Who knew? Oh, by the way, if McCain was seriously acting in the interests of national security I would ask the same question?

The Challenge (click here)

The current, but not new, anti-immigrant rhetoric in our news and in our legislation process has made Maria Cristina’s teachings more relevant for U.S Latinos and Latinas. It is hard to create a sense of belonging or to call a place “home” in the midst of antagonism. Your parents are labeled as “criminal” and you an “anchor-baby” which is the epithet used by some news companies to talk about U.S.-born children from parents without legal status. What is more, these infamous labels are confirmed as your neighborhood is raided and Immigration Services (ICE) preys on your parents....

What is the expression touted by the legal profession? "Justice is blind." It must be frustrating for Sheriff Joe to see the problem right in front of him and not be able to haul in every Mexican within a hundred miles of the border.

Judge Finds Violation of Rights by Sheriff (click here)

By FERNANDA SANTOS
Published: May 24, 2013

...At 142 pages, the decision is peppered with stinging criticism of the policies and practices espoused by Sheriff Arpaio, who Judge Snow said had turned much of his focus to arresting immigrants who were in the country illegally, in most cases civil violations, at the expense of fighting crimes.

He said the sheriff relied on racial profiling and illegal detentions to target Latinos, using their ethnicity as the main basis for suspecting they were in the country illegally. Many of the people targeted were American citizens or legal residents.

“In an immigration enforcement context,” Judge Snow ruled, the sheriff’s office “did not believe that it constituted racial profiling to consider race as one factor among others in making law enforcement decisions.” In fact, he said its plans and policies confirmed that, “in the context of immigration enforcement,” deputies “could consider race as one factor among others.”

The ruling prohibits the sheriff’s office from using “race or Latino ancestry” as a factor in deciding to stop any vehicle with Latino occupants, or as a factor in deciding whether they may be in the country without authorization....

President Obama was in Arlington National Cemetery where 300,000 Americans are buried from the wars fought.

President Obama greets Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Eilene Henderson in the Arlington National Cemetery during his Memorial Day visit there Monday.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

This is an amazing statement by the Neocons favorite newsprint, The Christan Science Monitor.

The number of Americans who serve in the US military – especially those sent to combat – has gone down dramatically in recent years. Critics say civilians need to assume more responsibility for the moral burden of war as well as for the other costs of fighting.

The current estimate of the two wars begun under Bush/Cheney is $1,442,729,700,000 with Iraq costing nearly $810 billion and Afghanistan nearly $632 billion. That isn't assuming responsibility. I mean what kind of a state is that?

By Brad Knickerbocker, Staff writer / May 27, 2013

...“Regardless of reason, (click here) this truth cannot be ignored that today most Americans are not directly touched by war,” Mr. Obama told a crowd of dignitaries and military families gathered to mark Memorial Day. “As a consequence, not all Americans may always see or fully grasp the depths of sacrifice, the profound costs that are made in our name, right now, as we speak, everyday.”...

I think the Middle Class and the impoverished in this nation know exactly the cost of war and have carried far more of the responsibility than any one else. So, when those that want to criticize the citizen about the burden of war, they first have to criticize the people most responsible for fighting them.

It is true the majority of Americans are not directly touched by the death of a soldier, but, I do believe we significantly can understand how we don't want them to die and the best way to prevent American soldiers from dying is to never enter into wars for oil, profit, bad habit or revenge. 

I can't think of a better way to keep less people from being buried at Arlington, can you?

We have no troops in Syria, so what was McCain thinking? Seriously. There was no valid reason for him to go into Syria, except, to stir up trouble. Turkey doesn't know what is occurring the other side of it's border? Israel doesn't know what is occurring? McCain wants another Iraq War. I don't think so.

More political fodder for the rhetoric. This isn't going anywhere without Russia.

John McCain's office has declined to comment on the outcome of talks he held with rebel leaders during a surprise visit to Syria. Photograph: Allison Shelley/Getty Images

I don't doubt it was a dangerous journey to meet with Rebel leaders, but, I thought they were in Turkey.

The leaders former Secretary Clinton has been meeting with were in Turkey, not Syria.

In light of that reality I don't know what is to be gained.

This was somewhat to be expected. A Neocon on the hunt for a war.

Secretary Kerry has been meeting intensely with all sides of this civil war and has been making in roads with major powers. I hope this doesn't do anything to stop the process already started.

