spread of the red
Pentagon in Permanent State of Denial over Permanent Bases
The Department of Defense intends to
operate 14 “enduring” military bases in
Iraq after it withdraws its occupation
forces, as part of a long term plan to
project a US presence in the Middle
East. The new bases will allow the
redeployment of troops and resources
that currently operate out of Saudi
Arabia. Although Pentagon spokesmen
avoid the term “permanent” when
discussing foreign facilities, more than $1
billion has been spent to build the bases
in Iraq, with another $348 million
earmarked for construction in the recent
emergency supplementary appropriations
bill.
Among the enduring bases is Camp
operate 14 “enduring” military bases in
Iraq after it withdraws its occupation
forces, as part of a long term plan to
project a US presence in the Middle
East. The new bases will allow the
redeployment of troops and resources
that currently operate out of Saudi
Arabia. Although Pentagon spokesmen
avoid the term “permanent” when
discussing foreign facilities, more than $1
billion has been spent to build the bases
in Iraq, with another $348 million
earmarked for construction in the recent
emergency supplementary appropriations
bill.
Among the enduring bases is Camp
Anaconda near Balad, which occupies 15
square miles and can house over 20,000
troops. The amenities at the site include
two swimming pools, a miniature golf
course, and a cinema. At Camp Taji, the
former headquarters of the Iraqi
Republican Guard, soldiers have access
to Burger King, Subway, and Pizza Hut
franchises. The vast majority of
personnel deployed at the bases never
venture beyond the secure perimeter.
The recently revealed program involving
so-called “deep storage” of military
equipment and materiel at scattered
sites throughout the Middle East has led
to speculation that the US is unsure of
the future of its Iraqi bases. But defense
square miles and can house over 20,000
troops. The amenities at the site include
two swimming pools, a miniature golf
course, and a cinema. At Camp Taji, the
former headquarters of the Iraqi
Republican Guard, soldiers have access
to Burger King, Subway, and Pizza Hut
franchises. The vast majority of
personnel deployed at the bases never
venture beyond the secure perimeter.
The recently revealed program involving
so-called “deep storage” of military
equipment and materiel at scattered
sites throughout the Middle East has led
to speculation that the US is unsure of
the future of its Iraqi bases. But defense
industry analysts believe that the
Bush administration will make
permanent bases in Iraq part of its
plan for the region, which is outlined
in the Pentagon’s Global Posture
Review. US forces have established
or expanded facilities in Qatar,
Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab
Emirates since early 2001.
In testimony before a Congressional
committee, Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld denied that the US
is planning permanent facilities in
Iraq; he has also stated that basing
troops in the country would be
“discussed” with the new Iraqi
government. it's all true
Bush administration will make
permanent bases in Iraq part of its
plan for the region, which is outlined
in the Pentagon’s Global Posture
Review. US forces have established
or expanded facilities in Qatar,
Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab
Emirates since early 2001.
In testimony before a Congressional
committee, Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld denied that the US
is planning permanent facilities in
Iraq; he has also stated that basing
troops in the country would be
“discussed” with the new Iraqi
government. it's all true
| interpreting the constitution crowd control spread of the red one nation, under surveillance fun d' mental in bed with the red red state rebate verbatim |
crowd control
in bed with the red
Agency Assets
Assume Arrest
Authority
Assume Arrest
Authority
Stealth Lobbying Campaign Traced to Eighteen Families
The intensive lobbying campaign to
repeal the federal estate tax has been
controlled and financed by a secretive
coalition of 18 super-wealthy families,
according to a report by two public
interest watchdog groups. The report,
which was released jointly by Public
Citizen and United for a Fair Economy,
traces the efforts of the wealthy families
to advance the campaign through the
establishment of front groups and
associations, concerted lobbying of
Congressional leaders, and the direct
expenditure of some $500 million since
the Republican party won control of the
House of Representatives in 1994.
