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unhappycamper
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unhappycamper's Journal
December 13, 2013
Discipline, deaths prompt inquiries into riverine unit
By Dianna Cahn
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 13, 2013
VIRGINIA BEACH
A Navy chief petty officer is facing charges that he illegally detained five junior sailors for hours on end without access to food, water, a bathroom or legal representation. Last week, another sailor implicated in the case apparently took his own life.
The death was the third presumed suicide this year at Coastal Riverine Squadron 2, the Navy has confirmed - raising alarms about a unit also dealing with allegations of alcohol abuse and cover-ups of wrongdoing.
The Virginia Beach unit is now in the crosshairs of several investigations. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the deaths; an inspector general examined the detentions; and the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command is conducting a command climate investigation.
"Certainly, over the last few months, we've had a series of events that have shaken the force and impacted the families," said Capt. Erich Diehl, commodore of Coastal Riverine Group 2, which oversees the squadron at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.
Discipline, deaths prompt inquiries into riverine unit
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/discipline-deaths-prompt-inquiries-navy-riverine-unitDiscipline, deaths prompt inquiries into riverine unit
By Dianna Cahn
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 13, 2013
VIRGINIA BEACH
A Navy chief petty officer is facing charges that he illegally detained five junior sailors for hours on end without access to food, water, a bathroom or legal representation. Last week, another sailor implicated in the case apparently took his own life.
The death was the third presumed suicide this year at Coastal Riverine Squadron 2, the Navy has confirmed - raising alarms about a unit also dealing with allegations of alcohol abuse and cover-ups of wrongdoing.
The Virginia Beach unit is now in the crosshairs of several investigations. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the deaths; an inspector general examined the detentions; and the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command is conducting a command climate investigation.
"Certainly, over the last few months, we've had a series of events that have shaken the force and impacted the families," said Capt. Erich Diehl, commodore of Coastal Riverine Group 2, which oversees the squadron at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.
December 13, 2013
Overall view of the Veteran's Ceremony at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial.
Judge: Mt. Soledad cross must come down
By Kristina Davis
2:38 p.m.Dec. 12, 2013 Updated6:25 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — A San Diego federal judge made a reluctant ruling Thursday that the cross atop Mount Soledad is unconstitutional, although the chances of the La Jolla monument coming down anytime soon are unlikely.
The latest ruling by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns will likely send the case back to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court declined to hear the case last year, but said it could reconsider once a lower court enters a final judgment.
Burns ordered the cross to be removed within 90 days, and then stayed that order until all appeals have been exhausted.
~snip~
"After 23 years, if you can't come to a reasonable resolution, you've got a constitutional violation and you have to remedy it" said attorney James McElroy, who has fought to remove the cross for several years.
Judge: Mt. Soledad cross must come down
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/dec/12/mount-solidad-cross-constitution-removal/?stOverall view of the Veteran's Ceremony at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial.
Judge: Mt. Soledad cross must come down
By Kristina Davis
2:38 p.m.Dec. 12, 2013 Updated6:25 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — A San Diego federal judge made a reluctant ruling Thursday that the cross atop Mount Soledad is unconstitutional, although the chances of the La Jolla monument coming down anytime soon are unlikely.
The latest ruling by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns will likely send the case back to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court declined to hear the case last year, but said it could reconsider once a lower court enters a final judgment.
Burns ordered the cross to be removed within 90 days, and then stayed that order until all appeals have been exhausted.
~snip~
"After 23 years, if you can't come to a reasonable resolution, you've got a constitutional violation and you have to remedy it" said attorney James McElroy, who has fought to remove the cross for several years.
December 13, 2013
AT&T, Verizon urge caution in Mat-Su tower setbacks
By ZAZ HOLLANDER
December 12, 2013 Updated 8 hours ago
WASILLA -- AT&T and Verizon are asking a Mat-Su Borough committee to weigh potentially negative effects on their industry before deciding on setbacks to protect people who live near communication towers.
The borough's Tall Towers Advisory Committee formed last year to write new regulations for towers currently defined as 100 feet or taller. The Mat-Su Assembly removed all regulations for tall towers two years ago, then reinstated an old ordinance as a placeholder following a public outcry as residents complained of towers erected in dense neighborhoods with no warning.
Now the committee has drafted an ordinance that would require only that nearby residents get notified before new towers are built, borough officials say. The committee, however, still needs to approve language addressing setbacks for new towers.
