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unhappycamper
unhappycamper's Journal
unhappycamper's Journal
September 25, 2013
FBI pursuing fewer white-collar crime cases, group finds
Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013
By WALTER HAMILTON | Los Angeles Times
The FBI has recommended only 2,001 white-collar cases for criminal prosecution so far this fiscal year, on pace for a nearly 7 percent drop from last year, according to a report Tuesday by a research group affiliated with Syracuse University.
~snip~
Typically, the FBI investigates potential wrongdoing and recommends cases to the Justice Department, where federal prosecutors make final decisions about whether to file cases.
Despite concerns about widespread wrongdoing on Wall Street, the number of white-collar prosecutions recommended by the FBI has plummeted 45.2 percent in the past decade, according to government data obtained by TRAC.
It's not for a lack of resources. The number of criminal investigators has risen, to 13,812 this year from 11,097 in 2001.
FBI pursuing fewer white-collar crime cases, group finds
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/09/24/203100/fbi-pursuing-fewer-white-collar.htmlFBI pursuing fewer white-collar crime cases, group finds
Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013
By WALTER HAMILTON | Los Angeles Times
The FBI has recommended only 2,001 white-collar cases for criminal prosecution so far this fiscal year, on pace for a nearly 7 percent drop from last year, according to a report Tuesday by a research group affiliated with Syracuse University.
~snip~
Typically, the FBI investigates potential wrongdoing and recommends cases to the Justice Department, where federal prosecutors make final decisions about whether to file cases.
Despite concerns about widespread wrongdoing on Wall Street, the number of white-collar prosecutions recommended by the FBI has plummeted 45.2 percent in the past decade, according to government data obtained by TRAC.
It's not for a lack of resources. The number of criminal investigators has risen, to 13,812 this year from 11,097 in 2001.
September 25, 2013
Cruz-ing strategy: Texas senator attacking Obamacare with an eye on 2016?
By Maria Recio | McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz is smack in the middle of the No. 1 political story in the country, has energized his party’s conservative base and has become the most visible 2016 Republican presidential wannabe in an early – and crowded – field.
Politicians live for these kinds of moments.
A senator for not yet even a year, the Texas Republican is at the epicenter of the faceoff between his party and the Democrats that may well lead to a government shutdown Oct. 1.
Elected in November in his first bid for office, he started an unlikely crusade this summer to force House of Representatives Republicans to defund the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare – which they did last week.
unhappycamper comment: If Teddy is going to make it into the 2016 National Election, he better get busy changing the US Constitution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Two_of_the_United_States_Constitution
Article Two Clause Five says:
Clause 5: Qualifications for office
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
By the time of their inauguration, the President and Vice President must be:
natural born citizens (including naturalization passed from parents)
at least thirty-five years old
inhabitants of the United States for at least fourteen years.
Eligibility for holding the office of President and Vice-President were modified by subsequent amendments:
The Twelfth Amendment (1804) requires the Vice-President must meet all of the qualifications of being a President.
The Twenty-second Amendment (1951) prevents a President from being elected more than twice.
Cruz-ing strategy: Texas senator attacking Obamacare with an eye on 2016?
Cruz-ing strategy: Texas senator attacking Obamacare with an eye on 2016?
By Maria Recio | McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz is smack in the middle of the No. 1 political story in the country, has energized his party’s conservative base and has become the most visible 2016 Republican presidential wannabe in an early – and crowded – field.
Politicians live for these kinds of moments.
A senator for not yet even a year, the Texas Republican is at the epicenter of the faceoff between his party and the Democrats that may well lead to a government shutdown Oct. 1.
Elected in November in his first bid for office, he started an unlikely crusade this summer to force House of Representatives Republicans to defund the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare – which they did last week.
unhappycamper comment: If Teddy is going to make it into the 2016 National Election, he better get busy changing the US Constitution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Two_of_the_United_States_Constitution
Article Two Clause Five says:
Clause 5: Qualifications for office
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
By the time of their inauguration, the President and Vice President must be:
natural born citizens (including naturalization passed from parents)
at least thirty-five years old
inhabitants of the United States for at least fourteen years.
Eligibility for holding the office of President and Vice-President were modified by subsequent amendments:
The Twelfth Amendment (1804) requires the Vice-President must meet all of the qualifications of being a President.
The Twenty-second Amendment (1951) prevents a President from being elected more than twice.
September 25, 2013
F-35 fighter’s issues adding up
Tony Capaccio | Bloomberg News
Published: September 22, 2013 3:00 a.m.