Perhaps Senator McCain has also met with those seeking to bring humanitarian aid to citizens of Syria. I would be interested in knowing how well that is going and how it can be improved.

Neocons would not be Neocons if they didn't feel they were in charge of a burgeoning threat to the USA. They won't leave it alone. Where was McCain when Rwanda occurred? McCain has been in office since 1987 and the Rwanda Genocide occurred in 1994. Where was he then?

Monday 27 May 2013

...The Arizona senator (click here) has been leading efforts in Congress in recent weeks to force Barack Obama to intervene in Syria following reports of alleged chemical weapons use by forces loyal to Assad....

Red Tape is often not a bad thing. 

It sincerely is a matter of the point of view. 

It all matters whom is writing the rules.

Former Representative Barney Frank never correctly articulated the importance of FANNIE and FREDDIE.

Beside being the champion of Middle Class mortgages there are a lot reasons the nation should be proud of it's government programs.

To begin, it is important to understand whom in Washington, DC is writing the rules.

President Obama congratulated Representative Melvin L. Watt, left, after nominating him on Wednesday to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

By ANNIE LOWREY

Published: May 1, 2013

WASHINGTON – President Obama on Wednesday (click here) nominated Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, to become the overseer of the government-backed mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If approved by the Senate, Mr. Watt would replace Edward J. DeMarco, who has been acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency for more than three years.

Mr. Watt is a lawyer who has represented North Carolina in Congress for the last two decades. If he won Senate confirmation, he would become a powerful economic policy maker, as the housing market recovers and the White House contemplates the government’s future role in it....

I have had the pleasure of meeting a local officer of the 5/3 Bank recently. He talked me into opening an account with the back. Oh, the name is stated, "Fifth - third Bank." Strange name, isn't it? It has a history that dates back to the nineteen hundreds. It was a consolidation of the Fifth Bank of... and the Third Bank of .... 

No, matter. I sat in the branch manager's office and spoke about their programs. The issue of mortgages came up. They have a great car loan program at one percent for new borrowers. But, I wanted to know if they participate in or have participated in all these wacko Wall Street gimmicks that caused the global economic collapse. He stated no. I then asked how they handle their mortgages.

The gentleman explained to me that 5/3 Bank serves all their own mortgages, but, sells them to Fannie and Freddie. I asked him to explain why 5/3 Bank did that. He stated it was the only way a bank the size of 5/3 Bank could sell mortgages. He then went on to say what the assets of 5/3 Bank was and how they have grown over the years.

So, then I said, "Let me get this right." "The much maligned government program actually allows banking chains like 5/3 Bank to service an entire area of the country and provide jobs and this level of personal service."

He stated, "Yes, if we didn't sell our mortgages to Frannie and Freddie we would not be in the business of helping the community own their own homes." With that we finished our business and I went on my way happier than I was before.

You see, no one bothers to explain to the public that the giant government mortgage companies are vital to the operation of smaller bank chains, and mind you 5/3 Bank is not all that small either. But, these smaller chains could not exist without our government programs. It is the small banks that were devastated when the global economic collapse occurred. 

Are people following this? I stated, "It is the small banks that were devastated when the global economic collapse occurred. 

Once again, It is the small banks that were devastated when the global economic collapse occurred."

The lousy Wall Street SOBs carried out their idea of fun and reaped in not only money from the USA government in a bailout, they also annihilated their competition with the exception of those like 5/3 Bank which survived the mess and then went on to flourish. 

You see, there are bankers that 'do it right' and 'do it well.' They aren't in it for the quick adrenalin rush of begging for money on their knee in front of Speaker Pelosi, they actually manage the assets they have to last the winters of many other's stupidity.

So, thanks to a very nice young branch manager I know more about my world as it actually and realistically exists than I did before. I mean it isn't easy to simply walk into a board room and ask for explanations.

I hope Fannie and Freddie will be around for a very long time. I expect they will. I also hope the nation recognizes at the time of elections whom exactly is writing the rules. Last time I checked, Fannie and Freddie were demonized and no political advocate could even speak the words yet alone be proud of them. There needs to be a thirty second ad throughout the USA letting everyone know whom supports their mortgage programs and whom doesn't.

I don't know if Mr. Watt had any input to the policy below but it is pure genius. And, you'll excuse me, but, it didn't have to go far to be genius this time either.

