream media headlines as well as captured many Congressional members attention.
While the Center for Immigration Studies agrees “the ICE database does provide an interesting and relatively rare snapshot of the actual Secure Communities caseload,” they found that the records they reexamined didn’t support any allegations that ICE abused their authority.
Some of the results from the CIS study include;
* The database contains no records of U.S. citizens who were detained by or for ICE. It is impossible to assert based on this data, as the critics have, that thousands of U.S. citizens, or any number of U.S. citizens, have been arrested by ICE through Secure Communities.
* The Warren Institute report contains serious methodological and interpretive errors that lead its authors to unsubstantiated conclusions and cast doubt on the credibility of the entire analysis. For example, the authors analyzed only 23 percent of the original random sample requested from ICE.
* ICE’s failure to counter the report’s misleading statements is contributing to the spread of misconceptions about Secure Communities among the media, state and local leaders, and the public. This raises doubts as to the agency leaders’ commitment to full and effective implementation of the program.
* We agree with the Warren Institute authors on the issue of the need for improved transparency at ICE and its parent Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The first set of findings can be found online at http://cis.org/SC-by-the-numbers-critique-part1.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Looking at ICE’s Secure Communities program, CIS found the Warren Institute report (located at the University of California, Berkeley Law School) is misleading. CIS released its first in a three-part series report using the identical database that the Warren Institute's analyzed.
After obtaining the documents from a Freedom of Information Act request, CIS concluded the Institute report contained factual flaws.
CIS contends that the Warren Institute obtained the ICE records and those documents reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse of authority by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). The Warren Institute further claims ICE participated in numerous unlawful actions including; wrongful arrests of thousands of U.S. citizens, a pattern of racial profiling against Latinos, and denial of due process for aliens in removal proceedings.
The allegations made by the Warren Institute has since made main-stream media headlines as well as captured many Congressional members attention.
While the Center for Immigration Studies agrees “the ICE database does provide an interesting and relatively rare snapshot of the actual Secure Communities caseload,” they found that the records they reexamined didn’t support any allegations that ICE abused their authority.
Some of the results from the CIS study include;
* The database contains no records of U.S. citizens who were detained by or for ICE. It is impossible to assert based on this data, as the critics have, that thousands of U.S. citizens, or any number of U.S. citizens, have been arrested by ICE through Secure Communities.
* The Warren Institute report contains serious methodological and interpretive errors that lead its authors to unsubstantiated conclusions and cast doubt on the credibility of the entire analysis. For example, the authors analyzed only 23 percent of the original random sample requested from ICE.
* ICE’s failure to counter the report’s misleading statements is contributing to the spread of misconceptions about Secure Communities among the media, state and local leaders, and the public. This raises doubts as to the agency leaders’ commitment to full and effective implementation of the program.
* We agree with the Warren Institute authors on the issue of the need for improved transparency at ICE and its parent Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The first set of findings can be found online at http://cis.org/SC-by-the-numbers-critique-part1.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
ATF F&F hearing yields little new information- Holder on track for a "mulligan"
Earlier today the Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Eric Holder walked into the line of fire when he appeared in front of the House Judiciary Committee hearing concerning the controversial Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) disastrous “Fast and Furious” investigation.
The Attorney General took rapid fire questions from GOP representatives seeking answers for the failed “gunwalking” program that resulted in the murder of at least one Border Patrol Agent, Brian Terry, and more than 200 Mexican citizen deaths. From the get go Mr. Holder made it clear that the approximately 2,000 high-powered guns that ATF let “walk” into Mexico will turn up at crime scenes in both countries for years to come.
However, the day-long hearing revealed little new information and yielded no acceptance of responsibility from Holder. He simply doubled-down on DOJ's innocence regarding the (mis) handling of the botched gun-running investigation.
Advertisement
It’s been almost a year since Border Patrol Agent Terry was callously gunned-down in the Arizona desert by “rip crew” bandits using guns the U.S. government let “walk” into the hands of brutal Mexican drug cartels. During the past year, Agent Terry’s family has witnessed a cover-up by ATF and DOJ and seen no compassion or concern from Mr. Holder regarding the murder of their son.
Instead, the agent’s murder has resulted in a firestorm of inquiry for ATF and DOJ led by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee. Despite Issa’s vigorous inquisition, the DOJ still has not told Congress who knew what, and when.
It was just a week ago when the AG’s office asked for a “mulligan” on a letter their office issued to Congress that misstated “Fast and Furious” facts. The DOJ letter stated that ATF’s fatally-flawed “gunwalking” investigation did not allow guns to walk across the border and into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. The DOJ letter lied and ATF did allow guns to leave their jurisdiction and cross the Mexican border.
This led Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to ask AG Holder a direct question regarding the art of lying; “Tell me what's the difference between lying and misleading Congress, in this context?”
Holder's reply seemed like a non-answer. “Well, if you want to have this legal conversation, it all has to do with your state of mind and whether or not you had the requisite intent to come up with something that would be considered perjury or a lie,” Holder admitted. “The information that was provided by the February 4th letter was gleaned by the people who drafted the letter after they interacted with people who they thought were in the best position to have the information.”
Holder’s answer harkened back to President Bill Clinton’s definition of “what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”
Nevertheless Republican committee members echoed the same mantra all day- that heads needed to roll for the failed Fast and Furious investigation. And, it appears the Obama Administration is positioning Holder’s long-time friend, confidant and DOJ Assistant AG of the Criminal Division underling Lanny Breuer to be the fall guy.
It was recently discovered emails discussing the ATF “gunwalking” operation that provoked Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley to call for Breuer’s firing earlier this week.
“The real shock was how Mr. Breuer had responded within his own Department when earlier ‘gunwalking’ was first brought to his attention in April 2010. He didn’t tell the Attorney General. He didn’t tell the Attorney General’s Chief of Staff. He didn’t tell the Deputy Attorney General. He didn’t tell the Inspector General. Instead, he simply told his deputy to meet with ATF leadership and inform them of the ‘gunwalking’ so they knew the bad stuff that could come out,” Grassley said.
The final squabble of the day squared Rep. Issa’s sharp- tongue questions surrounding Holder’s continued stonewalling tactics of Fast and Furious. Issa reminded the Attorney General that he could be held in contempt of Congress if he continued to block Congressional members request for documents, to which Holder replied; “Have you no shame?”
But Issa countered Holder’s political gamesmanship with; “No, have you no shame?”
Up next – House committee members will now flood Eric Holder’s office with a litany of follow-up questions, but the answers will not be disclosed until after the holiday season. Stay tuned for more ATF Fast and Furious updates.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The Attorney General took rapid fire questions from GOP representatives seeking answers for the failed “gunwalking” program that resulted in the murder of at least one Border Patrol Agent, Brian Terry, and more than 200 Mexican citizen deaths. From the get go Mr. Holder made it clear that the approximately 2,000 high-powered guns that ATF let “walk” into Mexico will turn up at crime scenes in both countries for years to come.
However, the day-long hearing revealed little new information and yielded no acceptance of responsibility from Holder. He simply doubled-down on DOJ's innocence regarding the (mis) handling of the botched gun-running investigation.
Advertisement
It’s been almost a year since Border Patrol Agent Terry was callously gunned-down in the Arizona desert by “rip crew” bandits using guns the U.S. government let “walk” into the hands of brutal Mexican drug cartels. During the past year, Agent Terry’s family has witnessed a cover-up by ATF and DOJ and seen no compassion or concern from Mr. Holder regarding the murder of their son.
Instead, the agent’s murder has resulted in a firestorm of inquiry for ATF and DOJ led by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee. Despite Issa’s vigorous inquisition, the DOJ still has not told Congress who knew what, and when.
It was just a week ago when the AG’s office asked for a “mulligan” on a letter their office issued to Congress that misstated “Fast and Furious” facts. The DOJ letter stated that ATF’s fatally-flawed “gunwalking” investigation did not allow guns to walk across the border and into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. The DOJ letter lied and ATF did allow guns to leave their jurisdiction and cross the Mexican border.
This led Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to ask AG Holder a direct question regarding the art of lying; “Tell me what's the difference between lying and misleading Congress, in this context?”
Holder's reply seemed like a non-answer. “Well, if you want to have this legal conversation, it all has to do with your state of mind and whether or not you had the requisite intent to come up with something that would be considered perjury or a lie,” Holder admitted. “The information that was provided by the February 4th letter was gleaned by the people who drafted the letter after they interacted with people who they thought were in the best position to have the information.”
Holder’s answer harkened back to President Bill Clinton’s definition of “what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”
Nevertheless Republican committee members echoed the same mantra all day- that heads needed to roll for the failed Fast and Furious investigation. And, it appears the Obama Administration is positioning Holder’s long-time friend, confidant and DOJ Assistant AG of the Criminal Division underling Lanny Breuer to be the fall guy.
It was recently discovered emails discussing the ATF “gunwalking” operation that provoked Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley to call for Breuer’s firing earlier this week.
“The real shock was how Mr. Breuer had responded within his own Department when earlier ‘gunwalking’ was first brought to his attention in April 2010. He didn’t tell the Attorney General. He didn’t tell the Attorney General’s Chief of Staff. He didn’t tell the Deputy Attorney General. He didn’t tell the Inspector General. Instead, he simply told his deputy to meet with ATF leadership and inform them of the ‘gunwalking’ so they knew the bad stuff that could come out,” Grassley said.
The final squabble of the day squared Rep. Issa’s sharp- tongue questions surrounding Holder’s continued stonewalling tactics of Fast and Furious. Issa reminded the Attorney General that he could be held in contempt of Congress if he continued to block Congressional members request for documents, to which Holder replied; “Have you no shame?”
But Issa countered Holder’s political gamesmanship with; “No, have you no shame?”
Up next – House committee members will now flood Eric Holder’s office with a litany of follow-up questions, but the answers will not be disclosed until after the holiday season. Stay tuned for more ATF Fast and Furious updates.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Obama’s DOJ to sue UC San Diego for asking non-citizens to prove right to work
After an independent investigation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said they are filing of a lawsuit against a University of California, San Diego Medical Center. The DOJ alleges that the medical center violated the employment eligibility verification process by asking non-citizens to produce paperwork to prove they are allowed to work in the U.S. against people who are authorized to work in the United States.
The DOJ found that the UC medical center engaged in a pattern of requiring non-U.S. citizen hires to produce documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to verify or re-verify their employment eligibility. The independent investigative team also claims the medical center did not ask U.S. citizens to show their documentation.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA) anti-discrimination provision, employers are prohibited from placing undue burdens on work-authorized employees during the hiring and employment eligibility verification process.
“All workers who are authorized to work in the United States have the right to work without encountering discrimination because of their immigration status or national origin,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to vigorously protecting authorized workers from discrimination in the hiring process and ensuring that employers uphold their obligations under the law.”
The DOJ complaint requests that the court prohibits future discrimination by UC San Diego, monetary damages for individuals affected by the medical centers hiring actions, as well as civil penalties.
The United States is represented in this matter by Luz V. Lopez-Ortiz and Ronald Lee, OSC Trial Attorneys.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The DOJ found that the UC medical center engaged in a pattern of requiring non-U.S. citizen hires to produce documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to verify or re-verify their employment eligibility. The independent investigative team also claims the medical center did not ask U.S. citizens to show their documentation.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA) anti-discrimination provision, employers are prohibited from placing undue burdens on work-authorized employees during the hiring and employment eligibility verification process.
