A shotgun-wielding owner of a Harlem restaurant-supply company blasted two robbers to death and wounded two others on Thursday when he caught them pistol-whipping his employee, police said. Turning the tables on the brutish bandits, 72-year-old Charles (Gus) Augusto opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun he kept handy for such occasions, cops and witnesses said.
"He's been robbed before, so I'm not totally amazed," said Stefany Blyn, who rents a space above the store from Augusto.
"They ran into some tough stuff today," witness Vernon McKenzie, 48, said of the stickup men, including one whose bloody corpse was splayed on the sidewalk in front of Augusto's store on W. 125th St. near Amsterdam Ave.
It's not just the Brits who can do understatement.
The robbers stormed into the business, Kaplan Brothers Blue Flame, just after 3 p.m. demanding cash.
"He did a large cash business," a police source said. "They were probably watching the place and made a move after a sell."
Neighbors said Augusto, who was not charged last night, had sold a stove earlier in the day.
The stickup crew - three 21-year-olds and a 29-year-old - came prepared with a pistol and plastic handcuffs. They tried to tie up two of Augusto's employees - a 35-year-old man and his 47-year-old female co-worker, said Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne.
"The male employee started to struggle, and then, as he did that, the perp with the gun struck him once in the head," Browne said. "... That's when the owner opened fire with the shotgun."
As the bandits bolted from the store, Augusto squeezed off three blasts from the pistol-grip shotgun from 20 to 30 feet away from the pistol-whipped employee. He was deadly accurate. The four bandits - who were all from Manhattan - were hit.
They went from Manhattan to Harlem to commit robbery? How times have changed!
Two of the robbers were struck in the back. One, identified as James Morgan, dropped dead inside the store among the sparkling gas stoves, a pistol near his body. The other - Raylin Footmon, a nephew of a cop in the NYPD's 25th Precinct - made it across the street before collapsing on the sidewalk, police and witnesses said. He was later pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital.
The furious employee who had been pistol-whipped ran out of the store and leaned over the mortally wounded Footmon, cursing at him, witnesses said. The worker went back into the store and dragged Morgan's body onto the sidewalk, yelling at him and kicking him, witnesses said. Heh, just like that scene in Taxi Driver!
"He stood over the body cursing him and shaking him, even though he was dead," said Matthew Viane, 38, who lives in the neighborhood. "He was screaming at him and stomping him. "He [the employee] said, 'You were going to kill me? Now you're dead!'"
Viane said he overheard the 35-year-old employee - whom cops took away from the scene in handcuffs, but later released - thanking Augusto.
"Gus, you saved my life. You saved my life," Viane quoted the worker as saying.
A man who worked at Blue Flame a couple of years ago unloading trucks said Augusto was just sticking up for himself. "He's a respectable businessman. ... He wouldn't hurt a fly. He found a deer by his house and nursed him back to health. He loves animals," said the man, who declined to give his name.
Cops followed a bloody trail to Amsterdam Ave., where they found the third suspect, Bernard Whitherspoon. He was in police custody last night at St. Luke's where he was being treated for his wounds. He was in stable condition. The remaining robbery suspect, Shamel McCloud, was nabbed at 128th St. and St. Nicholas Terrace after being identified by a witness. He was also in stable condition at St. Luke's last night.
Augusto told cops he bought his shotgun after a robbery nearly 30 years ago. Browne said it was unclear Thursday night if Augusto has a license for the weapon.
"He's being treated as a witness and the victim of an attempted robbery," Browne said of Augusto. "He has not been arrested or charged."
A police source said that if Augusto is hit with a charge, it will be a minor one. "It doesn't look too bad for him," the source said.
#7
"Shooting robbers out of season? Not having a robbery in progress stamp on his license? And what's with the license for a long gun?"
In New York City, the only people allowed to have a firearm of any sort aside from cops are criminals. They have the strictest gun laws in the country so most law abiding citizens don't have them.
#8
A permit issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division is required to possess a rifle or shotgun in New York City. The applicant must submit 4 photos taken within 30 days of application, be fingerprinted, and submit 2 affidavits from persons setting forth his good character. The fee for a rifle and shotgun permit and renewal is $55. The permit is valid for 3 years and is subject to automatic renewal, upon sworn application, and without investigation, unless the Police Commissioner has reason to believe that the status of the applicant has changed since the previous application.
It is unlawful for a person to possess a rifle or shotgun unless he is the holder of a permit as well as a certificate of registration, issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division for each rifle or shotgun. There is no fee for the certificate of registration; the board keeps a file of all current and past holders of permits and certificates of registration.
The following persons may not obtain a permit to possess a rifle or shotgun:
1. Persons under 18
2 . Convicted felons or those convicted of certain misdemeanors unless a certificate of good conduct has been obtained.
3. Persons not of good moral character.
4. Persons who have suffered any mental illness or been confined to any hospital or institution, public or private, for mental illness.
5. Persons not now free from any mental disorders, defects or diseases that would impair the ability to safely posses or use a rifle or shotgun.
6. Persons for which just cause exists for the denial of the permit.
No later than 30 days from the submission of the application, unless the police commissioner determines more time is needed for an investigation and then it shall not exceed 60 days, the Commissioner shall issue the permit or shall notify the applicant of the denial of the application and the reason or reasons.
If an application for a permit is denied, the applicant can submit an appeal to the Police Department's License Division. A further appeal can be submitted to the Commanding Officer of the License Division.
Any person holding a valid license to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with the provisions of the New York Penal Law will be issued a shotgun or the rifle permit upon application and payment of the $55 fee.
The following persons may possess rifles and shotguns without a permit or certificate:
1. Persons under 18 when in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of an adult who possess a permit.
2. Persons in military service.
3. Peace officers.
4. Non-residents in transit.
5. Members of an accredited civilian rifle club who were given rifles obtained through the DCM.
6. Members of a rifle team representing an educational institution.
7. Persons transporting rifles and shotguns as merchandise.
8. Persons who possess antique rifles and shotguns, defined as those manufactured prior to 1894 and replicas which are not designed to fire fixed ammunition, or for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available.
9. Inheritance whether by testamentary bequest or by the laws of intestacy, except that the person who receives or acquires said rifle or shotgun is subject to obtaining a permit as well as a certificate of registration. If the heir or legatee of the owner of such a rifle or shotgun does not qualify to possess the rifle or shotgun, the rifle or shotgun may be possessed by the heir or legatee for the purpose of sale for a period not exceeding 180 days or further limited period beyond the 180 days as may be approved by the commissioner, extensions in no event to exceed a total of 90 days.
Any New York City resident acquiring a rifle or shotgun outside the city shall make application for a permit and certificate of registration within 72 hours after bringing such weapon into the city. Pending the issuance of such permit and/or certificate the rifle or shotgun must be deposited at the nearest police precinct.
Non-residents in transit who are carrying rifles and shotguns with them are exempt from the permit and registration requirements provided they remain In New York City for only 24 hours and the rifles and shotguns are at all times unloaded and in a closed case, or in a locked automobile trunk.