WASHINGTON – Tires that wear out too soon are adding to the troubles facing Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35, the Pentagon’s costliest weapons system.
~snip~
While replacing worn-out tires may pale as a challenge compared with keeping combat-ready software on track, fixing jittery images in the pilot’s helmet ($500 grand) and reining in rising production costs, it’s emblematic of challenges that the Pentagon must resolve to reduce what’s now a $1.1 trillion estimate for operating and supporting a planned fleet of 2,443 aircraft for 55 years.
The F-35 has a projected price tag of $391.2 billion for development and purchase of the fleet, up 68 percent from the projection in 2001, as measured in current dollars.
The Pentagon is working with Lockheed Martin and Birmingham, Britain-based Dunlop Tyres on a new design for the landing-gear tires that will be introduced next year, DellaVedova said in an emailed statement. In the meantime, Dunlop has provided a tire that’s “improved but still unacceptable,” he said.
unhappycamper comment: Perhaps in an alternate universe our pwoners could buy 2,443 of these things, but I doubt it will happen in this universe.
F-35 fighter’s issues adding up
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130922/BIZ/309229960/1031/BIZF-35 fighter’s issues adding up
Tony Capaccio | Bloomberg News
Published: September 22, 2013 3:00 a.m.
WASHINGTON – Tires that wear out too soon are adding to the troubles facing Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35, the Pentagon’s costliest weapons system.
~snip~
While replacing worn-out tires may pale as a challenge compared with keeping combat-ready software on track, fixing jittery images in the pilot’s helmet ($500 grand) and reining in rising production costs, it’s emblematic of challenges that the Pentagon must resolve to reduce what’s now a $1.1 trillion estimate for operating and supporting a planned fleet of 2,443 aircraft for 55 years.
The F-35 has a projected price tag of $391.2 billion for development and purchase of the fleet, up 68 percent from the projection in 2001, as measured in current dollars.
The Pentagon is working with Lockheed Martin and Birmingham, Britain-based Dunlop Tyres on a new design for the landing-gear tires that will be introduced next year, DellaVedova said in an emailed statement. In the meantime, Dunlop has provided a tire that’s “improved but still unacceptable,” he said.
unhappycamper comment: Perhaps in an alternate universe our pwoners could buy 2,443 of these things, but I doubt it will happen in this universe.
September 25, 2013
F-35 Fighter Jet Noise Unbearable In Vermont
Posted: September 24, 2013
Conflicting statements have been issued by a top military official regarding F-35 fighter jets which will be based with the Vermont Air National Guard.
~snip~
Captain Haas then went back on his earlier comments saying that pilots at Eglin are in fact only using their afterburners about five percent of the time on the F-35 fighter jets: “I left you an incorrect impression,” he said. “I was talking about military aircraft in general.”
When he was confronted about the fact that just a day earlier he had said the afterburners would be used in general he said: “I was wrong when I gave you that information.”
It is obvious why the local residents are up-in-arms. Rosanne Greco, a council member in South Burlington said that the Haas’ recent contradictory comments are typical of the military when it comes to the issue of noise pollution.
F-35 Fighter Jet Noise Unbearable In Vermont
http://www.inquisitr.com/965623/f-35-fighter-jet-noise-unbearable-in-vermont/F-35 Fighter Jet Noise Unbearable In Vermont
Posted: September 24, 2013
Conflicting statements have been issued by a top military official regarding F-35 fighter jets which will be based with the Vermont Air National Guard.
~snip~
Captain Haas then went back on his earlier comments saying that pilots at Eglin are in fact only using their afterburners about five percent of the time on the F-35 fighter jets: “I left you an incorrect impression,” he said. “I was talking about military aircraft in general.”
When he was confronted about the fact that just a day earlier he had said the afterburners would be used in general he said: “I was wrong when I gave you that information.”
It is obvious why the local residents are up-in-arms. Rosanne Greco, a council member in South Burlington said that the Haas’ recent contradictory comments are typical of the military when it comes to the issue of noise pollution.
September 25, 2013
Charles Bouchard, who was a lieutenant general in the Canadian Forces and commanded the NATO-led military mission in Libya, has been hired by Lockheed Martin, the company making the troubled F-35 fighter jet.
F-35 maker hires ex-general who led NATO Libya mission
By Laura Payton, with a file from Kady O'Malley, CBC News
Posted: Sep 24, 2013 12:56 PM ET Last Updated: Sep 24, 2013 2:15 PM ET
The company that makes the embattled F-35 fighter jet has hired Charles Bouchard, who was a lieutenant general in the Canadian Forces, for a top job.