“All workers who are authorized to work in the United States have the right to work without encountering discrimination because of their immigration status or national origin,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to vigorously protecting authorized workers from discrimination in the hiring process and ensuring that employers uphold their obligations under the law.”
The DOJ complaint requests that the court prohibits future discrimination by UC San Diego, monetary damages for individuals affected by the medical centers hiring actions, as well as civil penalties.
The United States is represented in this matter by Luz V. Lopez-Ortiz and Ronald Lee, OSC Trial Attorneys.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Border Patrol in San Diego arrest convicted child molester
San Diego Border Patrol agents apprehended a male 49-year-old Mexican national in the east county community of Jacumba for illegally entering the United States. However, Border Patrol agents learned the Mexican national was previously convicted of child molestation in the U.S.
Then felon illegally crossed the US/Mexican border with two other undocumented Mexican nationals.
According to Border Patrol Agent Scott Simon, “agents transported the group to a local Border Patrol station where processing and further investigation revealed the 49-year-old man had previously been incarcerated after being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Orange, Calif. in 1996.”
Simon also pointed out that the illegal felon had been previously deported from the U.S. in 2005.
Currently the individual is in Department of Homeland Security custody and is awaiting trial for felony re-entry after deportation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Then felon illegally crossed the US/Mexican border with two other undocumented Mexican nationals.
According to Border Patrol Agent Scott Simon, “agents transported the group to a local Border Patrol station where processing and further investigation revealed the 49-year-old man had previously been incarcerated after being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Orange, Calif. in 1996.”
Simon also pointed out that the illegal felon had been previously deported from the U.S. in 2005.
Currently the individual is in Department of Homeland Security custody and is awaiting trial for felony re-entry after deportation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Friday, December 2, 2011
While President Obama continues his tax the millionaires (actually those who make $250,000 per year) mantra in order to pay for the payroll tax holiday set to expire in 30 days, California Governor Jerry Brown hoping to tax all residents in the not-so Golden State.
The Democratic leadership and union members in Sacramento are putting the final touches on a November 2012 ballot initiative that would make Californians the highest-taxed state in the nation.
Currently, California is facing monumental billion dollar budget shortfalls and Governor Brown wants residents to vote for a tax increase to narrow the gap. In June of this year, state legislators voted on a supposed-balance budget, but underestimating expenditures has left a $12.8 billion hole for the state.
Democrats are hoping good-natured residents will elect to increase the state sales tax by half-a-cent for the next four years.The tax measure would also levy a 1 percent income tax on income earners who make $250,000, 1.5 percent on income over $300,000 and a 2 percent income tax on those earning more than $500,000. Effectively the state income tax would increase from 10.3 percent to 12.3 percent making California the most expensive state to live. Governor Brown anticipates the increase will raise $7 billion, still shy of the $13 billion budget deficit.
California tax crusader, Richard Rider of San Diego Tax Fighters points out the hard reality for Golden State residents. “If passed, California will advance from the third highest income tax state to numero uno. Any sane rich person HAS to be thinking of moving out of the state.”
Rider explains that Maryland already enacted a smaller tax proposal with some glaring results. “About three years ago, Maryland raised its millionaires income tax. The following year, one out of every eight millionaires no longer filed Maryland income tax forms. A few died – the rest left. The net Maryland tax revenue from millionaires declined – and the state economy suffered from the loss of the big spenders. And the Maryland tax increase was only a FRACTION of the huge percentage increase being proposed by Governor Brown.”
To find out how dreadful California taxes are compared to the nation, please click Richard Rider’s Breaking Bad blog for complete up-to-date tax information; http://open.salon.com/blog/richard_rider/2011/11/30/breaking_bad_ca_vs_the_other_states_rev_112611
San Diego’s Stop Taxing Us has also indicated that the state doesn’t have a revenue problem, but a spending problem.
"The State of California is in the middle of a budget crisis and revenue is not the problem," said Dr. Gary Gonsalves, MD, the co-founder of Stop Taxing Us. "We have structural spending issues which must be fixed if the government of California is to live within its means." Gonsalves cites one of the biggest offenders is the state pension crisis and transfer payment programs. This is just a math problem. We can't raise taxes anymore; the people won't stand for it. If we can't raise taxes, how can we balance our budget? We have to cut spending."
Rhonda Deniston, a director of Stop Taxing Us, argued against the higher taxes being proposed in Sacramento. "Every time California raises taxes, productive individuals flee the state, taking businesses and jobs with them."
In an effort to curb California’s spending problem, Stop Taxing Us has proposed “The Promise to California Taxpayers. We intend to offer the Promise as a way for fiscal conservatives, regardless of party affiliation, to articulate clearly that raising taxes is something they will never, ever do. We want to make it easy for candidates to tell the voters where they stand. Additionally, we want California taxpayers to know which candidates protect them and, should the unfortunate happen...that is... if a candidate breaks his/her promise in office, we want to let the taxpayers know that their governing actions were inconsistent with their campaign rhetoric," said Brian Brady of Stop Taxing Us.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The Democratic leadership and union members in Sacramento are putting the final touches on a November 2012 ballot initiative that would make Californians the highest-taxed state in the nation.
Currently, California is facing monumental billion dollar budget shortfalls and Governor Brown wants residents to vote for a tax increase to narrow the gap. In June of this year, state legislators voted on a supposed-balance budget, but underestimating expenditures has left a $12.8 billion hole for the state.
Democrats are hoping good-natured residents will elect to increase the state sales tax by half-a-cent for the next four years.The tax measure would also levy a 1 percent income tax on income earners who make $250,000, 1.5 percent on income over $300,000 and a 2 percent income tax on those earning more than $500,000. Effectively the state income tax would increase from 10.3 percent to 12.3 percent making California the most expensive state to live. Governor Brown anticipates the increase will raise $7 billion, still shy of the $13 billion budget deficit.
California tax crusader, Richard Rider of San Diego Tax Fighters points out the hard reality for Golden State residents. “If passed, California will advance from the third highest income tax state to numero uno. Any sane rich person HAS to be thinking of moving out of the state.”
Rider explains that Maryland already enacted a smaller tax proposal with some glaring results. “About three years ago, Maryland raised its millionaires income tax. The following year, one out of every eight millionaires no longer filed Maryland income tax forms. A few died – the rest left. The net Maryland tax revenue from millionaires declined – and the state economy suffered from the loss of the big spenders. And the Maryland tax increase was only a FRACTION of the huge percentage increase being proposed by Governor Brown.”
To find out how dreadful California taxes are compared to the nation, please click Richard Rider’s Breaking Bad blog for complete up-to-date tax information; http://open.salon.com/blog/richard_rider/2011/11/30/breaking_bad_ca_vs_the_other_states_rev_112611
San Diego’s Stop Taxing Us has also indicated that the state doesn’t have a revenue problem, but a spending problem.
"The State of California is in the middle of a budget crisis and revenue is not the problem," said Dr. Gary Gonsalves, MD, the co-founder of Stop Taxing Us. "We have structural spending issues which must be fixed if the government of California is to live within its means." Gonsalves cites one of the biggest offenders is the state pension crisis and transfer payment programs. This is just a math problem. We can't raise taxes anymore; the people won't stand for it. If we can't raise taxes, how can we balance our budget? We have to cut spending."
Rhonda Deniston, a director of Stop Taxing Us, argued against the higher taxes being proposed in Sacramento. "Every time California raises taxes, productive individuals flee the state, taking businesses and jobs with them."
In an effort to curb California’s spending problem, Stop Taxing Us has proposed “The Promise to California Taxpayers. We intend to offer the Promise as a way for fiscal conservatives, regardless of party affiliation, to articulate clearly that raising taxes is something they will never, ever do. We want to make it easy for candidates to tell the voters where they stand. Additionally, we want California taxpayers to know which candidates protect them and, should the unfortunate happen...that is... if a candidate breaks his/her promise in office, we want to let the taxpayers know that their governing actions were inconsistent with their campaign rhetoric," said Brian Brady of Stop Taxing Us.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sophisticated San Diego border tunnel discovered
A sophisticated cross-border tunnel was located Tuesday that connected Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego. Investigators explained the tunnel netted more than 32 tons of marijuana and six arrests.
The 612-yard elaborate passageway consisted of ventilation, electric rail-like cars, electricity, reinforced walls and wooden floors.
The tunnel’s Tijuana entrance was accessed by a hydraulically-controlled steel door and an elevator located beneath the storehouse floor.
The discovery of the drug smuggling tunnel came after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) followed a tractor trailer loaded with drugs to Los Angeles. CBP agents alerted San Diego authorities once the driver and three other Hispanic individuals unloaded the contents into a nondescript warehouse.
Once U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) moved in, they took custody and seized approximately 11 tons of marijuana packed inside the truck's trailer. Federal agents said their actions resulted in the interdiction of more than 32 tons of marijuana with an estimated street value of nearly $65 million.
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The tunnel task force said they were confident the passageway was recently open.
"From the conditions inside the passageway and our ongoing investigation, we're confident we've been able to shut this operation down before the perpetrators were able to use it for smuggling narcotics," said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for ICE HSI in San Diego. "It's clear though, from the level of sophistication involved, that the criminal organization responsible for constructing this tunnel had very ambitious plans."
Staying one-step ahead of the drug-cartels tunneling tactics is the result of the multi-agency task force that focuses solely on drug and human smuggling along the southwest border.
"This is yet again an example of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies join forces to address a common threat," said San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Paul A. Beeson. "It clearly demonstrates that the hard work of the men and women on this interagency taskforce can and will make a significant impact on the security of our nation."
"The Tunnel Task Force, working together with the Government of Mexico, is putting a stranglehold on the cartels' ability to smuggle drugs into the United States," said William R. Sherman, acting special agent in charge of the DEA in San Diego. "Seizing close to 50 tons of marijuana in one month denies the cartels the financial means to continue their operations."
The San Diego Tunnel Task Force consists of representatives from ICE HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The 612-yard elaborate passageway consisted of ventilation, electric rail-like cars, electricity, reinforced walls and wooden floors.
The tunnel’s Tijuana entrance was accessed by a hydraulically-controlled steel door and an elevator located beneath the storehouse floor.
The discovery of the drug smuggling tunnel came after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) followed a tractor trailer loaded with drugs to Los Angeles. CBP agents alerted San Diego authorities once the driver and three other Hispanic individuals unloaded the contents into a nondescript warehouse.
Once U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) moved in, they took custody and seized approximately 11 tons of marijuana packed inside the truck's trailer. Federal agents said their actions resulted in the interdiction of more than 32 tons of marijuana with an estimated street value of nearly $65 million.
Advertisement
The tunnel task force said they were confident the passageway was recently open.
"From the conditions inside the passageway and our ongoing investigation, we're confident we've been able to shut this operation down before the perpetrators were able to use it for smuggling narcotics," said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for ICE HSI in San Diego. "It's clear though, from the level of sophistication involved, that the criminal organization responsible for constructing this tunnel had very ambitious plans."
Staying one-step ahead of the drug-cartels tunneling tactics is the result of the multi-agency task force that focuses solely on drug and human smuggling along the southwest border.
