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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Senators concerned by Secret Service allegations

The U.S. flag flies outside Hotel Huis ter Duin, the hotel where President Barack Obama stayed Monday night, in Noordwijk, western Netherlands, Wednesday March 26, 2014. A Secret Service agent found drunk by staff at an undisclosed Dutch hotel was recalled to the U.S. along with two of his colleagues, the day before President Barack Obama was set to arrive in the Netherlands. The Secret Service said the three agents were benched on Sunday for “disciplinary reasons” but declined to elaborate. U.S. newspaper The Washington Post reported that the incident happened at Hotel Huis ter Duin but the hotel denies that any such incident happened at the hotel. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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WASHINGTON (AP) â€” The Democratic chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and a senior Republican senator expressed concern Wednesday over an alleged incident involving a drunken Secret Service agent in connection with President Barack Obama’s overseas trip to the Netherlands.

On Sunday, the agency called three agents home from the Netherlands just before Obama’s arrival for talks with foreign leaders in The Hague. One agent had been found inebriated inside a hotel, according to reports.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., the Homeland Security Committee chairman, said Wednesday he is “troubled by the reports regarding the behavior of a few Secret Service agents serving on the president’s detail in the Netherlands,” according to a statement. His office said he’s asked the Secret Service for more information about the episode.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that the incident “shows that the agency has to deal with some in its ranks who fail to respect the important job the agency is tasked with.” While he said that he appreciated “swift action” by Secret Service Director Julia Pierson, the senator added that “it looks like she’s still got work to do to regain the trust of the American people.”

The latest embarrassing incident involving a drunken Secret Service agent comes a year into the term of a new agency director who already has been confronted with a handful of incidents since the Colombia prostitution scandal nearly two years ago. In that episode, 13 agents and officers were accused of partying with female foreign citizens at a hotel in the seaside resort of Cartagena, where they were staying before Obama’s arrival.

Agents can consume alcohol only “in moderate amounts while off duty” or on temporary assignment, according to an updated Secret Service professional conduct manual obtained by The Associated Press. They also can’t drink within 10 hours of reporting for duty.

A Secret Service spokesman on Wednesday declined to comment on the incident, except to say that three agents were sent home for “disciplinary reasons.” White House spokesman Jay Carney, speaking to reporters traveling with the president, said Obama had been briefed on the incident and supports Pierson’s zero-tolerance approach.

“The president believes, as he has said in the past, that everybody representing the United States of America overseas needs to hold himself or herself to the highest standards,” Carney said.

Obama named Pierson as the agency’s first female director last March in a sign he wanted to change the agency’s culture and restore public confidence in its operations. Since then, Pierson has had to face some alleged misbehavior on the elite service, which is charged with protecting the president and investigating financial fraud.

In November, two Secret Service agents were removed from Obama’s detail after one was allegedly discovered trying to re-enter a woman’s hotel room because he left a bullet from his weapon behind. In a subsequent probe, investigators came across sexually suggestive emails that the agent and another supervisor had sent to a female subordinate, The Washington Post reported.

The agency disputes that recent reports of misbehavior is indicative of a widespread trend. And an inspector general’s report made public in December concluded there was no evidence of widespread misconduct, in line with the service’s longstanding assertion that it has no tolerance for inappropriate behavior.

Pierson said in a letter to former Acting Inspector General Charles Edwards that, while the agency agreed with the report’s 14 recommendations, she was concerned about how the survey was conducted and its results.

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Associated Press writers Alicia A. Caldwell and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.

Associated Press

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Senators concerned by Secret Service allegations

Friday, January 24, 2014

Priceless! Jon Stewart Ridicules the Richest of the Rich for Pretending to be Concerned About Economic Inequality

At the Davos World Economic Forum, billionaires discuss inequality over champagne and cigars.

