With all due respect, Former President Clinton is wrong.

I don't think he understands the law and the way it works. I am also a bit surprised his personal belief is to allow a young person to manipulate their best health care outcomes. They don't know the future. 

Bad things happen to good young people that for the most part are healthy. It is those instances where there is no way of knowing what is going to happen that will destroy a young person's life when they run up health care bills they can't possibly pay. It is a bad decision to allow people to manipulate the health care industry to seek some kind of financial advantage while compromising their best health outcomes. When young people fail due to bad outcomes they lose their perspective. That is my personal belief. I think it best if every young American has every advantage to grow their lives without adversity, including their health and financial status. 

What needs to occur here, which President Clinton is overlooking, is the fact American wages simply don't pay well in more cases than not. So, if young Americans believe they are challenged to pay the premium on a good health care insurance, it is time to examine the financial status of our people and not compromising their well being and best outcomes.

I believe President Obama recently clarified the words he spoke being used as a Republican campaign slogan. Quite innocently, he believed anyone could keep their health care as long as it passed all the requirements under the new law. His words were not in error. We have a democracy that counts on majority to determine outcomes. The fact of the matter is the majority of Americans will not have to change their policies. I find it oddly interesting President Obama spoke to the majority of Americans and not the extremes. Interesting, isn't it? That a President would seek to speak to the majority of Americans.

The Boy Scouts have a new CEO.

Gates was an Eagle Scout.

Reuters News
Oct 30, 2013
 
...The ban on gay scouts (click here) will officially end on January 1, 2014. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place.
More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprising some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the youth ban, according to the Boy Scouts.
Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout and founder of Scouts for Equality, said the appointment of Gates was a clear step the organization was on a path to unity.
"It's a significant and positive development," Wahls said. "Gates is respected by both sides of the debate on gay youth and parents in the Boy Scouts."...

Tough to say what is going to happen here, because, originally Secretary Gates wanted to leave DADT in place. He believed if that changed it would lose the war on terror.

First Posted: 06/05/11 01:36 PM ET  
Updated: 08/05/11 06:12 AM ET 
By Reuters 

"No," Gates responded. (click here) "You'll have to complete your ... enlistment just like everybody else."
"The reality is that you don't all agree with each other on your politics, you don't agree with each other on your religion, you don't agree with each other on a lot of things," he added. "But you still serve together. And you work together. And you look out for each other. And that's all that matters."
Gates said training was underway to prepare the services for the new policy.
"If we do this right, nothing will change," he said. "You will still have to abide by the same rules of behavior, the same discipline, the same respect for each other that has been the case through all the history of the Marine Corps."

Congressman Upton doesn't care if people die when they need health care insurance.

Upton is an interesting character. I sincerely believe the Democrats don't appreciate the opportunity to replace Upton in Congress.

Become a Citizen Cosponsor of Upton’s "Keep Your Health Plan Act" (click here)
 
Despite the Administration’s Broken Promises, Americans Should be Able to Keep Their Health Plans

Washington, DC, Nov 8 - One of the key promises of Obamacare was that if you liked your health insurance plan, you could keep it. “No matter what.” But as NBC News now reports, “millions of Americans are getting…cancellation letters for their health insurance under Obamacare.”  While the administration sticks to its broken promises, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has introduced the Keep Your Health Plan Act to provide peace of mind to Americans across the country who are currently receiving insurance termination notices. The House of Representatives will vote on Upton’s bill next week....

Upton is from Michigan. His district includes Benton Harbor. He and his family are personally profiting from the take over by Snyder through emergency managers. Upton is the grandson of Whirlpool founder Frederick Upton. He and his family have a lot of clout in regard to Benton Harbor.

There are a few lawsuits outstanding last time I looked. 

By JONATHAN MAHLER 
Published: December 15, 2013

...Robinson is president (click here) of the Consortium for Community Development. The consortium is one of several local nonprofits partly financed by the Whirlpool Corporation, which is based in Benton Harbor, to help encourage the redevelopment of the town. He took up golf at the urging of his girlfriend two years ago, just after construction began on Harbor Shores. “She was like, ‘You don’t want to be out here on opening day and have the ball go two inches in front of you at the first tee,’ ” he told me. “Of course, that’s exactly what happened. On my first drive, the ball didn’t even go out of the tee box.”...

The following is from a different reference.

