GOVERNMENT BAILOUT FOR NEWSPAPERS??

Does anyone else see the problem with this scenario?? As this article states, it is the job of the media to keep an eye on the politicians. God knows no politician can be trusted to not usurp their authority and/or seek more power over the populace. If the print media gets bailed out by the government, the politicians will have a direct pipeline to the editors and owners and be able to apply pressure to print, or most importantly NOT print news that may be derogatory, painting the government or certain politicians in a bad light. This unfettered "over-watch" that the media is supposed to do must remain free and un-censored if we are to have any type of control over our elected officials. I'm sure there are many who would just jump at the chance to control what the print media reports. If print media is controlled, how long will it be before radio and television fall victim to the same oversight? This blog could fall victim to this type of censorship too.
Click on the title to go to the story.

DOD THINKTANK PREPARING TO INTERVENE IN THE EVENT OF CIVIL UNREST

I don't like the sound of this.......The Posse Comitatus Act needs to be re-instated with provisions that only allow for intervention in the case of enemy attack from within. We are a heart beat away from being a police state.........Think about it.......
Here is the wiki address for the description of the Posse Comitatus act.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act

OREGON GOVERNOR WANTS A MILEAGE TAX

Once again the Dem Governor of Oregon is looking to raise taxes. The working stiff cannot catch a break with this guy. He proposes using satellite technology to track how many miles Oregonians will drive. So, even if you'd have bought a fuel efficient car or truck to save on gas, your going to get dinged anyway on the mileage tax. He is just doing what Dems do,....raise taxes every chance they get. We have the same problem he in Washington with our Dem Governor Gregoire. Click on the title to go to the story.

2008 WAS THE YEAR THAT MAN MADE GLOBAL WARMING WAS PROVED TO BE A FARCE

Very good article and worth the read. I hope that we can get the word out to our elected officials about this farce and that they should not proceed down this "green" road we appear to be headed for. Click on the title to go to the story.

LIBERAL LEGAL GROUP COMMES TO THE FOREFRONT OF POLITICS

This is a group that needs to be watched closely. It was founded by liberals who are concerned about the spread of conservatism. The article is a good read. Here is their website address... http://www.acslaw.org/ Take a look at it and check it out.

Click on the title to go to the story.

OBAMA HAVING TROUBLE COPING WITH THE NEW REALITIES OF HIS LIFE

It looks like the President Elect is having a little trouble coming to grips with the realities of his new "position". Be careful what you dream for, you might get it BHO. Life at the top is not for the faint of heart or those who seek privacy. You are under a microscope now. Click on the title to go to the story.

THE OBAMA'S RELAX IN HAWAII

Now this just my thoughts on this, but for once, I would like to have a President that is more like a regular guy. They are now in Hawaii, relaxing in a multi-million dollar mansion. Now, I may be sounding petty here because everyone knows that every President "buys" their way into the White House so that fact alone makes each sitting President not the usual kind of guy. But wouldn't it be refreshing if a "regular" type of guy was the President and truly could relate to the rest of us working kind of schmucks for a change? Just a thought.........
Click on the title to go to the story.

PRESIDENT BUSH AND VICE PRESIDENT CHANEY COMFORTED THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN MILITARY PERSONALLY AND PRIVATELY

If you listen to the "flat earth/Bush is the Devil" crowd, you would never believe this story. To you flat earth, Bush bashers,...I say this....You have no concept or idea of how stupid you really are. You are totally incapable of independent thought and rely on others to tell you what to think. You have no idea of what patriotism is and are totally clueless as to what the real price is of freedom. You sit back and enjoy the warmth of the "blanket of security" our brave, VOLUNTARY, military people provide. Then in your infinite wisdom, you criticize them and our Commander and Chief for doing their duty honorably and bravely. In my opinion, you are not deserving of the freedom this great country provides. Feel free to move OUT of this country as soon as possible as you are not worthy as being a citizen of this great country and you are using up our valuable resources that could be going to much better use by our patriotic and loyal Americans.
Click on the title to go to the story

JACKIE MASON ON GUN CONTROL

For those who don't know, Jackie Mason is an old long time stand up comedian from WAY back. This is worth a look. I was surprised a man like him had this point of view. Click on the title to go to the video

CONGRESS GIVES ITSELF A RAISE!