~snip~
It says towers would have to be separated from neighboring property by the distance of the tower's fall radius, he said. The proposal includes two exceptions: if the tower builder owns the adjacent parcel; or if they secure an easement from the neighboring property owner that bans the construction of any dwelling within the tower's fall line.
AT&T, Verizon urge caution in Mat-Su tower setbacks
http://www.adn.com/2013/12/12/3227885/att-verizon-urge-caution-in-mat.htmlAT&T, Verizon urge caution in Mat-Su tower setbacks
By ZAZ HOLLANDER
December 12, 2013 Updated 8 hours ago
WASILLA -- AT&T and Verizon are asking a Mat-Su Borough committee to weigh potentially negative effects on their industry before deciding on setbacks to protect people who live near communication towers.
The borough's Tall Towers Advisory Committee formed last year to write new regulations for towers currently defined as 100 feet or taller. The Mat-Su Assembly removed all regulations for tall towers two years ago, then reinstated an old ordinance as a placeholder following a public outcry as residents complained of towers erected in dense neighborhoods with no warning.
Now the committee has drafted an ordinance that would require only that nearby residents get notified before new towers are built, borough officials say. The committee, however, still needs to approve language addressing setbacks for new towers.
~snip~
It says towers would have to be separated from neighboring property by the distance of the tower's fall radius, he said. The proposal includes two exceptions: if the tower builder owns the adjacent parcel; or if they secure an easement from the neighboring property owner that bans the construction of any dwelling within the tower's fall line.
December 13, 2013
Machinists to vote on Boeing offer despite rejection, union leader says
By News Tribune staff and The Seattle Times
Staff writer
December 12, 2013 Updated 8 hours ago
Washington’s bid to place work on the 777X jet in the state may not be dead yet, despite the abrupt collapse Thursday afternoon of negotiations between Boeing management and the Machinists union.
In a phone interview late Thursday with The Seattle Times, the Machinists union’s lead negotiator said rank-and-file membership will get a chance to decide on the Boeing offer that the union leadership rejected earlier in the day.
Rich Michalski, who represented the national leadership of the International Association of Machinists in the negotiations, described the terms offered by Boeing management in a positive light and insisted that the members must decide the final outcome.
“Our members are very sophisticated and smart on this matter. Once we get the information on the offer to them, they will let us know,” Michalski said. “We really need to hear from our members.”
Machinists to vote on Boeing offer despite rejection, union leader says
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/12/2945479/machinists-reject-boeing-best.htmlMachinists to vote on Boeing offer despite rejection, union leader says
By News Tribune staff and The Seattle Times
Staff writer
December 12, 2013 Updated 8 hours ago
Washington’s bid to place work on the 777X jet in the state may not be dead yet, despite the abrupt collapse Thursday afternoon of negotiations between Boeing management and the Machinists union.
In a phone interview late Thursday with The Seattle Times, the Machinists union’s lead negotiator said rank-and-file membership will get a chance to decide on the Boeing offer that the union leadership rejected earlier in the day.
Rich Michalski, who represented the national leadership of the International Association of Machinists in the negotiations, described the terms offered by Boeing management in a positive light and insisted that the members must decide the final outcome.
“Our members are very sophisticated and smart on this matter. Once we get the information on the offer to them, they will let us know,” Michalski said. “We really need to hear from our members.”
December 13, 2013
ark Fields, left, chief operating officer for Ford Motor Company, signs a photograph of the the first Mustang sold at the unveiling of the automaker's new 2015 Ford Mustang in Dearborn, Mich., Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. The company announced Thursday that it will be hiring some 11,000 workers worldwide.
Ford plans 23 new cars, 11,000 new jobs in 2014
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Auto Writer
December 12, 2013 Updated 57 minutes ago
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. says it will hire more than 11,000 people in the U.S. and Asia next year to support an aggressive rollout of new vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of the Americas, said the company plans to hire 5,000 workers in the U.S. — including 3,300 white-collar staff like engineers — and 6,000 workers in Asia. Many of those hires will work at two new plants that are opening in China.
This will be the most people Ford has hired in one year since 2000, the company said.
Hinrichs said 2014 will be the busiest product year in Ford's 111-year history, with 23 new vehicles being introduced around the world. Of those, 16 will be sold in the U.S., including a new Mustang sports car, Transit Connect van and Lincoln MKC small utility.