...According to county property records, Upton and Fettig, both residents of Benton Harbor’s more affluent neighboring municipality, St. Joseph, live on Ridgeway Avenue, a residential street that dead-ends in the south end of Jean Klock Park. The park is a public recreation area owned by the city of Benton Harbor that would lose 22 acres of beachfront terrain to the Harbor Shores development. If the project is approved, dunes in the park would become three holes of a private Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, open only to those who could afford a daily fee expected to be in the range of $200. Both men have taken action to promote the project....

Upton is going to directly benefit from the Emergency Manager at Benton Harbor.

It doesn't end there.

There are others who have benefited, too, of course. There is one family in particular, the McClendons, who own four lots along Ridgeway Avenue. And there’s a very close connection between the Uptons and the McClendon’s: Fred Upton’s cousin Katie is married to one of them, a man named Aubrey McClendon.  

Who is Aubrey McClendon? He is the owner of Chesapeake Energy, one of the largest natural gas companies in the U.S. and, in 2008, was the highest-paid CEO at all S&P 500 companies. His company is involved in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” for natural gas. McClendon is also a developer. While he himself does not live on Ridgeway Avenue, his family does. And those that live on Ridgeway Avenue benefited mightily from the Harbor Shores development.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (click here) Reports Financial and Operational Results for the 2013 Third Quarter

11/6/2013 1:01 AM 

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2013-- Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today reported financial and operational results for the 2013 third quarter. Key information related to the quarter and Chesapeake's updated Outlook is as follows:

• Adjusted net income per fully diluted share of $0.43, compared to $0.10 in the 2012 third quarter
• Adjusted ebitda of $1.325 billion increases 29% year over year
• Net daily oil production rises 23% year over year to 120,000 bbls per day
• Full-year 2013 oil production outlook increases by 2 million barrels to 40 – 42 million barrels, a 28 – 34% increase year over year
• Full-year 2013 drilling, completion and leasehold capital expenditure outlook decreases by $300 million to $5.700 – $6.050 billion

Chesapeake reported net income available to common stockholders of $156 million or $0.24 per fully diluted share. These results include the effects of the following after-tax items:...

Wednesday, November 06, 2013 7:45 PM

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp <CHK.N>, (click here) already under investigation for possible antitrust violations in Michigan, said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday the state's attorney general is also probing a possible violation of Michigan's criminal solicitation law.
Chesapeake said the Michigan Department of Attorney General issued a subpoena related to the matter on September 16, according to the company's quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In criminal solicitation, a person engages another to commit a crime. A conviction can occur even if the crime never takes place if the intent is demonstrated....

The McLendons are attemping to be the next Koch Brothers.

...The McLendons (click here) have concentrated their donations on top Republicans (in fact, the only Democrat to receive any money from the pair was West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who received $4,800). The couple has given $61,600 to the Republican National Committee, $55,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and $10,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. 

They have also given a combined $10,000 to Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has oversight over issues central to Chesapeake's interests. And besides that, Upton is a first cousin of McClendon's wife -- and, according to OpenSecrets.org data, an investor in Chesapeake: in 2010, he held a stake worth between $150,000 and $350,000....

Upton is providing kick backs to McLendon.

...“Ridgeway has been the gold coast of the Midwest for a long time,” said Loren Gerber of Core Real Estate in nearby Stevensville. ”I expect Harbor Shores to cause property values to rise along Ridgeway and everywhere around the course.”...

Don't believe the McLendnos are filthy rich? Maybe not since they put the company name on an arena.

By Brandy McDonnell
Modified: November 12, 2013 at 7:55 am
Published: November 12, 2013

Today’s featured event: (click here)

Hear global singing star Rihanna (click here) at 8 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno. 

Special Guests 2 Chainz and GTA also are on the lineup for tonight’s show.
  
Rihanna has dominated global charts with “Diamonds,” the fastest-rising single of her career to date and first single to be released from “Unapologetic,” her seventh studio album for Island Def Jam in just seven years....

Oh, the cronyism and corruption does not stop there. The judge involved with McLendon's case is Paul Maloney.

Who is Paul Maloney? 

He’s a Bush-appointed judge recommended by none other than Congressman Fred Upton who celebrated his appointment. Maloney not only refused to dismiss the case, he went so far recently as to force the Saugatuck Township Board members to have a court recorder present to record everything they say anytime they have a quorum and discuss the case.