"This is yet again an example of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies join forces to address a common threat," said San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Paul A. Beeson. "It clearly demonstrates that the hard work of the men and women on this interagency taskforce can and will make a significant impact on the security of our nation."
"The Tunnel Task Force, working together with the Government of Mexico, is putting a stranglehold on the cartels' ability to smuggle drugs into the United States," said William R. Sherman, acting special agent in charge of the DEA in San Diego. "Seizing close to 50 tons of marijuana in one month denies the cartels the financial means to continue their operations."
The San Diego Tunnel Task Force consists of representatives from ICE HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Auction website eBay urges Congress to not tax small businesses
In testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, eBay, the country’s largest small business auction website, said the government’s attempt to levy a sales tax would kill jobs in the middle of a recession.
At the hearing, eBay said hundreds of thousands of small business entrepreneurs can use their low-cost platform to open a business outside their geographic location. This wildly popular website literally opens a small town business to the world.
“You hear a lot about fairness in this debate. Some have claimed that a ‘level playing field’ means all retailers using the Internet should be held to the same remote sales tax standard,” said Tod Cohen Vice President of Global Government Relations and Deputy General Counsel for eBay Inc. “However, sameness is not fairness. Small businesses retailers face many competitive disadvantages when compared to larger retailers. They have proportionally higher costs of doing business, including providing employee benefits.”
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Across the country, small businesses continue to lose ground with large corporations and eBay suggests their business model provides entrepreneurs with an outlet to compete in a global market place.
“Do those who want a ‘level playing field’ demand that all small business retailers get the same tax credits, the same sales tax exclusions and the same shipping rates? If and when they do, we will be the first to endorse changing Quill and lifting the prohibition against remote sales tax collection and remittance,” Cohen explained to Congress.
In an effort to provide Congressional members with an alternative to a straight tax, eBay executives suggested Congress should provide entrepreneurs with a small business exemption.
“Congress has the power to address abuses and inequities without raising new costs on small business retail entrepreneurs,” Cohen said. “A real Small Business Exemption would do that. A real Small Business Exemption would protect small retailers who are already falling behind. Permanently protecting small business retailers from national remote sales tax collection burdens will promote new retail competition.”
EBay also pointed to the Census Bureau and Forrester Research that showed “in-store retail represents 93 percent of all retail in 2012 and only 7 percent represents online retail.” Small eBay businesses argue this small number should exempt them from a remote sales tax.
Small business entrepreneurs said they operate with a razor-thin profit margin and say shipping costs eat at their bottom line. If Washington added a remote sales tax many businesses would be forced to close down, according to eBay.
For these reasons, eBay and many of their users support House Resolution 95, a bi-partisan resolution that opposes new tax collection requirements for small online businesses with a small market share.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
At the hearing, eBay said hundreds of thousands of small business entrepreneurs can use their low-cost platform to open a business outside their geographic location. This wildly popular website literally opens a small town business to the world.
“You hear a lot about fairness in this debate. Some have claimed that a ‘level playing field’ means all retailers using the Internet should be held to the same remote sales tax standard,” said Tod Cohen Vice President of Global Government Relations and Deputy General Counsel for eBay Inc. “However, sameness is not fairness. Small businesses retailers face many competitive disadvantages when compared to larger retailers. They have proportionally higher costs of doing business, including providing employee benefits.”
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Across the country, small businesses continue to lose ground with large corporations and eBay suggests their business model provides entrepreneurs with an outlet to compete in a global market place.
“Do those who want a ‘level playing field’ demand that all small business retailers get the same tax credits, the same sales tax exclusions and the same shipping rates? If and when they do, we will be the first to endorse changing Quill and lifting the prohibition against remote sales tax collection and remittance,” Cohen explained to Congress.
In an effort to provide Congressional members with an alternative to a straight tax, eBay executives suggested Congress should provide entrepreneurs with a small business exemption.
“Congress has the power to address abuses and inequities without raising new costs on small business retail entrepreneurs,” Cohen said. “A real Small Business Exemption would do that. A real Small Business Exemption would protect small retailers who are already falling behind. Permanently protecting small business retailers from national remote sales tax collection burdens will promote new retail competition.”
EBay also pointed to the Census Bureau and Forrester Research that showed “in-store retail represents 93 percent of all retail in 2012 and only 7 percent represents online retail.” Small eBay businesses argue this small number should exempt them from a remote sales tax.
Small business entrepreneurs said they operate with a razor-thin profit margin and say shipping costs eat at their bottom line. If Washington added a remote sales tax many businesses would be forced to close down, according to eBay.
For these reasons, eBay and many of their users support House Resolution 95, a bi-partisan resolution that opposes new tax collection requirements for small online businesses with a small market share.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Getting married to legalize those illegally in the country remains popular in U.
Once upon a time marriage was proposed and a happily ever after soon followed. However, a backlog of legal immigration applications has given way to an easier way to legalize one’s status- fraudulent marriage.
In the last three years, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) found that 264,000 to 317,000 resident aliens obtained legal status through marriage.
According to CIS, “The other major finding from the table is that most of the spouses are not new arrivals at all; they are in the nation in some other status (legal or illegal) and so, in immigration-speak, they ‘adjust status’ here, rather than come through the ports of entry.”
In other words, it’s becoming more commonplace to obtain a visa through fraudulent marriages. Some of these marriages take place under shady circumstances. Former ICE agent John Sakelarides says many illegal aliens dupe an unsuspecting American citizen, and once the proverbial honeymoon is over, so is life as they knew it. “They often charge the U.S. citizen with abuse and/or battery knowing they will get their legal papers even sooner.”
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A 2005 Government Accountability Office report on U.S. immigration practices found that approximately 20 percent of visa applications are filed under “marriage, spouse and family.” However, a bureaucratic United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) program doesn’t aggressively prosecute “benefit fraud.”
“Theoretically, they (illegal aliens) face up to five years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both. However, the real story? It’s hardly prosecuted. The why is the subject of the story; ‘It’s no big deal.’ Tell that to the US citizen who has been emotionally abused, falsely accused, and their life turned upside down,” said Sakelarides (See 8 USC 1325 ( c ).
Keeping this in mind, it is up to immigration officers to navigate the murky waters of potential marriage fraud. In the U.S., the waiting period to garner the coveted “green card” makes the most sense for those individuals seeking legality in the country. Experts contend that this program needs to be refined in order to root out the lawful marriages and those with more sinister motives.
The numbers below were provided through the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS)--David North.
Visas Created by Migrating Spouses and Fiancé(e)s, FYs 2008-2010
Spouses of U.S. citizens- 264,062/ FY08, 317,129/ FY09 and 271,909/ FY10.
Spouses of PRAs (2FA)- 35,608/ FY08, 26,622/ FY09, 20,635/ FY10.
Immigrant totals; 296,670/ FY08, 343,751/ FY09, 292,544/ FY10.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Getting married to legalize those illegally in the country remains popular in US - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/getting-married-to-legalize-those-illegally-the-country-remains-popular-us#ixzz1f75iZC9d
In the last three years, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) found that 264,000 to 317,000 resident aliens obtained legal status through marriage.
According to CIS, “The other major finding from the table is that most of the spouses are not new arrivals at all; they are in the nation in some other status (legal or illegal) and so, in immigration-speak, they ‘adjust status’ here, rather than come through the ports of entry.”
In other words, it’s becoming more commonplace to obtain a visa through fraudulent marriages. Some of these marriages take place under shady circumstances. Former ICE agent John Sakelarides says many illegal aliens dupe an unsuspecting American citizen, and once the proverbial honeymoon is over, so is life as they knew it. “They often charge the U.S. citizen with abuse and/or battery knowing they will get their legal papers even sooner.”
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A 2005 Government Accountability Office report on U.S. immigration practices found that approximately 20 percent of visa applications are filed under “marriage, spouse and family.” However, a bureaucratic United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) program doesn’t aggressively prosecute “benefit fraud.”
“Theoretically, they (illegal aliens) face up to five years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both. However, the real story? It’s hardly prosecuted. The why is the subject of the story; ‘It’s no big deal.’ Tell that to the US citizen who has been emotionally abused, falsely accused, and their life turned upside down,” said Sakelarides (See 8 USC 1325 ( c ).
Keeping this in mind, it is up to immigration officers to navigate the murky waters of potential marriage fraud. In the U.S., the waiting period to garner the coveted “green card” makes the most sense for those individuals seeking legality in the country. Experts contend that this program needs to be refined in order to root out the lawful marriages and those with more sinister motives.
The numbers below were provided through the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS)--David North.
Visas Created by Migrating Spouses and Fiancé(e)s, FYs 2008-2010
Spouses of U.S. citizens- 264,062/ FY08, 317,129/ FY09 and 271,909/ FY10.
Spouses of PRAs (2FA)- 35,608/ FY08, 26,622/ FY09, 20,635/ FY10.
Immigrant totals; 296,670/ FY08, 343,751/ FY09, 292,544/ FY10.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Getting married to legalize those illegally in the country remains popular in US - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/getting-married-to-legalize-those-illegally-the-country-remains-popular-us#ixzz1f75iZC9d
Monday, November 28, 2011
ICE warns cyber shoppers to beware of criminal enterprises
As “Black Friday” madness grabbed headlines for skirmishes and tramplings over the weekend, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) warned “Cyber Monday” shoppers to beware of criminal enterprises lurking on the Internet.
“For most, the holidays represent a season of good will and giving, but for these criminals, it’s the season to lure in unsuspecting holiday shoppers,” said ICE Director John Morton. “More and more Americans are doing their holiday shopping online, and they may not realize that purchasing counterfeit goods results in American jobs lost, stolen American business profits and American consumers receiving substandard products. The ramifications can be even greater because the illicit profits made from these types of illegal ventures often fuel other kinds of organized crime.”
For many customers, shopping online provides an alternative to busy malls and crowded parking lots, but federal law enforcement officials say online purchases provide criminals with the perfect opportunity for intellectual and identity theft.
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“The theft of intellectual property, to include the trafficking of counterfeit goods, creates significant financial losses,” said FBI Section Chief Zack Miller of the Cyber Division. “The FBI aggressively pursues intellectual property enforcement through traditional investigative methods, intelligence initiatives and coordinated efforts with private industry and domestic and foreign law enforcement partners.”
Gearing up for the busy holiday season the Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), and the FBI Washington Field Office announced “Operation in Our Sites.” The joint operation executed 150 commercial websites seizures that were engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and copyrighted products.
Federal law enforcement agents made a broad series of undercover purchases including professional sports jerseys, Hollywood DVD sets, brand name footwear, designer handbags and sunglasses, all representing a variety of trademarks.
The 150 seized domains are now in federal custody. Website visitors will now discover a seizure banner that announces the domain name has been seized by federal authorities for willful copyright infringement.
To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov or www.justice.gov/dag/iptaskforce/.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
“For most, the holidays represent a season of good will and giving, but for these criminals, it’s the season to lure in unsuspecting holiday shoppers,” said ICE Director John Morton. “More and more Americans are doing their holiday shopping online, and they may not realize that purchasing counterfeit goods results in American jobs lost, stolen American business profits and American consumers receiving substandard products. The ramifications can be even greater because the illicit profits made from these types of illegal ventures often fuel other kinds of organized crime.”
For many customers, shopping online provides an alternative to busy malls and crowded parking lots, but federal law enforcement officials say online purchases provide criminals with the perfect opportunity for intellectual and identity theft.