Why is this program pure genius? I would think it obvious. Some of the hardest hit citizens in the country are our 50 somethings and older. Their assets were destroyed in 2008. Now, they have hope to return a home mortgage to their agenda of costs of living rather than rent payments that offer no security. This is a very, very good idea and the country will embrace it. It will sell houses and increase the value of neighborhoods. Well done.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

WASHINGTON — Here’s a heads-up (click here) for the growing ranks of seniors whose post-retirement monthly incomes aren’t sufficient to qualify for a mortgage under today’s tough underwriting standards: Thanks to a rule change by the largest players in the home loan business, you may be able to use imputed income from your 401(k), IRA and other retirement assets to qualify for the loan you want.

That, in turn, could open the door to a money-saving refinancing to a lower-rate loan or a downsizing purchase of a new home.

Top credit officials at Freddie Mac — the giant federally controlled mortgage investment company — said last week that a “little known” policy revision now allows seniors and others to use certain retirement account balances to supplement their incomes for underwriting purposes — without actually tapping those balances or drawing down cash....

I hope everyone's Memorial Day Weekend has meaning.

Juan Williams is my hero of the week.

I want to thank Juan Williams. "Shazam." He  saved me from having to carrying on about the way in which AG Holder's signature actually means there is a lot more to the signature than simply him deciding to play with journalists. I mean Juan Williams actually knows how government works. I was impressed. I am serious. Like, "Shazam."

I thought for the most part the Sunday talk shows were better in tone and facts. There is still that underlying demand to cherry pick words to fit into one minute political ads that can't be affiliated with the candidates.

That is an incredible reality, in that, 501(c)4s can't be affiliated with candidates, but they can use video and sound clips of candidates to carry a message to the public. No one ever litigated that? It seems pretty obvious to me and add to that dynamic the fact political messaging is the focus of many appearing on talk shows. I would love for elected Representatives and Senators to actually explain to their constituents how government works. Take example by Juan Williams and make a commercial as to why constituents should not be anti-government so much as more knowledgeable. It would be interesting. I'd like to see that by a 501(c)4 ad. Explaining how government works and how decisions are made; rather than 15, 30 or 60 seconds of gossip.

I found it interesting the Right Wing today exhibited a double standard. They pat Prime Minister Cameron on the back for stating, "We are engaged in a long struggle against extremist Islam....". Then they turn around and state President Obama doesn't lead, he says one thing and does another, untrustworthy, criminalizing journalism, naive president and how American lives are at risk. 

If Prime Minister Cameron can be understood then President Obama can as well. One might notice the murderers in the UK are charged as criminals and not some kind of terrorist. There is no Gitmo in the UK. So, if the Right Wing can back the WORDS of Prime Minister Cameron they need to understand their own double standard for the USA.

The Press is still acting as though the PTSD of the AP is important. I have never witnessed such helplessness in the face of an opportunity to pass a Shield Law. They want to repeal the Espionage Act and do all kinds of complaining about victimization, but, seek to pass The Shield Law? Heck, no, that might actually solve the problem and they wouldn't have a reason to bellyache. 

Rosen is a non-issue. The USA has a right to pursue protections for reason of national security and if a journalist goes to far then there may be consequences. 

I found characteristic of the Right to feel naked without the threat of war as a weapon. They object the word REPEAL. They believe that will eliminate any opportunity the Commander and Chief may need 'just in case.' Wow. All of a sudden The War Powers Act doesn't exist. 

I don't believe the country will ever be back to a Pre-911 status. It was inherently dangerous. Airlines were wide open to having their jets laden with fuel used as missiles. So, it is all in the definition as to what September 12th means.

I think Candy Crowley is an excellent journalist. There are times I would have come back with a few more points with some of her interviews, but, then I am not facing time constraints.

Have a good weekend.

Most Americans are not 'born into' a perfect life full of opportunity.

Most Americans are PROVIDED the opportunity to live a happy and prosperous life by the collective conscience we call a government. We put our hard earned money into a treasury at all levels of government to provide for the common good. The common good provides for a populous of people that feed an economy that is the most powerful in the world. While China has had incredible growth, they still aren't the USA. The USA has invested for two centuries in the forward movement of that common good. It is at the heart of our democracy. The one vote becomes a collective expression of our confidence in directing the power of our treasury. Government is nothing without a treasury. It just isn't. A government without a treasury is an anarchy. It is a reality we grasped long ago.

Americans born 'out of sync' with what is stereotypically called 'the norm' have capacity and ability. They may be culturally different but, they have capacity to live the dream the USA promises to every citizen. It is that understanding which compels some of the most incredible people to become a member of this society. The USA would never be the nation it is today without our immigrants. But, it also would not be the nation we are today without our minority leaders.

