Spitzer's Political Attack On Chamber Of Commerce

For Release: Immediate
Contact: David Almasi or Devon Carlin e-mail to schedule an interview with Tom Borelli.

Elliot Spitzer Attack on U.S. Chamber of Commerce is Left-Wing Politics at its Worst

Statement of Free Enterprise Project Director Tom Borelli

Washington D.C.: This statement was issued today by Tom Borelli, Ph.D., director of the Free Enterprise Project:

"Elliot Sptizer's commentary in Slate ("Chamber of Horrors") calling for state pension funds to pressure corporations to leave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reminds us of his past efforts to climb the political ladder on the backs of business executives.

Instead of worrying about the Chamber, state officials should be investigating pension funds for potential conflicts of interest and using their shareholder standing to advance the left-wing agenda.

Spitzer's commentary exposes the left-wing strategy of using public money to advance its cause. Spitzer's political motivation is clear: because the Chamber is fighting cap-and-trade and "Card Check" they need to be taken out.

While Attorney General of New York, Spitzer used the power of the state and his sharp elbows to loot business leaders of their property and reputation.

Spitzer's legal assault against former New York Stock Exchange head Dick Grasso serves as a prime example. In this case, New York was forced in to a drawn-out legal battle because Grasso and Ken Langone -- a NYSE board member -- refused to genuflect at Spitzer's altar.

Spitzer's investigation "included 1,454 hours of depositions" and, ironically, he attacked Grasso's personal life. Spitzer deposed Grasso's secretary and inquired about an affair, and, during his nine-day deposition, Grasso was asked if he had a love child.

Paradoxically, it's the pension funds that need investigation by state officials. For years, state pension funds have been working with labor unions and environmental groups to advance the left-wing agenda, including pressuring corporations to address global warming. Pension funds, facing serious shortfalls, should focus their time and efforts on investment strategies -- not politics.

In fact, a front page story, "Calpers Rocked By 'Pay-to-Play;" in today's Wall Street Journal reports on a possible conflict of interest involving a former board member who "reaped more than $50 million in fees for arranging investments that could saddle state taxpayers with hundreds of millions of dollars in losses."

Spitzer is nothing more than a left-wing political hack leading the charge against liberty and free-markets."

The Free Enterprise Project is a program of the National Center for Public Policy Research. It can be visited online at at www.freeenterpriser.com..

The National Center for Public Policy Research is a non-partisan, non-profit educational foundation based in Washington, DC. It receives 94% of its funding through hundreds of thousands of individual gifts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Union Bosses Caught Stealing From Employees

There used to be a time when unions were absolutely necessary. As of late, however, it appears employees have to fend for themselves between the company and their union bosses. Check this out.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Mary Beth Hutchins (ext. 105) at (703) 683-5004
May 29, 2009

Workers Suffer As Union Bosses Mismanage Dues And Finances

Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2009) – The Workforce Fairness Institute (WFI) today issued the following statement in response to news reports that the AFL-CIO has concealed the precarious state of its finances with “creative accounting.”

“Today’s news that union bosses have been cooking the books, and misusing and mishandling the hard-earned dollars of their workers is deeply disturbing, yet in no way surprising. This should serve as notice to those elected officials supporting the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act, a bill that rewards union bosses with unfettered and unlimited access to our nation’s small businesses,” said Katie Packer, executive director of the Workforce Fairness Institute. “Why Congress would even consider providing Big Labor heads with access to more power and more money, while they prove to lack the integrity and honesty to manage the finances and retirements of their own members is beyond bewildering. We stand united and will not allow worker protections afforded in the secret ballot and right to vote on contracts to be traded away in an effort to provide political payback at the expense of America’s small business community.”

A bill to eliminate secret ballot election in the workplace is currently making its way through Congress. Something like this could never happen, right? Actually, it could. Under the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act,” workers, in violation of our Democratic principles, would be denied their American right to a private ballot in union organizing elections in the workplace. Workers would be forced to publicly state their vote -- for everyone to see. This is more appropriately called the FORCED CHOICE ACT and would fundamentally change the rights of employees in the workplace … it would force unions on them; force contracts on them and force payment of dues on them.