What in the hell are these jokers thinking? Our economy is a mess, we're all having to do more with less, has lost, or possibly going to loose our jobs because of it, and these idiots go ahead and accept a raise!! They are completely out of control and this is nothing more than them thumbing their noses at us taxpayers. Click on the title to go to the story.

THE 2nd AMENDMENT AND WHY IT WAS WRITTEN INTO THE CONSTITUTION BY OUR FOREFATHERS

Ok, for all you out there that don't understand WHY our forefathers wrote the 2nd Amendment, here's the reason, plain and simple straight-up. This is what scares our politicians. The fact that we know this. That is why we must inform our elected reps on our 2nd amendment concerns and hold their feet to the fire. Make no mistake, I am in no way advocating anarchy by this posting. I am just educating all who want to know. Click on the title to go to the video. If your a patriot, you'll like it.

NEW CONCERNS OVER MEDIA CENSORSHIP

What's this? The liberals are getting worried about freedom of the press without censorship. I though that once the "Anointed One" (Obama) was elected all was going to be nirvana? Now, don't get me wrong, I am a strict "Constitutionalist" and am not in favor of any infringement of ANY of our rights as established by the Bill of Rights. Am am however quite amused when I hear a liberal now complaining about anything like this especially because they voted in their messiah and all was supposed to be great and wonderful. As usual click on the title to go to the story. This does concern me though.........

THOUSANDS OF IRAQI'S DEMAND RELEASE OF SHOE THROWING REPORTER

Click on the title to go to the story. Personally speaking, I am just amazed at how backward the middle eastern culture seems to be. GW freed I don't know how many millions of Iraqi's from the likes of Saddam Hussein and his band of thugs who on a whim would torture, maim and kill anyone for anything and this idiot has the audacity to throw his shoes at GW at a press conference. In case you may not know, that plus calling him a "dog" is the lowest insult a person could do in their culture. I take offence at that as I'm sure most of the militay troops probably did. As far as I'm concerned, pull everyone out now and let them all go back to the life they had before. They do not deserve our help if this is the gratitude they show.

MAINSTREAM MEDIA (MSNBC) RIPS INTO THE PRESS FOR NOT GETTING INFO ON OBAMA

I really don't know what to say about this clip but check it out. If this would actually get something done and get the media to start digging, it would be great. But I doubt it..........
Click on the title to go to the clip.

MORE PROOF OF VOTER FRAUD

Click on the title to go to the video. At this point, ya gotta laugh at the level of absurdity, stupidity and the gall of the Democrat Party in their stealing of the election. Like I said before, we are going to hear about stuff the likes we have never seen or heard before. I prey that the Republicans hold their feet to the fire. Check this out!

MARIA CANTWELL REPLY TO 2ND AMMENDMENT LETTER OF CONCERN

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun ownership. I appreciate hearing your concerns about gun control and understand how strongly you feel about the right to bear arms.

You should know that I take our Constitution very seriously. It is a most fundamental goal for me as your Senator to work to uphold the rights guaranteed by our founding document. Furthermore, I know that recreational use and collection of guns for hunting, sport, and other activities is extremely important to you and many other law-abiding Washingtonians.

Just as I am committed to protecting Second Amendment rights, I believe you would agree with my long-standing conviction that we must keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children. I believe that our first step in preventing further criminal and youth gun violence should be stricter enforcement of responsible gun laws that punish criminal use of firearms and that make access to guns harder for children and criminals.

As your Senator, you can be assured that I will work to protect the legitimate rights of law-abiding American gun-owners, while continuing to support responsible gun control legislation to reduce crime and make our communities safer. I believe both of these goals are important and can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

For future correspondence with my office, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.html

THE DIRTY LIE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AKA GLOBAL WARMING

For some reason unknown to me, this site will not post my narrative I have for this article. The article speaks for itself though. Read it and believe it. This is nothing short of social engineering and manipulation. Before you accuse me of being a conspiracy theory guy, read the story. There are thousands of mainstream scientists breaking ranks and telling the truth. This is being talked about more and more and needs to be fully exposed. Click on the title to go to the story plus copy and paste this address for more corroborating information.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468084,00.html

UNITED STATES EXCLUDED FROM LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN SUMMIT

This area has long been considered an area within the US Sphere of Influence and now it seems the U.S. has been excluded from the summit meeting being held by the respective leaders. This is not a good development because we now have no influence over the happenings that have a direct impact on our security as a nation. This is to mean not only militarily but economic. Click on the title to go to the strory.