Last night on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart skewered the hypocrisy of a bunch of white rich men getting together to worry about economic inequality — as they enjoyed the luxury of the salons of the Swiss Alps. “Inequality!” Stewart cried. “They’re talking about it in the cigar lounges and the champagne pavilions! In the cocaine-atoriums! They’re talking about it inside the same shared escorts.” As for the extent of this inequality, how"s this for a shocking statistic: The poorer half of the world — all 3.5 billion of them — have the same amount of money as the richest 85 people. Don"t miss his scathing satire:

Friday, December 13, 2013

Compulsory School Dinners and GMO ... a concerned UK Parent

posted on Dec, 13 2013 @ 06:45 PM

I thought I’d share a theory I have (some may say this is just a coincidence)…

As you may or may not have heard our illustrious PM David Cameroon went on record stating that we (the UK) should “Rethink our stance on GMO”. Currently AFAIK the UK only feeds (non-organically farmed) live stock GMO Feed…

www.telegraph.co.uk…

The Prime Minister said he wanted to foster a “pro-science culture” in the UK, and this started with a shift in Britain’s attitude towards so-called GM food, dubbed “Frankenstein food” by its critics.
The comments come ahead of a major speech by Environment secretary Owen Paterson on Thursday next week which is set to signal a change in GM policy.

The above happened back in June and a little while after (less than a month to be precise) I heard on the radio that Cameroon is now pushing for free school dinners. I think this is potentially a good thing, especially for those families who either cannot afford or do not have the inclination to provide their children wholesome packed lunches BUT I have read they are debating BANNING packed lunches from schools and making school dinners compulsory.

Now, is it just me or does the timing of all this seem a little suspect? Schools have very limited budgets and will most likely source food that is of sufficient quality but at the lowest possible price point – the government could argue that GMO is a more cost effective option and use it as a stage to introduce regular GMO consumption OR could slip it into the food chain without us evening knowing (compulsory labelling bill anyone?)

ATS – what are your thoughts on this? Am I worrying too much as a parent – should I just let my kids consume the usual fruitshoots/colourings and aspartame sweets most other parents do? Since there’s so much controversy surrounding GMO I’m of the mindset ‘there’s on smoke without fire’.

BAN packed lunches, head teachers urged

Banning packed lunches and free school dinners

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, mods please feel free to move it!

AboveTopSecret.com New Topics In General Conspiracies

Compulsory School Dinners and GMO ... a concerned UK Parent

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Obama: "Less concerned about style points"

‘I’m much more concerned about getting the policy right,’ Obama said in the interview. | AP Photo

President Barack Obama pushed back Sunday on the notion that his administration had bungled the response to the Syrian crisis.

In an interview that aired one day after the his administration hammered out a draft agreement with Russia over Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, Obama told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that he was more worried about the substance of that agreement than the political optics.

“I’m less concerned about style points, I’m much more concerned about getting the policy right,” Obama said in an interview that aired on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday morning. “What I’ve said consistently throughout is that — the chemical weapons issue is a problem. I want that problem dealt with. Obama — who initially called for punitive military action against against Syria before a workable diplomatic plan emerged last week — said that a bad policy could have a smooth rollout and vice versa.

(PHOTOS: What lawmakers said then (Iraq) and now (Syria))

“Folks here in Washington like to grade on style,” Obama said. “Had we rolled out something that was very smooth and disciplined and linear they would have graded it well, even if it was a disastrous policy.”

“We know that, ‘cause that’s exactly how they graded the Iraq War until it ended up blowing in our face,” Obama said.

Obama also warned Iran — whose alleged nuclear program has been an ongoing issue for the international community — that they should not draw any lessons from the Syrian regime’s ability to avoid a military strike.

(PHOTOS: Syria: Where politicians stand)

“My suspicion is that the Iranians recognize they they shouldn’t draw a lesson that we haven’t struck to think we won’t strike Iran. On the other hand, what is — what— they should draw from this lesson is that there is the potential of resolving these issues diplomatically,” Obama said.

“Iranians understand is that the nuclear issue is a far larger issue for us than the chemical weapons issue,” Obama said. The threat against Iran — against Israel — that a nuclear Iran poses, is much closer to our core interests. That a nuclear arms race in the region— is something that would be profoundly destabilizing.”

Republicans — even those supportive of the strikes — have accused the Obama administration of an unsteady diplomatic and military response to the rapidly unfolding situation in the Middle East. On Sunday, the GOP criticism of the tentative deal called the deal a coup for the Russians — and their outspoken president, Vladimir Putin.

“I’m skeptical,” said House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “This is a Russian plan for Russian interests. And we should be very, very concerned.”

(PHOTOS: International response to Syria)

Rogers (R-Mich.) said that the Russians capitalized on Obama’s “indeciveness” with regards to his policies in Syria.