The Workforce Fairness Institute is an organization committed to educating voters, employers, employees and citizens about issues affecting the workplace. To learn more, please visit: www.WorkForceFairness.com.

To schedule an interview with a Workforce Fairness Institute representative, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Mary Beth Hutchins (ext. 105) at (703) 683-5004

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BACKGROUND:
“The AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. union organization, concealed deteriorating finances through ‘creative accounting,’ according to a union leader. Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said in a report that the labor federation obscured its financial difficulties heading into last year’s presidential election campaign, in which it backed Democrat Barack Obama. Net assets of the 11 million-member AFL-CIO declined to a negative $2.3 million as of June 30, 2008, from a $66 million surplus on July 1, 2000. ‘A new leadership — leaders chosen by our members, leaders help accountable by our members — is needed,’ wrote Buffenbarger, who is a member of the AFL-CIO’s finance committee and the president of one of the nation’s largest unions. Alison Omens, a spokeswoman for the AFL-CIO, declined to comment on the report.” (Holly Rosenkrantz, “Creative Accounting Masked AFL-CIO’s Finances, Official Says,” Bloomberg News, 5/29/09)
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And these are the people who want to raise OUR taxes? Now we know why, eh?

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Sustainers, PRT, Cavalry Troopers host Iraqis Economic Seminar

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

www.mnc-i.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20090306-01
March 6, 2009
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Coalition forces and members of the Balad Provincial Reconstruction Team hosted the first Iraqi banking and finance conference in the area with Iraqi business investors, future entrepreneurs and local government leaders Tuesday to discuss how investors can find businesses to invest in to develop the local economy in the Balad district.

Soldiers from 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment worked with the provincial reconstruction team to provide a safe environment for approximately 80 economic leaders, including city managers from the cities of Yathrib, Ishaki and Dubuiya, to network together to discuss future business opportunities.

Amir Abdul-Hadi, the Mayor of Balad district, said to the group there are many profitable projects in the Balad district but that investors’ money and business knowledge is needed to build the business.

“We will support you (business leaders) with the security issue,” Abdul-Hadi said. “We’re going to support you with anything you need to build your business or factories for the sake of developing this area.”

Joe Pinon, the leader of the PRT from the U.S. State Department, said he meets with Iraqi investors everyday wanting to invest in business and people with business ideas but no money. He said the best thing we can do for the Iraqis is to connect them together to work among themselves.

“The best solution is to have Iraqis meet each other and invest with each other,” Pinon said.

Maj. Rebecca B. McElwan, the commander for the 106th Finance Management Company, said Iraqi provincial leaders do not get together on a regular basis. She said conferences like this helps provinces merge and work together for a common goal to support the Iraqi banking industry.

“Bankers are leaders in their communities,” McElwan said. “They represent the banking community and the business community as well.”

Source: MNF-Iraq.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ The Conservative Underground, Smart Girl Politics and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Founders' Daily Quote: 2/23--3/3/09

March 3, 2009.
"I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, 7 July 1785

Obama's desire is to 'remake' America into...what? A slave market? That is the ultimate opposite of a free market. He is punishing those who are successful, giving to the dredges on society (not the temporarily displaced, but the ones who know how to 'work' the system) and corrupt, removing choice from schools, cutting the Military budget, etc. He is trying to control the market, and that is why it is tanking. Not to mention the Marxist government policies.

March 2, 2009.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787

There is a warning in those words, and we would be wise to heed it. Government, ALL TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT ON SITE.

February 27, 2009.
"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? It is feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. ...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."

--A Pennsylvanian, The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 February 1788

AMEN!

February 26, 2009.
"To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, counties or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws."

--John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787-1788

John, there's just one thing you've forgotten to take into consideration. When it comes time for the Congress to receive their come-up'in's and a Constitutional Convention will not do, this militia shall be in the hands of the free to fight against the tyrants!

February 25, 2009.
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."

--Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 10 October 1787

Mr. Noah Webster, We wouldn't have signed the Constitution into existence without this amendment. The people, not the government, own this country. And above that, God owns all His people!

February 24, 2009.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

--Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 5 June 1778

I love this guy!

