It is now being reported that the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Kenneth Melson, will leave his BATFE post and join the Department of Justice (DOJ) staff. The continuation of “business as usual” in Washington DC reaffirms accountability in federal agencies is hard to come by.
Both DOJ and BAFTE played major roles in the “gun walking” program that left at least one federal agent murdered and a number of other deaths south of the border in Mexico. The Brouhaha eventually led to the suspension of “Fast and Furious,” but after months of investigations, no one has been fired from either agency.
A July 4 meeting between ATF front-man Melson and Congressional investigators revealed the DOJ has actively engaged in a “cover-up” and “remain silent” campaign concerning the controversial firearm program that allowed U.S. weapons to cross into Mexico and in to the hands of criminals.
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The hush, hush meeting revealed a couple of things, first, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder knew a lot more about this operation than he has previously admitted and Melson will not be the Obama Administration fall guy.
This investigation began when senior Republican Congressional lawmakers embarked on a quest to find out why Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered in December of last year with a gun that traced back to an ATF program. However, Agent Terry’s family and lawmakers were met with roadblocks from ATF leaders.
That all changed with the Fourth of July meeting between lawmakers and investigators when Melson exposed that it was the Department of Justice (DOJ) who effectively silenced ATF leaders.
The secret meeting also produced admissions that ATF “made many mistakes” with the notorious gun walking program “Fast and Furious.” In fact, Melson's private attorney, Richard Cullen, a former federal prosecutor was present at the July 4 meeting with investigators to protect the acting director.
As Congressional investigators collect data and build a case, ATF decided to insulate key "Fast and Furious" players in their Washington DC headquarters. Melson’s move to DOJ completes the trifecta.
Earlier this month ATF announced three key players in the Arizona ill-fated “gun-walking” program would accept promotions and move to ATF's DC headquarters.
It’s especially ironic that William McMahon, who testified at a recent hearing that plenty of mistakes were made and failed to report those mistakes to his supervisors, will now be in charge of ATF’s ethics department. His official title, Deputy Assistant Director of ATF’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations will solidify his unaccountability.
William Newell will also make the trip to DC for his promotion to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director for ATF’s Office of Management. And finally, Arizona’s “Fast and Furious” ground supervisor, David Voth heads to Washington DC and will oversee ATF’s Tobacco Division as Branch Chief.
As the country approaches the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, America and her enemies now recognize that agencies like the DOJ, FBI, DEA and ATF are not sharing intelligence and continue to put intra-agency politics ahead of national security.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Continue reading on Examiner.com ATF Director Melson reassigned to DOJ amid “Fast & Furious” scandal - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/atf-director-melson-reassigned-to-doj-amid-fast-furious-scandal-1#ixzz1WX0Q5mx5
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
California’s DREAM Act part 2- public assistance expected to clear Senate
Part two of California’s DREAM Act that seeks to provide financial aid for illegal aliens hits the Senate floor. The controversial DREAM Act legislation is expected to pass along party lines that heavily favor Democrats.
AB 131 is sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and proposes illegal alien students can compete for the $40 million in public financial aid like Cal Grants and other fee waivers.
Earlier this year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed part one of the (DREAM ACT) college package AB 130 into law. This law granted illegal alien students access to the state’s $88 million in private financial aid.
As uncertain economic conditions persist, illegal alien access to taxpayer money is sure to create much more opposition. “I struggle to stay in college and depend on financial-aid packages,” said Emily Sanchez, a California State student. “We should not be offering money to those in country illegally before every American student who wants to go to college- period.”
Continue reading on Examiner.com California’s DREAM Act part 2- public assistance expected to clear Senate - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-s-dream-act-part-2-public-assistance-expected-to-clear-senate#ixzz1WAjrZWRY
AB 131 is sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and proposes illegal alien students can compete for the $40 million in public financial aid like Cal Grants and other fee waivers.
Earlier this year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed part one of the (DREAM ACT) college package AB 130 into law. This law granted illegal alien students access to the state’s $88 million in private financial aid.
As uncertain economic conditions persist, illegal alien access to taxpayer money is sure to create much more opposition. “I struggle to stay in college and depend on financial-aid packages,” said Emily Sanchez, a California State student. “We should not be offering money to those in country illegally before every American student who wants to go to college- period.”
Continue reading on Examiner.com California’s DREAM Act part 2- public assistance expected to clear Senate - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/california-s-dream-act-part-2-public-assistance-expected-to-clear-senate#ixzz1WAjrZWRY
Thursday, August 25, 2011
San Diego to get million dollar-solar energy project from the Obama Admin
Imperial County, just east of San Diego, has been approved to connect a 250-megawatt solar-power project to California’s energy grid something that will generate power for about 75,000 homes, according to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
The solar project is expected to create more than 250 jobs during construction and add approximately $5 million in sales tax to the job-starved state.
“Through smart site(ing) of projects, early environmental review and a coordinated approval process, Interior is helping to stand up a renewable energy economy, spurring innovation, job-creation, and investment in the private sector,” Secretary Salazar said about the CSOLAR Development project. “When constructed, this solar project will add to a growing, sustainable energy strategy that will power our local communities and economies.”
This new energy plant represents the Obama Administration’s commitment to solar, wind, geothermal and transmission projects.
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“The solar project itself will be constructed on private, fallowed farm lands near El Centro,” said Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey. “This transmission line will be placed in an area already designated as a transmission corridor. The entire project is sited in a perfect spot for renewable energy development in the California desert.”
The Interior Department’s continued commitment to responsible development of renewable energy was able to move this project forward after conducting an extensive environmental review with the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessments (EIR/EA).
The EIR/EA worked jointly with the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy and County of Imperial, to meet the ecological requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
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 San Diego to get million dollar-solar energy project from the Obama Admin - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/san-diego-to-get-million-dollar-solar-energy-project-from-the-obama-admin#ixzz1W45apMMe
The solar project is expected to create more than 250 jobs during construction and add approximately $5 million in sales tax to the job-starved state.
“Through smart site(ing) of projects, early environmental review and a coordinated approval process, Interior is helping to stand up a renewable energy economy, spurring innovation, job-creation, and investment in the private sector,” Secretary Salazar said about the CSOLAR Development project. “When constructed, this solar project will add to a growing, sustainable energy strategy that will power our local communities and economies.”
This new energy plant represents the Obama Administration’s commitment to solar, wind, geothermal and transmission projects.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
“The solar project itself will be constructed on private, fallowed farm lands near El Centro,” said Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey. “This transmission line will be placed in an area already designated as a transmission corridor. The entire project is sited in a perfect spot for renewable energy development in the California desert.”
The Interior Department’s continued commitment to responsible development of renewable energy was able to move this project forward after conducting an extensive environmental review with the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessments (EIR/EA).
The EIR/EA worked jointly with the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy and County of Imperial, to meet the ecological requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
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 San Diego to get million dollar-solar energy project from the Obama Admin - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/san-diego-to-get-million-dollar-solar-energy-project-from-the-obama-admin#ixzz1W45apMMe
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A 5K walk slated for August to raise awareness for human trafficking
“California Against Slavery” will hold its second annual 5K fundraising event on August 28 at Harbor Island Park in San Diego. The event will highlight the need to end human trafficking and funds raised will assist the organization inact measures to curtail modern-day slavery.
All proceeds from the event will go toward a "Move to Stop Modern Day Slavery" a 2012 ballot initiative that will strengthen human trafficking laws and increase victims' rights.
The nonprofit organization contends that human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and abusers profit from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor.
“Human trafficking is a criminal business that profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor. It is a modern-day form of slavery,” said Kristine Kil. “Our mission is to defend the freedom of every child, woman and man by empowering the people of California to fulfill our obligation to stop human trafficking.”
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A 5K competitive timed race and a 5K walk are set to kick off on August 28. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The competitive race will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 8:45 a.m. A post-event party will include more information about the effects of human trafficking as well as snacks and awards.
For more information regarding the event; http://californiaagainstslavery.org/get-involved/walk/
Or http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
All proceeds from the event will go toward a "Move to Stop Modern Day Slavery" a 2012 ballot initiative that will strengthen human trafficking laws and increase victims' rights.
The nonprofit organization contends that human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and abusers profit from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor.
“Human trafficking is a criminal business that profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor. It is a modern-day form of slavery,” said Kristine Kil. “Our mission is to defend the freedom of every child, woman and man by empowering the people of California to fulfill our obligation to stop human trafficking.”
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
A 5K competitive timed race and a 5K walk are set to kick off on August 28. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The competitive race will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 8:45 a.m. A post-event party will include more information about the effects of human trafficking as well as snacks and awards.
For more information regarding the event; http://californiaagainstslavery.org/get-involved/walk/
Or http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Border Patrol makes huge crystal meth drug bust in San Diego
Border Patrol agents at freeway checkpoints thwarted two major drug smuggling attempts and netted a combined seizure of $1.1 million of crystal methamphetamine.