Only a rifle or shotgun owner with a permit is allowed to possess ammunition suitable for the registered rifle or shotgun and is allowed to possess an ammunition feeding device for the registered rifle or shotgun, but not to exceed 5 rounds capacity.A permit issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division is required to possess a rifle or shotgun in New York City. The applicant must submit 4 photos taken within 30 days of application, be fingerprinted, and submit 2 affidavits from persons setting forth his good character. The fee for a rifle and shotgun permit and renewal is $55. The permit is valid for 3 years and is subject to automatic renewal, upon sworn application, and without investigation, unless the Police Commissioner has reason to believe that the status of the applicant has changed since the previous application.
It is unlawful for a person to possess a rifle or shotgun unless he is the holder of a permit as well as a certificate of registration, issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division for each rifle or shotgun. There is no fee for the certificate of registration; the board keeps a file of all current and past holders of permits and certificates of registration.
The following persons may not obtain a permit to possess a rifle or shotgun:
1. Persons under 18
2 . Convicted felons or those convicted of certain misdemeanors unless a certificate of good conduct has been obtained.
3. Persons not of good moral character.
4. Persons who have suffered any mental illness or been confined to any hospital or institution, public or private, for mental illness.
5. Persons not now free from any mental disorders, defects or diseases that would impair the ability to safely posses or use a rifle or shotgun.
6. Persons for which just cause exists for the denial of the permit.
No later than 30 days from the submission of the application, unless the police commissioner determines more time is needed for an investigation and then it shall not exceed 60 days, the Commissioner shall issue the permit or shall notify the applicant of the denial of the application and the reason or reasons.
If an application for a permit is denied, the applicant can submit an appeal to the Police Department's License Division. A further appeal can be submitted to the Commanding Officer of the License Division.
Any person holding a valid license to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with the provisions of the New York Penal Law will be issued a shotgun or the rifle permit upon application and payment of the $55 fee.
The following persons may possess rifles and shotguns without a permit or certificate:
1. Persons under 18 when in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of an adult who possess a permit.
2. Persons in military service.
3. Peace officers.
4. Non-residents in transit.
5. Members of an accredited civilian rifle club who were given rifles obtained through the DCM.
6. Members of a rifle team representing an educational institution.
7. Persons transporting rifles and shotguns as merchandise.
8. Persons who possess antique rifles and shotguns, defined as those manufactured prior to 1894 and replicas which are not designed to fire fixed ammunition, or for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available.
9. Inheritance whether by testamentary bequest or by the laws of intestacy, except that the person who receives or acquires said rifle or shotgun is subject to obtaining a permit as well as a certificate of registration. If the heir or legatee of the owner of such a rifle or shotgun does not qualify to possess the rifle or shotgun, the rifle or shotgun may be possessed by the heir or legatee for the purpose of sale for a period not exceeding 180 days or further limited period beyond the 180 days as may be approved by the commissioner, extensions in no event to exceed a total of 90 days.
Any New York City resident acquiring a rifle or shotgun outside the city shall make application for a permit and certificate of registration within 72 hours after bringing such weapon into the city. Pending the issuance of such permit and/or certificate the rifle or shotgun must be deposited at the nearest police precinct.
Non-residents in transit who are carrying rifles and shotguns with them are exempt from the permit and registration requirements provided they remain In New York City for only 24 hours and the rifles and shotguns are at all times unloaded and in a closed case, or in a locked automobile trunk.
"Only a rifle or shotgun owner with a permit is allowed to possess ammunition suitable for the registered rifle or shotgun and is allowed to possess an ammunition feeding device for the registered rifle or shotgun, but not to exceed 5 rounds capacity.
#11
No charges for Augusto. The surviving thugsters copped pleas...
Posted: Wednesday, 27 January 2010 9:44PM
2 Guilty in Harlem Shop Holdup Stopped by Owner
NEW YORK (AP) -- The two surviving members of a group of would-be stickup artists thwarted by a shotgun-wielding business owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbery.
Shamel McCloud, 21, and Bernard Witherspoon, 22, were among four men who tried to hold up the Kaplan Brothers Blue Flame Corp. at gunpoint in August. Police said one of the restaurant supply store's employees was pistol-whipped before 72-year-old proprietor Charles Augusto Jr. fired the weapon he had gotten after an armed robbery 30 years before.
McCloud and Witherspoon were wounded. James Morgan, 29, and Raylin Footmon, 21, were killed.
McCloud and Witherspoon are expected to get 5-year prison terms at their sentencing, set for March 11. McCloud's lawyer, Scott E. Leemon, called the episode a "drastic mistake" for McCloud. Witherspoon's lawyer didn't immediately return a telephone call.
Augusto said by phone Wednesday that he had hoped they would not be punished too harshly and feared prison would "mess them up."
Augusto, who wasn't charged with any crime, said he hoped never to use his 12-gauge shotgun in such circumstances again. But he remains prepared, should armed robbers strike a third time at the business where he has worked for nearly 50 years."If they come around, it's them or me, I'm not going to take that," he said.
#12
8. Persons who possess antique rifles and shotguns, defined as those manufactured prior to 1894 and replicas which are not designed to fire fixed ammunition, or for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available.
#13
So what NYC is saying is that you should have a black powder .44 six-shot carbine, and a double-barreled black powder 12 gauge and you are cool. Cabela's sells both via the mail.
A shooting and fatal car crash on Luke Air Force Base in Litchfield, Ariz., have left one person dead and another injured, KSAZ Phoenix reported.
At 11 p.m. Monday night two individuals ran a gate at the base with their car, said Capt. Gonzales, a spokesman at Luke Air Force Base.
A security forces officer reportedly confronted two men inside the car, previously reported stolen, said Officer Karen Gerardo, the public information officer at the Glendale Police Department.
When the officer got out of his car to try to make contact with the two men, the car drove directly at him. The officer shot at the car, which then crashed, said Gerardo.
One of the occupants of the vehicle was killed. His cause of death has not been determined.
The other person in the car was injured and transported to a hospital.
Investigators do not suspect terrorism, said Gerardo. They don't believe the men were anything other than car thieves, said Gonzales.
GLENDALE, Arizona Authorities say two men were shot by security officers after they drove a stolen car through a gate at an Air Force base during a police chase.
Officials say one of the men died and the other was wounded.
The crash occurred at the entrance to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, outside Phoenix. The base trains pilots to fly F-16s.
Base spokesman Capt. Jerry Gonzalez said the pair allegedly stole a car and drove through a security gate as they attempted to flee from authorities.
Gonzalez said base security forces set up a roadblock. As the driver tried to run it, security officers, fearing for their safety, opened fire.
#8
I am confused as to if the car was coming on or off the base. It sounds like they were inside the base. In which case I would go with Besoeker and bet a couple of low life dependents.
The stolen vehicle broke through the gate about midnight and was about to cross a bridge that connects the two parts of the base when the shooting occurred, said Capt. Jerry Gonzalez, a spokesman for Luke. Base security had set up a barricade on the bridge and at least one of the guards opened fire when the vehicle drove toward the security personnel, authorities said.
Authorities said the two men were headed to the operational side of the military base, including where aircraft training is carried out. "We take security very seriously here," Gonzalez said. "These guys made a mistake by stumbling into the base. Without knowing what their intentions were, our security forces personnel reacted to it and took care of it."