RUSSIAN WARSHIPS WITHIN 90 MILES OF THE U.S. COASTLINE

It looks like Russia is moving in much closer than comfortable. I am old enough to remember the Cuban missile crisis and this event has me concerned. Russia is moving all through Central America and other countries in the northern part of South America making deals and cementing ties. Our Government says they are not concerned about the Russian Navy because it is a mere shadow of it's former self.........In my opinion, we need to be more vigilant than ever. We are being pushed into a corner by the Russians. How close is the Obama Administration going to allow them to get? They are also back to their usual northern overflights as they did back in the cold war era. Whats next? Click on the title to go to the story.

OBAMA'S PICK FOR CHIEF OF STAFF HAS HAD CONTAQCT WITH IL. GOVERNORS OFFICE ABOUR SENATE SEAT

Gee, it looks like the incoming Chief of Staff has been running like crazy from reporters wanting to ask questions about his contact with the Governor of Illinois regarding Obama's vacant Senate seat. Why is he being so incommunicato? Could it be that he has knowledge of Blagojevich's nafarious dealings? I think so. Click on the title to read the story.

OBAMA OFFERS NUCLEAR UMBRELLA

I thought Obama was going to approach all our enemies in a completely open and new way. Now he threatens Iran with nuclear retaliation of they attack Israel. Huh? So much AGAIN for "Change". Click on the title to go to the story.

OBAMA MAY SIGN U.N. GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS PACT BEFORE THE END OF 2009

Dear God, here we go........ I found this article after I published the OP-ED below. Click on the title to go to the story. If this is allowed to happen, the Dems/Liberals will have put the nail in the coffin that completely kills our economy and our way of life. The emission cutback levels are so crazy that no business will be able to afford to stay in operation. What is left of our industrial base will move to countries that are not effected by this pact and that will be the end of that. We're done.............. The liberal, tree hugging, flat earth, can't we all just get along bunch are going to kill our country.

If this happens, I say this to all who think this is a good thing........In my opinion, your all traitorous. Your nothing short of legal anarchist and are not deserving of the democracy you were born into and subsiquently destroyed. Your children will never know the feeling, freedom and joy all our forfathers knew and whom died to keep it safe. You are a discrace. You are going to get the life and government YOU deserve. I hope you thouroughly fail in whatever you do or aspire to do the rest of your life.

A CAR CZAR??!! OP-ED by SAM

I don't know about how anybody else thinks about this idea, but to me it makes about as much sense as having Forest Gump teach astrophysics. My question is; How in the hell is a "CAR CZAR" who knows nothing about the financial model of each company, going to fix this mess and get each automaker back on track? In my opinion, there has NEVER been a "CZAR" of any kind that ever did any good, no matter what the issue was. This is nothing more than big government, dictating to the private sector on how to do business. This will also dovetail into the so called "Global Warming" oops, I mean "Climate Change" BS coming down the pike at us. With the "carbon tax" s#*t coming being shoved down our throats, we're all going to be in a real bad position real soon. The incoming Administration, with the help of Al Gore, cannot wait to get started with their social engineering experiment. Mark my words, it's coming. By the time the liberals are done and we get a conservative based government back in place, there will have been so much change and so much damage done to our democracy, it will be impossible to repair and restore. In my humble opinion, the "Great Experiment" is over and we can call it dead on 20 Jan 2009, 1200:01hrs.

OVER 650 SCIENTISTS DISPUTE THE GLOBAL WARMING MODEL

Over 650 world class scientists are speaking up and vocalizing their disagreement with the UN's global warming claims. There is something afoot here that smacks of some sort of social/global engineering. This needs to stop. Click on the title to go to the story.

BOXER SIDESTEPS FUNDING QUESTION

Senator Barbra Boxer (D) from California dodged reporter questions about where funding would come from for her infrastructure rebuilding proposal. She said infrastructure plus the war on global warming will cost anywhere between $500 billion and $1 trillion. Click on the title to go to the story.