By John Agar
March 08, 2011 at 7:00 AM 

KALAMAZOO – In a contentious case (click here) that pits Saugatuck Township against billionaire Aubrey McClendon and his development plans, a federal judge on Monday ordered court reporters be present whenever a quorum of city officials discusses the case.

“This is not to cast aspersions on anybody,” U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said....

That brings it back around and closes the circie. In Saugatuck, Congressman Fred Upton helps get a judge appointed who then rules quite favorably for one of Upton’s relatives, Aubrey McClendon, in a shoreline development dispute. Meanwhile, in Benton Harbor, both the Upton and McClendon families benefit financially from another shoreline development at the expense of the local residents — a project that Upton himself helped to push.

It gets better though, not quite finished yet.

Benton Harbor Emergency Manager Joe Harris appoints himself to several city commissions (click here)

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp <CHK.N>, already under investigation for possible antitrust violations in Michigan, said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday the state's attorney general is also probing a possible violation of Michigan's criminal solicitation law.
Chesapeake said the Michigan Department of Attorney General issued a subpoena related to the matter on September 16, according to the company's quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In criminal solicitation, a person engages another to commit a crime. A conviction can occur even if the crime never takes place if the intent is demonstrated.

Read more at http://thestockmarketwatch.com/news/read.aspx/chesapeake-energy-received-michigan-subpoena-filing/ad15c3653ad609f6569c4a6fcb9de459/#gwtDxAWw5p4GWhSZ.99

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chesapeake Energy Corp <CHK.N>, already under investigation for possible antitrust violations in Michigan, said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday the state's attorney general is also probing a possible violation of Michigan's criminal solicitation law.
Chesapeake said the Michigan Department of Attorney General issued a subpoena related to the matter on September 16, according to the company's quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In criminal solicitation, a person engages another to commit a crime. A conviction can occur even if the crime never takes place if the intent is demonstrated.

Read more at http://thestockmarketwatch.com/news/read.aspx/chesapeake-energy-received-michigan-subpoena-filing/ad15c3653ad609f6569c4a6fcb9de459/#gwtDxAWw5p4GWhSZ.99

By Eclectablog on February 16, 2012

It’s good to be the king

The Herald-Palladium reports today that Benton Harbor Emergency Manager Joe Harris appointed himself to several city commissions. I guess he’s not planning on leaving soon after all…
In an order dated Tuesday, Emergency Manager Joseph Harris removed, appointed or reappointed members to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Cemetery Board, the Twin City Area Transportation Authority, the Downtown Development Authority, the Golf Course Oversight Panel, the Benton Harbor Housing Commission, the Benton Harbor Public Library Board, the Planning Commission, the Public Safety/Recreation Committee and the Board of Review. Harris said Wednesday the city has to make appointments and reappointments to the committees annually but had not done that in the past.

So, who wrote the bill to provide emergency managers with dictatorship powers?

Al Pscholka, is a former Upton staffer and is the state representative from that area. AND he was on the Board of the development group for Harbor Shores.

So, Representative Upton has created his own little universe. And the Health Care Insurance issues is simply a distraction and political rant. But, then again, when a politician is as corrupt as Upton is, there is a pay-off somewhere.

I hope the process of agreement continues to achievement soon.

...On Sunday (click here) in Geneva six foreign ministers known as the P5+1 led by EU foreign policy chief Lady Ashton failed to reach a deal on Iran. Senior diplomats from the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China, who have led the nuclear negotiations since 2006 met over three days, however talks broke down after France objected to Iran's planned heavy-water reactor Arak, which would produce plutonium as a byproduct of its spent fuel....

All parties, including Israel, have to continue to consider the alternative and it isn't good. The very last thing the Mideast needs now is more instability and brinkmanship. Sometimes these agreements seem overbearing at the time they are proposed but end in a benevolence that serves everyone.

The global community needs to reconnect with Iran and it's very rich culture. The Iranian people are rather incredible folks. Many fears are incubated in silence and in isolation, so while the treaty has to be real and verifiable, it also opens doors for trade and continued understandings of peace. When a country has nothing to lose it becomes less of a burden to enter into war. But, when countries are connected in productive relationships there is far less incentive for any hostilities.
  