The men were believed to be connected somehow to another stolen another vehicle that Maricopa County Sherriff's deputies had pulled over minutes earlier near Litchfield and Cactus Roads, said Glendale police Officer Karen Gerardo. An unknown number of passengers were in the first vehicle and they were arrested without incident by deputies, Gerardo said.
The second vehicle with the two men was not pursued by law enforcement and continued on, at some point turning into Luke for reasons that were unclear, Gerardo said.
#12
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- One person is dead after he and another suspect led law-enforcement agents on a chase onto Luke Air Force Base, authorities said.
Raw Video: Woman's Stolen Car Used In Base Shooting
A Maricopa County sheriff's deputy spotted a blue car that was reported stolen from a 99 cent store shortly before midnight, authorities said. The deputy followed the blue car.
Shortly after, a call came in about a crash at Luke Air Force Base; a silver car had driven through one of the security gates, according to Air Force Captain Jerry Gonzalez.
Security forces set up a road block on the base, but when the suspects didn't stop, security forces fired at the silver vehicle which then crashed into a guard rail, Gonzalez said.
Investigators speculated that the occupants of the silver car thought the deputy following the blue car was actually following them.
Gonzalez said he believes both suspects in the car were shot. One of them died, and the other was taken to a Valley hospital. Neither suspect was identified.
The occupants of the blue car, identified only as a juvenile and 18-year-old Rosio Rosa Gonzalez, were taken into custody.
Investigators believe the occupants of the blue and silver cars knew each other. Both cars were confirmed stolen.
#13
A few years ago, an id10t stole a truck and drove it south on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. As he passed Arundel Mills, he realized that the cops were getting closer and he decided to get off at a convenient exit. He ended up taking what he thought was the exit to Route 32. It wasn't.
The guards at the NSA were ready for him. The dumbass still has a few years left on his sentence.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
02/23/2010 21:56 Comments ||
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Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
A letter from William McCaffrey, the commanding colonel for the 31st infantry, follows the telegram in July 1951, noting Graham had âthe appropriate servicesâ at a Protestant church and that Graham âperformed his duty splendidly and was admired by all who knew him.â
Interesting, the colonel was Barry McCaffrey's father.
The leader of a military junta that toppled Niger's president last week has become the country's interim president with plans to draw up a new constitution.
A military decree on Monday said Major Salou Djibo, who heads the junta calling itself the Supreme Council for Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), will function as the acting head of state and government during the political transition.
The junta has also said that it would name a prime minister and government to help oversee the transition, whose duration was not specified.
The announcement came a day after the junta leaders promised a visiting international delegation a return to democracy and a new constitution. They said that they would engage political groups and the civil society in setting up the new constitution.
The delegation comprised of members of the United Nations, African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The authorities promised to establish a body which will draw up new electoral laws and a draft constitution for adoption through the ballot by voters of the uranium-rich, west African country.
Last Thursday, the army toppled President Mamadou Tandja who became unpopular ever since he changed the constitution in order to remain in power beyond a 10-year limit.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
I sense Barry drawing a big breath to scream COUP.
Oh, they're not doing what he'd like, They're outing a President that tried to void the constitution, not allowing the farce to take effect.
Nevermind.
Does not help him, so it didn't happen.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/23/2010 3:57 Comments ||
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called on Queen Elizabeth II of Britain to leave the disputed Malvinas (Falklands) Island to Argentina, saying that the time of empires have long expired. "Look, England, how long are you going to be in Las Malvinas Queen of England, I'm talking to you... the time for empires are over, haven't you noticed? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine People," AFP quoted Chavez as saying in his weekly TV and Radio address "Alo Presidente" on Sunday. Ah, the poor Malvinas peons, groaning under the yoke of the hated Brits...
"Nurse, the pink pill! He's talking to people who aren't there, again!"
The Latin American leader warned that in the event of a war over the island, Argentina would not be alone.
Yes, Argentina would. Just like last time.
"The English are still threatening Argentina. Things have changed," Chavez continued, still addressing Queen Elizabeth II. "We are no longer in 1982. If conflict breaks out, be sure Argentina will not be alone like it was back then." I'm guessing it would take the Brits about 24 hours to dispose of the Venezuelan army, which is better suited to oppressing the populace than to winning wars...
The British claim over the archipelago is "anti-historic and irrational," said Chavez, asking "why the English speak of democracy but still have a queen?" Because the country's run by Parliament rather than by a caudillo?
The dispute over the Malvinas Island arose between Buenos Aires and London after Argentina found that Britain was planning drilling for oil near the islands that lie around 500 kilometers off the coast of Argentina and almost 13,000 kilometers away from the UK. Britain deems the southern Atlantic archipelago as part of its sovereign territories, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown reportedly hinting at a possible confrontation in the event of a clash. It's inhabited by Brits, from what I understand...
Earlier on Friday Chavez had also slammed the US and the UK for what he described as their 'oil hunger' that had sparked tensions over drilling plans near the Falklands or Las Malvinas. The oil hunger appears to be on the part of the Argies and their current crop of Perons...
Venezuela would have been happy to feed that oil hunger, but President Chavez threw out the foreign oil companies before the locals were properly trained to take over, then sold the future rights to China.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Rematch is green lighted, UK. Just make sure you drive on the correct side of the road.
#2
Amazing how easy it is for a punk like Chevez to drivel on when a weak occupant is in the Oval Office. Of course Barry would never support Great Britain under any circumstance anyway, they 'tortured' his pro-Mau Mau grandfather Onyango.
In his book, Mr Obama implies that his grandfather was not directly involved in the anti-colonial agitation, but his grandmother said that her husband had supplied information to the insurgents. His job as cook to a British army officer made him a useful informer for the secret oathing movement which would later form the Mau Mau rebellion, she said. The Mau Mau used oaths as part of their initiation ceremony.
#3
How about returning Venezuela to the Venezuelans?
Posted by: no mo uro ||
02/23/2010 5:56 Comments ||
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#4
Next HGTV International House Hunters program on Aruba, just remember the buyers are planning to live mere miles away from Papa Hugo. The mouth is already telling you what he plans to do.
1) you are an idiot
2) see 1)
3) i wonder where our subs have gone ?
4) pucker up with, Kirchner calderon , you have been in power 10 years , and ruined your country, we have been around for 100's of years and know our stuff , go figure
5) we probably would have been happy to throw the argies some business ops from this oil investment , not now
6)CARICOM, make me laugh some more will ya ?
7) see 3
Posted by: Oscar ||
02/23/2010 9:35 Comments ||
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#7
Venezuela would have been happy to feed that oil hunger, but President Chavez threw out the foreign oil companies before the locals were properly trained to take over, then sold the future rights to China.
FWIW, the locals in Venezuela are perfectly capable of doing most if not all of the work that's being done down there.
The big problem isn't that Yugo chased off the foreigners that had brains and all that's left is dumbass Venezuelans.
The REALLY BIG problem is that Yugo chased off all the Venezuelans with the requisite skill sets and replaced them with foreigners from places like Iran that are less than competent to maintain all the specialized equipment invented by the previous employees of Pdvsa to deal with the specialized problems of drilling in Venezuela (such as dealing with the thick crude stuff down in the Orinoco).