Advertisement
“The theft of intellectual property, to include the trafficking of counterfeit goods, creates significant financial losses,” said FBI Section Chief Zack Miller of the Cyber Division. “The FBI aggressively pursues intellectual property enforcement through traditional investigative methods, intelligence initiatives and coordinated efforts with private industry and domestic and foreign law enforcement partners.”
Gearing up for the busy holiday season the Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), and the FBI Washington Field Office announced “Operation in Our Sites.” The joint operation executed 150 commercial websites seizures that were engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and copyrighted products.
Federal law enforcement agents made a broad series of undercover purchases including professional sports jerseys, Hollywood DVD sets, brand name footwear, designer handbags and sunglasses, all representing a variety of trademarks.
The 150 seized domains are now in federal custody. Website visitors will now discover a seizure banner that announces the domain name has been seized by federal authorities for willful copyright infringement.
To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov or www.justice.gov/dag/iptaskforce/.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Obama pardons several drug-related criminals
While Border Patrol agents put their lives on the line every day to stop drug smuggling along the nation’s southern border, President Obama announced yesterday he is pardoning several drug-related convicted felons.
The pardons draw attention to the recent conviction of Border Patrol Agent Jesus “Chito” Diaz. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison for allegedly lifting the handcuffs of a known-drug dealer in Texas.
The conviction drew the attention of numerous Congressmen who sent a letter to president Obama asking for the release of Agent Diaz. So far there has been no response from the White House or the Department of Justice who headed the prosecution of the Border Patrol agent.
The following is a list of the Presidential pardons;
PARDONS:
• Lesley Claywood Berry Jr. - Loretto, Ky.
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Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846.
Sentence: April 29, 1988; District of Minnesota; three years in prison.
• Dennis George Bulin - Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846 and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
Sentence: March 10, 1987; Middle District of Alabama; five years of probation and $20,000 fine.
• Ricky Dale Collett - Annville, Ky.
Offense: Aiding and abetting in the manufacture of 61 marijuana plants, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
Sentence: March 7, 2002; Eastern District of Kentucky; one year of probation conditioned on 60 days of home detention.
• Martin Kaprelian - Park Ridge, Ill.
Offense: Conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371; transporting stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; concealing stolen property that was transported in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2315.
Sentence: Feb. 1, 1984; Northern District of Illinois; nine years in prison, five years of probation.
• Thomas Paul Ledford - Jonesborough, Tenn.
Offense: Conducting and directing an illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
Sentence: June 12, 1995; Eastern District of Tennessee; one year of probation conditioned on performance of 100 hours of community service.
COMMUTATION:
• Eugenia Marie Jennings - Alton, Ill.
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
Sentence: Feb. 23, 2001; Southern District of Illinois; 262 months in prison, eight years of supervised release, $1,750 fine.
Terms of commutation: Prison sentence to expire on Dec. 21, 2011, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Obama pardons several drug-related criminals - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/obama-pardons-several-drug-related-criminals#ixzz1eSHAz16H
The pardons draw attention to the recent conviction of Border Patrol Agent Jesus “Chito” Diaz. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison for allegedly lifting the handcuffs of a known-drug dealer in Texas.
The conviction drew the attention of numerous Congressmen who sent a letter to president Obama asking for the release of Agent Diaz. So far there has been no response from the White House or the Department of Justice who headed the prosecution of the Border Patrol agent.
The following is a list of the Presidential pardons;
PARDONS:
• Lesley Claywood Berry Jr. - Loretto, Ky.
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Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846.
Sentence: April 29, 1988; District of Minnesota; three years in prison.
• Dennis George Bulin - Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846 and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
Sentence: March 10, 1987; Middle District of Alabama; five years of probation and $20,000 fine.
• Ricky Dale Collett - Annville, Ky.
Offense: Aiding and abetting in the manufacture of 61 marijuana plants, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
Sentence: March 7, 2002; Eastern District of Kentucky; one year of probation conditioned on 60 days of home detention.
• Martin Kaprelian - Park Ridge, Ill.
Offense: Conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371; transporting stolen property in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; concealing stolen property that was transported in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2315.
Sentence: Feb. 1, 1984; Northern District of Illinois; nine years in prison, five years of probation.
• Thomas Paul Ledford - Jonesborough, Tenn.
Offense: Conducting and directing an illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
Sentence: June 12, 1995; Eastern District of Tennessee; one year of probation conditioned on performance of 100 hours of community service.
COMMUTATION:
• Eugenia Marie Jennings - Alton, Ill.
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
Sentence: Feb. 23, 2001; Southern District of Illinois; 262 months in prison, eight years of supervised release, $1,750 fine.
Terms of commutation: Prison sentence to expire on Dec. 21, 2011, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Obama pardons several drug-related criminals - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/obama-pardons-several-drug-related-criminals#ixzz1eSHAz16H
Monday, November 21, 2011
California DOJ to gut drug, gang & organized crime task forces
The latest victim of the California budget crisis will leave Californians besieged with criminals and fewer law enforcement agents.
California’s Democrat Governor Jerry Brown approved a budget earlier this year that calls for reduced DOJ funding. The cuts leave many drug-related investigations in the lurch and force local law enforcement agencies to reorganize manpower and funds.
Senior level federal agents say overreaching budget cuts in the state’s Department of Justice (DOJ) clips 34 of the 52 successful anti-crime task forces.
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and the Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence (BII) are expected to absorb the lion share of the $71 million in proposed cuts. Also, approximately 170 task-force agents will either receive pink slips or demotions.
“Unless we receive some definite answer or information prior to December 31st of this year, we're going to have to walk out on approximately 200 people who assist law enforcement on a daily basis,” explained Larry Wallace the DOJ’s director of Law Enforcement. He also warned Californians that these cuts have the potential to increase crime throughout the state.
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These draconian-like cuts would all but eliminate the nation’s premier marijuana task force responsible for seizing 72 percent of the nation’s pot plants. The Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) is responsible for confiscating more than $70 billion worth of weed in the last seven years.
More political football
California is a bastion for politics, and like Washington D.C., leaders continue to play politics with the state’s future.
“Like most other recipients in the California budget in the past 20 years, DOJ has become a political football. It has become administratively top heavy with appointments to posts by Sacramento as political favors,” according to Police- A Law Enforcement magazine report. “This proposed $71 million in reductions would cut out the working staff but leave many of the political appointments in place. Depending on the political shifting winds in Sacramento, the BNE has been pulled out of its role fighting drug traffickers and organized crime to serving the ‘for show’ politically correct issues such as Department of Recycling (DOR). DOJ agents who are expert in investigating criminal gangs and organized crime have been reassigned to fight recycling fraud and environmental issues.”
This worries Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel who complain they don’t have the necessary resources to combat trans-national cartel organizations.
One program responsible for curtailing cartel activities is the San Diego task force dealing with the Arellano-Felix drug and human trafficking organization. DOJ agents have already been removed from this task force; a decision will cost the DOJ millions in seized proceeds.
In the past, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has taken credit for Justice-led operations that targeted the Sinaloa cartel. A recent seizure netted 18.5 kilos of cocaine worth an estimated $1.85 million.
"This operation is an example of the complex and multi-jurisdictional work that Department of Justice agents do every day to keep California safe," AG Harris said. "I commend these agents for their bravery and professional excellence."
However, law enforcement officers contend that the proposed cuts from the DOJ task forces would dramatically reduce the multi-agency efforts required to target the transnational gangs that fuel Mexico’s war on drugs.
Officials conclude by saying, the only folks happy with the cuts are criminal gangs and cartel members.
California’s Democrat Governor Jerry Brown approved a budget earlier this year that calls for reduced DOJ funding. The cuts leave many drug-related investigations in the lurch and force local law enforcement agencies to reorganize manpower and funds.
Senior level federal agents say overreaching budget cuts in the state’s Department of Justice (DOJ) clips 34 of the 52 successful anti-crime task forces.
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and the Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence (BII) are expected to absorb the lion share of the $71 million in proposed cuts. Also, approximately 170 task-force agents will either receive pink slips or demotions.
“Unless we receive some definite answer or information prior to December 31st of this year, we're going to have to walk out on approximately 200 people who assist law enforcement on a daily basis,” explained Larry Wallace the DOJ’s director of Law Enforcement. He also warned Californians that these cuts have the potential to increase crime throughout the state.
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These draconian-like cuts would all but eliminate the nation’s premier marijuana task force responsible for seizing 72 percent of the nation’s pot plants. The Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) is responsible for confiscating more than $70 billion worth of weed in the last seven years.
More political football
California is a bastion for politics, and like Washington D.C., leaders continue to play politics with the state’s future.
“Like most other recipients in the California budget in the past 20 years, DOJ has become a political football. It has become administratively top heavy with appointments to posts by Sacramento as political favors,” according to Police- A Law Enforcement magazine report. “This proposed $71 million in reductions would cut out the working staff but leave many of the political appointments in place. Depending on the political shifting winds in Sacramento, the BNE has been pulled out of its role fighting drug traffickers and organized crime to serving the ‘for show’ politically correct issues such as Department of Recycling (DOR). DOJ agents who are expert in investigating criminal gangs and organized crime have been reassigned to fight recycling fraud and environmental issues.”
This worries Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel who complain they don’t have the necessary resources to combat trans-national cartel organizations.
One program responsible for curtailing cartel activities is the San Diego task force dealing with the Arellano-Felix drug and human trafficking organization. DOJ agents have already been removed from this task force; a decision will cost the DOJ millions in seized proceeds.
In the past, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has taken credit for Justice-led operations that targeted the Sinaloa cartel. A recent seizure netted 18.5 kilos of cocaine worth an estimated $1.85 million.
"This operation is an example of the complex and multi-jurisdictional work that Department of Justice agents do every day to keep California safe," AG Harris said. "I commend these agents for their bravery and professional excellence."
However, law enforcement officers contend that the proposed cuts from the DOJ task forces would dramatically reduce the multi-agency efforts required to target the transnational gangs that fuel Mexico’s war on drugs.
Officials conclude by saying, the only folks happy with the cuts are criminal gangs and cartel members.
Friday, November 18, 2011
San Diego Rep. Hunter sends Obama a letter on jailed Border Patrol agent
GOP Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) sent a letter to President Obama, requesting a detailed description of the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Border Patrol Agent Jesus “Chito” Diaz for essentially lifting the handcuffs of a 15-year-old known drug smuggler.
The letter had 36 other Members of Congress signatures looking for answers regarding the harsh two-year federal prison sentence.
It was reported today that the Mexican government requested Agent Diaz’s be prosecuted despite the fact Agent Diaz was previously cleared of any wrongdoing by department investigators.
“In two separate letters, I’ve asked the Attorney General to provide information and take action on what has proven to be a serious miscarriage of justice,” said Rep. Hunter. “The Attorney General has been silent so far, perhaps because he’s busy making excuses on why he should not be held accountable for Operation Fast & Furious.”
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Meanwhile, Agent Diaz’ wife, Diana, must now pay $7,000 in court fines.
Mrs. Diaz is working with Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council (LEOAC), to get her husband, “Chito,” cleared of all charges. Andy Ramirez, LEOAC’s director said; “We will continue to lead this fight and stand by Chito, Diana, and their children until his name is cleared. Having worked on as many cases as we have, this one is, without question, the most atrocious yet. It is clear that our government gave Mexico City the scalp of yet another agent.”