BP agents came across two 19-year-old male United States citizens as they arrived at a San Diego freeway checkpoint. The pair was driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla when agents noticed inconsistent answers to general Border Patrol questions. That behavior landed the men in the secondary inspection center.
“A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the driver’s side doors,” said a CBP Press Officer. “Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a hidden compartment inside a speaker box located in the trunk. Inside the compartment, agents found 24 bundles of methamphetamine with a total weight of 30.98 pounds and an estimated street value of $619,600.”
A second freeway checkpoint bust saw Border Patrol agents seize another load of meth worth approximately $470,000 just east San Diego. “Agents discovered 30 bundles totaling 23.5 pounds of the illicit narcotic in a non-factory compartment inside a vehicle’s rear bumper. In total, the two meth seizures are worth nearly $1.1 million on the street,” CBP said.
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The suspected smugglers and drugs were detained and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Between October 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 66,350 pounds of marijuana, 1,729 pounds of cocaine, and 393 pounds of methamphetamine.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
BP agents came across two 19-year-old male United States citizens as they arrived at a San Diego freeway checkpoint. The pair was driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla when agents noticed inconsistent answers to general Border Patrol questions. That behavior landed the men in the secondary inspection center.
“A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the driver’s side doors,” said a CBP Press Officer. “Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a hidden compartment inside a speaker box located in the trunk. Inside the compartment, agents found 24 bundles of methamphetamine with a total weight of 30.98 pounds and an estimated street value of $619,600.”
A second freeway checkpoint bust saw Border Patrol agents seize another load of meth worth approximately $470,000 just east San Diego. “Agents discovered 30 bundles totaling 23.5 pounds of the illicit narcotic in a non-factory compartment inside a vehicle’s rear bumper. In total, the two meth seizures are worth nearly $1.1 million on the street,” CBP said.
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The suspected smugglers and drugs were detained and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Between October 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 66,350 pounds of marijuana, 1,729 pounds of cocaine, and 393 pounds of methamphetamine.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
ATF promotes 3 ‘fast and furious’ leaders just another ‘screw-up and move-up’
Instead of firing ATF supervisors for an ill-fated gun program, ATF brass promotes three key players in the “fast and furious” debacle. The “screw-up, move-up” position is nothing new for the federal government.
The controversial Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearm and Explosives' (ATF) “gun walking” program set out to nab cartel gun buyers (straw purchasers), gain media notoriety and add a notch to the agent's belt. However, the failed “fast and furious” program allowed known-criminals to purchase firearms without any beacon-type device to follow the weapons as they made their way to cartel henchmen.
According to ATF agents, there are more than 4,000 open investigations operating under “project gunrunner.”
While Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) focus on Arizona’s “fast and furious,” the country should be demanding all “project gunrunner” investigations be scrutinized. ATF sources contend a number of these investigations continue to operate under questionable rules and will allow "walked guns" to show up at crime scenes for years to come.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
As Congressional investigators collect data and build a case, ATF decided to insulate key "fast and furious" players in their Washington DC headquarters.
It’s especially ironic that William McMahon, who testified at a recent hearing that plenty of mistakes were made, failed to report those mistakes to his supervisors, will now be in charge of ATF’s ethics department. His official title, Deputy Assistant Director of ATF’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations will solidify his unaccountability.
The Special Agent in Charge of Arizona and directly involved with “fast and furious,” William Newell will also make the trip to DC for his promotion to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director for ATF’s Office of Management.
And finally, Arizona’s “fast and furious” ground supervisor, David Voth heads to Washington DC and will oversee ATF’s Tobacco Division as Branch Chief.
The ill-fated “fast and furious” program resulted in dozens of Mexican federal officer deaths as well as ATF firearms being recovered at the crime scene where Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry lost his life last December. (Only one man remains in custody. Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, a Mexican national, is charged with second-degree murder).
Of course, the quandary left for the fallen officers’ family is responsibility. ATF Agent Newell displayed arrogance for his role in the gun-walking program when he testified at the Congressional hearings. He could have shut down the investigation at any time. Instead, Newell knew the agency would hand-out promotions in order to cover-up mismanagement.
The following are two stories that highlight the federal government’s practice of rewarding failure.
Screw up; move up in play again in Customs and Border Protection
In another clear screw up move up policy set to purge the Legacy Customs representatives from the agency in order to foster a new ‘Global Patrol’ –CBP moves to appoint a well known insider with liberal leanings regarding amnesty to the top post of Acting Deputy Commissioner of CBP.
David V. Aguilar hails from U.S. Border Patrol where he served under Congressmen Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) and has followed the coattails of ‘friends in high places’ all the way to the CBP Acting Deputy Commissioner slot.
“As Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, David has successfully provided leadership and guidance through a period of unprecedented growth and tremendous change while at the same time strengthened control of our nation’s borders,” says Jayson Ahern outgoing CBP Commissioner. “As Acting Deputy Commissioner, he will bring to the position more than 30 years of border security experience, management, and leadership. He is a tested and proven leader and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities to take on this new role.”
No Confidence
In a memo from Ahern, Aguilar receives high praises for his career in law enforcement. However, Aguilar’s record is rife with controversy, power consolidation, and failures.
First, in February 2007, delegates to the National Border Patrol Council’s biennial convention unanimously endorsed a vote of “No Confidence” in Chief Aguilar.
“The vote was the result of increasing frustration by front line Border Patrol Agents in the decisions of their senior leadership,” T.J. Bonner, NBPC National President, said in a statement. “This lack of leadership has caused morale to plummet, which in turn has accelerated the attrition rate among experienced agents. Unless drastic changes are made soon, the goal of securing our borders will remain as elusive as ever.”
Aguilar again received a “No Confidence” vote from his rank and file agents on February 25, 2009.
According to the representatives of the National Border Patrol Council they unanimously supported a vote of "No Confidence" for Chief Aguilar due to his lack of leadership abilities. Hardly the glowing recommendation Ahern described and another example of the ‘screw up and move up’ policies plaguing the CBP and Department of Homeland Security; Keep reading.
San Diego the latest destination for a screw-up move-up border tour
Chris Maston began his colorful career more than twenty years ago in El Paso, Texas as a Border Patrol agent. In true ‘good ole boy’ fashion Maston moved up the ranks and with each questionable indiscretion, his infamous Customs and Border Protection’s career followed the tried and true rule of “screw up and move up.” This dark path to the top has led to Maston’s new post as Port Director of the Customs and Border Patrol’s busiest port of entry in the country, San Ysidro, located in San Diego.
A press release from CBP stated, “Maston brings to the key San Diego position in-depth experience in overseeing large scale passenger and cargo processing programs. He most recently served more than two years as port director at the Miami International Airport, managing more than 1,300 employees at the largest international operation in the U.S. for air cargo and the second largest for international traveler processing.”
“Maston’s recent responsibilities overseeing international traveler inspections, trade enforcement and tactical enforcement operations will provide the tools he needs to manage the busy 24-lane port of San Ysidro and nearby 13-lane Otay Mesa border station where, on average, 63,000 vehicles and 134,000 travelers enter the U.S. each day, CBP DFO Morris said. Maston served from 2004 to 2006 as the assistant director of border security at CBP’s Miami Field Office. In this position, he oversaw border security operations for the Miami, Port Everglades, Key West and West Palm Beach ports of entry.”
Repeated attempts (phone, email and finally showing up at CBP port offices) to interview Maston about his new post in San Diego were all declined. Even when presented with questions regarding new port duties, what challenges he could face and the implementing of his cargo inspection program Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the new director chose to hide in his office. This begs the question what is he trying to hide?
While mindful of the agency’s important border security mission, Maston said in a press release he will continue to support operations that have proved successful for the field office while striking a working balance between facilitation of legitimate travelers and the need for strong enforcement.
Does this mean Maston will continue his behavior that landed him on the “dontdatehimgirl.com” tell-all web site? The website geared to serial cheaters depicts Maston as a player with multiple work-related affairs. The posting (click here http://www.friendsoftheborderpatrol.com/thereport/CMaston-DontDateHimGirl-Post.pdf) contains a number of postings regarding his time as a top official in Miami.
Can Maston maintain a San Diego CBP Field Office that manages more than 1,800 front-line federal officers at border stations in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, and Andrade as well as the San Diego seaport and international airports? These ports completed approximately 66 million inspections of people, seized more than 145 tons of illegal narcotics and apprehended more than 42,000 immigration violators during the last fiscal year. One assumes this is a fulltime job requiring an enormous amount of time and concentration.
President Ronald Reagan summed it up as, “Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession, I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.” Keep reading here.
The controversial Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearm and Explosives' (ATF) “gun walking” program set out to nab cartel gun buyers (straw purchasers), gain media notoriety and add a notch to the agent's belt. However, the failed “fast and furious” program allowed known-criminals to purchase firearms without any beacon-type device to follow the weapons as they made their way to cartel henchmen.