~snip~
"Bouchard's appointment is a result of Lockheed Martin International's focus on providing customers with direct access to the company's broad range of products and solutions."
Bouchard retired from the Canadian Forces in April 2012, after leading what many considered to be a successful NATO mission in Libya. The Libya mission provided air cover to protect civilians and allow rebel forces to overthrow long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi — a mission in which fighter jets played a massive role.
"We added a tremendous leader to our organization today. Charles will facilitate access to Lockheed Martin's broad portfolio of products and technologies to help Canada address its security and citizen service challenges," said Dewar. "We highly value our customers in Canada and we're investing for long-term partnership and growth."
F-35 maker hires ex-general who led NATO Libya mission
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f-35-maker-hires-ex-general-who-led-nato-libya-mission-1.1866406Charles Bouchard, who was a lieutenant general in the Canadian Forces and commanded the NATO-led military mission in Libya, has been hired by Lockheed Martin, the company making the troubled F-35 fighter jet.
F-35 maker hires ex-general who led NATO Libya mission
By Laura Payton, with a file from Kady O'Malley, CBC News
Posted: Sep 24, 2013 12:56 PM ET Last Updated: Sep 24, 2013 2:15 PM ET
The company that makes the embattled F-35 fighter jet has hired Charles Bouchard, who was a lieutenant general in the Canadian Forces, for a top job.
~snip~
"Bouchard's appointment is a result of Lockheed Martin International's focus on providing customers with direct access to the company's broad range of products and solutions."
Bouchard retired from the Canadian Forces in April 2012, after leading what many considered to be a successful NATO mission in Libya. The Libya mission provided air cover to protect civilians and allow rebel forces to overthrow long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi — a mission in which fighter jets played a massive role.
"We added a tremendous leader to our organization today. Charles will facilitate access to Lockheed Martin's broad portfolio of products and technologies to help Canada address its security and citizen service challenges," said Dewar. "We highly value our customers in Canada and we're investing for long-term partnership and growth."
September 25, 2013
Pentagon could cut thousands more employees, save $50 billion, says study by former chiefs
Article by: PAULINE JELINEK , Associated Press
Updated: September 24, 2013 - 2:25 PM
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department could shed 60,000 more troops than planned and 50,000 civilian employees without hurting U.S. fighting power, four former members of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a new report on military strategy and spending.
Nearly $50 billion in budget cuts are recommended in the report released Tuesday and authored by a 17-member panel including two former vice chairmen of the joint chiefs, a former Air Force chief and former Navy chief. Writing for the Stimson Center think tank, the authors suggested cuts they said would replace future rounds of automatic, across-the-board cuts in the Pentagon's budget called for in a deficit reduction deal two years ago. The Stimson Center is a nonpartisan global security group in Washington.
The biggest proposed saving — $22.4 billion in the fiscal year starting October next year— would come in cutting overhead such as civilian employees, headquarters staff and contractors as well as reforming pension and health programs, the report said.
"The Defense Department is not a jobs program," Barry M. Blechman, one of the authors and a Stimson co-founder, said in a Capitol Hill conference where the report was released. He said lawmakers have "stood in the way" of some of the cuts because they mean job losses among constituents.
unhappycamper comment: Note the DoD goes after people first; the MIC big boys get a free pass.
Pentagon could cut thousands more employees, save $50 billion, says study by former chiefs
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/225064822.htmlPentagon could cut thousands more employees, save $50 billion, says study by former chiefs
Article by: PAULINE JELINEK , Associated Press
Updated: September 24, 2013 - 2:25 PM
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department could shed 60,000 more troops than planned and 50,000 civilian employees without hurting U.S. fighting power, four former members of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a new report on military strategy and spending.
Nearly $50 billion in budget cuts are recommended in the report released Tuesday and authored by a 17-member panel including two former vice chairmen of the joint chiefs, a former Air Force chief and former Navy chief. Writing for the Stimson Center think tank, the authors suggested cuts they said would replace future rounds of automatic, across-the-board cuts in the Pentagon's budget called for in a deficit reduction deal two years ago. The Stimson Center is a nonpartisan global security group in Washington.
The biggest proposed saving — $22.4 billion in the fiscal year starting October next year— would come in cutting overhead such as civilian employees, headquarters staff and contractors as well as reforming pension and health programs, the report said.