This is a position echoed by Congressman Hunter.
“This prosecution cannot be allowed to stand. Someone—whether the Attorney General or the President—needs to provide answers on why a two-year prison term is justified and what motivated the U.S. Attorney’s Office in West Texas, the same office that prosecuted Ramos and Compean, to go after Agent Diaz.”
Agent Diaz remains behind bars and will miss Christmas with his wife and six children if Attorney General Eric Holder or President Obama do not take up the case.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com San Diego Rep. Hunter sends Obama a letter on jailed Border Patrol agent - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/san-diego-rep-hunter-sends-president-a-letter-on-jailed-border-patrol-agent#ixzz1e566BQnM
The letter had 36 other Members of Congress signatures looking for answers regarding the harsh two-year federal prison sentence.
It was reported today that the Mexican government requested Agent Diaz’s be prosecuted despite the fact Agent Diaz was previously cleared of any wrongdoing by department investigators.
“In two separate letters, I’ve asked the Attorney General to provide information and take action on what has proven to be a serious miscarriage of justice,” said Rep. Hunter. “The Attorney General has been silent so far, perhaps because he’s busy making excuses on why he should not be held accountable for Operation Fast & Furious.”
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Meanwhile, Agent Diaz’ wife, Diana, must now pay $7,000 in court fines.
Mrs. Diaz is working with Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council (LEOAC), to get her husband, “Chito,” cleared of all charges. Andy Ramirez, LEOAC’s director said; “We will continue to lead this fight and stand by Chito, Diana, and their children until his name is cleared. Having worked on as many cases as we have, this one is, without question, the most atrocious yet. It is clear that our government gave Mexico City the scalp of yet another agent.”
This is a position echoed by Congressman Hunter.
“This prosecution cannot be allowed to stand. Someone—whether the Attorney General or the President—needs to provide answers on why a two-year prison term is justified and what motivated the U.S. Attorney’s Office in West Texas, the same office that prosecuted Ramos and Compean, to go after Agent Diaz.”
Agent Diaz remains behind bars and will miss Christmas with his wife and six children if Attorney General Eric Holder or President Obama do not take up the case.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com San Diego Rep. Hunter sends Obama a letter on jailed Border Patrol agent - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/san-diego-rep-hunter-sends-president-a-letter-on-jailed-border-patrol-agent#ixzz1e566BQnM
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Sixth largest cross border drug tunnel discovered in San Diego
A tunnel found in San Diego was more than four football fields long, 20-feet deep and fully ventilated. The drug-smuggling corridor entrances were located in two warehouses that straddled the U.S./Mexico border.
A multi-agency border tunnel task force discovered the sophisticated passageway yesterday, number 75 in the last four years, when surveillance of the warehouse drew suspicious concerns from law enforcement. Once officials executed a federal search warrant, authorities discovered a 20-foot hole in the warehouse and recovered approximately 6 1/2 additional tons of marijuana. U.S. agents then alerted Mexican officials that the tunnel led to another warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico where they recovered approximately six tons of cannabis.
The tunnel, measuring approximately four feet by three feet, contained structural supports, electricity as well as ventilation. Authorities said evidence inside the tunnel suggested the passageway was only recently completed.
A suspicious cargo truck leaving the border region warehouse prompted California Highway Patrol to pull over the vehicle where they found three tons of marijuana in the trailer. Officers apprehended the driver, Cesar Beltran-Zamoran, and passenger, Ruben Gomez-Hernandez who face federal narcotics smuggling charges, according to officials. Gomez told authorities he would receive $2,000 to smuggle the marijuana into the U.S.
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“The discovery of this tunnel is a tribute not only to the effectiveness of our joint investigative efforts, but also to the significant benefits we're gaining by using new technology to target this kind of smuggling activity,” said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “The drug cartels mistakenly believe they can elude detection by taking their contraband underground, but, again and again, we've been able to find these tunnels and shut them down.”
The San Diego tunnel represents the third such passageway detected this year and reveals U.S. officials continue to fight drug smuggling along the southern border.
“The fact that this is the third sophisticated cross border tunnel found within a year's time demonstrates the cartels will stop at nothing to smuggle their drugs into the United States,” said William R. Sherman, acting special agent in charge for the DEA in San Diego. “The seizure of marijuana coupled with the loss of yet another tunnel will deal a heavy blow to those responsible for constructing this tunnel.”
The tunnel is the sixth largest drug smuggling passageway discovered in San Diego since 2006.
The San Diego Tunnel Task Force includes representatives from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.
The multi-agency group uses a variety of techniques to detect cross-border tunnels, from state-of-the-art electronic surveillance to old school detective work. The group also relies on tips from the public to protect the border region from criminal activity.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Sixth largest cross border drug tunnel discovered in San Diego - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/sixth-largest-cross-border-drug-tunnel-discovered-san-diego#ixzz1dz9Q9Bue
A multi-agency border tunnel task force discovered the sophisticated passageway yesterday, number 75 in the last four years, when surveillance of the warehouse drew suspicious concerns from law enforcement. Once officials executed a federal search warrant, authorities discovered a 20-foot hole in the warehouse and recovered approximately 6 1/2 additional tons of marijuana. U.S. agents then alerted Mexican officials that the tunnel led to another warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico where they recovered approximately six tons of cannabis.
The tunnel, measuring approximately four feet by three feet, contained structural supports, electricity as well as ventilation. Authorities said evidence inside the tunnel suggested the passageway was only recently completed.
A suspicious cargo truck leaving the border region warehouse prompted California Highway Patrol to pull over the vehicle where they found three tons of marijuana in the trailer. Officers apprehended the driver, Cesar Beltran-Zamoran, and passenger, Ruben Gomez-Hernandez who face federal narcotics smuggling charges, according to officials. Gomez told authorities he would receive $2,000 to smuggle the marijuana into the U.S.
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“The discovery of this tunnel is a tribute not only to the effectiveness of our joint investigative efforts, but also to the significant benefits we're gaining by using new technology to target this kind of smuggling activity,” said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “The drug cartels mistakenly believe they can elude detection by taking their contraband underground, but, again and again, we've been able to find these tunnels and shut them down.”
The San Diego tunnel represents the third such passageway detected this year and reveals U.S. officials continue to fight drug smuggling along the southern border.
“The fact that this is the third sophisticated cross border tunnel found within a year's time demonstrates the cartels will stop at nothing to smuggle their drugs into the United States,” said William R. Sherman, acting special agent in charge for the DEA in San Diego. “The seizure of marijuana coupled with the loss of yet another tunnel will deal a heavy blow to those responsible for constructing this tunnel.”
The tunnel is the sixth largest drug smuggling passageway discovered in San Diego since 2006.
The San Diego Tunnel Task Force includes representatives from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.
The multi-agency group uses a variety of techniques to detect cross-border tunnels, from state-of-the-art electronic surveillance to old school detective work. The group also relies on tips from the public to protect the border region from criminal activity.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Sixth largest cross border drug tunnel discovered in San Diego - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/sixth-largest-cross-border-drug-tunnel-discovered-san-diego#ixzz1dz9Q9Bue
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Another unauthorized beach landing by illegal drug smugglers in San Diego
A 25-foot panga boat loaded with 1,460 pounds of marijuana landed under the cover of darkness on a north San Diego County beach earlier today. Border Patrol agents quickly responded to the beach landing and apprehended three men for attempting to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
The panga-style boat was spotted by the California National Guard Entry Identification Team that assists with Border Patrol maritime enforcement, who observed a suspicious boat traveling along the San Diego County coastline near Carlsbad.
“Border Patrol agents responded to the area and observed the boat had come ashore just north of the [Carlsbad] power plant,” said Scott Simon a spokesman for Border Patrol. “Agents conducted a search of the area and arrested a 31-year-old Mexican national and a 29-year-old United States citizen who had fled from the beached boat. A search of the panga revealed five fuel containers and 19 bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 1459.9 pounds and an estimated street value of $729,950.”
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The Carlsbad Police also conducted a search of the area and located another individual inside a vehicle. “They [Carlsbad Police] stopped a suspicious vehicle for further questioning… Border Patrol agents responded to the scene and took custody of a 29-year-old Nicaraguan national who was legally present in the U.S,” according to Simon.
The three suspected drug smugglers, marijuana, car, and panga boat were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Marine Task Force for further examination.
The Maritime Unified Command utilizes the fusion of law enforcement agencies, intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the Southern California coastal border. Border Patrol encourages residents to report suspicious maritime activity to the Joint Harbor Operations Center at 1-800-854-9834.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Another unauthorized beach landing by illegal drug smugglers in San Diego - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/another-unauthorized-beach-landing-by-illegal-drug-smugglers-san-diego#ixzz1dpiKBQVm
The panga-style boat was spotted by the California National Guard Entry Identification Team that assists with Border Patrol maritime enforcement, who observed a suspicious boat traveling along the San Diego County coastline near Carlsbad.
“Border Patrol agents responded to the area and observed the boat had come ashore just north of the [Carlsbad] power plant,” said Scott Simon a spokesman for Border Patrol. “Agents conducted a search of the area and arrested a 31-year-old Mexican national and a 29-year-old United States citizen who had fled from the beached boat. A search of the panga revealed five fuel containers and 19 bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 1459.9 pounds and an estimated street value of $729,950.”
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The Carlsbad Police also conducted a search of the area and located another individual inside a vehicle. “They [Carlsbad Police] stopped a suspicious vehicle for further questioning… Border Patrol agents responded to the scene and took custody of a 29-year-old Nicaraguan national who was legally present in the U.S,” according to Simon.
The three suspected drug smugglers, marijuana, car, and panga boat were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Marine Task Force for further examination.
The Maritime Unified Command utilizes the fusion of law enforcement agencies, intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the Southern California coastal border. Border Patrol encourages residents to report suspicious maritime activity to the Joint Harbor Operations Center at 1-800-854-9834.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Another unauthorized beach landing by illegal drug smugglers in San Diego - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/another-unauthorized-beach-landing-by-illegal-drug-smugglers-san-diego#ixzz1dpiKBQVm
California’s “golden” status set to run out of money in two weeks
Once famous for the “gold rush,” California’s fertile land drew anybody who wanted to strike it rich, sadly those days are long gone and have been replaced with tax and spend policies that have ended in massive deficits.
California’s financials offer proof that the month of October painted serious accounting problems for the state. According to the October Statement of General Fund Cash Receipts and Disbursements report from California State Controller John Chaing, the state’s income plunged by $3.6 billion. On the other side of the balance sheet, California’s spendaholic ways will increase by $10.2 billion this year. The governor and state legislators don’t seem to be smarter than a fifth grader- that's a $6.6 billion deficit.
According to Chriss Street of Cal Watchdog, “California has already drawn down 85 percent of its credit lines and only has $4 billion remaining to fund a $13.8 billion deficit. With the same sovereign credit rating as basket-case Portugal, California’s debt is at maximum risk of being downgraded to ‘junk’ bonds. With credit lines almost tapped-out, the sovereign debt crisis that has hammered Europe may arrive in America.”
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For the past few years California, like the federal government, has stayed afloat by borrowing money. However, unlike the federal government, California cannot print money, and is set to run out of “borrowed” cash in a couple of weeks.