According to ATF agents, there are more than 4,000 open investigations operating under “project gunrunner.”
While Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) focus on Arizona’s “fast and furious,” the country should be demanding all “project gunrunner” investigations be scrutinized. ATF sources contend a number of these investigations continue to operate under questionable rules and will allow "walked guns" to show up at crime scenes for years to come.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
As Congressional investigators collect data and build a case, ATF decided to insulate key "fast and furious" players in their Washington DC headquarters.
It’s especially ironic that William McMahon, who testified at a recent hearing that plenty of mistakes were made, failed to report those mistakes to his supervisors, will now be in charge of ATF’s ethics department. His official title, Deputy Assistant Director of ATF’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations will solidify his unaccountability.
The Special Agent in Charge of Arizona and directly involved with “fast and furious,” William Newell will also make the trip to DC for his promotion to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director for ATF’s Office of Management.
And finally, Arizona’s “fast and furious” ground supervisor, David Voth heads to Washington DC and will oversee ATF’s Tobacco Division as Branch Chief.
The ill-fated “fast and furious” program resulted in dozens of Mexican federal officer deaths as well as ATF firearms being recovered at the crime scene where Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry lost his life last December. (Only one man remains in custody. Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, a Mexican national, is charged with second-degree murder).
Of course, the quandary left for the fallen officers’ family is responsibility. ATF Agent Newell displayed arrogance for his role in the gun-walking program when he testified at the Congressional hearings. He could have shut down the investigation at any time. Instead, Newell knew the agency would hand-out promotions in order to cover-up mismanagement.
The following are two stories that highlight the federal government’s practice of rewarding failure.
Screw up; move up in play again in Customs and Border Protection
In another clear screw up move up policy set to purge the Legacy Customs representatives from the agency in order to foster a new ‘Global Patrol’ –CBP moves to appoint a well known insider with liberal leanings regarding amnesty to the top post of Acting Deputy Commissioner of CBP.
David V. Aguilar hails from U.S. Border Patrol where he served under Congressmen Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) and has followed the coattails of ‘friends in high places’ all the way to the CBP Acting Deputy Commissioner slot.
“As Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, David has successfully provided leadership and guidance through a period of unprecedented growth and tremendous change while at the same time strengthened control of our nation’s borders,” says Jayson Ahern outgoing CBP Commissioner. “As Acting Deputy Commissioner, he will bring to the position more than 30 years of border security experience, management, and leadership. He is a tested and proven leader and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities to take on this new role.”
No Confidence
In a memo from Ahern, Aguilar receives high praises for his career in law enforcement. However, Aguilar’s record is rife with controversy, power consolidation, and failures.
First, in February 2007, delegates to the National Border Patrol Council’s biennial convention unanimously endorsed a vote of “No Confidence” in Chief Aguilar.
“The vote was the result of increasing frustration by front line Border Patrol Agents in the decisions of their senior leadership,” T.J. Bonner, NBPC National President, said in a statement. “This lack of leadership has caused morale to plummet, which in turn has accelerated the attrition rate among experienced agents. Unless drastic changes are made soon, the goal of securing our borders will remain as elusive as ever.”
Aguilar again received a “No Confidence” vote from his rank and file agents on February 25, 2009.
According to the representatives of the National Border Patrol Council they unanimously supported a vote of "No Confidence" for Chief Aguilar due to his lack of leadership abilities. Hardly the glowing recommendation Ahern described and another example of the ‘screw up and move up’ policies plaguing the CBP and Department of Homeland Security; Keep reading.
San Diego the latest destination for a screw-up move-up border tour
Chris Maston began his colorful career more than twenty years ago in El Paso, Texas as a Border Patrol agent. In true ‘good ole boy’ fashion Maston moved up the ranks and with each questionable indiscretion, his infamous Customs and Border Protection’s career followed the tried and true rule of “screw up and move up.” This dark path to the top has led to Maston’s new post as Port Director of the Customs and Border Patrol’s busiest port of entry in the country, San Ysidro, located in San Diego.
A press release from CBP stated, “Maston brings to the key San Diego position in-depth experience in overseeing large scale passenger and cargo processing programs. He most recently served more than two years as port director at the Miami International Airport, managing more than 1,300 employees at the largest international operation in the U.S. for air cargo and the second largest for international traveler processing.”
“Maston’s recent responsibilities overseeing international traveler inspections, trade enforcement and tactical enforcement operations will provide the tools he needs to manage the busy 24-lane port of San Ysidro and nearby 13-lane Otay Mesa border station where, on average, 63,000 vehicles and 134,000 travelers enter the U.S. each day, CBP DFO Morris said. Maston served from 2004 to 2006 as the assistant director of border security at CBP’s Miami Field Office. In this position, he oversaw border security operations for the Miami, Port Everglades, Key West and West Palm Beach ports of entry.”
Repeated attempts (phone, email and finally showing up at CBP port offices) to interview Maston about his new post in San Diego were all declined. Even when presented with questions regarding new port duties, what challenges he could face and the implementing of his cargo inspection program Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the new director chose to hide in his office. This begs the question what is he trying to hide?
While mindful of the agency’s important border security mission, Maston said in a press release he will continue to support operations that have proved successful for the field office while striking a working balance between facilitation of legitimate travelers and the need for strong enforcement.
Does this mean Maston will continue his behavior that landed him on the “dontdatehimgirl.com” tell-all web site? The website geared to serial cheaters depicts Maston as a player with multiple work-related affairs. The posting (click here http://www.friendsoftheborderpatrol.com/thereport/CMaston-DontDateHimGirl-Post.pdf) contains a number of postings regarding his time as a top official in Miami.
Can Maston maintain a San Diego CBP Field Office that manages more than 1,800 front-line federal officers at border stations in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, and Andrade as well as the San Diego seaport and international airports? These ports completed approximately 66 million inspections of people, seized more than 145 tons of illegal narcotics and apprehended more than 42,000 immigration violators during the last fiscal year. One assumes this is a fulltime job requiring an enormous amount of time and concentration.
President Ronald Reagan summed it up as, “Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession, I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.” Keep reading here.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
DEA Agents bust Iraqi-Sinaloa cartel drug smuggling/explosive ring in San Diego
Federal agents in San Diego broke up a drug trafficking ring involving Iraqi immigrants who worked with one of Mexico’s biggest drug cartel.
Approximately 60 Iraqi immigrants were rounded up and arrested just east of San Diego after the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) completed a six-month investigation. The DEA Agents also collected drugs, grenades, assault weapons and homemade explosives.
Many of the (Christian) Iraqi’s arrested fled the Middle East to avoid threats from al-Qaida during the continuing wars. Authorities say the immigrants worked in concert with the Sinaloa cartel to transport weapons and drugs to Detroit, Michigan.
The DEA seized crystal meth (18 pounds), marijuana (3,500 pounds), cocaine and other narcotics. The agents also recovered four IEDs, 30 firearms and $630,000 in cash.
William Sherman, DEA special agent in charge of San Diego told the Associated Press, “the ring was going to sell a portion of the 3,500 pounds of marijuana, believed to belong to the Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, who has become one of the world's richest and most-wanted men since he escaped from a Mexican prison 10 years ago.”
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The recovery of explosives by DEA is particularly alarming as security across the country is heightened in preparation for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
One of the Iraqi’s immigrants told an undercover DEA agent that they were able to obtain more grenades from the Mexican Military personnel.
The arrested drug smugglers face a combination of state and/or federal charges of narcotics, weapon and explosive trafficking. The DEA also reported some of the organized crime arrestees were illegally in the country and will most likely be deported.
Nofel Noel Suleyman was charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise a charge that carries a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Approximately 60 Iraqi immigrants were rounded up and arrested just east of San Diego after the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) completed a six-month investigation. The DEA Agents also collected drugs, grenades, assault weapons and homemade explosives.
Many of the (Christian) Iraqi’s arrested fled the Middle East to avoid threats from al-Qaida during the continuing wars. Authorities say the immigrants worked in concert with the Sinaloa cartel to transport weapons and drugs to Detroit, Michigan.
The DEA seized crystal meth (18 pounds), marijuana (3,500 pounds), cocaine and other narcotics. The agents also recovered four IEDs, 30 firearms and $630,000 in cash.
William Sherman, DEA special agent in charge of San Diego told the Associated Press, “the ring was going to sell a portion of the 3,500 pounds of marijuana, believed to belong to the Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, who has become one of the world's richest and most-wanted men since he escaped from a Mexican prison 10 years ago.”
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The recovery of explosives by DEA is particularly alarming as security across the country is heightened in preparation for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
One of the Iraqi’s immigrants told an undercover DEA agent that they were able to obtain more grenades from the Mexican Military personnel.
The arrested drug smugglers face a combination of state and/or federal charges of narcotics, weapon and explosive trafficking. The DEA also reported some of the organized crime arrestees were illegally in the country and will most likely be deported.