#8
Although fwiw, I think there's a serious threat that Yugo might try a simultaneous invasion of British Guyana if Argentina did anything re: the Falklands.
#9
That would set the cat amongst the pigeons for ooh a week .
Posted by: Oscar ||
02/23/2010 10:12 Comments ||
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#10
Snow Thing, The oil companies have been training Venezuelans in all phases of the business for decades (same with all producing countries) - but far too many of those being trained and employed are 'politically connected', and merely occupy an org chart position and get paid, while 'shadow' ex-pats do most of the work.
Still, that's not the only big problem, nor probably even the biggest: it's tough getting capital and credit when you engage in Venezuelan-style politics, and without those things there is no modernization and limited maintenance.
#11
Thing from Snowy Mountain. I was thinking along similar lines although I think his direct nieghbors are too big for any intervention to really work out.
I see Chavez as testing European will. If the Argies grab the Falklands and the UK does nothing or gets no support I suspect Chavez will grab a few small Dutch Islands off his north coast. I
#13
I wouldn't be so confident of an easy British victory to re-take the 'disputed' Falklands (which, incidentally, have never been Argentinian). Labour have spent the past twelve years reducing the British military, particularly the navy, to a shadow of the relatively strong force is was in '82. Plus any re-taking has to be done by someone with balls and the strength of their convictions - for Maggie it was a no-brainer. For Gordon Brown and his New Labour airheads it would very much harder to contemplate. They tried to give Gibraltar to the Spanish, after all - only the locals' protests scuppered that traitorous surrender.
The Pentagon has painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defense capabilities, saying that many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from rival China.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report obtained Monday by The Associated Press says "far fewer of these are operationally capable," an unusually strong indictment of Taiwanese defense readiness.
By pointing out the island's shortcomings, the report could provide justification for Washington to grant a Taiwanese request for relatively advanced F-16 jet fighters, a key element in its arms procurement wish list.
Posted by: ed ||
02/23/2010 00:12 ||
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#1
Methinks DAILY TIMES.PK says it better > US SAYS TAIWAN'S AIR FORCE NEEDS HELP.
#2
Ditto CHINA as per INDJUH'S AIR FORCE, ala WMF, as the former says despite India's on-going mil modernization India's Air Force can be easily wiped out in short order???
#3
The Pentagon has painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defense capabilities, saying that many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from rival China.
I wonder what the War Department's assessment of England's air defense capability was in the summer of 1940. "operationally capable" sometimes is a term used to hold a piece of equipment on the line rather than use because of maintenance and parts issues, but if push came to shove could be airborne and in a fight.
#4
The Taiwanese are not vested in their own defense.
I view sale or transfer of any defense-related item to Taiwan as a capitulation of US defense technology directly to the mainland and object to the notion that we are obligated to defend a democracy not interested in defending itself. The opportunity to posture over Taiwan was lost 20 or so years ago. It's just not worth it.
#6
...and if not, they can take it by proxy fight rather than by arms. Hell, they could buy the place out if they wanted to. Might crimp budget for the military buildup right now and the cover the Taiwan issue provides it, but it's doable. It's not Taiwan they want to cow, it's their neighbors. Satellites of the Middle Kingdom brought back into the fold.
It's safe to say that Ady Gil, the entertainment industry exec that helped the Sea Shepherd purchase the Earthrace, has become much more well-known since his involvement with the organization. In light of the sinking of the ship named in his honor during this year's campaign, he's been sought after by media for comments and opinions on what's currently happening down in the Southern Ocean. In a recent interview with the Australian Courier Mail, he broaches a topic generally sidestepped by the very organization he's supporting: the use of guns in defending whales.
"In Africa, it's OK to shoot poachers in Kenya," he says. "They tell them not to kill the elephants and they still kill the elephants. They say if you continue to kill the elephants, we're going to shoot you -- and they do. Elephants don't shoot back ...
"Is the next step for someone to go down there and shoot the Japanese? Is that where it needs to get to in order to stop it?" ... but the Japanese could ...
"If I pulled a knife here and demanded money," he says, nodding at the crowd of James St. Latte lappers, "there would be police here with guns. Guns are how you enforce the law -- with power."
Gil's comments come amidst frustration over the Australian government's reluctance to become involved in the issue.
"If you feel responsible for these whale sanctuaries as a country, then be responsible. Send your navy and go there and enforce the law. Don't talk and say you're going to go and do it after the election."
"It's either your policy or it's not. Why wait until November? Is March not a good month?" he asks.
Posted by: john frum ||
02/23/2010 16:47 ||
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The Yamato's 18 inch guns are at the bottom of the ocean, but the JMSDF's current 5 inch types would do nicely for a response to anything Ady and his fellow show-biz pirates might be able to use.
#6
So, some good Japanese politicians and lawyers just get together and using the same legal structures developed for tracking and extraditing terrorists, then they apply the same to those who are engaged in such on the high seas. Keep it up boys, and you'll have wanted posters on the net too. Wonder how long before the Japanese can get a Predator class vehicle + hellfire into the air?
#7
How will this effect Obama's cetacean bio-fuel program? After all in the 19th century the USA was world leader in the production of cetacean bio-fuels and we didn't have any global warming. Also think of all the jobs that would return to the Northeast!
#10
I know the Hindu's don't like it when I eat meat and two other well know sects when I eat pork... BUT as far as I know none is staging attacks like this on meat packers.
Ady Gil is a moron!!
#1
... U.S. banks may expand their short- term lending at interest rates of 120 percent or more as they seek to replace more than $15 billion in lost revenue because of regulations limiting overdraft fees.
.... The banks dont call the advances payday loans because its a very tarnished, negative brand, said Rowe, who estimates U.S. banks may lose from $15 billion to $20 billion in revenue when Federal Reserve rules take effect July 1. The rules will prohibit banks from charging overdraft fees at automated teller machines or on debit cards unless a customer has agreed to pay for exceeding account balances.
For consumers, getting a short-term, high-interest loan from a bank might be worse than going to a payday store, said Lauren Saunders, managing attorney with the National Consumer Law Center in Washington. A bank has direct access to consumer accounts, meaning its loans will be paid off first, ahead of food, housing or utilities, she said.
... National banks making payday-type loans unfairly compete with payday loan stores because theyre exempt from state laws limiting interest rates, said Steven Schlein, spokesman for the Community Financial Services Association of America, an Alexandria, Virginia-based trade association, which represents payday lenders. National banks like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bancorp and Fifth Third are federally regulated, while payday lenders are overseen by the states.
What the banks are doing are payday loans, Schlein said. Lets have everybody operate under the same system.
#3
..while payday lenders are overseen by the states.
Been an issue even during 'good times'. Several states have put usury limits on such loans. Use to have state usury limits on all loan type transactions till the great inflation of the late 70s, early 80s when the bankers conned the states to remove them rather than tie them to percentages above prime. That's why we still have credit card rates at 18 and 21 percent for years while prime flatlined under 5 percent by the late 80s.
#4
More and more credit cards are for bad risks. Banks are writing off 10% of credit card balances these days. They have to get that money some where. FrankGly, you're a fool if you use a credit card these days.
And repealing the usery laws only allowed banks to compete with loan sharks who break a leg when you miss too many payments.