February 23, 2009.
"[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, - who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia."

--George Mason, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 14 June 1778

He understands. They come for our arms, our means to rid this weight put around our necks by these cretons, and we shall fight back with everything it takes. Do not ever fall asleep.

Source: PatriotPost.us - Subscribe here.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

I-BIZ Program Bolsters Iraqi Economy

by Pfc. Terence Ewings
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

COB ADDER, Iraq (Oct. 22, 2008) – Partnering with Iraqi security forces to improve conditions and help protect local citizens means more than just securing the neighboring provinces to the Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Part of the combat team’s mission includes aiding the local citizens in improving their economic conditions as well.

Iraqi businessmen in Dhi Qar met with Soldiers from Contingency Operating Base Adder and the provincial reconstruction team at an Iraqi-based Industrial Zone program meeting, designed to promote small business development within the security of the base, Oct. 13, 2008. The program provides a means to directly impact the economy in the Dhi Qar province through employment opportunities, training and mentorship. “This program sets the local nationals here up for success” said Maj. Tom Osborn, the I-BIZ application manager from Little Rock, Ark.

Abdul Jabar Alhadi, a member of the PRT and a business participant in the program, believes this is the type of movement that will help the people in this area. “We need more encouragement like this for our people,” he said. “In order to improve upon our system we need to learn more about it. I am glad that this program is here to reach out and help protect and develop our economic status.”

During the workshop, local businessmen got a better understanding of the opportunities and services in which the base occupants may be interested. The Iraqis also completed applications for their respective businesses, and shared their views on what goods they would like to offer on base.

“One of our main priorities is to make sure that the businesses proposed benefit and facilitate our Soldiers here on the installation,” said Lt. Col. Mark Nelson, the deputy commander of the 4th BCT. Nelson emphasized that the brigade’s mission is securing and improving the conditions here for the people in southern Iraq. “Our Soldiers here are making a difference, and this is just another example of how we are doing it,” said Nelson.

Some of the long term goals for this project are to enable self-sustaining Iraqi owned companies, employ Iraqis in the Dhi Qar province and increase the working class in southern Iraq. Currently, the 4th BCT Soldiers are teaching the local businessmen critical business techniques and skills that will enable the Iraqis to become successful in their future business endeavors.

Maj. Tom Osborn, the I-BIZ application manager from Little Rock, Ark., speaks with one of the local national businessmen that attended the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone program on Contingency Operating Base Adder, Oct. 13, 2008. The I-BIZ program promotes small business development within the security of a military installation.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

OMG, It's Beautiful and It Works!

Many of you may know that when you have to call a plumber, this is a time of distress. We had a major pipe break and were without water for a whole week. The job these guys did is remarkable! They even cleaned up after themselves. Not only did they come back and replaster the holes they created to get to the pipes to replace them all, but they did it so quickly! Well, quickly according to me.

The first day they did the re-piping. The toilet is working! Yippee! The second day they came back to make sure every hole they made was secured, plastered, and finished. They are coming back today to put the finish finishing on the job. I have to find out what the name of this company is so I can share it with you.

Honestly, I have never had a plumber that cleaned up after himself. This was a group of about eight young men did a fantastic job, and I recommend them. That is why I want to get the name of their company. I would like to promote them.

They have no idea that I am doing this, therefore I am not getting paid for this recommendation. I am just thrilled with their work.

To all business out there: Do a good job, get a good write up. Treat me poorly, as MSN found out, and I will rack you over the coals! This is my PSA warning. lol.

I will put the name of the company as an update, so stay tuned. I know we all have needed a plumber at least once in our lives and if you live in Southern California, you want to call these people. Have a great day!

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.
Digg!
May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Today I am having a Linkfest party for all my friends, they ones I know and they ones I will come to know. If you have a post you would like to share with more people, why not trackpost it here? All you have to do is add my Permalink somewhere in your article (usually at the bottom), then trackback to it. You don't have trackbacks available? Why not use Wizbang Stand Alone Trackback. Everyone have a nice day.