Nofel Noel Suleyman was charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise a charge that carries a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Escondido Police fight to stay competitive during pay negotiations
When it comes to law enforcement, the Escondido Police Department tends to lead California regarding rule-of-law policies. Police Chief Jim Maher prides himself on enforcing immigration and traffic safety laws on the books-sometimes to the chagrin of illegal-immigration activists. So when the issue of officer salaries boiled to the surface, the Chief knew negotiations wouldn’t be easy.
The Escondido Police Department (EPD) union leaders knew their salary negotiations would center on campaign promises made by the new Mayor Sam Abed. During the Mayor’s hotly contested political race, he informed voters he would reform employee unions to save the city money.
According to Police Department Union officials, the city’s police department salaries are the lowest in the county and risk turning the nationally acclaimed police department into a training ground for other cities that offer much higher wages.
“Each police officer trainee costs the city more than $100,000 to train. Once a rookie finishes the academy a veteran officer must then patrol with the recruit for a year,” said Frank Huston, Escondido Police Officer and head of the department’s union.
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“Right now we are in a waiting pattern with city Mayor Abed regarding our salaries,” Huston explained. “I’m concerned; really concerned we are on the verge of becoming a training ground for other police departments.”
A similar policy in San Diego resulted in the loss of dozens of officers who chose to move laterally to better paying police departments once they finished their training. The city of San Diego is a top 10 metropolitan city and a SDPD Police officer resigns every six days.
In an effort to avoid the same fate, the Escondido Police Chief sent a memo to the City Council regarding a pay freeze that points out the north county city is dead last when it comes to police officer compensation.
The memo encourages the city to restore six officer positions (to keep up with the growing population), create a second tier retirement plan and have the police department employees contribute nine percent to offset pensions.
“We’ve made concessions in the past to accommodate the city council’s needs,” Huston said. “Now it’s time for the city to work with its officers.” He continues to explain that many EPD dispatchers make more than beat officers with three to five-years of experience.
The memo continues to highlight that EPD is aware of at least 13 veteran officers seeking employment at other higher-paying police departments. And, on average, these lateral transfers will put an additional $12,000 per year into officers’ bank accounts. The memo also indicates that police officers do not retire with six-figure salaries, but closer to $75,000 after 30 years of service (which is the exception not the rule).
While many cities in Southern California see crime statistics rise, Huston says EPD’s crime number has gone down under the leadership of Chief Maher.
The Chief continues to pursue and receive grants from the state of California to hold sobriety and traffic safety checkpoints every-other weekend. Despite protests from open border activists, the Escondido checkpoints have garnered national attention.
“We were recently nominated by MADD for a national safety checkpoint award,” said Lt. Tom Albergo, a 28 year veteran of the Traffic Division.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) picked the Escondido Police Department after they sent a representative from the east coast to monitor the every-other-weekend sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint.
“There are only six police departments in the country up for the award and our officers’ hard work has paid off,” Albergo explained. “Since we started implementing the checkpoints, our traffic accident statistics have steadily decreased.”
A sampling of results showed that EPD’s 2005 hit and runs fell from 660 to 428; all accidents fell 1,632 to 1104; DUI injury accidents fell 152 to 87 and total traffic injuries fell 1,399 to 898. Overall the city of Escondido has lowered various crimes.
While residents enjoy the benefits of a safer community, (crime is down 24 percent from last year) the Escondido Police Department just wants the city council to honor contracts both parties have agreed to and unfreeze the step raises. “I know it’s popular to disparage unions right now,” Huston said. “We’ve all seen the Wisconsin problems, but I just ask the city to recognize our work is labor-intensive and dangerous. Our officers have worked hard to bring down the overall crime rates, and they deserve to have salaries comparable to neighboring cities.”
Huston also points out those officers don’t get Social Security (even though they pay into it) “and the union has agreed to make concessions with new hires. We just want the city to honor our previous agreements.”
When looking for answers to the city’s hard line on police contracts, some officers within the Escondido Police Department contend that the “by-the-book” enforcement of illegal aliens that make up a large chunk of the city’s 147,000 population (approximately 40 percent are Hispanic) is a key reason why the department is being held to the lowest pay scale in the county.
Recently Escondido Mayor Abed told the North County Times that “it might be wise to exempt companies (from E-Verify) that do only occasional business with the city.”
Escondido became the first city in San Diego County requiring private contractors run employees through E-Verify to ensure no illegal aliens were on the payroll. But, issues arose when city staff forgot to include the E-Verify provision in its annual contracts valued under $25,000.
"We'd like to require E-verify for all companies doing business with the city, but we have to make sure it doesn't create a bloated bureaucracy and some problems for us," Abed said. "The key is making sure we include companies that regularly do business with the city."
Escondido Councilwoman Olga Diaz, who voted against the city’s requirement to mandate E-Verify and does not like the EPD sobriety checkpoints, explained the divisive E-Verify policy stance is nothing more than showmanship. "It's a complete waste of time to even bring this up because this policy is not being enforced," Diaz told the Times regarding the city's E-Verify honor-system program. "Adopting the policy was a symbolic move that was all about chest-puffing, and I don't think we ever need to talk about it again."
Setting all the politics aside, one EPD detective pointed to the police department’s policy of “doing what it takes to get the job done” as a benefit for working with Chief Maher. “It’s why we have a top-notch department year after year.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
The Escondido Police Department (EPD) union leaders knew their salary negotiations would center on campaign promises made by the new Mayor Sam Abed. During the Mayor’s hotly contested political race, he informed voters he would reform employee unions to save the city money.
According to Police Department Union officials, the city’s police department salaries are the lowest in the county and risk turning the nationally acclaimed police department into a training ground for other cities that offer much higher wages.
“Each police officer trainee costs the city more than $100,000 to train. Once a rookie finishes the academy a veteran officer must then patrol with the recruit for a year,” said Frank Huston, Escondido Police Officer and head of the department’s union.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
“Right now we are in a waiting pattern with city Mayor Abed regarding our salaries,” Huston explained. “I’m concerned; really concerned we are on the verge of becoming a training ground for other police departments.”
A similar policy in San Diego resulted in the loss of dozens of officers who chose to move laterally to better paying police departments once they finished their training. The city of San Diego is a top 10 metropolitan city and a SDPD Police officer resigns every six days.
In an effort to avoid the same fate, the Escondido Police Chief sent a memo to the City Council regarding a pay freeze that points out the north county city is dead last when it comes to police officer compensation.
The memo encourages the city to restore six officer positions (to keep up with the growing population), create a second tier retirement plan and have the police department employees contribute nine percent to offset pensions.
“We’ve made concessions in the past to accommodate the city council’s needs,” Huston said. “Now it’s time for the city to work with its officers.” He continues to explain that many EPD dispatchers make more than beat officers with three to five-years of experience.
The memo continues to highlight that EPD is aware of at least 13 veteran officers seeking employment at other higher-paying police departments. And, on average, these lateral transfers will put an additional $12,000 per year into officers’ bank accounts. The memo also indicates that police officers do not retire with six-figure salaries, but closer to $75,000 after 30 years of service (which is the exception not the rule).
While many cities in Southern California see crime statistics rise, Huston says EPD’s crime number has gone down under the leadership of Chief Maher.
The Chief continues to pursue and receive grants from the state of California to hold sobriety and traffic safety checkpoints every-other weekend. Despite protests from open border activists, the Escondido checkpoints have garnered national attention.
“We were recently nominated by MADD for a national safety checkpoint award,” said Lt. Tom Albergo, a 28 year veteran of the Traffic Division.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) picked the Escondido Police Department after they sent a representative from the east coast to monitor the every-other-weekend sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint.
“There are only six police departments in the country up for the award and our officers’ hard work has paid off,” Albergo explained. “Since we started implementing the checkpoints, our traffic accident statistics have steadily decreased.”
A sampling of results showed that EPD’s 2005 hit and runs fell from 660 to 428; all accidents fell 1,632 to 1104; DUI injury accidents fell 152 to 87 and total traffic injuries fell 1,399 to 898. Overall the city of Escondido has lowered various crimes.
While residents enjoy the benefits of a safer community, (crime is down 24 percent from last year) the Escondido Police Department just wants the city council to honor contracts both parties have agreed to and unfreeze the step raises. “I know it’s popular to disparage unions right now,” Huston said. “We’ve all seen the Wisconsin problems, but I just ask the city to recognize our work is labor-intensive and dangerous. Our officers have worked hard to bring down the overall crime rates, and they deserve to have salaries comparable to neighboring cities.”
Huston also points out those officers don’t get Social Security (even though they pay into it) “and the union has agreed to make concessions with new hires. We just want the city to honor our previous agreements.”
When looking for answers to the city’s hard line on police contracts, some officers within the Escondido Police Department contend that the “by-the-book” enforcement of illegal aliens that make up a large chunk of the city’s 147,000 population (approximately 40 percent are Hispanic) is a key reason why the department is being held to the lowest pay scale in the county.