Although less than 0.3 percent of
Americans who die this year will leave an
estate large enough to be taxed under
repeal the federal estate tax has been
controlled and financed by a secretive
coalition of 18 super-wealthy families,
according to a report by two public
interest watchdog groups. The report,
which was released jointly by Public
Citizen and United for a Fair Economy,
traces the efforts of the wealthy families
to advance the campaign through the
establishment of front groups and
associations, concerted lobbying of
Congressional leaders, and the direct
expenditure of some $500 million since
the Republican party won control of the
House of Representatives in 1994.
Although less than 0.3 percent of
Americans who die this year will leave an
estate large enough to be taxed under
the current law, the 18 families identified
in the report would save an estimated
$71.6 billion if the estate tax were to be
repealed. The families include the
owners of Wal-Mart, Nordstrom,
Campbell’s Soup, Mars Candy, and Gallo
Wines. According to the report, the
group includes the owners of the first-
and third-largest privately held
companies in the United States, and the
18 families are worth a combined total
of $185.5 billion.
The report details the efforts of the
super-rich families to assemble a
network of lobbyists, business and trade
associations, and political action
committees to promote the permanent
repeal of the estate tax, while the
families themselves sought to keep a low
in the report would save an estimated
$71.6 billion if the estate tax were to be
repealed. The families include the
owners of Wal-Mart, Nordstrom,
Campbell’s Soup, Mars Candy, and Gallo
Wines. According to the report, the
group includes the owners of the first-
and third-largest privately held
companies in the United States, and the
18 families are worth a combined total
of $185.5 billion.
The report details the efforts of the
super-rich families to assemble a
network of lobbyists, business and trade
associations, and political action
committees to promote the permanent
repeal of the estate tax, while the
families themselves sought to keep a low
profile in the campaign. “This report
exposes one of the biggest con jobs
in recent history,” said Public Citizen
president Joan Claybrook.
The House of Representatives voted
to permanently repeal the estate tax
last year .An alternative bill retaining
the tax, but shielding $3.5 million of
an estate’s value, was defeated.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R,
TN) has said he will bring the bill to a
vote this year. A vote on the repeal
was postponed in the Senate last
September, when Republican
strategists concluded that considering
such legislation during the Hurricane
Katrina disaster might generate
adverse publicity. it's all true
exposes one of the biggest con jobs
in recent history,” said Public Citizen
president Joan Claybrook.
The House of Representatives voted
to permanently repeal the estate tax
last year .An alternative bill retaining
the tax, but shielding $3.5 million of
an estate’s value, was defeated.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R,
TN) has said he will bring the bill to a
vote this year. A vote on the repeal
was postponed in the Senate last
September, when Republican
strategists concluded that considering
such legislation during the Hurricane
Katrina disaster might generate
adverse publicity. it's all true
The House of Representatives
passed the Intelligence
Authorization Act of 2007 late
last month. The legislation
included a provision that would
empower the CIA and NSA as
auxiliary police forces with broad
arrest powers. The traditional
roles of the CIA and NSA are as
investigation agencies, the CIA
only authorized to act on
international threats. The
proposal would allow agents of
the NSA and CIA to make
warrantless arrests of any citizen
for any felony, including drunk
driving or insider stock trading.
The amendment calls for allowing
CIA and NSA agents to “make
arrests without a warrant for any
offense against the United States
committed in the presence of
such personnel…or such
personnel have probable cause to
believe that the person to be
arrested has committed or is
committing that felony offense.“
Critics of the amendment point
out that the FBI and Federal
Marshals and States Attorneys all
have arrest powers and have
historically been the arresting
authority in law enforcement
actions after investigations are
performed and warrants are
granted by judges. Supporters of
the new secret police force see
the amendment as a “clarification
of authority”. The bill awaits
consideration by the
Senate. it's all true
passed the Intelligence
Authorization Act of 2007 late
last month. The legislation
included a provision that would
empower the CIA and NSA as
auxiliary police forces with broad
arrest powers. The traditional
roles of the CIA and NSA are as
investigation agencies, the CIA
only authorized to act on
international threats. The
proposal would allow agents of
the NSA and CIA to make
warrantless arrests of any citizen
for any felony, including drunk
driving or insider stock trading.