"The Defense Department is not a jobs program," Barry M. Blechman, one of the authors and a Stimson co-founder, said in a Capitol Hill conference where the report was released. He said lawmakers have "stood in the way" of some of the cuts because they mean job losses among constituents.
unhappycamper comment: Note the DoD goes after people first; the MIC big boys get a free pass.
September 25, 2013
Exclusive: Hundreds of U.S. security clearance records falsified, federal cases show
By Tabassum Zakaria
WASHINGTON | Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:03am EDT
(Reuters) - Federal prosecutors have documented at least 350 instances of faulty background investigations done by private contractors and special agents for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in recent years, illustrating what some lawmakers call systemic weaknesses in the granting of federal security clearances.
Reuters calculated the total by reviewing court documents and press releases from prosecutors for 21 cases resulting in convictions that involved the making of false statements from December 2004 to March 2012.
These are the cases government officials have cited to assert that action is taken against investigators who falsely claim to have reviewed records or done interviews for background checks submitted to OPM. Not all the cases identified a specific number of fabrications.
The 350 falsified reports represent only a small percentage of the number of background investigations conducted each year, either by OPM's own investigators or a handful of private contractors it uses for most of the work.
Exclusive: Hundreds of U.S. security clearance records falsified, federal cases show
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/25/us-usa-security-clearances-idUSBRE98O04Z20130925Exclusive: Hundreds of U.S. security clearance records falsified, federal cases show
By Tabassum Zakaria
WASHINGTON | Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:03am EDT
(Reuters) - Federal prosecutors have documented at least 350 instances of faulty background investigations done by private contractors and special agents for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in recent years, illustrating what some lawmakers call systemic weaknesses in the granting of federal security clearances.
Reuters calculated the total by reviewing court documents and press releases from prosecutors for 21 cases resulting in convictions that involved the making of false statements from December 2004 to March 2012.
These are the cases government officials have cited to assert that action is taken against investigators who falsely claim to have reviewed records or done interviews for background checks submitted to OPM. Not all the cases identified a specific number of fabrications.
The 350 falsified reports represent only a small percentage of the number of background investigations conducted each year, either by OPM's own investigators or a handful of private contractors it uses for most of the work.
September 25, 2013
U.S. to sign international Arms Trade Treaty, over protests of the NRA
By Karen DeYoung, Published: September 24
The United States will sign the international Arms Trade Treaty on Wednesday, agreeing to the accord to stem the flow of weapons to human rights violators and conflict zones, over the strong opposition of the U.S. gun lobby, according to a senior State Department official.
The treaty, to be signed by Secretary of State John F. Kerry on behalf of President Obama, requires countries to put in place a system for keeping track of transfers of conventional weapons, from battle tanks and warships to small arms, and to ensure they are not sold to countries that are under international arms embargoes, that promote genocide or war crimes, or that might use them against protected civilians.
The National Rifle Association has said the treaty will be used to regulate civilian weapons and to create an “unacceptable” registry of civilian firearms purchasers.
The administration disagrees. The main purpose of the treaty is to “stem the international, illegal and illicit trade in conventional weapons that benefits terrorists and rogue agents,” said the official, who was authorized to announce the planned signing on the condition of anonymity.
U.S. to sign international Arms Trade Treaty, over protests of the NRA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-to-sign-international-arms-trade-treaty-over-protests-of-the-nra/2013/09/24/4c1f437e-254b-11e3-ad0d-b7c8d2a594b9_story.htmlU.S. to sign international Arms Trade Treaty, over protests of the NRA
By Karen DeYoung, Published: September 24
The United States will sign the international Arms Trade Treaty on Wednesday, agreeing to the accord to stem the flow of weapons to human rights violators and conflict zones, over the strong opposition of the U.S. gun lobby, according to a senior State Department official.
The treaty, to be signed by Secretary of State John F. Kerry on behalf of President Obama, requires countries to put in place a system for keeping track of transfers of conventional weapons, from battle tanks and warships to small arms, and to ensure they are not sold to countries that are under international arms embargoes, that promote genocide or war crimes, or that might use them against protected civilians.
The National Rifle Association has said the treaty will be used to regulate civilian weapons and to create an “unacceptable” registry of civilian firearms purchasers.
The administration disagrees. The main purpose of the treaty is to “stem the international, illegal and illicit trade in conventional weapons that benefits terrorists and rogue agents,” said the official, who was authorized to announce the planned signing on the condition of anonymity.
September 25, 2013
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair's court-martial on sexual assault allegations delayed, Fort Bragg says
By Andrew Barksdale
Published: 07:08 AM, Wed Sep 25, 2013
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair's court-martial on sexual assault and other charges has been delayed a second time, Fort Bragg officials said Tuesday.