#6
thx Pappy - I only have two cards, one with a low limit ($500) I got in my early low-credit college days (with a low APR, still) that I use for on-line purchases, in case of intercept, the risk is low. The second card is for extreme emergencies with a five-digit limit that I don't use online, and due to my long term responsible use, I wasn't hit during the reshuffle, so I resent my inclusion in your blanket slur, Mr. NS. A retraction is in order or an admitting of very clumsy fingering, prolly due to alcohol and lack of spellcheck.
*/verbal slap and demand of duel*
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/23/2010 22:10 Comments ||
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After spending $1 billion and 12 years of effort, Defense officials have pulled the plug on a hapless plan to bring the four military branches under a single, modern payroll and personnel records system.
"This program has been a disaster," Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month. He said he applauded the decision to kill what proponents said would be the largest, fully-integrated human resource system in the world.
"Many of the programs that I have made decisions to cut have been controversial within the Department of Defense," Defense Secretary Robert Gates explained to senators. "I will tell you this one was not."
The object of so much disaffection is the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources Sys tem (DIMHRS), known as "Dime-ers."
Secretary Gates clearly wasn't a fan of the title or program, which at its peak employed 600 military, federal civilians and private contractors who tried to use off-the-shelf technology to meld up to 90 automated systems that continue to run across DoD.
"I would say that what we've gotten for a half billion dollars is an unpronounceable acronym," Gates quipped, though his cost estimate was short by half. The Government Accountability Of fice says a billion dollars had been spent on DIMHRS through 2009.
Its demise leaves the Army, Navy and Air Force still reliant on archaic, problem-plagued payroll and personnel systems. Required upgrades had been postponed again and again over the years, always in anticipation that all services would be moving to, and satisfied with, DIMHRS.
It was to start in the Army in April 2006. But this and four other initial deployments dates were set and canceled. Last spring Defense officials finally and quietly advised the Army, Navy and Air Force they could pursue their own personnel and payroll system upgrades.
More than time and money had been lost, however. Military personnel, particularly Guard and Reserve members, increasingly have been frustrated by pay and personnel record errors. The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves urged two years ago that a single, integrated pay and personnel system was needed "as soon as possible" to rectify inadequacies in fragile legacy sys tems.
More than 90 percent of Army Reserve and Guard soldiers activated to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq through 2003 reported significant pay errors. Aggressive actions were taken to lower that rate but without the benefit of what was needed -- a modern integrated payroll system that no longer treated active and reserve component members differently.
The current systems use programming language from the late 1960s that are unable to handle complex changes. When newpays are adopted, it was taking the Army on average 12 to 18 months to automate. Some pays, like medical bonuses, can't be programmed and must be calculated manually.
DIMHRS was to relieve all of that. It would track assignments, process orders and show immediate changes to members' duty status to ensure timely, accurate pay, benefits and service credit. Members would be able to monitor a single comprehensive record online including any health or safety incidents which would bear on future benefits.
The goals were good, Mullen told Sen. Roland W. Burris (D-Ill.), when the senator heatedly challenged the decision to shelve DIMHRS after so much time and expense. "It's just we're not getting there with DIMHRS," Mullen said. "We are wasting our money."
The Marine Corps alone began a decade ago to move to a combined personnel and payroll system, the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS).
The Navy as far back as 2006 wanted to adopt MCTFS but Congress balked, with GAO noting that $668 million already had been invested in DIMHRS.
Six years ago, after multiple pay problems surfaced again for mobilized personnel, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service stopped waiting for DIMHRS and announced it would phase in a more reliable, effective interim pay system, the Forward Compatible Payroll. FCP promised far fewer errors, an easy-to-read Leave and Earnings Statement and instantaneous adjustments to pay records. But the FCP never started.
Again the rationale seemed to be: Why spend millions more on an interim payroll fix when DIMHRS was so near. Thus an aging, problem-plagued military pay system went uncorrected.
No Army, Navy or Defense official was made available to comment on plans post-DIMHRS to modernize pay and personnel systems. But Jeff Farrand, functionality manager for Air Force Personnel and Pay In tegration, said his service was "moving forward" with an integrated personnel and pay system that will leverage "capabilities developed under DIMHRS."
Neither Mullen nor Gates spoke of the services salvaging parts of DIMHRS to use for their own system upgrades, though that seems to be the intent. Burris had pressed Mullen to explain why the Office of Personnel Management can operate one pay and personnel system for all federal civilians yet DoD can't do that for its military population. Burris suggested the reason boils down to "turf fights" which shouldn't be allowed.
Mullen referred to "making a program too perfect and you just can't get there. It's was proven DIMHRS couldn't get there, time and time again."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Secretary Gates clearly wasn't a fan of the title or program, which at its peak employed 600 military, federal civilians and private contractors who tried to use off-the-shelf technology to meld up to 90 automated systems that continue to run across DoD.
Design a system to meld '90' separate systems would be a nightmare of configuration management. Given that control over the 90 would not be in the integrators hands, that means they would have to constantly alter and change their system at the whim of 90 other owners. We have enough joy and happiness with every Microborgsoft update that creeps into our O/S without knowing its impact on third party software. An integrated system should be designed and implemented top down for configuration management purposes. Not going to happen within the separate fiefs of DoD anytime soon.
#2
Could one design, build, test, and field a global satellite GPS system for spring loaded mouse traps? Yes of course, but why would you? For the same reason Snake oil Federal Contract automators and empire building DoD acquisition contract managers pursue other meaningless, parasitic projects. Millions frivolously pissed away by DoD on combat modeling and simulations (M&S) is only one example. Sounds all technical, difficult to understand, but probably very necessary. Sorry, it's just another costly digital disaster like the one listed herein, too big and too invested to fail.
#3
About 5 years ago I was the tech lead on a team which sought to incoporate a number of disparate military systems starting with NAVAIR in Pawtunxent, MD. In that role, which started with a systems audit, I got to see the kinds of issues that exist.
I worked for a private software house, SAP, that has the ability, product and resources to have pulled this off. What SAP, or anyone else, does not have is the ability to fight through the millions of turf wars that are in play within and amongst the various commands.
Technically it's a challenge but eminently doable...politically? not so much.
For those of you not attuned to the wonders of IS let me use one, somewhat, related example. Again as the tech lead for an SAP project; this time at a Fortune 500 manufacturer with military ties. We had to, among other things, combine 6 existing accounts receivable systems into 1. Unfortunately there were also 6 different and incompatible parts systems. Marketing had one name for a widget, engineering had another, sales another and the various manufacturing operations had their own. I went back to that company 4 times over the subsequent years and it took them 7 years to get through this particular issue. Imagine what the military could do.
As a line in the magazine Fortune put it in 1993..."The best thing about SAP is that it's an integrated system; the worst thing about SAP is that it's an integrated system."
#4
We have enough joy and happiness with every Microborgsoft update that creeps into our O/S without knowing its impact on third party software.
Tell me about it, NONE of my library of games will play on 64 bit systems (Win7) and the only "Fix is to eliminate Win 7 and reinstall Win XP 32bit. YUK
I'm currently debating refurbishing my old box (Crashed hard drive) Just for gaming.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/23/2010 13:01 Comments ||
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#5
RJ try VMware...