While President Barrack Obama’s Administration tries to decide if Italy or Greece is too big to fail, the once “Golden State” is teetering on bankruptcy and risks a devastating new trend for America.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com California’s “golden” status set to run out of money in two weeks - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-s-golden-status-set-to-run-out-of-money-two-weeks#ixzz1dnTUPF00
California’s financials offer proof that the month of October painted serious accounting problems for the state. According to the October Statement of General Fund Cash Receipts and Disbursements report from California State Controller John Chaing, the state’s income plunged by $3.6 billion. On the other side of the balance sheet, California’s spendaholic ways will increase by $10.2 billion this year. The governor and state legislators don’t seem to be smarter than a fifth grader- that's a $6.6 billion deficit.
According to Chriss Street of Cal Watchdog, “California has already drawn down 85 percent of its credit lines and only has $4 billion remaining to fund a $13.8 billion deficit. With the same sovereign credit rating as basket-case Portugal, California’s debt is at maximum risk of being downgraded to ‘junk’ bonds. With credit lines almost tapped-out, the sovereign debt crisis that has hammered Europe may arrive in America.”
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For the past few years California, like the federal government, has stayed afloat by borrowing money. However, unlike the federal government, California cannot print money, and is set to run out of “borrowed” cash in a couple of weeks.
While President Barrack Obama’s Administration tries to decide if Italy or Greece is too big to fail, the once “Golden State” is teetering on bankruptcy and risks a devastating new trend for America.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com California’s “golden” status set to run out of money in two weeks - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-s-golden-status-set-to-run-out-of-money-two-weeks#ixzz1dnTUPF00
Monday, November 14, 2011
State Department expedites college visas to attract more foreign students
In an effort to attract foreign students to study in the United States, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) highlighted efforts to draw future leaders from abroad to attend American colleges.
“We recognize that foreign students bring with them tremendous intellectual, social, and economic benefits,” a Department of State spokesperson said.
The DoS explained they will begin to expedite student visas and that the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs will give student visa appointments special priority.
However, DoS didn’t explain what the expedited process would entail and how they would ensure student visas would not end up in the hands of terrorists like the 9/11 bombers.
Despite some concerns, all U.S. embassies and consulates will process foreign students’ visas within 15 days “to ensure qualified students are able to begin their academic program on time. Worldwide, the maximum wait for a student visa appointment is fewer than 15 days. Foreign students can apply for their visas up to 120 days before their academic programs begin. We always encourage all visa applicants to apply early,” DoS explained.
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Calling the program critical to train worldwide students in an increasing global marketplace, DoS cites that the international student body grew by nine percent last year.
“The consistent growth in international enrollments in the United States attests to the universally recognized pre-eminence of the country’s higher education system… Studying in the United States brought $21.3 billion into the domestic economy. Most importantly, educational exchanges foster mutual understanding, respect, and goodwill between Americans and people around the world,” the DoS finished.
Meanwhile, U.S. students continue to face steep college tuition increases- a hardship that has many students dropping out of universities and joining a stagnant work environment.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com State Department expedites college visas to attract more foreign students - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/state-department-expedites-college-visas-to-attract-more-foreign-students#ixzz1diXDEUgl
“We recognize that foreign students bring with them tremendous intellectual, social, and economic benefits,” a Department of State spokesperson said.
The DoS explained they will begin to expedite student visas and that the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs will give student visa appointments special priority.
However, DoS didn’t explain what the expedited process would entail and how they would ensure student visas would not end up in the hands of terrorists like the 9/11 bombers.
Despite some concerns, all U.S. embassies and consulates will process foreign students’ visas within 15 days “to ensure qualified students are able to begin their academic program on time. Worldwide, the maximum wait for a student visa appointment is fewer than 15 days. Foreign students can apply for their visas up to 120 days before their academic programs begin. We always encourage all visa applicants to apply early,” DoS explained.
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Calling the program critical to train worldwide students in an increasing global marketplace, DoS cites that the international student body grew by nine percent last year.
“The consistent growth in international enrollments in the United States attests to the universally recognized pre-eminence of the country’s higher education system… Studying in the United States brought $21.3 billion into the domestic economy. Most importantly, educational exchanges foster mutual understanding, respect, and goodwill between Americans and people around the world,” the DoS finished.
Meanwhile, U.S. students continue to face steep college tuition increases- a hardship that has many students dropping out of universities and joining a stagnant work environment.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com State Department expedites college visas to attract more foreign students - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/state-department-expedites-college-visas-to-attract-more-foreign-students#ixzz1diXDEUgl
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
DHS set to employ 50,000 returning military veterans by 2012
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new mission, according to Secretary Janet Napolitano, is to have 50,000 veterans employed at the agency by the end of 2012.
Secretary Napolitano announced that “DHS spent more than $1.4 billion with veteran owned small businesses, and surpassed the Small Business Administration's target of spending 3 percent of all contracting dollars with service disabled veteran owned businesses.”
The agency says they recognize the numerous sacrifices veterans make for America, and have developed three strategic objectives to connect with veterans in fulfilling DHS missions: Increasing veteran employment opportunities; expanding contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, and enhancing veteran engagement within the Department of Homeland Security.
Veterans currently comprise 25 percent of all DHS civilian employees, as well as 49,000 active duty and reserve members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
These veterans reportedly serve in support of a full range of mission areas, like Transportation Security Officers, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Federal Protective Service officers, and inside headquarters.
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The agency also participates in several veteran programs, including Operation Warfighter and the Wounded Warrior Program. These veteran-specific programs are structured to recruit and hire veterans, as well as assist disabled veterans expand skills and transition to the civilian workforce.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Secretary Napolitano announced that “DHS spent more than $1.4 billion with veteran owned small businesses, and surpassed the Small Business Administration's target of spending 3 percent of all contracting dollars with service disabled veteran owned businesses.”
The agency says they recognize the numerous sacrifices veterans make for America, and have developed three strategic objectives to connect with veterans in fulfilling DHS missions: Increasing veteran employment opportunities; expanding contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, and enhancing veteran engagement within the Department of Homeland Security.
Veterans currently comprise 25 percent of all DHS civilian employees, as well as 49,000 active duty and reserve members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
These veterans reportedly serve in support of a full range of mission areas, like Transportation Security Officers, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Federal Protective Service officers, and inside headquarters.
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The agency also participates in several veteran programs, including Operation Warfighter and the Wounded Warrior Program. These veteran-specific programs are structured to recruit and hire veterans, as well as assist disabled veterans expand skills and transition to the civilian workforce.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Holder testifies no apology needed for Fast and Furious murdered Agent Terry
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testified to the Judiciary Committee, under oath, that no apologies are needed for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosive’s (ATF) ill-fated gun-walking program that claimed the life of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
Agent Terry was murdered by known-drug smugglers in December of last year. The suspect allegedly used a gun from the Fast and Furious investigation.
Senator John Cornyn (R), whose state of Texas has been the recipient of Fast and Furious guns; ask AG Holder a direct question regarding apologizing for the death of Agent Terry.
“Have you apologized to the family of Brian Terry?”
Holder replied; “I have not apologized. But I certainly regret what happened.”
Cornyn continued; “Have you even talked to them (the family)?”
“I have not,” Holder said.
The Senator continued to ask Holder; “Would you like to apologize for this program that went so wrong, that took the life of a United States law enforcement agent?”
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Holder finished the questioning with; “I certainly regret what happened… I can only imagine the pain his family is feeling… We are not prepared to bury our kids… (However) it’s not fair to assume, however, the mistakes that happened with Fast and Furious directly led to the death of Agent Terry.”
Check back for more details on the Judiciary hearing…
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Agent Terry was murdered by known-drug smugglers in December of last year. The suspect allegedly used a gun from the Fast and Furious investigation.
Senator John Cornyn (R), whose state of Texas has been the recipient of Fast and Furious guns; ask AG Holder a direct question regarding apologizing for the death of Agent Terry.
“Have you apologized to the family of Brian Terry?”
Holder replied; “I have not apologized. But I certainly regret what happened.”
Cornyn continued; “Have you even talked to them (the family)?”
“I have not,” Holder said.
The Senator continued to ask Holder; “Would you like to apologize for this program that went so wrong, that took the life of a United States law enforcement agent?”
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Holder finished the questioning with; “I certainly regret what happened… I can only imagine the pain his family is feeling… We are not prepared to bury our kids… (However) it’s not fair to assume, however, the mistakes that happened with Fast and Furious directly led to the death of Agent Terry.”
Check back for more details on the Judiciary hearing…
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
White House turns its focus to job creation for veterans coming home from war
The White House along with many veterans’ organizations announced support for the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior Tax Credits that will provide military personnel easier entry into the civilian workforce.
The White House said the Returning Heroes Tax Credit incentivizes companies that hire unemployed veterans with a tax credit of $5,600 per veteran. Similarly, the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit would offer employers that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities a tax credit of $9,600.
“No veteran should have to fight for a job at home after they fight for our nation overseas,” said President Barrack Obama. “Congress should pass the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credits, but we can’t wait for Congress to act. That’s why today, I am directing my Administration to move forward with three initiatives that will help make it easier for veterans to find jobs when they return home. Unfortunately, we have not yet seen progress in Congress.”
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While the overall program is welcomed by veterans across the country, the fact that Washington DC continues to play political football with the military issues angers most Americans.
“Senate Republicans have so far chosen to block these bills and these proposals,” the President said at a press conference earlier today. However, Obama demonstrates that he can’t resist injecting politics into the issue. The President knows it is the defection of a few Senate Democrats that effectively killed legislation.
However, in an effort to run against a do nothing Congress, Obama continues to skirt the Congressional process by submitting a flurry of executive orders. “As Commander-in-Chief, I won’t wait, nor will I let politics get in the way of making sure that veterans share in the opportunity that they defend. If Congress won’t act, I will.”
This political theater shouldn’t detract from the real issues of joblessness for America’s returning warriors. Leading support for the new program is the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“The American Legion, on behalf of its 2.4-million members, appreciates the efforts of President Obama and Congress to curb the unacceptably high rate of unemployment among the men and women who have selflessly served our country,” said Peter Gaytan, Executive Director of the American Legion. “Tax credits will augment the good and patriotic intentions of employers with tangible, financial incentives. The rewards will be great for them and, most importantly, for the most deserving of our citizens, our military veterans.”
Americans agree, the jobless numbers for veterans remain too high. During the past decade, approximately 3 million service members have transitioned from a military career in to civilian life. This number is expected to increase by approximately one million veterans over the next five years as the wars in the Middle East continue to wind down.
“The men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation deserve a square deal in the job market,” said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Donald L. Samuels.
The President also launched several programs that will make it easier for veterans to gain employment in the private sector. They include:
Veteran Gold Card: Effective today, Post-9/11 veterans will be able to download the Veteran Gold Card, which entitles them to enhanced services including six months of personalized case management, assessments and counseling, at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. This could help serve the more than 200,000 unemployed Post-9/11 veterans. The President directed the Department of Labor tolaunch this initiative in his August 5, 2011 speech at the Navy Yard.
My Next Move for Veterans: The Department of Labor will launch My Next Move for Veterans, a new online resource that allows veterans to enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. The site will also include information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.