The amendment calls for allowing
CIA and NSA agents to “make
arrests without a warrant for any
offense against the United States
committed in the presence of
such personnel…or such
personnel have probable cause to
believe that the person to be
arrested has committed or is
committing that felony offense.“
Critics of the amendment point
out that the FBI and Federal
Marshals and States Attorneys all
have arrest powers and have
historically been the arresting
authority in law enforcement
actions after investigations are
performed and warrants are
granted by judges. Supporters of
the new secret police force see
the amendment as a “clarification
of authority”. The bill awaits
consideration by the
Senate. it's all true
| redstat |
Weather
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Researchers Confirm Destruction of Coral Reefs
An unprecedented increase in average
water temperatures has led to significant
loss of coral reefs in the Caribbean,
according to researchers. Near Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands, over 40
percent of the coral has died as a result
of bleaching and disease caused by
record water temperatures in 2005, and
scientists who have surveyed the areas
recently predict a similar mortality rate
in the reefs this summer.
Environmentalists contend that the
destruction of coral reefs is accelerated
by global warming.
Coral colonies hundreds of years old
have completely died off as a result of
the bleaching in recent years. The coral’s
natural ability to regenerate is fatally
compromised by the warmer waters. In
February, the National Oceanographic
water temperatures has led to significant
loss of coral reefs in the Caribbean,
according to researchers. Near Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands, over 40
percent of the coral has died as a result
of bleaching and disease caused by
record water temperatures in 2005, and
scientists who have surveyed the areas
recently predict a similar mortality rate
in the reefs this summer.
Environmentalists contend that the
destruction of coral reefs is accelerated
by global warming.
Coral colonies hundreds of years old
have completely died off as a result of
the bleaching in recent years. The coral’s
natural ability to regenerate is fatally
compromised by the warmer waters. In
February, the National Oceanographic
and Atmospheric Administration
reported that off St. Croix, 96 percent
of lettuce coral, 93 percent of star coral,
and 60 percent of brain coral had
become bleached.
Coral reefs are vital to life in the
Caribbean, providing food and shelter to
important species of fish, and also
forming a natural barrier for islands,
protecting them from the effects of
tropical storms and hurricanes. The reefs
are central to the local tourism and
fishing industries.
In a related story, the Environmental
Protection Agency this week placed two
species of coral under the protection of
the Endangered Species Act. Elkhorn and
staghorn coral will initially be designated
as "threatened" under the Act. it's all true
reported that off St. Croix, 96 percent
of lettuce coral, 93 percent of star coral,
and 60 percent of brain coral had
become bleached.
Coral reefs are vital to life in the
Caribbean, providing food and shelter to
important species of fish, and also
forming a natural barrier for islands,
protecting them from the effects of
tropical storms and hurricanes. The reefs
are central to the local tourism and
fishing industries.
In a related story, the Environmental
Protection Agency this week placed two
species of coral under the protection of
the Endangered Species Act. Elkhorn and
staghorn coral will initially be designated
as "threatened" under the Act. it's all true
source : AIRINC
News : Paycheck to Paycheck
Municipalities Report Inability to Meet Increased Aid Requests
A survey of 27 large cities in the US found that
citizen’s requests food emergency food aid had
increased an average of 14 percent and requests
for emergency shelter had increased by six
percent.
56 percent of those requesting food aid came
from families, both children and parents, and 34
percent of adults requesting aid were
employed. The cities reported that about 20
percent of food aid requests went unfulfilled
last year. 96 percent of the cities reported an
increase in requests for food aid in 2005. In
100 percent of the cities, families and individuals
relied upon food assistance in both emergencies
and as a primary source of food.
40 percent of the homeless in American cities
citizen’s requests food emergency food aid had
increased an average of 14 percent and requests
for emergency shelter had increased by six
percent.