Posted by: abu do you love ||
02/23/2010 18:32 Comments ||
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#7
AlanC - my employer - a large So Cal local gubbamint, has implemented SAP this last year (you prolly know which one). Our timecard inputs are a disaster. Implementation was done prematurely, at best.
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/23/2010 20:18 Comments ||
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#8
SAP is a cumbersome and demanding beast, but it does work.
#9
Glenmore has it right. It does work but its "niche" is rather overwhelming since it tries to enable the centralization and standardization of virtually all of the IS concerns of a business. The underlying software is really impressive.
BTW anyone in the market for a semi-voluntarily retired IS type with 30 years in the business from software engineering through project mgmt?
I accepted an early retirement last year as the alternative was an 18 month 5 day a week committment in Mexico City. After 15 years on the road and no kids left at home I wanted to stay local and the crash killed virtually all business east of Nevada. Unfortunately it also took a real chunk out of the retirement fund so I've got a couple of years to fill in.
#10
Glenmore and AlanC. I don't mean to disparage SAP, nor it's need. We had vintage Auditing programs that couldn't communicate to funding software, nor labor charges, nor hard costs. Something was needed! SAP was the choice and my only knowledgeable complaints are that it was forced prematurely, did not address Dept-specific needs and was inflexible. That doesn't mean it wasn't needed. Just inflicted poorly
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/23/2010 23:09 Comments ||
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#11
Frank, no problem at all. The biggest problem with SAP (outside of some managers ;^) has always been with the implementation. I can give you long lists of partial successes and failures of all types. They had one thing in common...bad implementation management.
Everything from one manager trying to drive his vision over other managers to greedy consulting houses trying to build the never ending project to managers who wanted to implement the latest thing just because.
It all came down to one thing, lack of a clear vision of the goal coupled with a lack of clear leadership.
#1
A short anecdote y'all probably don't know.
As a boy I was pushed into becoming an Altar Boy (Assistant at the altar Episcopal Church)
One of the things the priest had to do is finish off the Sacramental Wine leftover from service, he tried to make sure the wine either ran out or was very little remaining at the end of Communion, because he had to drink all leftover wine that had been "Blessed" for that service.
He would sometimes need to guzzle a half pint or more two services each Sunday, Yup, he WAS tipsy.
And couldn't do a thing about it.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/23/2010 13:11 Comments ||
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#3
Being a lapsed Jew, Im qualified to gripe that while this raises my ire, I really think those being picked upon need to beat the bullies in the proverbial playground, not leave. Take a stand, not leave! It may be overly simplistic, but sometimes enough is enough. This is why there is a plant named "a wandering Jew" and that plant needs to put down some roots and hang in there. Or maybe re-watch the film Defiance about some angry Jews that fight back for some reminders!
#4
I'd leave, GirlThursday. Leave the Swedish and Muslim pigs together in the sty they created, while I went somewhere I was appreciated. Jews in general are hardworking, productive, law-abiding citizens; any community that prefers the romantic viciousness of Muslim youth gangs deserves the natural outcome of that choice, however hard it will be on the young Swedish ladies of the community until they, too, leave. Some things simply are not worth fighting for.
still able to work but not really able to go toe to toe with 20 yr old Thugs
Posted by: lord garth ||
02/23/2010 19:50 Comments ||
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#6
It really depends, IMHO. What are the gun laws? Can they point something deadly and squeeze off a few? Worked for shotgun man in Harlem who was no spring chicken if I am recalling correctly.
#8
Why would I joke about a serious matter. I think there are around 900,000 gun owners in Sweden, making up 16% of those eligible to vote. Also, handguns and rifles are allowed to hunters and those who join a gun club for about six months.
#9
Actually a good question, GirlThursday. If I might suggest a slight modification, what is the Swedish attitude toward using guns for protecting self and home? In Britain that kind of thing is punished very severely, regardless the level of threat posed by those the gun owner was trying to protect himself against.
#10
Reading just summaries written by civilians I gather It seems as if the way to go would be to get a handgun by qualifying at the six month range thing and a shotgun by using it for "hunting." I can neither confirm or deny the other applications of weapons once they've been obtained because I havent seen the law, although by most report its a royal pain to get one in the first place, but possible. Better left to better legal minds than mine, but an idea nonetheless.
#13
gobsmacked. Part of Speech: adj. Definition: flabbergasted, astounded, shocked; also written gob-smacked. Etymology: from gob 'mouth' + smacked ...
It would be possible in other circumstances to disregard the ongoing story of Greece and its debts as a tedious tale of financial markets. But there's much more to it than that. What's happening in Greece speaks to two larger issues affecting hundreds of millions of people everywhere: the future of the welfare state and the fate of Europe's single currency -- the euro. The meaning of Greece transcends high finance.
Every advanced society, including the United States, has a welfare state. Though details differ, their purposes are similar: to support the unemployed, poor, disabled and aged. All welfare states face similar problems: burgeoning costs as populations age; an overreliance on debt financing; and pressures to reduce borrowing that create pressures to cut welfare spending. High debt and the welfare state are at odds. It's an open question whether the collision will cause social and economic turmoil.
Greece is the opening act in this drama; already, its budget problems have spawned street protests. By the numbers, Greece's plight is acute. In 2009, its government debt -- basically, the sum of past annual deficits -- was 113 percent of its economy (gross domestic product, or GDP). The budget deficit for 2009 was 12.7 percent of GDP. Two-thirds of the debt is owed to foreigners, reports the Institute of International Finance.
The crisis originated in fears that Greece wouldn't be able to refinance almost 17 billion euros in bonds (about $23 billion) maturing this April and May, says the IIF's Jeffrey Anderson. If lenders balked, Greece would default on its bonds. A default would inflict losses on banks and other investors. By itself, this wouldn't be calamitous, because Greece is small (population: 11 million). But a Greek default could undermine market confidence in other euro countries' ability to service their debts. Serial defaults would threaten the global economic recovery. Most often mentioned are Spain, Portugal and Ireland.
Preventing that is what the 16 euro countries, led by France and Germany, are now debating. Greece's adoption of the euro contributed to the crisis. For years, it enabled Greece to borrow at low interest rates, because the prevailing assumption was that the euro bloc wouldn't allow one of its members to default. It would be rescued by the others. These expectations constituted an implicit guarantee of the debt of Greece and other euro countries. If Greece defaulted, the guarantee would vanish and, possibly, trigger a flight from other countries' debt.
But in practice, a bailout is proving hugely controversial. If Greece is aided, won't other countries demand -- or require -- rescues? Is this possible, considering that even France and Germany have high debts and that a Greek bailout is unpopular, especially in Germany? One way to mute the problems is for Greece to embrace a harsh austerity that reduces its borrowing. Greece has already pledged to cut its government work force and raise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and fuel. The other euro countries want more. Their dilemma is that either rescuing or abandoning Greece is a gamble.
To some economists, Greece's situation is so dire that default is inevitable, though it may be a few years away. The required austerity would be too punishing, says Desmond Lachman of the American Enterprise Institute. Greece would need spending cuts and tax increases equal to 10 percent of GDP, he says. The resulting savage recession would worsen existing unemployment, already about 10 percent. "No sane country is going to accept that," says Lachman. Greece may get a temporary rescue, he thinks, but will someday miss debt payments and revert to its own currency (the old currency: the "drachma").