Ford plans 23 new cars, 11,000 new jobs in 2014
http://www.adn.com/2013/12/12/3226981/ford-plans-23-new-cars-5000-new.htmlark Fields, left, chief operating officer for Ford Motor Company, signs a photograph of the the first Mustang sold at the unveiling of the automaker's new 2015 Ford Mustang in Dearborn, Mich., Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. The company announced Thursday that it will be hiring some 11,000 workers worldwide.
Ford plans 23 new cars, 11,000 new jobs in 2014
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Auto Writer
December 12, 2013 Updated 57 minutes ago
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. says it will hire more than 11,000 people in the U.S. and Asia next year to support an aggressive rollout of new vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of the Americas, said the company plans to hire 5,000 workers in the U.S. — including 3,300 white-collar staff like engineers — and 6,000 workers in Asia. Many of those hires will work at two new plants that are opening in China.
This will be the most people Ford has hired in one year since 2000, the company said.
Hinrichs said 2014 will be the busiest product year in Ford's 111-year history, with 23 new vehicles being introduced around the world. Of those, 16 will be sold in the U.S., including a new Mustang sports car, Transit Connect van and Lincoln MKC small utility.
December 13, 2013
Advocacy groups are incensed after a Romanian government-owned channel broadcast a Christmas song glorifying the Holocaust and calling for Jews to be burned. The channel is blaming a local group for the performance.
'Only in the Chimney': Anti-Semitic Carol Causes Uproar in Romania
December 12, 2013 – 04:13 PM
Outrage has erupted among advocacy groups in Romania after the state channel TVR broadcast an anti-Semitic Christmas song calling for Jews to be burned in a chimney. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), the song ran on a Dec. 5 broadcast by the rural-targeted TVR3 channel.
In the broadcast, a choir was shown singing a Christmas song that indirectly glorifies the Holocaust. The song, which rhymes and uses the word "jidovi," a pejorative word for a Jew, includes the lyrics, "only in the chimney as smoke, this is what the 'jidov' is good for."
On Wednesday, Romania's Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean harshly condemned the event and called on the public prosecutor's office and parliament to bring those responsible to justice. Israel's embassy said it was "concerned" about the broadcast.
The channel said in a statement on Thursday that it was not responsible for selecting the Christmas songs, but merely broadcasting carols selected by a cultural center dedicated to preserving the traditional culture of the northwestern Cluj region. The YouTube video of the performance shows the host thanking both the singers and the director of the cultural center and asking him about local Cluj folklore values.
unhappycamper comment: Since the US military is moving its Manas airbase from Kyrgyzstan to Romania, the US will ignore this kinda 'stuff'. Same with the (US) missile battery that is currently stationed there.
'Only in the Chimney': Anti-Semitic Carol Causes Uproar in Romania
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/romania-anti-semitic-christmas-song-causes-uproar-a-938703.htmlAdvocacy groups are incensed after a Romanian government-owned channel broadcast a Christmas song glorifying the Holocaust and calling for Jews to be burned. The channel is blaming a local group for the performance.
'Only in the Chimney': Anti-Semitic Carol Causes Uproar in Romania
December 12, 2013 – 04:13 PM
Outrage has erupted among advocacy groups in Romania after the state channel TVR broadcast an anti-Semitic Christmas song calling for Jews to be burned in a chimney. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), the song ran on a Dec. 5 broadcast by the rural-targeted TVR3 channel.
In the broadcast, a choir was shown singing a Christmas song that indirectly glorifies the Holocaust. The song, which rhymes and uses the word "jidovi," a pejorative word for a Jew, includes the lyrics, "only in the chimney as smoke, this is what the 'jidov' is good for."
On Wednesday, Romania's Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean harshly condemned the event and called on the public prosecutor's office and parliament to bring those responsible to justice. Israel's embassy said it was "concerned" about the broadcast.
The channel said in a statement on Thursday that it was not responsible for selecting the Christmas songs, but merely broadcasting carols selected by a cultural center dedicated to preserving the traditional culture of the northwestern Cluj region. The YouTube video of the performance shows the host thanking both the singers and the director of the cultural center and asking him about local Cluj folklore values.
unhappycamper comment: Since the US military is moving its Manas airbase from Kyrgyzstan to Romania, the US will ignore this kinda 'stuff'. Same with the (US) missile battery that is currently stationed there.