Palestinians threaten international legal action over Israeli settlement construction (click here)

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

LAST UPDATED: 10/31/2013 16:35

The Palestinian Authority announced Thursday that it was “seriously studying” filing immediate complaints against Israel with international courts and forums in a bid to halt construction in West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem neighborhoods.The PA Foreign Ministry said that the complaints would be designed to “preserve peace and the negotiations” with Israel. The ministry said that the PA was seeking a condemnation of Israel for violating international law....

The question has to be asked, whom hates whom at this point and when does a step forward be seen as important rather than a threat. That threshold has to come, otherwise, why bother? 

The US - Israel relationship is permanent, however, the USA is still a sovereign nation and not a satellite of any other country.

Quite frankly, when are the Palestinians and Bedouins going to have their own bulldozers to build walls and fences they can defend? 

I'd rather see this Palestinian young man be a shepard than a jihadist. It is a very high priority with many that these people have purpose and happiness as well as a nation to call home. I always get the feeling that escapes Israel.

Agence France Presse

Published — Tuesday 12 November 2013

UNITED NATIONS: (click here) Saudi Arabia on Tuesday won a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, which is taking on increased diplomatic importance because of the Syria war and other conflicts.
The UN General Assembly elected 14 seats on the 47-member council, which will start work on January 1, will be one of the most polarized since it was created in 2006.
Also elected to three-year terms in the Geneva-based body were Russia, China, France, Britain, Cuba, South Africa, Vietnam, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, Maldives, Macedonia and Mexico.
“With the return of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Cuba, human rights defenders will have their work cut out for them at the Human Rights Council next year,” said Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch....

I heard all the reports about how there are 22 deaths per day of veterans.

I am a little unclear about why the media seems so out of touch with reality on this subject.

Sensationalizing again? 

The percentage when realizing the highest are places like Florida makes sense. 

 ...Further, those with history of VHA service use were more likely than other Veterans to be between the ages of 50–79 years.... (click here)

I am not saying a suicide rate among the military is acceptable at all, but, the idea all these deaths are related to PTSD is incorrect. As a matter of fact the elderly in this country do commit suicide more than the general public.

It is also true those with military background show up more frequently in suicide statistics.

2/05/2013 @ 8:15AM
Almost once an hour (click here) – every 65 minutes to be precise – a military veteran commits suicide, says a new investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs. By far the most extensive study of veteran suicides ever conducted, the report, issued Friday, examined suicide data from 1999 to 2010....

I just think there is a larger picture that needs to be looked at, like why suicide at all? I wouldn't think we have to focus on veterans in order to talk about mental health in the USA.

If one takes a look at the actual statistics there are less veterans age 29 and younger through 49 years old that commit suicide in males than the general population. Over 50 years is higher and probably has something to do with 'purpose as a man,' number of friends, isolation from social participation and income. I would think all those parameters is a good place for the military to look to encourage longevity of veterans. I remember a very active VFW in my town and there is the American Legion as well. They had bar and pool tables.

Military suicides down 22 percent (click here)
 
Posted: Nov 11, 2013 3:41 PM EST 
WASHINGTON DC (WREX) 

According to officials with the Defense Department, military suicides dropped by 22 percent this year.
Last year, suicide took the lives of more service members than the war in Afghanistan, causing the Defense Department to proclaim the issue an epidemic. Despite a variety of new programs targeting suicide among service members, officials were hesitant to give those programs credit since they say they still do not completely comprehend why troops take their own lives.
The drawdown in Afghanistan is also not a likely cause, since many troops who have committed suicide never served on the front lines.

This book has been around awhile, but, somethings never change. It was a national best seller.

"I Don't Want to Talk About It." (click here) Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression.

It is on audio cassette now. Some folks might want to revisit it. Sometimes a book helps people find language and common ground to facilitate seeking help.

Does anyone bother to ask the question why Walter Reed had to be shuttered?

Or, why some of our nuclear weapons facilities are substandard?

A Private E1 base pay with less than 2 years experience is $18,194 annually and slightly lower for the first four months of service.

Why was the armor for our military in Iraq so substandard and the work by Halliburton allowed?

Are wars for the convenience of supply and demand and increased cash flow?

How much is a soldier's life worth really? Because on the capital market it would appear to be worth a great deal, so long as the USA is able to continue to have an unending supply of them. 