“You have Putin playing chess and Obama playing, frankly, a very lucky game of tic-tack-toe,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on CNN’s “State of the Union. “Putin stepped in to maximize Russian influence in the Middle East.”

He added: “We are now relying on the Russians. We’re now following from behind — not leading from behind. This is not a good long-term position.”

(PHOTOS: Scenes from Syria)

Obama also fired back at a New York Times op-ed written by Putin that accused the United States of failure to act through the international community and cast doubt on the idea that Syrian President Bashar Assad used chemical weapons.

POLITICO – TOP Stories

Obama: "Less concerned about style points"

Monday, September 2, 2013

China ‘Seriously Concerned’ Over Unilateral Military Action Against Syria

Xinhua
Sept. 2, 2013

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday that China was seriously concerned about any unilateral military action against Syria.

At a regular press briefing, Hong said, “China is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria and expresses serious concern about preparations by relevant countries for unilateral military action.”

Hong said the United States has explained to China its evidence relating to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

“Any action by the international community should respect the rules of the UN Charter and basic rules of international relations,” Hong said,adding that taking actions should avoid further complicating the Syria issue and avoid bringing more disaster to the Middle East.

This article was posted: Monday, September 2, 2013 at 10:00 am

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China ‘Seriously Concerned’ Over Unilateral Military Action Against Syria

Friday, August 30, 2013

Indian PM concerned about rupee fall

30 August 2013 Last updated at 03:53 ET

Rupee notes The rupee has fallen sharply in value this year

The falling value of the Indian rupee is “a matter of concern”, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told parliament.

The rupee hit a record low against the dollar on Wednesday and has fallen more than 20% this year.

That fall is damaging for the economy, as India imports large amounts of fuel and foodstuffs and the weak rupee makes those imports more expensive.

Also on Friday, India releases the latest report on economic growth.

Figures for the April-to-June quarter are expected to show an annualised growth rate of 4.7%.

That would be a slight slowdown on the previous quarter and less than last year’s growth rate of 5%, which was the slowest pace in a decade.

In his statement to parliament, Prime Minister Singh said India needed to take steps such as reducing its appetite for gold, cutting back on its consumption of petroleum products and reducing its dependence on imports.

BBC News – Asia

Indian PM concerned about rupee fall

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Obama On NSA Spying: “I Would Be Concerned Too, If I Weren’t Inside The Government”

Zero Hedge
August 11, 2013

In what is as close to saying ‘trust us, we’re from the government,’ as it gets; President Obama’s traitor-identifying, blame-pointing, cover-your-assing speech on Friday has done nothing to end the supposedly “critical NSA counter-terrorism tool,” from being used on American citizens.

People of America should be relieved, as the President stated unequivocally that he is “comfortable that the program is not being abused.”

If only American citizens were able to see all the moving pieces, Obama implied, they would say “you know what? These [government] folks are following the law,” but because the program remains classified, it remains impossible to know what is really going on.

Reassuring rhetoric aside, as the AP notes, Obama offered these inspiring words regarding the ongoing concerns that law-abiding citizens may still have beyond his assurances: “I would be worried too, if I weren’t inside the government.”

Another teleprompter-less glimpse of what he really thinks? Perhaps; but for now, the NSA will continue to sweep phone records of all Americans with the possibility of creating similar databases of credit card transactions, hotel records, and Internet searches.

Full article here

This article was posted: Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 4:22 am

Tags: domestic spying

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Obama On NSA Spying: “I Would Be Concerned Too, If I Weren’t Inside The Government”

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Lawmakers concerned over US surveillance programs

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., leaves a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., arrives for a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives for a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., leaves a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., center, speaks to reporters as he arrives for a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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WASHINGTON (AP) â€” The former spy agency contractor who fled to Hong Kong to leak U.S. secrets said he’s not there to hide from justice and has faith in “the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate.”

“I am neither traitor nor hero. I’m an American,” Edward Snowden declared to the South China Morning Post about his disclosures of top secret surveillance programs that have rocked Washington.

Snowden said in the interview published Wednesday that he hasn’t dared contact his family or his girlfriend since coming forward as the leaker of NSA documents. “I am worried about the pressure they are feeling from the FBI,” he said.

The FBI visited his father’s house in Pennsylvania on Monday.