December 13, 2013
Leaders in the European Parliament have agreed to allow NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to answer questions by video, despite efforts by some conservative parliamentarians to block the testimony out of fear it could further harm trans-Atlantic relations.
European Parliament: Snowden Will Make Video Appearance
By Gregor Peter Schmitz
December 12, 2013 – 05:09 PM
Parliamentary leaders of the European Parliament voted Thursday to allow the planned video appearance of the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to take place despite an attempt by conservative members of the European People's Party (EPP) to block it.
The American former intelligence contractor will answer questions that had been submitted by members of the parliament in a pre-recorded video message that will be shown at a sitting of the interior and justice committees.
"We now have a clear mandate to send written questions to Snowden, and I hope that he can answer this with a video message by mid-January," said Jan Philipp Albrecht, who, as a representative of the German Green Party in the European Parliament, is coordinating the body's NSA investigation. Snowden's video message was originally planned for Dec. 18, but the dispute over his questioning necessitated a postponement.
Snowden is expected to answer the questions on pre-recorded video because he would risk arrest by US authorities if he were to leave Russia, where he is living under temporary asylum. A live video feed could also enable the Americans to pinpoint his whereabouts.
European Parliament: Snowden Will Make Video Appearance
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/edward-snowden-to-make-video-appearance-to-european-parliament-a-938725.htmlLeaders in the European Parliament have agreed to allow NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to answer questions by video, despite efforts by some conservative parliamentarians to block the testimony out of fear it could further harm trans-Atlantic relations.
European Parliament: Snowden Will Make Video Appearance
By Gregor Peter Schmitz
December 12, 2013 – 05:09 PM
Parliamentary leaders of the European Parliament voted Thursday to allow the planned video appearance of the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to take place despite an attempt by conservative members of the European People's Party (EPP) to block it.
The American former intelligence contractor will answer questions that had been submitted by members of the parliament in a pre-recorded video message that will be shown at a sitting of the interior and justice committees.
"We now have a clear mandate to send written questions to Snowden, and I hope that he can answer this with a video message by mid-January," said Jan Philipp Albrecht, who, as a representative of the German Green Party in the European Parliament, is coordinating the body's NSA investigation. Snowden's video message was originally planned for Dec. 18, but the dispute over his questioning necessitated a postponement.
Snowden is expected to answer the questions on pre-recorded video because he would risk arrest by US authorities if he were to leave Russia, where he is living under temporary asylum. A live video feed could also enable the Americans to pinpoint his whereabouts.
December 13, 2013
Fish stocks have made surprising comebacks in the North and Baltic seas. But much remains to be done. Beginning in January, new EU laws will impose more sustainable practices with stricter quotas and by-catch rules.
Reeling In the Trawlers: EU Takes On Overfishing
By Philip Bethge
December 13, 2013 – 12:06 PM
When the men open the net on the ship's deck, fat codfish slap into plastic fish baskets. Slippery plaice and flounder, rough as sandpaper, gasp for air. Turbot the size of two strong fisherman's hands slither between silvery herring and flat dabs.
A particularly large cod with its mouth wide open lies on top of the pile. "It has to weigh more than six kilos (13 lbs.)," estimates Martina Bleil as she looks down at the fish. "It's in great shape." The female is about 8 years old, says Bleil, a fish biologist. "It would have been spawning again soon."
Bleil works for the Thünen Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries (Thünen OF) in the northern German port city of Rostock, an agency that is part of Germany's Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The scientist and her colleagues have made a big haul on this clear November day in the Bay of Mecklenburg. "We are headed in a very good direction with fish stocks in the Baltic Sea," says Bleil. "Anyone who eats plaice or herring doesn't have to feel guilty about it anymore."
Something amazing is happening in the seas off Germany's coasts, where most species were long considered overfished. But now some stocks are recovering at an astonishing rate. Experts are seeing a significant upward trend in the North Sea, and even more so in the Baltic Sea.
Reeling In the Trawlers: EU Takes On Overfishing
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-mandates-more-sustainable-fishing-practices-while-stocks-rise-a-938724.htmlFish stocks have made surprising comebacks in the North and Baltic seas. But much remains to be done. Beginning in January, new EU laws will impose more sustainable practices with stricter quotas and by-catch rules.
Reeling In the Trawlers: EU Takes On Overfishing
By Philip Bethge
December 13, 2013 – 12:06 PM
When the men open the net on the ship's deck, fat codfish slap into plastic fish baskets. Slippery plaice and flounder, rough as sandpaper, gasp for air. Turbot the size of two strong fisherman's hands slither between silvery herring and flat dabs.