IS OBAMA COURTING AL GORE?

It looks like our President Elect is looking to Al Gore to be his environmental advisor or something of that sort. Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with his so called documentary. Since then, there has been a lot of scientists come forward stating that global warming is a myth and we are quite possibly going into a mini ice age, the like was experienced in the dark ages around 1600AD. Well, if there was anybody who could get us to sign on fully to the Kyoto Protocol, he could do it. Here is the address to the wiki info on it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol) The United States is a signator to the Protocol but has always resisted ratifying it because of the huge burden it would place on industry to meet the pollution requirements while "developing" countries were exempt. In reality it could make a loaf of bread cost over $5 just because of all the pollution control equipment a normal bakery would have to install just to do business. That is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm afraid that the incoming administration will not only sign us into some crazy "Global Warming" agreement, but destroy what is left of our industrial base and completely sell us out.....I think this could happen "in a heartbeat" without us citizens having a say. Click on the title to go to the story. Paste this address to go to "The Rest of the Story" http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16344.html

ARE WE READY TO BE A PART OF A "WORLD GOVERNMENT"?

Are we Americans ready to dump our sovereignty and join the rest of the world in a global political society? In my opinion, the two oceans we have separating us from the rest of the world has served us pretty well. The talk abroad is questioning whether the United States should join an organization patterned after the European Union. They are even thinking of what verbiage should be used to make the idea more palatable to us gun toting types. Click on the title to go to the story.

THE OBAMA YEARS COULD SEE A MAJOR SHIFT IN THE MAKE UP OF THE APPELLATE COURTS

There stands a real good chance that the conservative base in the Appellate Courts could be replaced by the liberals. I don't know about anybody else but I don't like the sound of that. By the end of that there will be legalized marriage between man and animal...........Click on the title to go to the story.

THE SWEARING IN OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT. OP-ED BY SAM

In light of all the rumors and innuendos that have been flying around about Obama's religious beliefs, I am looking forward to watching the actual swearing in on the 20th. My question is, will he actually put his hand on the Holy Bible and swear before God and country that he "will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, so help me God"? Will we hear of unprecedented changes to the ceremony to accommodate his sensibilities or will he just roll with the normal convention of things and swear in as his 42 other predecessors did? I guess we'll see.....

WHAT DID THOMAS JEFFERSON KNOW? WORDS OF TIMELESS WISDOM

I received this in my e-mail today and I thought this information needed to be posted. Read the prose of Thomas Jefferson and wonder at his insight.

1. When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson

2. The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

3. It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson

4. I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

5. My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

6. No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson

7. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson

8. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson

9. To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

And One Very Interesting Quote

In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

PRESIDENT ELECT BACKSLIDING ON CAMPAIGN PROMISES, LIBERALS ARE PISSED

Who'd a thunk it!!??? A Democrat President Elect going back on his word? Why, how could that happen??? Okay, enough of the smart ass remarks.......This is what I expected all along. The liberals are apoplectic about this.. How could he betray them like this?? Click on the title to go to the story.

IS BILL RICHARDSON RIGHT?

Check out this video that I found. French television recorded him saying (in Spanish) that "Obama is an immigrant" (so Hispanics can relate to him). Click on the title to go to the video. Oh, by the way, The Supreme Court refused to hear the Obama citizenship case today.

PRESIDENT ELECT SAYS THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT SO STOP BUYING GUNS

The President Elect says there is nothing to worry about and he supports the 2nd Amendment. Yea, right.................
Click on the title to go to the story.

BE POLITICALLY INCORRECT. WISH SOMEONE A "MERRY CHRISTMAS" THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Click on the title to go to a story that says it pretty well regarding the political correctness of wishing each other a "Merry Christmas". I know I will be doing it........MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY HEW YEAR!!

HOW TO SURVIVE THE OBAMA YEARS

Click on the title to go to a story written by Z. Dwight Billingsl. I find it to be a great read and from "his" perspective, I find it refreshing and gives me hope for the future. I sure hope he is right.......I think he is.