Snowden resurfaced in the Chinese newspaper after dropping out of sight since Sunday. Snowden said he wanted to fight the U.S. government in Hong Kong’s courts and would stay unless “asked to leave.” Hong Kong is a Chinese autonomous region that maintains a Western-style legal system and freedom of speech.

U.S. law enforcement officials have said they are building a case against Snowden but have yet to bring charges. Hong Kong has an extradition treaty with the United States; there are exceptions in cases of political persecution or where there are concerns over cruel or humiliating treatment.

Snowden told the paper from a location the paper didn’t disclose that he has no plans to leave.

“I have had many opportunities to flee (Hong Kong), but I would rather stay and fight the US government in the courts, because I have faith in (Hong Kong’s) rule of law,”

A phalanx of FBI, legal and intelligence officials briefed the entire House on Tuesday in the latest attempt to explain National Security Agency programs that collect millions of Americans’ phone and Internet records. Since they were revealed last week, the programs have provoked distrust in the Obama administration from around the world.

House members were told not to disclose information they heard in the briefing because it is classified. Several said they left with unanswered questions.

“People aren’t satisfied,” Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., said as he left the briefing Tuesday. “More detail needs to come out.”

While many rank-and-file members of Congress have expressed anger and bewilderment, there is apparently very little appetite among key leaders and intelligence committee chiefs to pursue any action. Most have expressed support for the programs as invaluable counterterror tools and some have labeled Snowden a “traitor.”

Congressional leaders and intelligence committee members have been routinely briefed about the spy programs, officials said, and Congress has at least twice renewed laws approving them. But the disclosure of their sheer scope stunned some lawmakers, shocked foreign allies from nations with strict privacy protections and emboldened civil liberties advocates who long have accused the government of being too invasive in the name of national security.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has complained that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper misled a Senate committee in March by denying that the NSA collects data on millions of Americans. On Wednesday, Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., called for Clapper to resign.

“Congress can’t make informed decisions on intelligence issues when the head of the intelligence community willfully makes false statements,” Amash posted on Facebook.

Some Congress members acknowledged they’d been caught unawares by the scope of the programs, having skipped previous briefings by the intelligence committees.

“I think Congress has really found itself a little bit asleep at the wheel,” Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said.

Many leaving the forum declared themselves disturbed by what they’d heard â€” and in need of more answers.

“Congress needs to debate this issue and determine what tools we give to our intelligence community to protect us from a terrorist attack,” said Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, and a backer of the surveillance. “Really it’s a debate between public safety, how far we go with public safety and protecting us from terrorist attacks versus how far we go on the other side.”

He said his panel and the House Judiciary Committee will examine what has happened and see whether there are recommendations to be made for the future.

The Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee will get to question the head of the NSA, Gen. Keith Alexander, on Wednesday, and the Senate and House intelligence committees will be briefed on the programs again Thursday.

The country’s main civil liberties organization wasn’t buying the administration’s explanations, filing the most significant lawsuit against the massive phone record collection program so far. The American Civil Liberties Union and its New York chapter sued the federal government Tuesday in New York, asking a court to demand that the Obama administration end the program and purge the records it has collected.

The ACLU is claiming standing as a customer of Verizon, which was identified last week as the phone company the government had ordered to turn over daily records of calls made by all its customers.

Polls of U.S. public opinion show a mixed response to the controversy. A poll by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center conducted over the weekend found Americans generally prioritize the government’s need to investigate terrorist threats over the need to protect personal privacy.

But a CBS News poll conducted June 9-10 showed that while most approve of government collection of phone records of Americans suspected of terrorist activity and Internet activities of foreigners, a majority disapproved of federal agencies collecting the phone records of ordinary Americans. Thirty percent agreed with the government’s assessment that the revelation of the programs would hurt the U.S.’ ability to prevent future terrorist attacks, while 57 percent said it would have no impact.

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Associated Press writers Lara Jakes, Donna Cassata, Frederic Frommer, Alan Fram, Andrew Miga and Pete Yost contributed to this report.

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Follow Kimberly Dozier on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kimberlydozier and Lara Jakes on Twitter at https://twitter.com/larajakesAP

Associated Press

Politics Headlines

Lawmakers concerned over US surveillance programs

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., leaves a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., arrives for a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives for a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., leaves a closed all-member briefing on the NSA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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