56 percent of those requesting food aid came
from families, both children and parents, and 34
percent of adults requesting aid were
employed. The cities reported that about 20
percent of food aid requests went unfulfilled
last year. 96 percent of the cities reported an
increase in requests for food aid in 2005. In
100 percent of the cities, families and individuals
relied upon food assistance in both emergencies
and as a primary source of food.
40 percent of the homeless in American cities
are families, which in many cases had to split up
to receive shelter. The cities reported that 32
percent of family requests for emergency
shelter went unmet in 2005. The survey found
that people remain homeless for an average of
eight months, an increase over past years.
The survey, which was performed by the US
Conference of Mayors, attempted to identify
the lead causes of hunger and homelessness in
American cities. The report found that
underemployment and unemployment and lack
of affordable housing were cited as major
contributing factors to homelessness and
hunger in the US. 98 percent of the Cities
reported that they expect to see an increase in
requests for food aid and emergency shelter in
coming years. it's all true
to receive shelter. The cities reported that 32
percent of family requests for emergency
shelter went unmet in 2005. The survey found
that people remain homeless for an average of
eight months, an increase over past years.
The survey, which was performed by the US
Conference of Mayors, attempted to identify
the lead causes of hunger and homelessness in
American cities. The report found that
underemployment and unemployment and lack
of affordable housing were cited as major
contributing factors to homelessness and
hunger in the US. 98 percent of the Cities
reported that they expect to see an increase in
requests for food aid and emergency shelter in
coming years. it's all true
Worker's Confidence Difficult to Account For
Middle Class Increasingly Uninsured
Two studies released this month demonstrated
that working Americans are able to save very
little for their retirement, although many
believe that they will be secure in the future.
The Employee Benefit Research Institute
released its annual retirement confidence survey
that reported that more than 20 percent of
adults between the ages of 18 and 49 did not
save any money for retirement. The study also
reported that more than half of those who did
save money for retirement have less than
$25,000 in savings.
The Financial Services Forum released the
results of its 2006 National Retirement Survey
that revealed that 3 out of 5 younger
that working Americans are able to save very
little for their retirement, although many
believe that they will be secure in the future.
The Employee Benefit Research Institute
released its annual retirement confidence survey
that reported that more than 20 percent of
adults between the ages of 18 and 49 did not
save any money for retirement. The study also
reported that more than half of those who did
save money for retirement have less than
$25,000 in savings.
The Financial Services Forum released the
results of its 2006 National Retirement Survey
that revealed that 3 out of 5 younger
Americans saved less than $10,000 for
retirement last year. The survey also found that
one out of four US workers in their peak
earning years saved nothing for their retirement
in 2005.
Although the figures reflect that many
Americans are not saving enough money to be
able to sustain a middle class lifestyle, the EBRI
survey reports that four in ten workers are
confident about their financial security in
retirement. 22 percent of workers who felt
confident that they would be secure in their
retirement are currently not saving for
retirement. it's all true
retirement last year. The survey also found that
one out of four US workers in their peak
earning years saved nothing for their retirement
in 2005.
Although the figures reflect that many
Americans are not saving enough money to be
able to sustain a middle class lifestyle, the EBRI
survey reports that four in ten workers are
confident about their financial security in
retirement. 22 percent of workers who felt
confident that they would be secure in their
retirement are currently not saving for
retirement. it's all true
A report released by the Commonwealth Fund reveals
that more than forty percent of working age, middle
income Americans were uninsured last year. The
Biennial Health Insurance Survey reported that figure
was 13 percent higher than in 2001. The study found
that rising health care cost have impacted
middle-income households and last year 67 percent of
uninsured families had at least one family member
working full time.
The study found that adults with incomes below
$20,000 were at the greatest risk of going without
health coverage. 53 percent of such adults went
without insurance at some point in the past year. The
Commonwealth Fund also reported that temporary
workers are rarely provided with health insurance
coverage. 47 percent of temporary workers did not
have coverage, while 39 percent of part-time workers
in general were uninsured.