Friends who have shared their posts for your reading pleasure:
The first one was a duplicate. Oops!
2. Mark My Words: Excessive word count...
...doesn't always change the meaning...
3. Right Truth: LIFE WAS MEANT TO GLOW.
LIFE WAS MEANT TO GLOW By R.J. Godlewski©August 16, 2008, All Rights Reserved...
4. Blog @ MoreWhat.com: Bihar, India to Promote Rat Cuisine.
By Steve Herman. New Delhi. Herman report - Download (MP3). Herman report - Listen (MP3). Most cooks do their best to keep rats out of the kitchen, but in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, officials are doing just the opposite. The wel...
5. Mark My Words: Some contests are not so cool to win.
It appears that the UK Observer had a competition for most vapid and uninformed and then ran an article spotlighting the winners in their review section today...
6. Woman Honor Thyself: An American Carol: HollywooD TakeS on the Left.
These affluent, Limo koolaid drinkin Lefties, because of their priviledged circumstances, can't see the world through the same lenses as us plebians. They display disdain and complete intolerance for conservatives, even their fellow actors...
7. Mark My Words: Barack Obama needs to talk to Indigo Montoya.
The justice seeking, sword wielding Spaniard of The Princess Bride had more to say than, "My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, now prepare to die."...
8. Right Voices: Obama: Hey I have An Idea, Let’s Seat The Florida And Michigan Delegates.
“I believe party unity calls for the delegates from Florida and Michigan to be able to participate fully alongside the delegates from the other states and territories,” he wrote. “Democrats in Florida and Michigan must know they are f...
9. Mark My Words: Obama campaign admits he lied about infanticide.
After much criticism, we now have this from the Obama campaign...
10. Woman Honor Thyself: Michael Phelps: Inspiration? You BeT.
Whenever one of my clients asked me which one was Michael Phelps, I looked up at the huge screen in the lobby and simply said: "Oh, the one in the lead"...
11. Diary of the Mad Pigeon: Pigeontracks: Professional Military Readings.
Tomorrow's our monthly professional military readings round table, where we gather to discuss assigned readings over lunch (think Book Club, but with better explosions). Sounds lame on paper, but they're actually a great time, especially when the con...
12. Blog @ MoreWhat.com: …Officially a Christian Nation.
Though the internet presence from which the article below hails and the excerpt provided here clearly indicate a liberal slant on things, Joan Walsh did a reasonable job overall with separating her personal opinion from any reporting. But the fact...
13. walls of the city: 100% pure grade a bullshit.
You know, it is reading nonsense like this that really make me start to question what kind of place our country has turned into. If this Marine, Sgt. Jose Nazario, committed a crime, he should and would be reactivated, sent...

Konar bridge unites divided districts

by Navy Lt. Neil Myers
CJTF-82 PAO

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 26, 2008) — The Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team has embarked on a bridge-building strategy to connect the Afghan government to the five provincial districts on the east of the Konar River.

The Konar River runs for 150 km and serves as a natural border between eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Although the villages along the eastern and western banks of the river are part of Konar, the river reinforces cultural and political alliances between Afghans on the eastern shore and tribesmen across the border in Pakistan. The people on the east have had very little connection to the provincial government. Until recently Afghans in Khas Konar, Sarkani, Naray, Marawara and Dangam Districts looked to Pakistan for cultural affiliation, services and trade.

Currently the two bridges connecting the eastern side of the river with the west are in Nawabad and Asmar. These bridges are the only means of vehicle access to the provincial center. The five new bridges under construction by the PRT are the Guryak, Khas Konar, Marawara, Bar Sholtan and Saw Bridge. The new bridges will accommodate two-way commercial truck traffic and will connect residents from the isolated areas along Pakistan’s border with the rest of Konar.

Navy Lt. Matthew Myers, Konar PRT Engineer, said that all construction work is being performed by local Afghan companies. “These projects demonstrate that Afghan engineers are capable of building large scale and technically-challenging projects,” Myers said.

Myers also reported that residents on both sides of the river enthusiastically support the bridges. “Due to the popularity of the bridges there have been no attacks on the projects,” Myers said. “Each bridge has an estimated lifetime of 60 years so the benefits will last for generations of Afghans.”