Creating a Veterans Job Bank: Starting Monday, the Administration will launch the Veterans Job Bank, at National Resource Directory, an easy to use tool to help veterans find job postings from companies looking to hire them. It already searches over 500,000 job postings and is growing. In a few easy steps, companies can make sure the job postings on their own websites are part of this Veterans Job Bank.
This week marks Veteran’s Day and American workers and children will get a day off for reflection. “Standing up for our veterans is not a Democratic responsibility or a Republican responsibility, it is an American responsibility,” Obama finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The White House said the Returning Heroes Tax Credit incentivizes companies that hire unemployed veterans with a tax credit of $5,600 per veteran. Similarly, the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit would offer employers that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities a tax credit of $9,600.
“No veteran should have to fight for a job at home after they fight for our nation overseas,” said President Barrack Obama. “Congress should pass the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credits, but we can’t wait for Congress to act. That’s why today, I am directing my Administration to move forward with three initiatives that will help make it easier for veterans to find jobs when they return home. Unfortunately, we have not yet seen progress in Congress.”
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While the overall program is welcomed by veterans across the country, the fact that Washington DC continues to play political football with the military issues angers most Americans.
“Senate Republicans have so far chosen to block these bills and these proposals,” the President said at a press conference earlier today. However, Obama demonstrates that he can’t resist injecting politics into the issue. The President knows it is the defection of a few Senate Democrats that effectively killed legislation.
However, in an effort to run against a do nothing Congress, Obama continues to skirt the Congressional process by submitting a flurry of executive orders. “As Commander-in-Chief, I won’t wait, nor will I let politics get in the way of making sure that veterans share in the opportunity that they defend. If Congress won’t act, I will.”
This political theater shouldn’t detract from the real issues of joblessness for America’s returning warriors. Leading support for the new program is the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“The American Legion, on behalf of its 2.4-million members, appreciates the efforts of President Obama and Congress to curb the unacceptably high rate of unemployment among the men and women who have selflessly served our country,” said Peter Gaytan, Executive Director of the American Legion. “Tax credits will augment the good and patriotic intentions of employers with tangible, financial incentives. The rewards will be great for them and, most importantly, for the most deserving of our citizens, our military veterans.”
Americans agree, the jobless numbers for veterans remain too high. During the past decade, approximately 3 million service members have transitioned from a military career in to civilian life. This number is expected to increase by approximately one million veterans over the next five years as the wars in the Middle East continue to wind down.
“The men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation deserve a square deal in the job market,” said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Donald L. Samuels.
The President also launched several programs that will make it easier for veterans to gain employment in the private sector. They include:
Veteran Gold Card: Effective today, Post-9/11 veterans will be able to download the Veteran Gold Card, which entitles them to enhanced services including six months of personalized case management, assessments and counseling, at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. This could help serve the more than 200,000 unemployed Post-9/11 veterans. The President directed the Department of Labor tolaunch this initiative in his August 5, 2011 speech at the Navy Yard.
My Next Move for Veterans: The Department of Labor will launch My Next Move for Veterans, a new online resource that allows veterans to enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. The site will also include information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.
Creating a Veterans Job Bank: Starting Monday, the Administration will launch the Veterans Job Bank, at National Resource Directory, an easy to use tool to help veterans find job postings from companies looking to hire them. It already searches over 500,000 job postings and is growing. In a few easy steps, companies can make sure the job postings on their own websites are part of this Veterans Job Bank.
This week marks Veteran’s Day and American workers and children will get a day off for reflection. “Standing up for our veterans is not a Democratic responsibility or a Republican responsibility, it is an American responsibility,” Obama finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Mexican Mafia leader a.k.a. “The Bat” sentenced to life in prison
In California, it’s three strikes and life in prison, and in the case of Jose Alberto Marquez “The Bat” the rest of his life will be spent behind bars.
After a four-day trial, the known Mexican Mafia defendant received a guilty verdict for distributing methamphetamine and intent to distribute drugs.
According to evidence presented at trial by U.S Attorney Laura Duffy, “Marquez is a documented Member of the Mexican Mafia, a prison gang based out of Southern California. Jurors learned during the course of the trial that the Mexican Mafia uses violence and extortion to exert influence in both state and federal prisons and on the streets of Southern California. Leaders in the Mexican Mafia, like Marquez, are called Members. While most Members are in custody, they are still able to direct the activities of local gang members who are out of custody. These gang members constitute the associates and soldiers of the Mexican Mafia.”
Marquez was extradited from Mexico when he traveled south of the border to escape U.S. drug charges. He is also a recognized member of the Del Sol gang.
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Leading up to the trial “jurors learned that after April 2007, Marquez, orchestrated a methamphetamine deal from his jail cell involving multiple Mexican Mafia associates.”
Witnesses testified that “The Bat” operated business as usual drug sales while in jail.
Eyewitness testified in court that Marquez reached out to cartel associates using a telephone at the jail. However, unbeknownst to “The Bat,” those calls were recorded proving that even a jail cell would not hinder Marquez’s drug trafficking operation. Jurors also watched undercover video of drug sale transactions.
California’s three strikes rule ensures the Bat will never leave the prison system, but if history repeats itself, Marquez will attempt to move drugs while he serves time inside prison walls.
This investigation was conducted by the San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force - A Gang Group that investigates the illegal activities of the Mexican Mafia prison gangs in the U.S.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
After a four-day trial, the known Mexican Mafia defendant received a guilty verdict for distributing methamphetamine and intent to distribute drugs.
According to evidence presented at trial by U.S Attorney Laura Duffy, “Marquez is a documented Member of the Mexican Mafia, a prison gang based out of Southern California. Jurors learned during the course of the trial that the Mexican Mafia uses violence and extortion to exert influence in both state and federal prisons and on the streets of Southern California. Leaders in the Mexican Mafia, like Marquez, are called Members. While most Members are in custody, they are still able to direct the activities of local gang members who are out of custody. These gang members constitute the associates and soldiers of the Mexican Mafia.”
Marquez was extradited from Mexico when he traveled south of the border to escape U.S. drug charges. He is also a recognized member of the Del Sol gang.
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Leading up to the trial “jurors learned that after April 2007, Marquez, orchestrated a methamphetamine deal from his jail cell involving multiple Mexican Mafia associates.”
Witnesses testified that “The Bat” operated business as usual drug sales while in jail.
Eyewitness testified in court that Marquez reached out to cartel associates using a telephone at the jail. However, unbeknownst to “The Bat,” those calls were recorded proving that even a jail cell would not hinder Marquez’s drug trafficking operation. Jurors also watched undercover video of drug sale transactions.
California’s three strikes rule ensures the Bat will never leave the prison system, but if history repeats itself, Marquez will attempt to move drugs while he serves time inside prison walls.
This investigation was conducted by the San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force - A Gang Group that investigates the illegal activities of the Mexican Mafia prison gangs in the U.S.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
New under-border tunnel found in San Diego- BP nets 5 illegals
American authorities discovered a new under U.S./Mexico-border tunnel earlier today. Inside the tunnel, Border Patrol found five illegal border crossers trying to navigate through a cramped 2 ½-by-2 ½ foot conduit hole typically used for natural gas lines.
The four men a one woman were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents near the secondary fence, according to BP Agent Michael Jimenez.
Agent Jimenez explained that Border Patrol located the illegal aliens entering the tunnel on the Mexican-side of the border and waited for them to cross. The first border crosser popped out of the tunnel on the U.S.-side and immediately requested assistance from Border Patrol agents.
Apparently, one of the men was lodged inside the tunnel and needed assistance from firefighters to wiggle out of the cramped tunnel.
According to Jimenez, another apprehended illegal alien told Border Patrol agents that they paid a human smuggler $5,000 to cross illegally into the U.S.
All of the illegal border crossers were taken into custody, where they will undergo identification checks to determine if they are wanted in connection with any other U.S. crimes. If they are first-timers, Border Patrol will most likely return them to their home nation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
The four men a one woman were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents near the secondary fence, according to BP Agent Michael Jimenez.
Agent Jimenez explained that Border Patrol located the illegal aliens entering the tunnel on the Mexican-side of the border and waited for them to cross. The first border crosser popped out of the tunnel on the U.S.-side and immediately requested assistance from Border Patrol agents.
Apparently, one of the men was lodged inside the tunnel and needed assistance from firefighters to wiggle out of the cramped tunnel.
According to Jimenez, another apprehended illegal alien told Border Patrol agents that they paid a human smuggler $5,000 to cross illegally into the U.S.
All of the illegal border crossers were taken into custody, where they will undergo identification checks to determine if they are wanted in connection with any other U.S. crimes. If they are first-timers, Border Patrol will most likely return them to their home nation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Mexican soldiers seize large “pot-throwing” catapults from cartels
With the nation’s southern border facing more scrutiny than ever before, it was the Mexican military that found large catapults typically used to sling illicit drugs over the border fence near Douglas, Arizona.
A statement released yesterday by Mexican authorities indicated they followed an anonymous tip to a border city neighborhood. Military troops entered an Agua Prieta house and located one catapult in a truck and another in the residence.
A search of the home led to the Mexican soldiers seizing 1.4 tons of marijuana that was headed to U.S. cities. Earlier this year, law enforcement agents said they nabbed two other drug-like catapults.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
A statement released yesterday by Mexican authorities indicated they followed an anonymous tip to a border city neighborhood. Military troops entered an Agua Prieta house and located one catapult in a truck and another in the residence.
A search of the home led to the Mexican soldiers seizing 1.4 tons of marijuana that was headed to U.S. cities. Earlier this year, law enforcement agents said they nabbed two other drug-like catapults.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Monday, October 31, 2011
Operation Pipeline Express in Arizona nets millions of dollars, drugs & firearms
Arizona local, state and federal authorities publicized results of a nearly 18-month multi-agency drug cartel investigation. The joint-task force “Operation Pipeline Express” successfully brought down a billion-dollar narcotic ring in the Arizona desert.
The agencies represented included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Attorney General’s, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told media outlets that the Sinaloa drug cartel suffered a huge disruption from Arizona law enforcement.
“Today we have dealt a significant blow to a Mexican criminal enterprise that has been responsible for poisoning our communities with the distribution of millions of dollars' worth of marijuana, cocaine and heroin,” said Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne. “I find it completely unacceptable that Arizona neighborhoods are treated as a trading floor for narcotics. This case is the result of an outstanding partnership between federal and county law enforcement authorities and the Arizona Attorney General's office, which will handle the prosecution. These partnerships are essential to making sure these criminals experience the full force of the justice system.”
Authorities pointed out that the massive drug cartel ring built cells throughout western Arizona, and they used backpackers as well as vehicles to various “stash houses” which ultimately sent the illicit drugs to major U.S. cities.
This latest sweep was the third large-scale enforcement raids carried out under “Operation Pipeline Express.” So far, officials say 76 various cartel employees have been arrested. Last week’s warranted searches also netted two tons of marijuana, 19 firearms and $200,000.
“Through our joint efforts, we've sent a resounding message to the Mexican cartels that Arizona is off limits to their operatives,” said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge for HSI in Arizona. “As this case makes clear, law enforcement in Arizona is united in its resolve to protect our communities and our country from the scourge of large-scale narcotics trafficking. We stand ready to use every tool and resource at our disposal to attack and dismantle these organizations.”