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Greece is the counterpoint to any Socialist screed about the failure of capitalism. At least with capitalism you have something left over to rebuild with.
#2
In the second half of the 5th century BC, signs of weakening of the Greek society appeared, due to the slave exploit, the pauperization of the small producers etc.
#3
High debt and the welfare state are at odds.
I don't agree with the ambiguity in that statement. All welfare states depend on diversion of resources from somewhere else. The Nazi state had an elaborate welfare program for its favored beneficiaries, financed by theft and plunder. Greece's welfare was financed by taking out bad loans. Countries that are highly productive (for a time) can finance their welfare programs by taxing a slice of the new production, but when productivity falls, their debt balloons. Guess where that has happened.
Of course, when the debt gets high enough, it becomes difficult or impossible to make the welfare payments, and this happened after the USSR collapsed. Free lunch & all that rot.
#7
The problem isn't so much that the welfare state doesn't work, it's that left of centre governments continually increase the welfare 'bribes' to various groups in order to increase their constituency (ie votes).
It's a structural problem in a 1 person 1 vote democracy.
Right of centre governments try to increase the number of tax payers in order to counteract the trend, but its been a losing battle for the last 30 years.
The unfolding sovereign debt crisis will certainly require large reductions in welfare payments. It will be interesting to see if fewer welfare recipients and more taxpayers swings politics to the right for years to come. IMO it will.
#8
its been a losing battle for the last 30 years.
It has been for the last 100 years.
I am far less optimistic than my distinguished co-commenter, phil_b. At no time in the last 100 years has the voting population swung to the right as indicated by reductions in welfare. Reagan reduced no welfare. Clinton did replace ADFC with TANF, effectively the transfer of responsibility for dealing with abuse to the states, and that is the closest we have come.
The people on the public teat are like crack addicts. And it's probably half the voters by now. I think Samuelson is correct:
It's an open question whether the collision will cause social and economic turmoil.
And I think it is questionable whether republican government or one-man-one-vote survives the coming violence. I would be happy to see a driver's license and a 1040 with tax due (whether paid by withholding or payable) being required to vote. But that ain't likely because those at the teat know the udder would dry up. I doubt a republican government can last 320 years.
#9
I think the potential for social turmoil from large reductions in welfare is over done. Mostly because the welfare classes are mostly passive. If they weren't they probably wouldn't be on welfare. The demonstrators/rioters that show up at World Bank etc meetings are overwhelmingly the children of the affluent middle class, whose lifestyle is subsidized by their parents, and over paid/under worked union members.
But rest be assured large reductions in welfare payments are unavoidable and even then I doubt they will prevent soveriegn debt defaults.
#10
I remember 1967 too well. Between the frightened, impoverished elderly voters, the angry inner city thugs, the agricultural welfare queens and the public employees including police and fire who will lie down on the job, I suspect we will have severe dislocation. We won't have default here. We'll have Weimar inflation.
PHOENIX - The battle between John McCain and JD Hayworth is just getting started. Both sides are picking up endorsements and trading harsh words -- and the Republican primary is still six months away.
The rhetoric is getting heated between McCain and Hayworth, and the primary is not until August. Meanwhile, a possible Democratic challenger waits patiently in the wings.
Monday, Republican challenger JD Hayworth accepted an endorsement and a $5,000 check from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), representing 2,500 Phoenix Police officers
Mark Spencer says PLEA is endorsing Hayworth because they need to "get back to basics."
That comes on the heels of an endorsement of McCain by the 6,500 member Arizona Fraternal Order of Police over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Tucson Vice-Mayor, Democrat Rodney Glassman, prepares to get in on the race. He sees an opportunity as the Hayworth-McCain cage match heats up.
Posted by: Tom- Pa ||
02/23/2010 15:41 ||
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Shows Scientists Violated Ethics, Reveals Major Disagreements on Climate Science
Washington, D.C.-The Minority Staff of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works released a report today titled, "'Consensus' Exposed: The CRU Controversy." The report covers the controversy surrounding emails and documents released from the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU). It examines the extent to which those emails and documents affect the scientific work of the UN's IPCC, and how revelations of the IPCC's flawed science impacts the EPA's endangerment finding for greenhouse gases.
The report finds that some of the scientists involved in the CRU controversy violated ethical principles governing taxpayer-funded research and possibly federal laws. In addition, the Minority Staff believes the emails and accompanying documents seriously compromise the IPCC-based "consensus" and its central conclusion that anthropogenic emissions are inexorably leading to environmental catastrophes.
In its examination of the controversy, the Minority Staff found that the scientists:
- Obstructed release of damaging data and information;
- Manipulated data to reach preconceived conclusions;
- Colluded to pressure journal editors who published work questioning the climate science "consensus"; and
- Assumed activist roles to influence the political process.
"This EPW Minority Report shows that the CRU controversy is about far more than just scientists who lack interpersonal skills, or a little email squabble," said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. "It's about unethical and potentially illegal behavior by some the world's leading climate scientists. Link is to PDF of the report from the committee.
WASHINGTON -- The Army's top uniformed officer said Tuesday that he has "serious concerns" about efforts to overturn a 17-year policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military and supports a yearlong study into the matter before any changes are made.
The carefully crafted comments by Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey to the Senate Armed Services Committee indicate reluctance by some within the military's senior ranks to President Barack Obama's plan to repeal "don't ask, don't tell."
Obama says the policy is wrongheaded and should change. Defense Secretary Robert Gates agrees but wants to move slowly, and has tasked a lengthy assessment on how to lift the ban without affecting the force.
Casey's testimony as a service chief is considered crucial to the debate. As the top uniformed officials in each service, a service chief is in charge of recruitment and preparing troops for deployments. If the policy on gays is overturned, the chiefs would have to decide how to implement the changes.
"I do have serious concerns about the impact of a repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for eight-and-a-half years," Casey told the Senate panel. "We just don't know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness." As 17 years worth of discharged Gays file lawsuits charging discrimination and damages you will learn more about the 'impacts.'
Casey also said he would oppose legislation being considered by Sen. Carl Levin, the committee's chairman, that would force the military to immediately suspend dismissals. Levin says he wants a moratorium on firings under the law until Congress and the Pentagon can agree on how to repeal the law.
Among the questions to be answered through broader legislation is whether the military would recognize gay marriages and extend benefits to gay partners. Don't forget joint domicile.
Casey and Army Secretary John McHugh said a moratorium on "don't ask, don't tell" would put existing cases in legal limbo and introduce confusion. Barry and Holder will take care of tghe 'legal limbo' with the stroke of a pen.
"This process is going to be difficult and complicated enough," Casey told Levin. "Anything that complicates it more, I think I would be opposed."
Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the committee, agreed. "It flies in the face of what the defense secretary has committed to," McCain said of Levin's proposed moratorium.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he thinks the law unfairly forces gay troops to compromise their integrity by lying about who they are.
McHugh, a former New York congressman and Republican, said he would support a repeal if that is what the president and Congress decides. "My job is to try to provide" the "best possible information and views from the Army side," he said. "When I first enlisted, homosexuality was illegal. Twenty years into my career no one could talk about it. I'm glad I retired before it became mandatory."