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENT

We will find out this Monday if the Supreme Court will hear the argument as to the President Elects eligibility for office due to his citizenship controversy. My guess is that the Judges will have decided not to hear the case. I believe that they my be trying to avoid any Constitutional entanglements and side step the issue. I believe that this issue must be addressed in order to maintain the viability of the Constitution AND the Supreme Court. If this issue is not addressed to the satisfaction of the public, the peoples confidence in the Supreme Court will plummet, not to mention what that effect that would have on the Constitution. Either way, this issue must be settled openly and definitively by this court to everyone's satisfaction. Click on the title to go to the story

CHALK ONE UP FOR THE GOOD GUYS!!

It looks like we won the battle for legal concealed carry in Federal Parks. The existing 25 year old law prohibiting carry was overturned by the Bush Administration. My only concern is.....Is the new incoming administration going to overturn that?

GULF OIL CEO SAYS OIL MAY HIT $20 PER BARREL

According to Gulf Oil CEO Joe Petrowski, oil could hit $20 per barrel and that could mean $1 a gallon gas! Now I don't know about anyone else but I think it is a miracle that gas has dropped to the below $2 a gallon mark now. I was sure that once we were over the $3 a gallon mark, we were all screwed and the days of being able to drive as we needed were over. I think this guy is dreaming or just trying to start a stir, but it sure would be nice if gas did hit $1 though. Click on the title to go to the story.

DEMS NOT HAPPY WITH PRESIDENT ELECTS LACK OF ASSERTIVNESS

It appears that the Dems are unhappy that the new President Elect hasn't interjected himself into the economic fray. Click on the title to go to the story.

OBAMA'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE ISSUE IS STILL UN-ANSWERED

Click on the title to go to video outlining the current status of this issue.

HILLARY'S APPOINTMENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

It looks like theres a hitch in Hillary's appointment to Secretary of State. There is a constitutional amendment that prohibits it,... in her case. Unless a way is found to usurp the Constitution, her confirmation is going to take some doing. Click on the title to go to the story.

NEWLY RE-ELECTED SAXBY CHAMBLISS CREDITS SARA PALIN FOR HIS LANDSLIDE WIN IN GA.

Sara Palin is credited for "firing up" everybody in GA in the re-election bid of incumbent Saxby Chambliss. She came in and got got things really moving for him on his last push. I think she has a bright future in the GOP...........That is.....as long as she keeps her head screwed on straight and doesn't go and take a hard left on us.......
Click on the title to go to the story.

PELOSI TIGHTENS HER GRIP ON CONGRESS. EVEN THE DEMS ARE WORRIED........

It appears that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is really enjoying the prospect of having all that power since both the House, The Senate and the Oval Office are controlled by the Dems. So much it seem that even her fellow Democrats are getting worried. Click on the title to go to the story.

DID COLIN POWELL HAVE A SLIP OF THE TONGUE OR IT HIS "PREDICTION" BEING MIS-INTERPRETED?

Click on the title to go to a video of Ret. Gen./Secretary of State Collin Powell as he appeared on an edition of Meet the Press back in Oct 08. Personally, I think he is talking about how the incoming President must project himself and the United States in a time of a yet unforeseen crisis. His statement is at about 2:40 into the video. Listen to what he says and see what you think about his statement. Did he speak out of turn, or is he being mis-interpreted? You be the judge.

DEMOCRATS LOOSE GRIP ON SUPER-MAJORITY

Thanks to Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss's re-election, the Dems loose the super-majority they were just drooling over. The GOP now has the power of the filibuster to reign in the out of control liberals. Click on the title to go to the story.

IS THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENING IN THE GUISE AS HOMELAND SECURITY?