While “Operation Pipeline Express” seized more than 3.3 million pounds of marijuana, 20,000 pounds of cocaine, 10,000 pounds of heroin and $2 billion in illicit proceeds, Arizona authorities garnered much-needed intelligence on the way the Sinaloa cartel operates.
“We in Arizona continue to stand and fight the Mexican drug cartels, who think they own the place,” said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. “This is America and we shall bring a crushing hand of enforcement against those who threaten our families and our national security. While this is a historic drug bust, sadly this represents only a fraction of what my deputies face every day.”
Arizona law enforcement agencies said it appeared that the Sinaloa drug cartel garnered a huge-profit margin in western Arizona due to the lack of drug cartel competition.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
The agencies represented included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Attorney General’s, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told media outlets that the Sinaloa drug cartel suffered a huge disruption from Arizona law enforcement.
“Today we have dealt a significant blow to a Mexican criminal enterprise that has been responsible for poisoning our communities with the distribution of millions of dollars' worth of marijuana, cocaine and heroin,” said Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne. “I find it completely unacceptable that Arizona neighborhoods are treated as a trading floor for narcotics. This case is the result of an outstanding partnership between federal and county law enforcement authorities and the Arizona Attorney General's office, which will handle the prosecution. These partnerships are essential to making sure these criminals experience the full force of the justice system.”
Authorities pointed out that the massive drug cartel ring built cells throughout western Arizona, and they used backpackers as well as vehicles to various “stash houses” which ultimately sent the illicit drugs to major U.S. cities.
This latest sweep was the third large-scale enforcement raids carried out under “Operation Pipeline Express.” So far, officials say 76 various cartel employees have been arrested. Last week’s warranted searches also netted two tons of marijuana, 19 firearms and $200,000.
“Through our joint efforts, we've sent a resounding message to the Mexican cartels that Arizona is off limits to their operatives,” said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge for HSI in Arizona. “As this case makes clear, law enforcement in Arizona is united in its resolve to protect our communities and our country from the scourge of large-scale narcotics trafficking. We stand ready to use every tool and resource at our disposal to attack and dismantle these organizations.”
While “Operation Pipeline Express” seized more than 3.3 million pounds of marijuana, 20,000 pounds of cocaine, 10,000 pounds of heroin and $2 billion in illicit proceeds, Arizona authorities garnered much-needed intelligence on the way the Sinaloa cartel operates.
“We in Arizona continue to stand and fight the Mexican drug cartels, who think they own the place,” said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. “This is America and we shall bring a crushing hand of enforcement against those who threaten our families and our national security. While this is a historic drug bust, sadly this represents only a fraction of what my deputies face every day.”
Arizona law enforcement agencies said it appeared that the Sinaloa drug cartel garnered a huge-profit margin in western Arizona due to the lack of drug cartel competition.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Armas Cruzadas- DHS Sec. Napolitano’s own Mexican gun-trafficking operation
While Operation Fast and Furious remains a thorn in U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s side, it looks like Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano may soon begin sharing the pain.
Sec. Napolitano recently informed the House Judiciary Committee she had no knowledge of Fast and Furious, but omitted to mention her own department was running Operation Armas Cruzadas.
Operation Armas Cruzadas highlights another crucial factor – that the Mexican government had more of a role in the cartel arms trafficking business than just playing the victim.
This new information dovetails with complaints by Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents in the Phoenix office that complained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Team VII regularly called “dibs” on gun trafficking cases in order to “get credit” for splashy narco-related investigations. One agent explained that the atmosphere seemed more focused on press conferences and ego rather than commonsense.
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The DHS memorandum reveals that ICE ran Operation Armas Cruzadas with the full knowledge of Arturo Chávez Chávez,Mexican Attorney General in an effort to ostensibly prosecute cartels in Mexico using U.S. intelligence and agents. This is a departure from Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Operation Fast and Furious where the Mexican government claimed it knew nothing about the gun-walking program.
The Mexican Attorney General agreed it was beneficial for both “…governments to work in a coordinated fashion to prevent, discourage and process arms traffickers,” the documents disclosed.
These documents demonstrate ICE remains more involved in the gun trafficking business than anybody knew or Sec. Napolitano was willing to admit to Congress.
However, Operation Armas Cruzadas doesn’t seem to include any input by ATF agents and this arms trafficking investigation has escaped scrutiny by the media. Perhaps, a bloated-bureaucratic DHS crossed its fingers hoping Operation Armas Cruzadas would not be discovered by the media?
Also, intelligence gathering in a post 9/11 world has accomplished a couple of things; first, it makes it easier for agencies to conduct investigations with little oversight under the guise of national security. And second, the infamous new age of electronic intelligence gathering provides law enforcement agencies with plausible deniability.
This is the first report concerning Operation Armas Cruzadas and a series of stories will provide more information on this gun-trafficking program in the coming days.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Sec. Napolitano recently informed the House Judiciary Committee she had no knowledge of Fast and Furious, but omitted to mention her own department was running Operation Armas Cruzadas.
Operation Armas Cruzadas highlights another crucial factor – that the Mexican government had more of a role in the cartel arms trafficking business than just playing the victim.
This new information dovetails with complaints by Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents in the Phoenix office that complained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Team VII regularly called “dibs” on gun trafficking cases in order to “get credit” for splashy narco-related investigations. One agent explained that the atmosphere seemed more focused on press conferences and ego rather than commonsense.
Advertisement
The DHS memorandum reveals that ICE ran Operation Armas Cruzadas with the full knowledge of Arturo Chávez Chávez,Mexican Attorney General in an effort to ostensibly prosecute cartels in Mexico using U.S. intelligence and agents. This is a departure from Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Operation Fast and Furious where the Mexican government claimed it knew nothing about the gun-walking program.
The Mexican Attorney General agreed it was beneficial for both “…governments to work in a coordinated fashion to prevent, discourage and process arms traffickers,” the documents disclosed.
These documents demonstrate ICE remains more involved in the gun trafficking business than anybody knew or Sec. Napolitano was willing to admit to Congress.
However, Operation Armas Cruzadas doesn’t seem to include any input by ATF agents and this arms trafficking investigation has escaped scrutiny by the media. Perhaps, a bloated-bureaucratic DHS crossed its fingers hoping Operation Armas Cruzadas would not be discovered by the media?
Also, intelligence gathering in a post 9/11 world has accomplished a couple of things; first, it makes it easier for agencies to conduct investigations with little oversight under the guise of national security. And second, the infamous new age of electronic intelligence gathering provides law enforcement agencies with plausible deniability.
This is the first report concerning Operation Armas Cruzadas and a series of stories will provide more information on this gun-trafficking program in the coming days.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
To reach Kimberly Dvorak email; kimberly.dvorak@hotmail.com
Friday, October 28, 2011
Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol
Interior Border Patrol checkpoints continue to slow drug smugglers progress and capture illicit drugs before they hit the streets. Yesterday, a Mexican national male, was apprehended when he tried to smuggle nine bundles of cocaine into the U.S.
“A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and agents subsequently discovered 21.2 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire with an estimated street value of $211,200,” according to Scott Simon, Border Patrol Agent from San Diego.
The alleged-drug smuggler and the cocaine were taken into custody and handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to face charges.
Border Patrol Agents from interior checkpoints busted several U.S. citizens for trafficking marijuana this week. The agents found approximately 150 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $200,000. All the alleged-drug smugglers were arrested and booked into county jail. Border Patrol Agents detained the marijuana and vehicles.
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Since October 1, 2010, the San Diego Sector Border Patrol has seized approximately 2,331 pounds of cocaine, 578 pounds of methamphetamine and 68,722 pounds of marijuana.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/drug-seizures-san-diego-continue-with-border-patrol#ixzz1c7qyH2lc
“A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and agents subsequently discovered 21.2 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire with an estimated street value of $211,200,” according to Scott Simon, Border Patrol Agent from San Diego.
The alleged-drug smuggler and the cocaine were taken into custody and handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to face charges.
Border Patrol Agents from interior checkpoints busted several U.S. citizens for trafficking marijuana this week. The agents found approximately 150 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $200,000. All the alleged-drug smugglers were arrested and booked into county jail. Border Patrol Agents detained the marijuana and vehicles.
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Since October 1, 2010, the San Diego Sector Border Patrol has seized approximately 2,331 pounds of cocaine, 578 pounds of methamphetamine and 68,722 pounds of marijuana.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Drug seizures in San Diego continue with Border Patrol - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/drug-seizures-san-diego-continue-with-border-patrol#ixzz1c7qyH2lc
Thursday, October 27, 2011
California pension crisis tops the country’s debt at a whopping $612 billion
A new PEW study puts California at the top of the pension debt crisis with at least $612 billion in obligations followed by New Jersey at $183 Billion and Illinois with a $150 billion.
The shocking new PEW study projected the country is on the hook for approximately $2 trillion dollars for all states, says Capoliticalnews.
“Using the higher pension gap number, State Budget Solutions said California is in the biggest financial hole — with total debt of more than $612 billion. New York follows with $305 billion of debt, and then Texas, with total debt of $283 billion. Vermont has the lowest amount of total debt at just over $6 billion,” a story from Bloomberg reported.
California’s State Controller John Chiang explains California’s state pension crisis is causing big headaches for state politicians. According to the state’s latest money projections, “the State ended last fiscal year with a cash deficit of $8.2 billion. The combined current year cash deficit stands at $17.6 billion. Those deficits are being covered with $12.2 billion of internal borrowing (temporary loans from special funds) and $5.4 billion of external borrowing).”
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When it comes to unemployment, 11.9 percent, California will borrow the most in the country to cover its unemployment benefit checks- $8.6 billion.
Keeping these financial concerns in mind California’s Governor, Jerry Brown will address state legislators on the pension tsunami flooding the state.
“Given the paramount importance of pensions to both taxpayers and public employees, it is absolutely critical that we carefully examine our current assumptions and practices,” Brown stated in a letter to Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino), and Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D-Gardena). “We have to do our best to make sure that we have a system that is fair and truly sustainable over the long time horizon that our pension and health systems require.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The shocking new PEW study projected the country is on the hook for approximately $2 trillion dollars for all states, says Capoliticalnews.
“Using the higher pension gap number, State Budget Solutions said California is in the biggest financial hole — with total debt of more than $612 billion. New York follows with $305 billion of debt, and then Texas, with total debt of $283 billion. Vermont has the lowest amount of total debt at just over $6 billion,” a story from Bloomberg reported.
California’s State Controller John Chiang explains California’s state pension crisis is causing big headaches for state politicians. According to the state’s latest money projections, “the State ended last fiscal year with a cash deficit of $8.2 billion. The combined current year cash deficit stands at $17.6 billion. Those deficits are being covered with $12.2 billion of internal borrowing (temporary loans from special funds) and $5.4 billion of external borrowing).”
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When it comes to unemployment, 11.9 percent, California will borrow the most in the country to cover its unemployment benefit checks- $8.6 billion.
Keeping these financial concerns in mind California’s Governor, Jerry Brown will address state legislators on the pension tsunami flooding the state.
“Given the paramount importance of pensions to both taxpayers and public employees, it is absolutely critical that we carefully examine our current assumptions and practices,” Brown stated in a letter to Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino), and Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D-Gardena). “We have to do our best to make sure that we have a system that is fair and truly sustainable over the long time horizon that our pension and health systems require.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
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