Untangling this web while still maintaining a ready force designed and operated by commanders, generals and the Joint Chiefs isn't easy. It is time we started though. The current talks about the budget that will come due in January and February 2014 should have those most impacted at the table, including our commanders, generals and Joint Chiefs. Otherwise it is all about cronyism and Republican politics.

Indeed. And the US House wants to know if the funding is still available for their campaigns.

Given the level of Republican cronyism, it is surprising Mr. Snowden is necessary at all. Who pays for Congressional security clearance anyway?

About Finmeccanica North America (click here)
Finmeccanica North America is the U.S. headquarters for Finmeccanica SpA, a global aerospace, defense, and transportation holding company headquartered in Italy that is comprised of many operating companies, each with its own specialization. In the U.S., the Finmeccanica Group concentrates on the following strategic areas: aeronautics, helicopters, defense systems, defense electronics, space, transportation, and energy.

The Finmeccanica Group has ca. 11,000 employees operating in 28 U.S. states through its operating companies: AgustaWestland North America, Alenia Aermacchi North America, AnsaldoBreda, Ansaldo STS, DRS Technologies, ELSAG North America, Global Military Aircraft Systems, MBDA, OTO Melara North America, SELEX Communications, Inc., SELEX Galileo Inc., SELEX Systems Integration Inc., Telespazio, and Thales Alenia Space. Worldwide, Finmeccanica employs more than 70,000 people, and ranks as the eighth largest defense contractor.

Finmeccanica’s U.S. companies are reliable partners with the U.S. Government, providing superior, mission-critical products & services to the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security... 

 





The 2013 Global Security Forum (click here) was held on Tuesday, November 5th, in the new CSIS headquarters located at 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036.  Select the links below to find out more about each session and view recordings of those sessions.

III. Has The Budget Crisis Shattered The Cold War Consensus On Defense Budgets? (click here)
Steven Cortese Former Staff Director, Senate Committee on Appropriations
Jim Dyer Former Staff Director, House Committee on Appropriations 
Charles J. Houy Former Staff Director, Senate Committee on Appropriations
David Lyles
Former Staff Director, Senate Committee on Armed Services
Moderator: David J. Berteau Senior Vice President and Director, National Security Program on Industry and Resources, CSIS

And who paid for the spectacular new building? Ask me if I believe the USA taxpayer is racked over the coals on their military budget? You betcha. Now, about those food stamps, student loans and Fannie and Freddie?

CSIS Global Security Forum (click here)

As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Washington D.C., Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Bill, thank you.  To my friend, John Hamre, thank you.  Thank you each for what you’ve done for our country, what you continue to do, and congratulations on this spectacular new building, John.  This is not only a remarkable achievement but it is a testament to this institution and what it has meant for so many years to this country as it has contributed to the shaping and the molding and the outcomes of our policies in the world and you continue to do that.  So, to your board and to your leaders, everyone associated with CSIS, I congratulate you and thank you for what you do and what you continue to do....

...I would like to take this opportunity this morning to join you in looking out across the strategic landscape and share with you a few perspectives on:

• our shifting long-term national security challenges;
• the U.S. military’s role in addressing these challenges; and,
• what this means for the Department of Defense going forward.

As we all know, America’s challenges are far different, far more dispersed, and far more complex today than the single defining threat we faced in 1962.  They are also far different than they were in 2002, when our nation was reeling from the most devastating terrorist attack in our history; or even a few years ago, when 100,000 U.S. troops were on the ground in Iraq and tens of thousands were on their way to Afghanistan.... 

How many more Edward Snowden's are there and who took his place?

Defense Contracts- Expenditures (most recent) by state (click here)

By amount:

#1 California - $27,882,008,000.00 (Probably Air Force - Edwards Air  Force Base and Silicon Valley- just a guess)

#2 Virginia - $23,391,866,000.00 (Ship building and DC proximity)

#3 Texas - $21,050,237,000 (No surprise here - Halliburton and Houston)The remaining state receive less than half this amount. And that doesn't even account for overseas spending the USA economy never sees. 