Below is a story that went out yesterday on the Drudge Report. I went looking for it today because I was going to link to it for this article. But the story is gone and not to be found. I found it by doing a Google search. Thankfully I found it and was able to grab it. That in it self concerns me. This isn't the first time I have seen such alarming news to find later it had been pulled and not to be found. My concern over this is not misplaced. I am concerned that once the Feds put troops in place wherever, the possibility of civil rights abuse is quite prevalent. First, let me give you a little background. I am a 29 year military police officer retired. I served in both the regular Air Force and the Air National Guard System. Now, there are a few questions we have to ask. #1. Where are to troops going to come from? A. The troops could be either Active duty regular Army (Whatever Branch) or Guard and Reserve. In the article it is mentioned that the Guard and Reserve is not adequately equipped. Prior to 911 that was true. However, since 911, a lot of Units received the funding they needed to get up to operational/deployable status. The same funding could be used to equip these troops in accordance to their new mission. If these chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive attack, or CBRNE Units are posted around the country, each unit must be specially equipped as to their mission tasking and be able to move on a moments notice wherever needed in the country. Now each state has their own Militia and is in my opinion, better suited to the task. I believe the National Guard will be tasked. Question #2. In what capacity will these troops operate? Will it be Federal (Title 10) or State (Title 32)? A. In my opinion, the vast majority of the time they will function under Title 32, but in the case of emergency, at the swipe of a pen, can become Title 10 in a heartbeat with hip pocket orders. #3. Are our troops trained adequately for domestic operations? A. Don't forget, our troops have received superb training in urban warfare in Iraq. They know how to kick in doors, neutralize threats, and they do it very well. Now, with all that being said, I am very concerned over the possibility of civil rights violations because of what was ALLOWED to happen in New Orleans after Katrina. The Governor of Louisiana with the concurrence of Mayor Nagan, ordered ALL guns to be confiscated. So the police went house to house and did just that. All guns to include family heirlooms were confiscated and some immediately destroyed. This happened to a families heirloom handgun. It was destroyed on the spot. The Government disarmed all law abiding citizens in the guise of security and the pre-eminent state of emergency. So, what is to happen if the unthinkable happens in one of these cities that has these CBRNE units in place? Are they going to be ordered to disarm everyone? And if so, will they do it? It is such a blatant violation of the 2nd Amendment that I would like to believe that no one would be crazy enough to do it. I realize that this is a very controversial move on the Governments part, but to a degree, I agree with the principle or overt objective here. However, if history is our guide, our Government has had the habit of when given an inch, takes a mile. In this case, can we afford that? Do we trust our elected Representatives to do the right thing and not violate our rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? If New Orleans is any guide.....we're in trouble........

Read this story and make up your own mind.........

Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security

The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe, according to Pentagon officials.
The long-planned shift in the Defense Department's role in homeland security was recently backed with funding and troop commitments after years of prodding by Congress and outside experts, defense analysts said.
There are critics of the change, in the military and among civil liberties groups and libertarians who express concern that the new homeland emphasis threatens to strain the military and possibly undermine the Posse Comitatus Act, a 130-year-old federal law restricting the military's role in domestic law enforcement.
But the Bush administration and some in Congress have pushed for a heightened homeland military role since the middle of this decade, saying the greatest domestic threat is terrorists exploiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, dedicating 20,000 troops to domestic response -- a nearly sevenfold increase in five years -- "would have been extraordinary to the point of unbelievable," Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, said in remarks last month at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But the realization that civilian authorities may be overwhelmed in a catastrophe prompted "a fundamental change in military culture," he said.
The Pentagon's plan calls for three rapid-reaction forces to be ready for emergency response by September 2011. The first 4,700-person unit, built around an active-duty combat brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga., was available as of Oct. 1, said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of the U.S. Northern Command.
If funding continues, two additional teams will join nearly 80 smaller National Guard and reserve units made up of about 6,000 troops in supporting local and state officials nationwide. All would be trained to respond to a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive attack, or CBRNE event, as the military calls it.
Military preparations for a domestic weapon-of-mass-destruction attack have been underway since at least 1996, when the Marine Corps activated a 350-member chemical and biological incident response force and later based it in Indian Head, Md., a Washington suburb. Such efforts accelerated after the Sept. 11 attacks, and at the time Iraq was invaded in 2003, a Pentagon joint task force drew on 3,000 civil support personnel across the United States.
In 2005, a new Pentagon homeland defense strategy emphasized "preparing for multiple, simultaneous mass casualty incidents." National security threats were not limited to adversaries who seek to grind down U.S. combat forces abroad, McHale said, but also include those who "want to inflict such brutality on our society that we give up the fight," such as by detonating a nuclear bomb in a U.S. city.
In late 2007, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed a directive approving more than $556 million over five years to set up the three response teams, known as CBRNE Consequence Management Response Forces. Planners assume an incident could lead to thousands of casualties, more than 1 million evacuees and contamination of as many as 3,000 square miles, about the scope of damage Hurricane Katrina caused in 2005.
Last month, McHale said, authorities agreed to begin a $1.8 million pilot project funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through which civilian authorities in five states could tap military planners to develop disaster response plans. Hawaii, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Washington and West Virginia will each focus on a particular threat -- pandemic flu, a terrorist attack, hurricane, earthquake and catastrophic chemical release, respectively -- speeding up federal and state emergency planning begun in 2003.
Last Monday, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ordered defense officials to review whether the military, Guard and reserves can respond adequately to domestic disasters.
Gates gave commanders 25 days to propose changes and cost estimates. He cited the work of a congressionally chartered commission, which concluded in January that the Guard and reserve forces are not ready and that they lack equipment and training.
Bert B. Tussing, director of homeland defense and security issues at the U.S. Army War College's Center for Strategic Leadership, said the new Pentagon approach "breaks the mold" by assigning an active-duty combat brigade to the Northern Command for the first time. Until now, the military required the command to rely on troops requested from other sources.
"This is a genuine recognition that this [job] isn't something that you want to have a pickup team responsible for," said Tussing, who has assessed the military's homeland security strategies.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the libertarian Cato Institute are troubled by what they consider an expansion of executive authority.
Domestic emergency deployment may be "just the first example of a series of expansions in presidential and military authority," or even an increase in domestic surveillance, said Anna Christensen of the ACLU's National Security Project. And Cato Vice President Gene Healy warned of "a creeping militarization" of homeland security.
"There's a notion that whenever there's an important problem, that the thing to do is to call in the boys in green," Healy said, "and that's at odds with our long-standing tradition of being wary of the use of standing armies to keep the peace."
McHale stressed that the response units will be subject to the act, that only 8 percent of their personnel will be responsible for security and that their duties will be to protect the force, not other law enforcement. For decades, the military has assigned larger units to respond to civil disturbances, such as during the Los Angeles riot in 1992.
U.S. forces are already under heavy strain, however. The first reaction force is built around the Army's 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, which returned in April after 15 months in Iraq. The team includes operations, aviation and medical task forces that are to be ready to deploy at home or overseas within 48 hours, with units specializing in chemical decontamination, bomb disposal, emergency care and logistics.
The one-year domestic mission, however, does not replace the brigade's next scheduled combat deployment in 2010. The brigade may get additional time in the United States to rest and regroup, compared with other combat units, but it may also face more training and operational requirements depending on its homeland security assignments.
Renuart said the Pentagon is accounting for the strain of fighting two wars, and the need for troops to spend time with their families. "We want to make sure the parameters are right for Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. The 1st Brigade's soldiers "will have some very aggressive training, but will also be home for much of that."
Although some Pentagon leaders initially expected to build the next two response units around combat teams, they are likely to be drawn mainly from reserves and the National Guard, such as the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from South Carolina, which returned in May after more than a year in Afghanistan.
Now that Pentagon strategy gives new priority to homeland security and calls for heavier reliance on the Guard and reserves, McHale said, Washington has to figure out how to pay for it.
"It's one thing to decide upon a course of action, and it's something else to make it happen," he said. "It's time to put our money where our mouth is."

SENATOR MURRAY'S REPLY REGARDING HR 6257 ASSULT GUN BAN

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R.6257, which is currently pending in the United States House of Representatives. I appreciate knowing your views on this matter.

In the Senate, this legislation would fall under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee. While I am not a member of that Committee, I want to assure you that I will be following the progress of this bill and will keep your views in mind if this or related legislation comes before the full Senate for consideration.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will continue to keep in touch.

I hope all is well in Vancouver.

LAWYERS CALL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL COURT TO ENFORCE GLOBAL WARMING LAWS AROUND THE WORLD

Click on the title to go to this story. It looks like the global warming nut jobs are gaining a little traction on this. How do you feel about some body of people telling the United States how to do business because of a belief? This global warming idea has been proven false by top climatologists and scientists all over the world. The reason our climate has changed a little is because the sun in in an unusually long period of sunspot inactivity. That's all. Granted we may be headed towards a mini ice age, but not global warming.