When minority leaders have spoken out it was not for themselves. They spoke out for a collective conscience in step with the one others shared. When they asked to be a part of the society and economy it was with the understanding we would all be equals and provided for in a common footing to success. 

There are communities and members of communities that do not have common ground with the majority of Americans. You don't have to take my word for it, ask Jim McGreevey. Ask those that work actively through 'faith based' organization to help those in prison and jail to break their cycle of indifference and self-abuse. Those folks will tell you there are many that come into our prison systems that meet 'caring' for the first time in their lives. Caring. Not a person, but, the institution we as Americans have built to handle those that have not followed the rules.

The USA is quite an interesting country. We provide doubt over guilt and as a result we make sure the innocent are provided for in our prison system should the rule of law prove to be wrong. As a society we do not break the rules of TRUST. The public trust is at the heart of all that is involved with our court systems. It is where we divide social norms with social stigma to find the truth, protect the truth and find justice. The American people value truth. 

If we turn away from the very foundations of our society and victimize those that have served their time as prescribed by our courts we will have dissolved the truth and the trust that moves this country forward. When a citizen is freed after serving their time they are returned their constitutional rights and to remove any aspect of it, including SNAP benefits, we will be providing for increased crime. 

Crime is expensive. Ask insurance companies. If that means more than morality then know this. When a person leaves prison they will need to be helped to move forward and if we don't give them that help they will fail. We will have denied them the opportunity to continue on a path to wholesomeness and prosperity. They will return to issues of crime and we will have accomplished nothing when they were incarcerated. Our society will have then a burden forever.

It is morally wrong and completely oppositional to the well being of our democracy to believe we are not obligated to feed the hungry and help those struggling to achieve well being in all forms that takes.

Food stamps are a very small installment payment for a life of productivity. I suggest we do not fail those that need our collective moral conscience the most.

Senator Vitter doesn't know what he is doing and the Senate should be ashamed of their role in this mess.

May 23, 2013; Mother Jones

The ugly Republican (click here) attitude toward food stamps—formally the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP)—has reared its head again in the U.S. Senate, and Democrats seem to be lazily following the Republicans’ lead. Remember Newt Gingrich’s slur during the presidential campaign describing Barack Obama as the “food stamp president”? Apparently, the Republicans are at it again.

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) has attached an amendment to the Farm Bill that would ban “convicted murderers, rapists, and pedophiles” from getting food stamps, as explained on Vitter’s website. The Agriculture Committee accepted Vitter’s amendment by unanimous consent. The applause from right-wing sites largely echoes this statement by Debra Heine on breitbart.com: “Thank God we can all agree that taxpayers shouldn't be forced to feed murderers, rapists, and pedophiles.”...

Setting aside the fact Vitter is exhibiting bigotry, racism and moronity, his amendment is unconstitutional.

Indeed he is an ugly Republican when it comes to actually caring about constituents. I suppose this is his idea of a balanced budget amendment.

No matter. The amendment is in clear violation of CONSTITUTIONAL rights of citizens. To victimize those that carried out their sentence and satisfied society's demands for the felony(s) committed there is no further burden to their constitutional rights as guaranteed to any other free citizen in the USA. The states have this problem in many instances, including burdening ex-inmates to stop their voting rights. Now, Vitter is polluting the federal government with this special form of hatred.

No American can be burdened by the government with a sentence beyond the time served and/or the fines paid. Vitter's actions are actually to further victimize a person cleared by the very justice system he believes in. He does believe in the rule of law, right? Maybe Vitter is actually an anarchist.

May 23, 2013
By Rich Lord / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A federal judge ruled (click here) today that former Allegheny County Jail inmate David Kipp is due a $7,500 judgment from former corrections officer Arii L. Metz.

Mr. Kipp sued Mr. Metz claiming the officer beat him in 2010. Mr. Metz has pleaded guilty to depriving Mr. Kipp of his civil rights and awaits sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry awarded Mr. Kipp $3,000 in compensatory damages and $4,500 in punitive damages.

"The uncontested evidence proved that the conduct of Metz was

outrageous and constituted a malicious and wanton violation of Kipp's rights," Judge McVerry wrote.

The judge ruled that there was no offset for a settlement Mr. Kipp negotiated with Allegheny Correctional Health Services, because the damages from allegedly delayed treatment for a broken nose and other injuries were separate from those caused by the beating....