Recently Escondido Mayor Abed told the North County Times that “it might be wise to exempt companies (from E-Verify) that do only occasional business with the city.”
Escondido became the first city in San Diego County requiring private contractors run employees through E-Verify to ensure no illegal aliens were on the payroll. But, issues arose when city staff forgot to include the E-Verify provision in its annual contracts valued under $25,000.
"We'd like to require E-verify for all companies doing business with the city, but we have to make sure it doesn't create a bloated bureaucracy and some problems for us," Abed said. "The key is making sure we include companies that regularly do business with the city."
Escondido Councilwoman Olga Diaz, who voted against the city’s requirement to mandate E-Verify and does not like the EPD sobriety checkpoints, explained the divisive E-Verify policy stance is nothing more than showmanship. "It's a complete waste of time to even bring this up because this policy is not being enforced," Diaz told the Times regarding the city's E-Verify honor-system program. "Adopting the policy was a symbolic move that was all about chest-puffing, and I don't think we ever need to talk about it again."
Setting all the politics aside, one EPD detective pointed to the police department’s policy of “doing what it takes to get the job done” as a benefit for working with Chief Maher. “It’s why we have a top-notch department year after year.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Monday, August 15, 2011
More than 11 pounds of black tar heroin seized in SUV engine
Border Patrol agents stationed at the State Route 94 checkpoint east of San Diego snagged 11 pounds of black tar heroin.
Agents stopped a red 1999 Dodge Durango over the weekend driven by a 39-year-old female U.S. citizen as she arrived at the checkpoint. During the inspection process, agents noticed the woman’s nervous demeanor and referred the driver to the secondary inspection area.
Once the Border Patrol K-9 team performed the examination of the vehicle, the K-9 alerted agents to the front of the vehicle where the heroin was discovered. Border Patrol thoroughly searched the Durango and discovered a non-factory compartment inside the vehicle’s intake manifold.
“Inside the compartment, agents discovered four foil-wrapped bundles of black tar heroin with a total weight of 11.1 pounds and an estimated street value of $133,200,” said Scott E. Simon, Border Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector Information and Communication Division.
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“The suspected smuggler and drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Simon reported. “The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.”
Since October 1, 2010, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 68,500 pounds of illicit drugs and taken a number of drug smugglers into custody.
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 More than 11 pounds of black tar heroin seized in SUV engine - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/more-than-11-pounds-of-black-tar-heroin-seized-suv-engine#ixzz1V8xxrwDt
Agents stopped a red 1999 Dodge Durango over the weekend driven by a 39-year-old female U.S. citizen as she arrived at the checkpoint. During the inspection process, agents noticed the woman’s nervous demeanor and referred the driver to the secondary inspection area.
Once the Border Patrol K-9 team performed the examination of the vehicle, the K-9 alerted agents to the front of the vehicle where the heroin was discovered. Border Patrol thoroughly searched the Durango and discovered a non-factory compartment inside the vehicle’s intake manifold.
“Inside the compartment, agents discovered four foil-wrapped bundles of black tar heroin with a total weight of 11.1 pounds and an estimated street value of $133,200,” said Scott E. Simon, Border Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector Information and Communication Division.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
“The suspected smuggler and drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Simon reported. “The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.”
Since October 1, 2010, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 68,500 pounds of illicit drugs and taken a number of drug smugglers into custody.
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 More than 11 pounds of black tar heroin seized in SUV engine - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/more-than-11-pounds-of-black-tar-heroin-seized-suv-engine#ixzz1V8xxrwDt
China's stealth war strategy; why it's working (part one)
While many western nations naively embrace the Middle Kingdom as the economic savior of their reckless spending, the Chinese have engaged in stealth warfare for world domination against the U.S. and the West.
Like the Russian strategy against Napoleon and Hitler, the Chinese continue to draw the vulnerable West into their web of deception, draining its once bountiful resources, and lulling the zombie-like masses into China’s lair. In other words, they are successfully superseding America’s current sole super-power status, without firing a shot.
China's stealth war against the West has taken every form available to it in a true adherence to Sun Tu's mantra of first knowing the enemy to defeat him.
America demonstrates weakness in the following areas;
* National Defense -Vulnerability to Cyber and Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) Attacks
* National Debt $16 Trillion and Climbing - Currency Manipulation
* Energy Resource Allocation- Precious and Rare Earth Metals
* Weak Border Enforcement –Illegal Drugs and Immigration
* Addiction to Cheap Technology and Labor
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
Knowing the first principle of capitalism that money and investment seek the highest return, China has fed the West’s insatiable appetite for cheap labor and seemingly limitless markets, while they manipulate their currency. However, this spending addiction has come with a price tag for the U.S.
America continues to rack up trillion dollar deficits while the industrious Chinese have amassed large currency reserves of at least $2.5 trillion.
While the West purchases Chinese flat screen TVs, the People’s Republic of China has acquired 98 percent of the world’s rare earth minerals, has become the largest creditor nation on earth and owns at least 1,054.1 tons of gold (However the Business Insider claims China is secretly stockpiling gold without reporting it to the IMF).
The Chinese government continues to steal technology that costs the West billions in the development of intellectual property, openly participates in the piracy and counterfeiting of Western technology and goods, as well as employs legions of spies and agents to acquire the most secret, sophisticated weaponry the West is developing.
An example of this comes from Pakistan. During the recent clandestine raid that killed the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, military personnel crashed a never-seen-before, top-secret stealth helicopter. During their hasty exit, the Navy SEALs tried to destroy the helicopter, unfortunately, much of the tail section remained intact.
According to a Financial Times news report over the weekend, Pakistan allowed Chinese military experts take samples of the “stealth skin” and photograph the never-seen-before technology left by American Special Forces. Once again the Chinese have now gained first-hand knowledge of billion dollar military technology for virtually no investment. (Read complete story here).
But the Chinese are not simply collecting classified information; they have developed an anti-satellite missile, launched its first aircraft carrier, acquired supersonic stealth aircraft, built (20) nuclear armed intercontinental missiles and maintains a three million strong army.
To further complicate matters, the U.S. has confirmed that China is providing Iran, Syria and Pakistan with sophisticated missile technology to further destabilize the Middle East ensuring our distraction from its agenda.
Another Chinese danger lurking in the sky is Electronic Magnetic Pulse (EMP) technology. This high-tech weaponry is detonated by a nuclear weapon at a high altitude and devastates electrical grids. “Communications would collapse, transportation would halt and electrical power would simply be nonexistent,” Heritage Foundation’s James Carafano explains. “Not even a global humanitarian effort would be enough to keep hundreds of millions of Americans from death by starvation, exposure, or lack of medicine. Most of Canada would be devastated, too, as its infrastructure is integrated with the U.S. power grid.”
Carafano describes the calamity has the potential to collapse the world economy and send the planet into a “new” Dark Age.
It’s probably not coincidental that the Pentagon reports more than one million cyber-intrusions each day to classified government data bases within its 15,000 computer networks and 7 million Department of Defense computers. These classified cyber-and-virus attacks by foreign nations, namely China, have led to the establishment of a U.S. military anti-cyber theft unit which comes with significant overheads.
“Our strategy's overriding emphasis is on denying the benefit of an attack,” explained William Lynn, deputy defense secretary for the Pentagon. “There will eventually be a marriage of capability and intent, where those who mean us harm will gain the ability to launch damaging cyber attacks. We need to develop stronger defenses before this occurs.”
China’s campaign against “soft” targets also includes supplying Mexican drug cartels with hundreds of tons in chemicals used to produce crystal methamphetamine. This effort ensures a significant portion of Americans remain oblivious. Yet, if non-Chinese citizens are caught trying to obtain the same chemicals in China, they pay with their lives.
Also the U.S. recently arrested Chinese/Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon, who works closely with the Sinaloa cartel, for illicit drug collusion. According to reports and federal agents, the U.S. government filed an indictment charging Zhenli Ye Gon with conspiracy to aid and abet the importation of chemicals used in methamphetamine. After two years of legal wrangling, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the case with prejudice in August 2009.
As Butch Cassidy famously said, “who are these guys?”
And for that matter how long can America remain in denial and claim China, our economic savior, is not waging an anti-West campaign that seeks world domination and the demise of America?
This is part one of a series on the stealth threat China poses to 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 China's stealth war strategy; why it's working (part one) - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/china-s-war-strategy-why-it-s-working-part-one#ixzz1V6uCKRbk
Like the Russian strategy against Napoleon and Hitler, the Chinese continue to draw the vulnerable West into their web of deception, draining its once bountiful resources, and lulling the zombie-like masses into China’s lair. In other words, they are successfully superseding America’s current sole super-power status, without firing a shot.
China's stealth war against the West has taken every form available to it in a true adherence to Sun Tu's mantra of first knowing the enemy to defeat him.