“The bridges will further legitimize the Afghan Government to the people in these areas, showing that the Afghan government is capable of bringing large-scale infrastructure projects to an area neglected by 30 years of war,” said Navy Cmdr. Daniel Dwyer, Konar PRT commander.

The Bar Sholtan Truck Bridge is under construction in the Shigal District and, once completed, will provide Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces access to the most problematic areas of Konar province, Afghanistan.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!

Airport provides travel, economic boost to Najaf

by Staff Sgt. Michel Saure
MND-Center

BAGHDAD (July 22, 2008) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stepped off the first plane landing in Najaf International Airport and waved to cheering crowds, July 20. The celebration marked the opening of a new airport, which will facilitate travel, boost business opportunities and increase tourism to the third-most-popular destination for Islamic pilgrimages.

"The Najaf airport is a starting point for competition among provinces and local governments to make extraordinary progress toward reconstruction ... We were determined to face the terrorism that was about to destroy Iraq. The strong will of the federal government has fought and defeated it in all of its forms,” Maliki said when he addressed the crowd. [Oh really???]

Members of the Iraqi army and Iraqi police maintained control over the mass of media and photographers who came to record the historic event. Young children laughed and waved Iraqi flags. Men and women posed for pictures, hugging one another, kissing cheek-to-cheek with greetings. Musicians played enchanting melodies, and singers sang with spirit.

The capital of Najaf is considered one of the holiest cities for Shia Islam. The city is renowned as the site of the tomb of Imam Ali Talib, whom Shia consider the prophet Muhammad’s heir. The site is believed to be the third-most-popular destination for Islamic pilgrimages, after the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina.

Additionally, the airport will employ hundreds of people from security guards to customer service representatives. The airport will also create new opportunities in the economy for hotels and restaurants, travel agencies, banks, currency exchange, even agricultural processing to feed Najaf’s new visitors. Moreover, the presence of this airport will attract businesses and investors.

“The benefits of this facility will ripple throughout the local, provincial, regional and national economy,” said Angus Simmons, of Reston, Va., team leader for Provincial Reconstruction Team Najaf.

The Najaf PRT helped facilitate construction contracts as well as linked the airport with a U.S. transportation adviser who specializes in airport management. The new airport is part of a multi-billion dollar project led by investment firm Al-Aqeelah, based in Kuwait. The firm plans to build thousands of new homes and hotels in the city. A total of $80 million has been committed to the airport’s construction, $50 million of it already invested in the project.

“I would say the Najaf people and the leadership here at the provincial level have a very national viewpoint on what this airport does for Iraq,” said Col. Jefforey Smith, deputy commanding general, support for Multi-National Division – Center and the 10th Mountain Division.

“About the only other way you could have gotten into this part of the country previously was by vehicle. There’s no train system that comes through here,” Smith said. “So this airport is going to be huge not only for Najaf, but ... it will affect the other major cities in the province of Karbala [and others] north and west of here.”

The airport will help not only the province of Najaf prosper, but also the neighboring Karbala, Babil and Qadasiyah. Before now, the closest airport was centralized in Baghdad, hundreds of miles north of these areas. They too will take advantage of economic plans provided by the new travel. “I think it’s a positive time—it’s a good time— to open this airport,” Smith said.

Members of the Iraqi army salute while the Iraqi national anthem plays during the Najaf International Airport inauguration ceremony, July 20.

Source: CENTCOM.

Editor's Note: Apparently al-Maliki has not been listening to his top aides and top Generals. Again, this reminds me of someone who shall remain nameless for now, but this is disgusting. If he thinks all the AQI and jihadis are gone, then let's go! Let us see how long he lives! I know we won't do that, because it is not in our best national security interest. But just once, wouldn't you like to hold someone to their word? *sigh*

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Partnership to Help Army Reserve, D.C. Police Share Same Talent Pool

They are trying something new in DC that I hope they try in all the states, if it is successful. What are they trying? They are combining their talents, instead of competing for new recruits, to give their new recruits the option of joining the other man's reserve unit! I think this is wonderful. If someone joins the Army Reserves, they could also get a job as a police officer, and vise versa.