It isn't as though the prison system actually seeks to reform 'the inmate.' So when those folks are released after satisfying their sentence, it would be good if they didn't face HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS by their federal government while they try to make their way back to being a CONTRIBUTING member of society; something Vitter questionably can claim as his own.

There needs to be a CLASS ACTION against the federal government when the amendment becomes law. And don't stop at this amendment, there are huge human rights violations by this Congress. Congresspersons need to be held personally responsible for their politicking while occupying a federal seat at the cost of the taxpayer. If a Congressperson is committing human rights violation while in office, they should be held responsible for same. This is one of them. Heck, sue them for real money to compensate the victims. Civil action. The World Court is a secondary action, but, it probably won't stick in that framework. The World Court approach can be coined as 'the tail waging the dog' but it might work.

The sincerely REAL solution to this is to seek prison reform so the NEED for food stamps is obsolete. Prison reform is long overdue in the USA, but, for someone like Vitter he would much prefer all prisons were Gitmo. Vitter would never be able to 'task himself' to even conceptualize what prison reform might be and in his hands it would be a complete disaster in the completely "W"rong direction.

Is there something wrong with a bill to reflect it's sincere purpose?

Immigration reform is not about gay marriage and it will be more than difficult to relate why that was an important amendment to this bill. Gay status among immigrants isn't really threatened in the USA. Gay marriage has to stand on it's own to be a legitimate part of civil rights.

Same sex marriage is almost a non-issue in more and more states. Why jeopardize a good opinion of same sex marriage by hiding it in an immigration bill? Quite frankly I thought the gay community has proved themselves with dignity and integrity to 'slide it through' on another bill. Take for example what the community is equating to by including the same methodology as Mike Lee. Mike Lee is a sleeve bag. Bigot. Racist. Opportunist. Mike Lee even gives capitalism a bad name. Please don't affiliate with a method of these jerks.

Everyone know that amendments to bills are not welcome by the public. Amendments change things. How often do people endorse a bill openly only to be disappointed by all the garbage attached to it, including earmarks. What good is an Executive Branch if all the funding is earmarked? Seriously. The real meaning of legislation is not to seek damages to the priorities of the country it is to uphold the integrity of the purpose of the nation. That doesn't exist in the USA anymore. I would love for President Obama to talk about the junk attached to bills when he signs them. I am sure his signing statements are more than interesting.

Legislation is suppose to uphold the purpose of the nation to grow, change, remove social prejudice, etc.; but, all to often there are amendments attached to legislation completely irrelevant and/or detracting from the original purpose of the bill. That is not what an amendment is suppose to do. An amendment is suppose to reflect a positive effect on the purpose and help uphold it should the originating committee have omitted a vital aspect of the writing of the original bill.

I don't really care how 'business is done' in Washington. That is the problem in DC. Sliding all kinds of junk through because a bill is popular and vital to the nation is sleevy. Basically, it is corrupt. Everyone complains about the way business it done in DC. Does the gay community actually want that imposed on their quite remarkable image actually. 

Who saved their own lives when HIV became a reality? Sure there was research and the discovery of a drug and it was immediately released to stem the progress of the disease. But, in the early days, who really saved the lives of gay citizens? The community itself. It has a proud heritage. The community is magnificent. Don't allow ideas of exclusion to impact that dignity. Please. I don't presume to know how much desire for a national same-sex permission is felt by the community, but, I do know the people of the community are remarkable.

Do it right. We are waiting for the Supreme Court. It will be a more than wonderful place to start.

By Gail Collins

New York Times

Posted: 12:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013

...High points in the committee’s long slog (click here) toward passage included a proposal from tea party icon Mike Lee of Utah to exempt employers of “cooks, waiters, butlers, housekeepers, governesses, maids, valets, baby sitters, janitors, laundresses, furnacemen, caretakers, handymen, gardeners, footmen, grooms and chauffeurs of automobiles for family use” from checking to make sure their help had the proper legal status. It didn’t go anywhere, but if you happen to run into Lee, feel free to say: “The butler did it.”

The most painful low point in the committee’s deliberations came at the end, when the Democrats gave up on an amendment allowing same-sex spouses the same right as heterosexuals to apply for permanent resident status for their partners. It’s not every day when you hear a senator announce that he had decided to support a move that involved “rank discrimination.” But the Republicans who were needed to get an immigration bill through the Senate had made it supremely clear that if any hint of gay marriage entered the legislation, they were going to take their toys and go home....