America demonstrates weakness in the following areas;
* National Defense -Vulnerability to Cyber and Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) Attacks
* National Debt $16 Trillion and Climbing - Currency Manipulation
* Energy Resource Allocation- Precious and Rare Earth Metals
* Weak Border Enforcement –Illegal Drugs and Immigration
* Addiction to Cheap Technology and Labor
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
Knowing the first principle of capitalism that money and investment seek the highest return, China has fed the West’s insatiable appetite for cheap labor and seemingly limitless markets, while they manipulate their currency. However, this spending addiction has come with a price tag for the U.S.
America continues to rack up trillion dollar deficits while the industrious Chinese have amassed large currency reserves of at least $2.5 trillion.
While the West purchases Chinese flat screen TVs, the People’s Republic of China has acquired 98 percent of the world’s rare earth minerals, has become the largest creditor nation on earth and owns at least 1,054.1 tons of gold (However the Business Insider claims China is secretly stockpiling gold without reporting it to the IMF).
The Chinese government continues to steal technology that costs the West billions in the development of intellectual property, openly participates in the piracy and counterfeiting of Western technology and goods, as well as employs legions of spies and agents to acquire the most secret, sophisticated weaponry the West is developing.
An example of this comes from Pakistan. During the recent clandestine raid that killed the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, military personnel crashed a never-seen-before, top-secret stealth helicopter. During their hasty exit, the Navy SEALs tried to destroy the helicopter, unfortunately, much of the tail section remained intact.
According to a Financial Times news report over the weekend, Pakistan allowed Chinese military experts take samples of the “stealth skin” and photograph the never-seen-before technology left by American Special Forces. Once again the Chinese have now gained first-hand knowledge of billion dollar military technology for virtually no investment. (Read complete story here).
But the Chinese are not simply collecting classified information; they have developed an anti-satellite missile, launched its first aircraft carrier, acquired supersonic stealth aircraft, built (20) nuclear armed intercontinental missiles and maintains a three million strong army.
To further complicate matters, the U.S. has confirmed that China is providing Iran, Syria and Pakistan with sophisticated missile technology to further destabilize the Middle East ensuring our distraction from its agenda.
Another Chinese danger lurking in the sky is Electronic Magnetic Pulse (EMP) technology. This high-tech weaponry is detonated by a nuclear weapon at a high altitude and devastates electrical grids. “Communications would collapse, transportation would halt and electrical power would simply be nonexistent,” Heritage Foundation’s James Carafano explains. “Not even a global humanitarian effort would be enough to keep hundreds of millions of Americans from death by starvation, exposure, or lack of medicine. Most of Canada would be devastated, too, as its infrastructure is integrated with the U.S. power grid.”
Carafano describes the calamity has the potential to collapse the world economy and send the planet into a “new” Dark Age.
It’s probably not coincidental that the Pentagon reports more than one million cyber-intrusions each day to classified government data bases within its 15,000 computer networks and 7 million Department of Defense computers. These classified cyber-and-virus attacks by foreign nations, namely China, have led to the establishment of a U.S. military anti-cyber theft unit which comes with significant overheads.
“Our strategy's overriding emphasis is on denying the benefit of an attack,” explained William Lynn, deputy defense secretary for the Pentagon. “There will eventually be a marriage of capability and intent, where those who mean us harm will gain the ability to launch damaging cyber attacks. We need to develop stronger defenses before this occurs.”
China’s campaign against “soft” targets also includes supplying Mexican drug cartels with hundreds of tons in chemicals used to produce crystal methamphetamine. This effort ensures a significant portion of Americans remain oblivious. Yet, if non-Chinese citizens are caught trying to obtain the same chemicals in China, they pay with their lives.
Also the U.S. recently arrested Chinese/Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon, who works closely with the Sinaloa cartel, for illicit drug collusion. According to reports and federal agents, the U.S. government filed an indictment charging Zhenli Ye Gon with conspiracy to aid and abet the importation of chemicals used in methamphetamine. After two years of legal wrangling, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the case with prejudice in August 2009.
As Butch Cassidy famously said, “who are these guys?”
And for that matter how long can America remain in denial and claim China, our economic savior, is not waging an anti-West campaign that seeks world domination and the demise of America?
This is part one of a series on the stealth threat China poses to 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 China's stealth war strategy; why it's working (part one) - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/china-s-war-strategy-why-it-s-working-part-one#ixzz1V6uCKRbk
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Los Angeles City Council votes to make August “Immigrant Pride Month”
All council members present decided the city’s 1.6 million immigrants that make up 40 percent of the population deserved to be recognized.
The resolution deems Los Angeles a “global city” that represents many cultures and languages. In the past, the city has also voiced its disapproval of Arizona’s adoption of SB1070 as well as other copycat illegal immigration laws springing up in many other states.
“Anti-immigrant legislation like SB 1070 in Arizona and other ‘copy-cat’ measures now circulating across the nation inherently cause racial profiling and discrimination against certain ethno-racial groups that 'look and sound' like immigrant populations,” the resolution reads.
Los Angeles Council members have recognized several pro-immigrant advocates in California who are actively engaged to repeal Arizona's anti-immigrant laws, as well as prevent anti-immigrant legislation from passing in other states as a reason to adopt the resolution.
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The council clearly indicated they supported the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act even though it failed at the federal level last year during the lame-duck session in Congress.
“In 2011 important efforts are unfolding in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and other states to enact pro-immigrant policies, as well as withdraw from ineffective and/or heavy-handed federal enforcement polices like Secure Communities.”
However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just announced they are rescinding the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) on Secure Communities with states like California, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts that want to withdraw from the program. DHS maintains that the Secure Communities program is mandated by federal law and said it will implement the program nationwide by 2013.
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 Los Angeles City Council votes to make August “Immigrant Pride Month” - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/los-angeles-city-council-votes-to-make-august-immigrant-pride-month#ixzz1Uey6EKF5
The resolution deems Los Angeles a “global city” that represents many cultures and languages. In the past, the city has also voiced its disapproval of Arizona’s adoption of SB1070 as well as other copycat illegal immigration laws springing up in many other states.
“Anti-immigrant legislation like SB 1070 in Arizona and other ‘copy-cat’ measures now circulating across the nation inherently cause racial profiling and discrimination against certain ethno-racial groups that 'look and sound' like immigrant populations,” the resolution reads.
Los Angeles Council members have recognized several pro-immigrant advocates in California who are actively engaged to repeal Arizona's anti-immigrant laws, as well as prevent anti-immigrant legislation from passing in other states as a reason to adopt the resolution.
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
The council clearly indicated they supported the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act even though it failed at the federal level last year during the lame-duck session in Congress.
“In 2011 important efforts are unfolding in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and other states to enact pro-immigrant policies, as well as withdraw from ineffective and/or heavy-handed federal enforcement polices like Secure Communities.”
However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just announced they are rescinding the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) on Secure Communities with states like California, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts that want to withdraw from the program. DHS maintains that the Secure Communities program is mandated by federal law and said it will implement the program nationwide by 2013.
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 Los Angeles City Council votes to make August “Immigrant Pride Month” - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/los-angeles-city-council-votes-to-make-august-immigrant-pride-month#ixzz1Uey6EKF5
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Bastardization of the 14th Amendment
The arrogance of Democrats’ calls for the president to invoke the 14th Amendment to by-pass Congress to raise the debt ceiling demonstrates their lack of Constitutional knowledge, but also their ignorance of the basic checks and balances between the three branches of government.
The third-ranking House Democrat, James Clyburn, said if Congress delivers a short-term debt deal, the president should veto it. The Southern Democrat pointed to the Constitution that says “the validity of the public debt of the United States… shall not be questioned.” Therefore, Clyburn says, the President “should sign an executive order invoking the 14th Amendment” to end the debt ceiling issue.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said the 14th Amendment should be the President’s last resort, “As far as the 14th Amendment is concerned, I urge everybody to get their Constitution and read it. It says the debts of the United States shall not be questioned.”
Even the mention of invoking the 14th Amendment sent some Republicans into a tizzy.
“Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes. It’s Congress that does the spending,” said Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann (R-MN) during a CNN appearance. “The president is prohibited to do that (unilaterally raise America’s borrowing power). If he had the power to do that (borrow and spend), he would effectively be a dictator.” She is right.
Since all spending bills must originate in the House, (All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other bills.” Art I, Sec 7). Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s claims that the President can pick and choose what debts the U.S. will pay are disingenuous. If a credit obligation is authorized by Congress, it must be paid.
The misunderstanding also extends to those GOP lawmakers who wished to invoke the 14th Amendment to un-anchor “illegal alien anchor babies” – this is a 14th Amendment history lesson.
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sought to revise the 14th Amendment, which currently grants citizenship to those born on America soil (this provision does not to extend to foreign diplomats).
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Even Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), said the change was “worth considering.”
However, John McCain(R-AZ), coauthor of McCain-Kennedy immigration bill, said he would support holding hearings on the (anchor baby) issue in light of the 14th Amendment.