A particularly large cod with its mouth wide open lies on top of the pile. "It has to weigh more than six kilos (13 lbs.)," estimates Martina Bleil as she looks down at the fish. "It's in great shape." The female is about 8 years old, says Bleil, a fish biologist. "It would have been spawning again soon."
Bleil works for the Thünen Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries (Thünen OF) in the northern German port city of Rostock, an agency that is part of Germany's Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The scientist and her colleagues have made a big haul on this clear November day in the Bay of Mecklenburg. "We are headed in a very good direction with fish stocks in the Baltic Sea," says Bleil. "Anyone who eats plaice or herring doesn't have to feel guilty about it anymore."
Something amazing is happening in the seas off Germany's coasts, where most species were long considered overfished. But now some stocks are recovering at an astonishing rate. Experts are seeing a significant upward trend in the North Sea, and even more so in the Baltic Sea.
December 13, 2013
Claims of potential 'landing zones' on most of the key outstanding issues leaves observers none the wiser
Brian Fallow: Mystery surrounds trade deal talks
9:30 AM Thursday Dec 12, 2013
As they emerged from their latest conclave in Singapore, groggy no doubt with fatigue, the trade ministers of the 12 Trans Pacific Partnership countries had no deal to brandish but claimed at least to have identified potential "landing zones" on most of the key outstanding issues.
Whatever that means.
Diplomats are past masters at finding a form of words to paper over chasms of disagreement. In this case "landing zones", with its peculiar echoes of paratroopers and combat, probably means no more than that the key issues are all still up in the air.
~snip~
It doesn't help that these meetings are conducted with all the secrecy of a papal election.
Brian Fallow: Mystery surrounds trade deal talks
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11171039Claims of potential 'landing zones' on most of the key outstanding issues leaves observers none the wiser
Brian Fallow: Mystery surrounds trade deal talks
9:30 AM Thursday Dec 12, 2013
As they emerged from their latest conclave in Singapore, groggy no doubt with fatigue, the trade ministers of the 12 Trans Pacific Partnership countries had no deal to brandish but claimed at least to have identified potential "landing zones" on most of the key outstanding issues.
Whatever that means.
Diplomats are past masters at finding a form of words to paper over chasms of disagreement. In this case "landing zones", with its peculiar echoes of paratroopers and combat, probably means no more than that the key issues are all still up in the air.
~snip~
It doesn't help that these meetings are conducted with all the secrecy of a papal election.
December 13, 2013
A briefing note and position grid leaked to the world by WikiLeaks brought the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiating process and state-of-play into the bright Singapore sunshine.
TPP state of play: America alone
By Peter Clark | Dec 10, 2013 8:55 pm
The documents purportedly originated with an unnamed participating country. Or with a frustrated rogue negotiator — which could describe more than a few players on both sides of the Pacific.
In the consternation which followed, the U.S. has claimed the documents were outdated on some issues and totally wrong on others. Our sources familiar with the state of play suggest, however, that the reports are quite accurate.
The documents do not cover all chapters — but they highlight important differences.
The briefing note discusses the friction and interplay among delegations — and confirms widespread doubts about the prospects for an early deal. The chart, which outlines who is where on a wide range of issues, does not describe an endgame.
--
Link to wikileaks TPP page --> https://wikileaks.org/tpp/
TPP state of play: America alone
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2013/12/10/tpp-state-of-play-america-alone/A briefing note and position grid leaked to the world by WikiLeaks brought the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiating process and state-of-play into the bright Singapore sunshine.
TPP state of play: America alone
By Peter Clark | Dec 10, 2013 8:55 pm
The documents purportedly originated with an unnamed participating country. Or with a frustrated rogue negotiator — which could describe more than a few players on both sides of the Pacific.
In the consternation which followed, the U.S. has claimed the documents were outdated on some issues and totally wrong on others. Our sources familiar with the state of play suggest, however, that the reports are quite accurate.
The documents do not cover all chapters — but they highlight important differences.
The briefing note discusses the friction and interplay among delegations — and confirms widespread doubts about the prospects for an early deal. The chart, which outlines who is where on a wide range of issues, does not describe an endgame.
--
Link to wikileaks TPP page --> https://wikileaks.org/tpp/
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