November 8, 2013 (click here) 

CACI Technologies Inc., Chantilly, Va., (click here) is being awarded a $14,162,860 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-6309) for professional support services in support of the Expeditionary Warfare Program Office.  The contract will provide professional support services in the areas of:  program analysis, development, control, and monitoring support, administration, communication and human resources; business, finance and cost estimating; technical and engineering support; information technology; and life cycle support in the Washington Navy Yard office location.  This contract modification will be incrementally funded.  Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (63 percent); San Diego, Calif. (19 percent); Indian Head, Md. (13 percent), and  Norfolk, Va. (5 percent), and is expected to complete by March 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy and fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation contract funds in the amount of $2,124,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Why did Carlyle hire Mr. Snowden in the first place?

It almost doesn't make sense the cost would be an issue until one realizes the size of the contracts and the investments made to carter to the complexity of the government contracts. It is much easier to by pass security clearances at all and maintain the efficacy of the company in it's ability to generate income.

Why should anyone like Mr. Snowden be a problem for the USA? Well the defense industry is owned and operated by a few private independent contractors that have a monopoly on it. Why threaten the food chain in the name of the USA national security interests.

The current military contractors are not necessarily delivering a product the USA military needs or wants or can deliver in a functional manner. Let's face it the F35 is a complete failure, but, if that is the contract the independent contractors can deliver then what choice does the USA military have? They have to work with what they are provided. So, if Carlyle can hack into top secret computer banks and extract plans by the military they have a secure income as they are the first and lowest bid regardless of it's ability to deliver the product contracted.

Why no bid contracts? To circumvent the federal security infrastructure and allow a company free reign over government contracts, IN HOPE, they will do quality work.

Mr. Snowden had the skills to hack into top secret computer banks because Carlyle's fiscal integrity depended on it, otherwise, they might have to honestly compete for the contracts while a more efficient and better staffed country might actually take the contracts away from them.

Cost (click here)

By William Henderson
August 7, 2011

“The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors. . . . The law requires that contractors pay most of the costs of obtaining clearances for their employees.”

“. . . civilian companies who do classified work for the Dept. of Defense (DoD), or a national security related contract, must bear the cost of security clearances for their employees and clearance investigations can cost several thousands of dollars.”

Time vs Cash Flow

A Periodic Reinvestigation (PR) is required every 5 years for a TOP SECRET Clearance, 10 years for a SECRET Clearance or 15 years for a CONFIDENTIAL Clearance. However, civilian and military personnel of DOD can be randomly reinvestigated before they are due for a PR.
A security clearance is a valuable commodity outside of the military. This is because civilian companies who do classified work for the Dept. of Defense (DoD), or a national security related contract, must bear the cost of security clearances for their employees and clearance investigations can cost several thousands of dollars. Because of this, many DoD contractors give hiring preference to ex-military personnel with current clearances. However, you want to do your job-hunting right away, after separation. Once your clearance expires, you cannot simply request that DoD issue a new one or conduct a Periodic Reinvestigation, simply to make your job-hunting prospects easier. To be issued a clearance, or to renew your clearance by DoD, your present duties/assignment, or pending duties/assignment must require such access. 

This is pretty cool. What defines the USA? Think population density.

by Tell Me More Staff 
November 11, 201310:49 AM

For hundreds of years, (click here) this nation has been known as the United States of America. But according to author and journalist Colin Woodard, the country is neither united, nor made up of 50 states. Woodward has studied American voting patterns, demographics and public opinion polls going back to the days of the first settlers, and says that his research shows America is really made up of 11 different nations....

Sorry to hear there was a death in the Inhofe family. A couple of things.

This particular variety of Turboprop had fairly significant problems. It is known for it's stalling. Mostly on take off and landing. The last plane was manufactured in the 1980s, but, it still sells for a considerable amount of money. The hitch is that the pilot is the key to a successful safe flight.

The value of the plane keeps it flying, not it's efficacy. The pilots needed frequent and specialized certification on this particular plane to fly it. There have been numerable examinations of this type of plane by the federal government, the latest was in 2009.

By Maxine Wally
Nov 11, 2013 03:44 PM EST

Perry, who worked as an orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa, (click here) was reported to be the sole fatality from the crash. He was a licensed pilot and flying instructor, and owned two planes though a company called Anasazi Winds, LLC, according to the Atlantic. Sen. Inhofe reportedly taught Perry how to operate an aircraft more than 30 years ago. Perry then passed on the tradition, teaching his own son Cole how to fly. The Atlantic reported that all three next-of-kin were taught to fly on the same 1954 Grumman Tiger plane....