So what is the 14th Amendment and why is it such a misunderstood and erroneously cited authority?
The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 to ensure that all former slaves were granted automatic United States citizenship, and enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities of any other citizen.
A concise explanation of the 14th Amendment meaning comes from a paper written by Attorney Doug Hammerstrom. “In 1873 when the Supreme Court heard the Slaughterhouse Cases, its first 14th Amendment case, the Court rebuked the attempts of business interests to use the amendment, saying that the Fourteenth Amendment’s ‘main purpose was to establish the citizenship of the Negro.’ Justice Miller added, “We doubt very much whether any action of a State not directed by way of discrimination against the Negroes as a class, or on account of their race, will ever be held to come within the purview of this provision.”
The question American’s should be asking is what exactly does the emancipation of black slaves has to do with debt limits and illegal immigration in the United States in 2011?
President Obama, a self-proclaimed-Constitutional scholar, should know better and chastise Congress regarding the roles of the three branches of government. Section 5 of the 14th Amendment unambiguously states, “The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”
The Constitution remains the people’s document; it represents the beacon of freedom and protects the people’s liberty. And perhaps, more importantly, it has withstood the test of time.
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 Bastardization of the 14th Amendment - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/the-14th-amendment-debt-ceiling-immigration-debate-not-a-valid-argument#ixzz1U4lZ33n3
The third-ranking House Democrat, James Clyburn, said if Congress delivers a short-term debt deal, the president should veto it. The Southern Democrat pointed to the Constitution that says “the validity of the public debt of the United States… shall not be questioned.” Therefore, Clyburn says, the President “should sign an executive order invoking the 14th Amendment” to end the debt ceiling issue.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said the 14th Amendment should be the President’s last resort, “As far as the 14th Amendment is concerned, I urge everybody to get their Constitution and read it. It says the debts of the United States shall not be questioned.”
Even the mention of invoking the 14th Amendment sent some Republicans into a tizzy.
“Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes. It’s Congress that does the spending,” said Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann (R-MN) during a CNN appearance. “The president is prohibited to do that (unilaterally raise America’s borrowing power). If he had the power to do that (borrow and spend), he would effectively be a dictator.” She is right.
Since all spending bills must originate in the House, (All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other bills.” Art I, Sec 7). Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s claims that the President can pick and choose what debts the U.S. will pay are disingenuous. If a credit obligation is authorized by Congress, it must be paid.
The misunderstanding also extends to those GOP lawmakers who wished to invoke the 14th Amendment to un-anchor “illegal alien anchor babies” – this is a 14th Amendment history lesson.
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sought to revise the 14th Amendment, which currently grants citizenship to those born on America soil (this provision does not to extend to foreign diplomats).
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
Even Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), said the change was “worth considering.”
However, John McCain(R-AZ), coauthor of McCain-Kennedy immigration bill, said he would support holding hearings on the (anchor baby) issue in light of the 14th Amendment.
So what is the 14th Amendment and why is it such a misunderstood and erroneously cited authority?
The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 to ensure that all former slaves were granted automatic United States citizenship, and enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities of any other citizen.
A concise explanation of the 14th Amendment meaning comes from a paper written by Attorney Doug Hammerstrom. “In 1873 when the Supreme Court heard the Slaughterhouse Cases, its first 14th Amendment case, the Court rebuked the attempts of business interests to use the amendment, saying that the Fourteenth Amendment’s ‘main purpose was to establish the citizenship of the Negro.’ Justice Miller added, “We doubt very much whether any action of a State not directed by way of discrimination against the Negroes as a class, or on account of their race, will ever be held to come within the purview of this provision.”
The question American’s should be asking is what exactly does the emancipation of black slaves has to do with debt limits and illegal immigration in the United States in 2011?
President Obama, a self-proclaimed-Constitutional scholar, should know better and chastise Congress regarding the roles of the three branches of government. Section 5 of the 14th Amendment unambiguously states, “The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”
The Constitution remains the people’s document; it represents the beacon of freedom and protects the people’s liberty. And perhaps, more importantly, it has withstood the test of time.
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 Bastardization of the 14th Amendment - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/the-14th-amendment-debt-ceiling-immigration-debate-not-a-valid-argument#ixzz1U4lZ33n3
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Gun Association files lawsuit against ATF over new regulations
Open season on the federal government and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) commenced with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a trade association the firearms industry, filing a lawsuit challenging gun regulators authority to compel 8,500 firearms retailers in border states’ to report multiple rifle sales.
Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas dealers have come under fire by the federal government after their ill-fated ATF “Fast and Furious” garnered national headlines.
In an effort to cover their failures to manage, the Department of Justice (DOJ) unfairly targets dealers and mandates they report multiple sales of any semi-automatic rifle larger than .22 calibers.
NSSF's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, “seeks an injunction to block ATF from implementing the reporting requirement. ATF has sent ‘demand letters’ to firearms retailers in the four states to inform retailers they must begin reporting such sales by August 14.”
The firearm trade association believes the new record-keeping process will start a dangerous new precedent. “This is the proverbial ‘slippery slope,’ and our industry is extremely concerned about it,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.
“At the time Congress authorized the reporting of multiple sales of handguns, it could have required it for the sale of long guns; but it did not. Acting ATF Director Ken Melson himself has questioned ATF's legal authority to impose this new requirement,” Keane explained.
The NSSF is encouraging all retailers, not just those along the Southwest border, to cooperate with law enforcement and ATF to report any suspicious activity while the lawsuit moves through the court system.
“The firearms industry and NSSF take pride in having a longstanding cooperative relationship with ATF,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “Retailers have long been considered a vital source of information for law enforcement in combating illegal firearm trafficking.”
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NSSF contends the new regulation will only change the way criminals purchase weapons.
“We believe the policy will make it more difficult for retailers to assist law enforcement,” said Keane. “Illegal firearms traffickers will simply alter their schemes to avoid and evade the reporting requirement, making it more difficult for retailers to identify and report suspicious activity.”
Firearm dealers have a long history of cooperating with law enforcement and the federal government by promoting programs like “Don't Lie for the Other Guy.”
The ATF program educates retailers how to spot potential illegal purchasers and warns consumers that it's a serious crime to purchase firearms illegally. “Over the last several years, the firearms industry has funded the roll out of 'Don't Lie for the Other Guy' in border-state areas to deter individuals with intent to illegally purchase firearms." (For more info www.dontlie.org)
Read the NSSF complaint.
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 Gun Association files lawsuit against ATF over new regulations - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/gun-association-files-lawsuit-against-atf-over-new-regulations#ixzz1Tz9mBCXL
Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas dealers have come under fire by the federal government after their ill-fated ATF “Fast and Furious” garnered national headlines.
In an effort to cover their failures to manage, the Department of Justice (DOJ) unfairly targets dealers and mandates they report multiple sales of any semi-automatic rifle larger than .22 calibers.
NSSF's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, “seeks an injunction to block ATF from implementing the reporting requirement. ATF has sent ‘demand letters’ to firearms retailers in the four states to inform retailers they must begin reporting such sales by August 14.”
The firearm trade association believes the new record-keeping process will start a dangerous new precedent. “This is the proverbial ‘slippery slope,’ and our industry is extremely concerned about it,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.
“At the time Congress authorized the reporting of multiple sales of handguns, it could have required it for the sale of long guns; but it did not. Acting ATF Director Ken Melson himself has questioned ATF's legal authority to impose this new requirement,” Keane explained.
The NSSF is encouraging all retailers, not just those along the Southwest border, to cooperate with law enforcement and ATF to report any suspicious activity while the lawsuit moves through the court system.
“The firearms industry and NSSF take pride in having a longstanding cooperative relationship with ATF,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “Retailers have long been considered a vital source of information for law enforcement in combating illegal firearm trafficking.”
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
NSSF contends the new regulation will only change the way criminals purchase weapons.
“We believe the policy will make it more difficult for retailers to assist law enforcement,” said Keane. “Illegal firearms traffickers will simply alter their schemes to avoid and evade the reporting requirement, making it more difficult for retailers to identify and report suspicious activity.”
Firearm dealers have a long history of cooperating with law enforcement and the federal government by promoting programs like “Don't Lie for the Other Guy.”
The ATF program educates retailers how to spot potential illegal purchasers and warns consumers that it's a serious crime to purchase firearms illegally. “Over the last several years, the firearms industry has funded the roll out of 'Don't Lie for the Other Guy' in border-state areas to deter individuals with intent to illegally purchase firearms." (For more info www.dontlie.org)
Read the NSSF complaint.
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 Gun Association files lawsuit against ATF over new regulations - National Homeland Security | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/gun-association-files-lawsuit-against-atf-over-new-regulations#ixzz1Tz9mBCXL
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Nudists’ give Marine Base “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” new meaning
Camp Pendleton Marine base opened the door to a new fight- getting rid of nude sun bathers on a beach reserved for military-amphibious vehicle training.