The report also found that one of five of all adults
under age 65 is currently paying off debt from previous
medical bills. Health care costs have risen at a rate of
over seven percent per year, far out pacing economic
growth. Overall, 48 million Americans do not have
health insurance coverage. it's all true
that more than forty percent of working age, middle
income Americans were uninsured last year. The
Biennial Health Insurance Survey reported that figure
was 13 percent higher than in 2001. The study found
that rising health care cost have impacted
middle-income households and last year 67 percent of
uninsured families had at least one family member
working full time.
The study found that adults with incomes below
$20,000 were at the greatest risk of going without
health coverage. 53 percent of such adults went
without insurance at some point in the past year. The
Commonwealth Fund also reported that temporary
workers are rarely provided with health insurance
coverage. 47 percent of temporary workers did not
have coverage, while 39 percent of part-time workers
in general were uninsured.
The report also found that one of five of all adults
under age 65 is currently paying off debt from previous
medical bills. Health care costs have risen at a rate of
over seven percent per year, far out pacing economic
growth. Overall, 48 million Americans do not have
health insurance coverage. it's all true
redstat
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traffic
Bill Would Allow Telecom Companies to Impose Digital Class System
A proposal has been approved by a
House committee that portends to
change the basic open structure that the
Internet was founded upon and has
fostered the medium’s unbridled and
democratic growth. The nation’s largest
telecommunications corporations have
been lobbying congress to end open and
universal access to the Internet by
allowing companies to sell better and
faster Internet service to those capable
of affording to pay more.
The Telecommunications Act of 2006,
also know as the ‘Barton Bill’ named
after its sponsor, Rep. Joe Barton (R-
TX) who is also the chairperson of the
House Committee on Energy and
Commerce, would allow the companies
who support the bill (AT&T, Comcast,
Time Warner and Verizon, among
others) to decide which web sites load
fast, slow or not at all. The companies
would be allowed for the first time to
charge owners of web sites more for
better technology and broader
bandwidth. The companies would also
be allowed to direct users to web sites
sponsored or affiliated with the Telecom
corporations and restrict access to
competitor’s sites.
Rep. Barton was the largest
congressional recipient of campaign
contributions from telecommunications
companies in 2005. Over the course of
his career, the second highest
contributor to Barton's campaign fund
House committee that portends to
change the basic open structure that the
Internet was founded upon and has
fostered the medium’s unbridled and
democratic growth. The nation’s largest
telecommunications corporations have
been lobbying congress to end open and
universal access to the Internet by
allowing companies to sell better and
faster Internet service to those capable
of affording to pay more.
The Telecommunications Act of 2006,
also know as the ‘Barton Bill’ named
after its sponsor, Rep. Joe Barton (R-
TX) who is also the chairperson of the
House Committee on Energy and
Commerce, would allow the companies
who support the bill (AT&T, Comcast,
Time Warner and Verizon, among
others) to decide which web sites load
fast, slow or not at all. The companies
would be allowed for the first time to
charge owners of web sites more for
better technology and broader
bandwidth. The companies would also
be allowed to direct users to web sites
sponsored or affiliated with the Telecom
corporations and restrict access to
competitor’s sites.
Rep. Barton was the largest
congressional recipient of campaign
contributions from telecommunications
companies in 2005. Over the course of
his career, the second highest
contributor to Barton's campaign fund
has been the National Cable &
Telecommunications Association.
Committee Chariman in the past ten
years.
Allowing those who pay more to receive
better and faster Internet service would
fundamentally change the character of
the Internet. As it stands today, web
access and speed are democratized-
meaning that the smallest web site
owner and its visitors get the same
service that the largest web site owners
get. Under current rules, the Internet is
set up like telephone service in America,
a person living in the suburbs of
Davenport gets the same service when
he picks up a telephone as President
George Bush and Bill Gates. Federal law
requires that all citizens have equal
access to both phone service and the
Internet technologies. The Barton Bill
would do away with the federal
protections that mandate broad
availability of the highest quality Internet
service and substitute consumer’s equal
access with a pay-to-play system that is
being promoted by the giant Telecom
corporations.