This picture is one of the ceremony where they are signing the agreement between them.

Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Ervin of the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., also an MPDC officer, said the Metropolitan Police Department and Army Reserve both stand to benefit from sharing the professional, career-minded and goal-oriented recruits each attracts. Army experience gives police recruits an ability to think on their feet, work within a command structure and show flexibility when it’s needed, he said.

Meanwhile, Stultz said, civilian police experience brings strong negotiating, interrogation and crime scene investigation skills to the Army Reserve.

This also helps to defeat that attitude of when you hire a Reservist, there will be a drain on your system. Not at all. This way, you can see it as a value-added to your force.

The police are not the only ones who are seeing the benefits this will bring to their forces, there are other businesses who are looking at this program with interest. It would be wonderful to hire someone who knows how to organize, remain above reproach, and get the job done. This is good for our reservists, so they may be able to find a job in their skill set a lot easier. I sure hope it hope it helps all of our reservists soon! Have a great day.

PS. I apologize for being late with this article. I thought yesterday was Tuesday. D'oh!

Source: Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him.

Cross-posted @ Talon and Rosemary's News and Ideas.

Resourses: Help Former Military find jobs

I do not know these people, so please move forward with caution. They appear to want to help people who have served our country to get readjusted back into the work force. They want to help match your skills with the jobs that are available. Here is the link: 100 Job Solutions and Resources for Former Military Personnel. They have several links that you can choose from for your specific skills. You should check it out, just be careful.

How did I find out about this? They must have either seen my support for the troops on my site, or maybe they got my name from DoD? Either way, I received an email with my name on it. Please, be careful! Have a nice day. Digg!

Arms dealer charged by US AG, caught in Thailand

So. You think it's a bad idea to allow Americans to trade with Columbia duty free, while they already have this privelege? What do you think about the arms that are being sold to FARC to kill Americans and law abiding citizens of Columbia? This all has to do with CAFTA which is being held up in Congress.

I do not understand your reasoning. Maybe you could enlighten me? If our countries could trade with each other on a level playing field, more jobs would stay here because it cost less if the companies stayed here. They would no longer have to pay the duty they have to pay now. This would mean they could hire more people, buy more equipment, etc. with the money saved by not having to fork over big bucks just to sell their goods. BTW, only the big companies are able to do this now. Think about how prosperous it would be for our small and middle sized companies.

Why am I bringing up trade when the topic is weapons being sold to kill Americans? Think about the economy. If we increase our economy, so do they. The better their economy, the better they will be able to protect themselves and us. Here is article from US DOJ.

Indictment: Arms dealer offered weapons to kill Americans.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. government has charged an international arms dealer with conspiring to sell a rebel group millions of dollars in weapons "to be used to kill Americans in Colombia," federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Viktor Bout, who was recently captured in Thailand, had agreed to sell the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) surface-to-air missiles, armor-piercing rocket launchers, "ultralight" airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other weapons, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

There was no immediate public response from Bout, who remains in custody in Thailand.

Federal authorities unsealed an indictment charging Bout with four terrorism offenses: conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, conspiracy to kill U.S. officers or employees, conspiracy to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile, and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

FARC is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. Justice Department officials said they are seeking Bout's extradition to the United States. The indictment alleges that Bout made agreements with FARC between November 2007 and March of this year.

In their news release, federal prosecutors said Bout agreed to sell weapons "to two confidential sources" working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, who had "represented that they were acquiring these weapons for the FARC, with the specific understanding that the weapons were to be used to attack United States helicopters in Colombia."

The news release also refers to a "covertly recorded meeting in Thailand on March 6, 2008." "With the unsealing of this indictment, we are one step closer to ensuring Bout has delivered his last load of high-powered weaponry and armed his final terrorist," DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Loenhart said in the news release.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey last month singled out Bout as a leading example of a new breed of organized crime leaders who operate across international boundaries to amass wealth without regard to political ideology.

"Viktor Bout has long been considered by the international community as one of the world's most prolific arms traffickers," U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said in the news release Tuesday.

Bout's assets in the United States were frozen in 2004 after he allegedly shipped weapons to Liberia in violation of U.S. government restrictions.