“As a result of repeated trespassing onto Gold Beach at Camp Pendleton from the state park beach, Camp Pendleton police conduct periodic patrols of the beach and require trespassers to return to the state beach side,” said Ryan Welsh, 2nd Lt. Public Affairs, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “This area is clearly marked by signs, and Camp Pendleton officials ask that non-authorized persons remain on the state beach side.”
The general area of this Southern California beach has been inhabited by those who enjoy tanning in their birthday suits for many decades.
However, those menacing nudists are breaking the Marine base’s trespassing laws when they drift past the invisible line in the sand.
“Civilians without Department of Defense (DoD) authorization may not cross onto the Camp Pendleton side of the beach, regardless of their beach use intentions,” Welsh explained. “Civilians who cross onto Gold Beach can be cited for trespassing.”
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California State Park rangers, who patrol the military base beach with their clothes on, inform wayward nude sunbathers of their indiscretion and usually nudge them onto the civilian-side of the beach.
“The state park is land leased from Camp Pendleton specifically for use by members of the public, and the public is asked to stay on the state park side,” Welsh finished.
This situation certainly raises attention to Camp Pendleton’s growing amphibious training program.
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 Nudists’ give Marine Base “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” new meaning - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/nudists-give-marine-base-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-new-meaning#ixzz1Tv6w4PC4
“As a result of repeated trespassing onto Gold Beach at Camp Pendleton from the state park beach, Camp Pendleton police conduct periodic patrols of the beach and require trespassers to return to the state beach side,” said Ryan Welsh, 2nd Lt. Public Affairs, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “This area is clearly marked by signs, and Camp Pendleton officials ask that non-authorized persons remain on the state beach side.”
The general area of this Southern California beach has been inhabited by those who enjoy tanning in their birthday suits for many decades.
However, those menacing nudists are breaking the Marine base’s trespassing laws when they drift past the invisible line in the sand.
“Civilians without Department of Defense (DoD) authorization may not cross onto the Camp Pendleton side of the beach, regardless of their beach use intentions,” Welsh explained. “Civilians who cross onto Gold Beach can be cited for trespassing.”
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
California State Park rangers, who patrol the military base beach with their clothes on, inform wayward nude sunbathers of their indiscretion and usually nudge them onto the civilian-side of the beach.
“The state park is land leased from Camp Pendleton specifically for use by members of the public, and the public is asked to stay on the state park side,” Welsh finished.
This situation certainly raises attention to Camp Pendleton’s growing amphibious training program.
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 Nudists’ give Marine Base “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” new meaning - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/nudists-give-marine-base-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-new-meaning#ixzz1Tv6w4PC4
Monday, August 1, 2011
Latino activist group MALDEF wants a 2nd all-Latino district in California
The Los Angeles Redistricting Committee’s new constituency lines met with fierce opposition by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors provisional-redistricted map failed to generate a second “Latino-majority supervisorial district.”
MALDEF contends five of the County Supervisors neglected their obligation to create a second all-Latino district as mandated by the federal Voting Rights Act. “They need to respect the Federal Voting Rights Act (in order to) avoid an expensive lawsuit the county is guaranteed to lose,” said Thomas Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF.
In an email, Saenz pointed to the Census Bureau statistics that showed the Hispanic population in Los Angeles County, between 2000 and 2010, grew by almost half a million residents. On the other hand, the county lost approximately 150,000 non-Latino residents. “Latinos now make up almost half the county's population,” he said.
However, MALDEF argues that the majority of the County Supervisors “specifically Supervisors Mike Antonovich, Don Knabe, and Zev Yaroslavsky apparently oppose creating a second Latino supervisorial district. They are more interested in preserving their comfortable, current district lines,” Saenz said.
He also says that Los Angeles County has put incumbents' preferential district lines ahead of Hispanic voting rights in the past. Twenty years ago, Los Angeles County lost a Voting Rights Act lawsuit that found some supervisors intentionally sought to prevent the creation of a Latino district. The lawsuit paved the way for the first Latino member of the Board of Supervisors, Gloria Molina.
“Now, the Supervisors are on the verge of again adopting a map that disrespects the Latino community and its population growth. Moreover, they are on the verge of violating the Voting Rights Act by failing to create a new Latino district when they know that one is warranted,” Saenz explained.
In an effort to secure another Hispanic district, the Advisory Commission received several maps from leaders that would create a second Latino-majority district. Nevertheless representatives Knabe and Yaroslavsky rejected all redistricting proposals.
As a result, MALDEF is encouraging Latino residents to call or email their representatives and make the following points;
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1. It’s just, and it is the law.Support the creation of a second Latino district because it better respects Los Angeles County's population and the Federal Voting Rights Act.
2. Latino voters have a long memory.The Latino community will interpret self-interested votes to deny a second Latino district as hostile actions against the Latino community. Remind them that the Latino community has a long memory should these Supervisors ever want to run for future offices.
3. Don't waste taxpayer money.Los Angeles County lost a costly lawsuit the last time it tried to ignore the Federal Voting Rights Act. Don't waste taxpayer money by triggering another successful lawsuit.
The County Supervisors MALDEF are targeting include; Gloria Molina, 1st District; Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District; Zev Yaroslavsky, 3rd District; Don Knabe, 4th District and Michael D. Antonovich; 5th District Mayor.
MALDEF is a leading Latino civil rights organization specializing in courtroom litigation ensuring Hispanics get equal access to education, employment, immigrant rights and a voice in the political arena. They describe themselves as the “law firm of the Latino community,” and promote social justice through advocacy and community organizing.
For more information on MALDEF, http://maldef.org/
For more redistricting information; http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/ or http://maldef.org/redistricting/index.html
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 Latino activist group MALDEF wants a 2nd all-Latino district in California - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/latino-activist-group-maldef-wants-a-2nd-all-latino-district-california#ixzz1Tp55Q4FZ
MALDEF contends five of the County Supervisors neglected their obligation to create a second all-Latino district as mandated by the federal Voting Rights Act. “They need to respect the Federal Voting Rights Act (in order to) avoid an expensive lawsuit the county is guaranteed to lose,” said Thomas Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF.
In an email, Saenz pointed to the Census Bureau statistics that showed the Hispanic population in Los Angeles County, between 2000 and 2010, grew by almost half a million residents. On the other hand, the county lost approximately 150,000 non-Latino residents. “Latinos now make up almost half the county's population,” he said.
However, MALDEF argues that the majority of the County Supervisors “specifically Supervisors Mike Antonovich, Don Knabe, and Zev Yaroslavsky apparently oppose creating a second Latino supervisorial district. They are more interested in preserving their comfortable, current district lines,” Saenz said.
He also says that Los Angeles County has put incumbents' preferential district lines ahead of Hispanic voting rights in the past. Twenty years ago, Los Angeles County lost a Voting Rights Act lawsuit that found some supervisors intentionally sought to prevent the creation of a Latino district. The lawsuit paved the way for the first Latino member of the Board of Supervisors, Gloria Molina.
“Now, the Supervisors are on the verge of again adopting a map that disrespects the Latino community and its population growth. Moreover, they are on the verge of violating the Voting Rights Act by failing to create a new Latino district when they know that one is warranted,” Saenz explained.
In an effort to secure another Hispanic district, the Advisory Commission received several maps from leaders that would create a second Latino-majority district. Nevertheless representatives Knabe and Yaroslavsky rejected all redistricting proposals.
As a result, MALDEF is encouraging Latino residents to call or email their representatives and make the following points;
Advertisement
Click here to find out more!
1. It’s just, and it is the law.Support the creation of a second Latino district because it better respects Los Angeles County's population and the Federal Voting Rights Act.
2. Latino voters have a long memory.The Latino community will interpret self-interested votes to deny a second Latino district as hostile actions against the Latino community. Remind them that the Latino community has a long memory should these Supervisors ever want to run for future offices.
3. Don't waste taxpayer money.Los Angeles County lost a costly lawsuit the last time it tried to ignore the Federal Voting Rights Act. Don't waste taxpayer money by triggering another successful lawsuit.
The County Supervisors MALDEF are targeting include; Gloria Molina, 1st District; Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District; Zev Yaroslavsky, 3rd District; Don Knabe, 4th District and Michael D. Antonovich; 5th District Mayor.
MALDEF is a leading Latino civil rights organization specializing in courtroom litigation ensuring Hispanics get equal access to education, employment, immigrant rights and a voice in the political arena. They describe themselves as the “law firm of the Latino community,” and promote social justice through advocacy and community organizing.
For more information on MALDEF, http://maldef.org/
For more redistricting information; http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/ or http://maldef.org/redistricting/index.html
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 Latino activist group MALDEF wants a 2nd all-Latino district in California - San Diego County Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/latino-activist-group-maldef-wants-a-2nd-all-latino-district-california#ixzz1Tp55Q4FZ
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