The trial was set to begin Monday. Based on a motion filed by Sinclair's defense team, a military judge pushed back the trial to Jan. 7, a spokesman said.
Sinclair, 50, is accused of sexually assaulting a captain under his command near the end of a three-year affair with her. His other charges under military law include improper relationships with three other women and misuse of government travel money when visiting a mistress.
Sinclair, a former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, has admitted to the affair but denies the other accusations.
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair's court-martial on sexual assault allegations delayed, Fort Bragg s
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/09/24/1285056?sac=fo.militaryArmy Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair's court-martial on sexual assault allegations delayed, Fort Bragg says
By Andrew Barksdale
Published: 07:08 AM, Wed Sep 25, 2013
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair's court-martial on sexual assault and other charges has been delayed a second time, Fort Bragg officials said Tuesday.
The trial was set to begin Monday. Based on a motion filed by Sinclair's defense team, a military judge pushed back the trial to Jan. 7, a spokesman said.
Sinclair, 50, is accused of sexually assaulting a captain under his command near the end of a three-year affair with her. His other charges under military law include improper relationships with three other women and misuse of government travel money when visiting a mistress.
Sinclair, a former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, has admitted to the affair but denies the other accusations.
September 25, 2013
Should Cruise Missiles Target Saudis?
by Robert Parry | September 24, 2013 - 7:19am
All across Official Washington – from politicians to pundits – there has been much swaggering about the geopolitical value of threatening to bomb people as a way to extract concessions and enforce compliance. Think Syria on chemical weapons and Iran regarding its nuclear program. So, if that’s the case, maybe it’s time to put “on the table” a bombing threat against Saudi Arabia.
It now appears that the primary obstacle to peace talks that could resolve the bloody Syrian civil war is the obstruction from al-Qaeda-connected jihadists who are beholden for their military and financial support to Saudi Arabia and other oil sheikdoms operating under Saudi Arabia’s political/diplomatic wing.
Despite what you may have read in some New York Times opinion columns, the Syrian government has agreed to send peace envoys to Geneva. But the rebels have refused, insisting on a long list of preconditions, such as the U.S. delivery of sophisticated weapons and a reversal of the rebels’ fortunes on the battlefield. The real problem seems to be how divided the Syrian opposition is, with schisms from pro-democracy moderates to violent jihadists including some who film themselves eating the internal organs of dead Syrian soldiers and executing defenseless captives.
Since the only way to stop the bloodletting that has reportedly claimed more than 100,000 lives is to arrange a ceasefire and a political settlement, the calculation of the rebels must change or at least the calculation of their chief sponsors must change. In that light, perhaps a warning is in order to Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan that cruise missiles could be aimed at his offices in Riyadh if Saudi intelligence doesn’t stop arming the most extreme factions fighting in Syria.
Should Cruise Missiles Target Saudis?
http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/robert-parry/51770/should-cruise-missiles-target-saudisShould Cruise Missiles Target Saudis?
by Robert Parry | September 24, 2013 - 7:19am
All across Official Washington – from politicians to pundits – there has been much swaggering about the geopolitical value of threatening to bomb people as a way to extract concessions and enforce compliance. Think Syria on chemical weapons and Iran regarding its nuclear program. So, if that’s the case, maybe it’s time to put “on the table” a bombing threat against Saudi Arabia.
It now appears that the primary obstacle to peace talks that could resolve the bloody Syrian civil war is the obstruction from al-Qaeda-connected jihadists who are beholden for their military and financial support to Saudi Arabia and other oil sheikdoms operating under Saudi Arabia’s political/diplomatic wing.
Despite what you may have read in some New York Times opinion columns, the Syrian government has agreed to send peace envoys to Geneva. But the rebels have refused, insisting on a long list of preconditions, such as the U.S. delivery of sophisticated weapons and a reversal of the rebels’ fortunes on the battlefield. The real problem seems to be how divided the Syrian opposition is, with schisms from pro-democracy moderates to violent jihadists including some who film themselves eating the internal organs of dead Syrian soldiers and executing defenseless captives.
Since the only way to stop the bloodletting that has reportedly claimed more than 100,000 lives is to arrange a ceasefire and a political settlement, the calculation of the rebels must change or at least the calculation of their chief sponsors must change. In that light, perhaps a warning is in order to Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan that cruise missiles could be aimed at his offices in Riyadh if Saudi intelligence doesn’t stop arming the most extreme factions fighting in Syria.
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