-- Anon
Wait till all the straights go get the piece of paper just to get out of the barracks. When did you notice you lost control?
They can put an end to all this by recognizing that the government is about to break their contracts with everyone else since they are fundamentally altering the terms of service. If the point is the human rights and dignity of gays, then that point equally applies to straights who signed those contracts. Of course, its not about rights, its about power. That's why the military won't allow straights out of their contracts when the government alters it. Put the following into any legislation altering the conditions of service -
"Any service member, enlisted, warrant or commission will have the right for one year after the implementation of this change to submit a request for release from service. Said servicemember must be separated from the service within 90s with no holds or delays regardless of operational requirements. Any detention or delay of such servicemember beyond 90 days meets the criteria of kidnapping in accordance with existing federal laws. There will be no waivers. The servicemember will be returned to his or her point of entry on active duty or home of record. The servicemember will be released from all further contractual obligations and based upon exiting condition of service at time of submission of request will retain any and all benefits and entitlement afforded by the Veterans Administration."
They won't do it. And as such puts a lie to the precept that its about individual rights and dignity and that it won't effect operational effectiveness.
In her 88 years, Florence Siegel has learned how to relax: A glass of red wine. A crisp copy of The New York Times, if she can wrest it from her husband. Some classical music, preferably Bach. And every night like clockwork, she lifts a pipe to her lips and smokes marijuana.
Long a fixture among young people, use of the country's most popular illicit drug is now growing among the AARP set, as the massive generation of baby boomers who came of age in the 1960s and '70s grows older.
The number of people aged 50 and older reporting marijuana use in the prior year went up from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent from 2002 to 2008, according to surveys from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The rise was most dramatic among 55- to 59-year-olds, whose reported marijuana use more than tripled from 1.6 percent in 2002 to 5.1 percent.
Observers expect further increases as 78 million boomers born between 1945 and 1964 age. For many boomers, the drug never held the stigma it did for previous generations, and they tried it decades ago.
Posted by: ed ||
02/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
There was a recent report that a type of Grass named "Skunk Weed" was a cure for "Retinitis Pigmentosa" (Wife's got it, near blind)
Also works well eliminating or reducing Night Blindness.
It also mellows you when it hurts, and is NOT addictive like the Medical institutions favorite dope is.
Not Stoners, simply easing the aches, No I don't smoke, but I know others who do, and why.
I had a few Joints in the 60's and my night vision is excellent.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/23/2010 4:09 Comments ||
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#5
It is indeed their lives, Bright Pebbles. But much of the illicit drug supply is provided by people strongly linked to international gangs and terror groups like Hizb'allah, Iran's proxy, and Al Qaeda. We've been complaining that the opium poppy crop hasn't been wiped out in Afghanistan for exactly that reason, right? And on this side of the Atlantic drug revenues flow into the coffers of the armed enemies of Israel and the West.
So you go ahead and let them live their lives in peace. I've got cousins in Israel and friends in New York City who are at risk because these old people choose to indulge in illegal substances.
Were it legal and not supporting gangs and terror groups, I honestly wouldn't care how some people choose to alter their reality. But the troops of more than forty countries are putting themselves at risk in Afghanistan, and even more in Iraq and elsewhere -- not to mention the entire population of Israel -- to fight people supported by the sale of this stuff.
#6
Not to mention, TW, the drug gangs from Mexico that are muscling their way into American cities. These are some very dangerous individuals and they are right next door.
#8
TW, actually any good weed is usually grown nearby where it was purchased or is coming out of Canada. I doubt much weed is coming from the middle east since there is not that big a profit margin in marijuana as coke or heroin. Just look at the growing industry north of our border in Canada and places like Mendocino Co. in California. Yeah the mexicans are pushing that mexican schwag across the border but most ppl want something actually worth smoking and don't want too deal with that crap.
Posted by: chris ||
02/23/2010 13:21 Comments ||
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#9
California is about to make the whole issue moot in November. Expect most states to follow.
#11
--For more on America's 'Pot Industry', CNBC made a original documentary:
"Marijuana Inc, Inside America's Pot Industry"
(it's an informative 44 minute video) LINKY
Posted by: Tom- Pa ||
02/23/2010 17:13 Comments ||
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#12
I doubt much weed is coming from the middle east
Agreed, chris, I did rather I express myself poorly. The opium products from Afghanistan feed Iranian and European appetites, while the marijuana that grows naturally in India, Pakistan and elsewhere in the region is mostly used locally as far as I know. But Hizb'allah has been involved down in Central/South America for the better part of a generation now, and gets a cut of the business and the profits, if I recall correctly... and it was the profits from that business that enabled the trafficking to Europe via Africa that we read about here at Rantburg so recently. Also, somebody must be buying that bad Mexican weed, why else would the the drug gangs be involved in moving it north, as Ebbang Uluque6305 so helpfully described (thanks for that, my dear -- I've a terrible memory for those oh-so-important details!).
#13
yeah I'm sure someone still buys the mexican crap weed. I would be more worried about drugs such as crystal meth and other speed related drugs and Ecxtasy profits going too fund terror related countries or the groups themselves. I think the news channel that I believe Al Gore has something too do with and I know the Ling lady who was being held in NK is a journalist with has done a piece on some of this.
Posted by: chris ||
02/23/2010 20:24 Comments ||
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#14
before I get hate mail for watching Al Gore anythin I can't believe i was watching it either but they actually do some interesting stories sometimes
Posted by: chris ||
02/23/2010 20:25 Comments ||
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#15
"Fallbrook" is one of the most potent "brands" of weed. It comes from north San Diego County. "Humboldt"? North California. Weed is a homegrown product for the most part. I'm of the opinion it should be like alcohol - age limits, DUI-type prohibitions on driving, and calorie-intake-education efforts at Roberto's/Alberto's taco shops late at nite.
Not that I would know....but I did go to San Diego State
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/23/2010 20:27 Comments ||
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Posted by: Tom- Pa ||
02/23/2010 20:31 Comments ||
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#17
illegal drug trade brings profits that are worth using violence to protect. more users = more profit = more incentive to violence in protecting said profits.
not my concern at all if granny smokes a doobie. very much my concern if Guido and Lefty get in a dust-up with poorly aimed gunfire in some urban area.
also lack of respect/enforcement of substance laws has a corrosive effect on society and eventually evolves toward generalized lawlessness and is detrimental to the rule of law.
Posted by: abu do you love ||
02/23/2010 21:13 Comments ||
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#18
Drunk, Whore mongering soldiery is no way to go through life
#19
You don't have to support Mexican drug lords or international terrorism. All you need are a few grow lights and some basement stairs - and some good seeds.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called on Queen Elizabeth II of Britain to leave the disputed Malvinas (Falklands) Island to Argentina, saying that the time of empires have long expired. "Look, England, how long are you going to be in Las Malvinas Queen of England, I'm talking to you... the time for empires are over, haven't you noticed? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine People," AFP quoted Chavez as saying in his weekly TV and Radio address "Alo Presidente" on Sunday. 
Shows Scientists Violated Ethics, Reveals Major Disagreements on Climate Science