UNISYS North and West Water Vapor Satellite at the time of the crash at about 3:30 AM EST.

There were high tropospheric straight line winds from Nevada east, however, there weren't planes falling from the sky. The plane lost it's ability to fly well. Given it's particular problems and the flying conditions, the FAA needs to examine the efficacy of this turboprop again. Mr. Inhofe was a seasoned pilot and he owned this plane.

The pouters and doubters don't matter. Over 459,000 have signed into the insurance market in the past six weeks.

The law caters to the uninsured and underinsured, not the wealthy that like to pout about the change in their options. They don't want to participate in the market if they aren't required by the their state such as Massachusetts. They can pay for their services and expect aggressive debt collection if they don't. I mean, there just is no reason anymore. I would expect far less bankruptcies in the Middle Class with this law and a sincere ability for people to engage in upward movement in the USA's economic structure.


Medicaid signups an early Obamacare bright spot (click here)

WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) -- The underdog of government health care programs is emerging as a rare early success story of President Obama's technologically challenged health overhaul.

Often dismissed, Medicaid has signed up 444,000 people in 10 states in the six weeks since open enrollment began, according to Avalere Health, a market analysis firm that compiled data from those states. Twenty-five states are expanding their Medicaid programs, but data for all of them was not available.
Meanwhile, private plans offered through troublesome online markets are expected to have enrolled a much smaller number of people.

Around 50,000 people so far have successfully enrolled in a private health insurance plan via HealthCare.gov, the Obamacare federal website, according to the Wall Street Journal and CBS News' confirmation from industry analysts....

The media is touting the fact Oregon hasn't signed up one person through their website yet. Well guess what? Oregon's website isn't up yet. Surprise, no one has a website to sign up through the internet. Evidently, Oregon never considered the internet the way to go immediately.

By Nick Budnick
nbudnick@oregonian.com
October 17, 2013 at 12:03 PM
updated October 17, 2013 at 7:18 PM

Though Oregon's health insurance exchange is not yet up (click here) and running, the number of uninsured is already dropping thanks to new fast-track enrollment for the Oregon Health Plan.
The low-income, Medicaid-funded program has already signed up 56,000 new people, cutting the state's number of uninsured by 10 percent, according to Oregon Health Authority officials.
Though the new exchange called Cover Oregon was originally intended to be used for Oregon Health Plan enrollment, the online marketplace doesn't work yet. Instead, new Oregon Health Plan members are being enrolled using a fast-track process that was approved by the federal government in August....

Then the media is asking now that people have signed up who made their first payment? They want this to fail. The payment, the amount and when it is paid is a security issue. Not only that, but, the bills most likely haven't even been generated yet. RATINGS. The negativity is about RATINGS.

It just goes to prove hatred and anger works to serve the media. Who's winning, who is losing. I am not surprised the President's approval ratings are lower than one would hope for. Why hope for polls at all? They are meaningless when tainted this deeply by propaganda. 

Helcopters, not planes. The entire coast is in extremely poor condition. Infrastructure doesn't exist.

Planes carrying aid (click here) for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan are being delayed because they are too big to land at the disaster zone's airport
.

BBC correspondent Tim Willcox, who is at Cebu International Airport, says planes need to get from there to Tacloban - one of the worst-affected areas.

However, there is a shortage of planes small enough to land on Tacloban's short runway, leading to frustration for aid workers.

Volunteers across the world are building the digital infrastructure for the organization's Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts (click here)

The idea of removing survivors to safe areas may be the best route. Helicopters shuttling survivors to the airport to receive aid and possibly move to a better circumstance may work best.

I don't know if there will ever be an accurate count of the dead, except, to realize what the population was before the storm and how many survivors exist. The difference between the two may be the best any government agency can discern about the actual deaths.

Robinson Meyer  

Nov 12 2013, 7:04 AM ET

...But they will be helped by an incredible piece of technology, a worldwide, crowd-sourced humanitarian collaboration made possible by the Internet. 
What is it? It’s a highly detailed map of the areas affected by super typhoon Haiyan, and it mostly didn’t exist three days ago, when the storm made landfall.
Since Saturday, more than 400 volunteers have made nearly three quarters of a million additions to a free, online map of areas in and around the Philippines. Those additions reflect the land before the storm, but they will help Red Cross workers and volunteers make critical decisions after it about where to send food, water, and supplies....