Nice guy, eh? Come on, Senate. Do your job and pass that Free Trade Agreement with Columbia. Can you at least do this? You haven't done much of anything else. God, I can't wait to hear the cries about how we're treating this creep. Yes, politics does make strange bedbellows. What do terrorist and Senators make?

Posts I've trackposted to at Linkfest and other sites: Right Truth: Obama lied, and lied, and lied.., Potbelly Stove: Jimmy's Pals. Digg!

Fed cuts rates 3/4's of a point

Here is some breaking news about the Fed cutting rates by 3/4's of point, and urging Congress and President to cut taxes quickly to avoid a recession. It is short, so I have the entire article for you.

Fed Cuts Interest Rate as Treasury Secretary Urges Quick Action on Economic Stimulus Plan.

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Tuesday that Congress and the administration need to agree quickly on a package of tax cuts as the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by three-fourths of a percentage point to reinvigorate the economy.

"Time is of the essence and the president stands ready to work on a bipartisan basis to enact economic growth legislation as soon as possible," Paulson said in remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He spoke as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leaders in both parties prepared to meet with President Bush at the White House to discuss a stimulus bill.

Such legislation presumably would involve tax rebates, business tax cuts and funding for a Democratic-led call for additional food stamp and employment aid.

The Fed's decision to slash the federal funds rate — the interest that banks charge each other on overnight loans — apparently was the biggest one-day move by the central bank in recent memory. The Fed cut the rate to 3.5 percent from 4.25 percent.

Its action was the most dramatic signal that it can send of its concern about a recession.

Hat tip: Fox News.

You may not want my two-cents, but here it is anyway. I wish they would leave the daggone market alone. Really. The housing always gets into a bubble, and most of us were waiting were for the prices to come down before we bought our house. Thank you very much, now I cannot buy a house because you are falsely keeping the inflated prices high. This is NOT what a free-marketer does.

I understand the panic due to the other countries tanking in their stock markets, but may I remind you that China has an unsustainablely high (falsely high) rate of exchange on its money. What is it, the yen? They refuse to accurately disclose the actual trade-in value. I don't give a damn if they tank! Doesn't anyone remember that this is what they were trying to do to us?

Nor do I care that Mexico is having a problem with all the illegal aliens here are going home to Mexico. I have no sympathy for that government. They actually sent a delegation to Arizona's STATE government to ask them not to follow Arizona's laws! That takes testicles! Yes, they are feeling the pressure of having to deal with the high unemployment, health care, and whatever crap they robbed from us that they are no longer able to steal. But I am getting off track.

The facts are, the Fed is one that raised the rates in the first place. If there is any blame to go around, look to Bernacke. (sp?) The rest of the blame belongs not on the sharks who were able to get you to sign over your mortgages to them so that you could enjoy low payments. This really irks me. YOU are the one who knew you couldn't afford the house. YOU are the one that enjoyed your house while I had to wait patiently for the bubble to burst. So why I have to pay for YOU to keep YOUR house? I SHOULD NOT, and that's a fact. Good day.

Trackbacked to these posts using Linkfest and others: Pirate's Cove: TLF: A “Testy Exchange” At The Defeatocrat Debates, Is It Just Me?: New Family Addition, third world county: Snow Day!, Celebrity Smack: Sweet Dreams are Made of Links, Right Truth: Do the voters really understand what's at stake, Blue Star Chronicals: The Marines New Commercial, Big Dog's Weblog: The Phantom of the Oprah, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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1. Right Truth: The Edwards Implosion. Digg!

Jack Lewis: I Told You So...

My dear friend, Danny, had written about this five weeks ago. What is 'this'?

A little over a month ago I predicted that we would soon have a case of food borne illness, due to sloppiness in the food industry, specifically related to the use of illegal immigrants in food processing plants. In spite of there being no case of botulism poisoning in three decades, last week it came true, and four people are now in serious condition in a Texas hospital.

I guess I'm just fortunate. I've been boycotting China as best I could ever since Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. If you have no idea what I'm referring to, maybe this shall help. If you still do not understand beyond that, there is no hope for you!