An amendment to the Barton Bill that
was defeated last month would have
mandated “network neutrality” ensuring
that, regardless of wealth, all Internet
sites would be treated alike with respect
to accessibility. Rep Ed Markey (D-MA)
who offered the amendment told the
committee in testimony that the Barton
Telecommunications Association.
Committee Chariman in the past ten
years.
Allowing those who pay more to receive
better and faster Internet service would
fundamentally change the character of
the Internet. As it stands today, web
access and speed are democratized-
meaning that the smallest web site
owner and its visitors get the same
service that the largest web site owners
get. Under current rules, the Internet is
set up like telephone service in America,
a person living in the suburbs of
Davenport gets the same service when
he picks up a telephone as President
George Bush and Bill Gates. Federal law
requires that all citizens have equal
access to both phone service and the
Internet technologies. The Barton Bill
would do away with the federal
protections that mandate broad
availability of the highest quality Internet
service and substitute consumer’s equal
access with a pay-to-play system that is
being promoted by the giant Telecom
corporations.
An amendment to the Barton Bill that
was defeated last month would have
mandated “network neutrality” ensuring
that, regardless of wealth, all Internet
sites would be treated alike with respect
to accessibility. Rep Ed Markey (D-MA)
who offered the amendment told the
committee in testimony that the Barton
Bill would allow telecommunications
corporations to impose fees that
would create a “broadband
bottleneck” that would “stifle
openness, endanger global
competitiveness and warp the web
into a tiered Internet of bandwidth
have and have-nots”
Other critics of the wholesale changes
that the Barton Bill would facilitate
include both civil rights advocates and
the largest Internet based
corporations, including Yahoo,
Microsoft, eBay, Amazon and Google.
Civil rights advocates have assailed the
creation of a two tiered Internet
because it will leave small and under
served communities behind as the
Internet develops as a tool of
communication and commerce. The
corporations believe that the changes
anticipated upon the bills passing
would stifle opportunities for the
creative and economic growth of the
medium. In a letter sent by the
consortium of Internet corporations
to Congress, the group stated that,
“Consumers in the marketplace, and
not the network operators, should
decide what content and services
succeed or fail”.
The bill is expected to go to a vote in
the full House by the end of the
summer and Rep Barton expects the
law to be signed by President Bush by
the end of the year. it's all true
corporations to impose fees that
would create a “broadband
bottleneck” that would “stifle
openness, endanger global
competitiveness and warp the web
into a tiered Internet of bandwidth
have and have-nots”
Other critics of the wholesale changes
that the Barton Bill would facilitate
include both civil rights advocates and
the largest Internet based
corporations, including Yahoo,
Microsoft, eBay, Amazon and Google.
Civil rights advocates have assailed the
creation of a two tiered Internet
because it will leave small and under
served communities behind as the
Internet develops as a tool of
communication and commerce. The
corporations believe that the changes
anticipated upon the bills passing
would stifle opportunities for the
creative and economic growth of the
medium. In a letter sent by the
consortium of Internet corporations
to Congress, the group stated that,
“Consumers in the marketplace, and
not the network operators, should
decide what content and services
succeed or fail”.
The bill is expected to go to a vote in
the full House by the end of the
summer and Rep Barton expects the
law to be signed by President Bush by
the end of the year. it's all true
redstateupdate.net
Anniversary Edition
verbatim number 10.1
"I can look you in the eye and tell you I feel I
tried to solve the problem diplomatically to
the max, and would have committed troops
both in Afghanistan and Iraq, knowing what I
know today." Orange County CA 04.25.06
tried to solve the problem diplomatically to
the max, and would have committed troops
both in Afghanistan and Iraq, knowing what I
know today." Orange County CA 04.25.06
verbatim number 10.2
| "Recession means that people's incomes, at the employer level, are going down, basically, relative to costs." Washington DC 02.19.04 |