Ben Bernanke needs to consult with George Soros. There is no one on this planet that understands currency fluctuations more than he.

The last time that I remember the US Dollar was devalued was under Richard Nixon.

By Tom Luongo in Gold and Oil News
May 22, 2013 23:15 

...Bond prices rise (click here) on the idea that the Fed will continue to be a buyer, but the reality is that this is nothing more than currency debasement and because of that investors should demand higher returns from their bonds in order to offset inflation, because like it or not, some of this printed money is making it into circulation.  Go look at M1 if you don’t believe me.  Finally, after the Chairman was done with his soft-shoe two-step the bond market called his bluff and pushed yields on the 30 year bond back over 3.2% which the Fed had been actively defending for days.  Further weakness in the long end of the yield curve to end the week — especially above 3.26% — would be a bearish signal that the sell-off in bonds is gathering momentum after the Fed took a few weeks off from heavy bond buying to trash the price of gold....

By Dow Jones Business News,  May 21, 2013, 05:18:00 AM ED

By Jessica Mead

The South African rand tumbled (click here) to its weakest level in more than four years as the dollar pushed higher across the board Tuesday in the wake of slower-than-expected U.K. April inflation data. 

An initial decline in sterling against the dollar, after British inflation data, triggered a wave of dollar buying that saw the greenback trade above ZAR9.50 against the rand, its highest level since April 1, 2009.

At 0841 GMT, the dollar was trading at ZAR9.5131, having climbed as high as ZAR9.5162 against the rand.

The rand has been under severe selling pressure so far this month, hit by a combination of a stronger dollar, weaker commodity prices--notably gold--and concerns that a new wave of strikes at South African mines and manufacturers might widen....

Fed angst on Wall Street (click here)

May 25, 2013

The S&P 500 declined for a third day on Friday, with the three major US stock indexes posting their first negative week since mid-April on lingering concern that the Federal Reserve may scale back its stimulus measures to support the economy.

Overview of offshore trading:

• SPI futures slipped 6 points to 4967
• The Australian dollar was buying 96.52 US cents
• The S&P500 closed slightly lower at 1649.6
• London's FTSE and Frankfurt's DAX both fell 0.6%
• Spot gold lost 0.4% to $US1386.60 an ounce
• Brent crude oil inched up to $US102.64

The Dow Jones index outperformed the broader market, rising 8.60 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 15,303.10, buoyed by a 4 per cent gain in Procter & Gamble. The broad-based S&P 500 was down 0.91, or 0.06 per cent, at 1649.60 points, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.28, or 0.01 per cent, to 3459.14....

Charles Kadlec, Contributor

2/6/2013

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) (click here) has made it official:  After its latest two day meeting, it announced its goal to devalue the dollar by 33% over the next 20 years.  The debauch of the dollar will be even greater if the Fed exceeds its goal of a 2 percent per year increase in the price level....

When the US Post Office, mandated by the US Constitution, goes out of business what will mail delivery look like?

And the Republicans want to have the country believe Obamacare is a problem. I don't think so. Doesn't even come close.

This burgeoning disaster will put the Oklahoma horse slaughter out of business when the Pony Express starts back up.

Residential Delivery Charge (click here for FedEx rates)
For FedEx Express package and freight services and FedEx Ground services, a residential delivery charge applies to shipments to a home or private residence.

• For FedEx Express U.S. package services, FedEx Ground service and FedEx International Ground service, the charge increased from $3 per package to $3.20 per package. For FedEx Home Delivery, the charge increased from $2.55 per package to $2.80 per package.
• For shipments receiving FedEx Express Multiweight or FedEx Ground Multiweight pricing, the maximum charge increased from $26 per shipment to $27.70 per shipment.
• For FedEx Express international package services to Canada and U.S. import-rated shipments from all origins, the charge increased from $3 per shipment to $3.20 per shipment.

• Current rates by UPS before FedEx instituted their new rates:(click here)

Delivery Area Surcharge Package

– A surcharge applies to each package delivered to certain ZIP Codes within the 48 contiguous states.

For Alaska and Hawaii, refer to page 79 for the Remote Area Surcharge.

– Refer to the Area Surcharge Listing at ups.com/rates or call 1-800-PICK-UPS® for a listing of applicable

ZIP Codes.

Ground 

– Commercial $2.00 

– Residential $2.75

– Commercial - Extended $2.00 

– Residential - Extended $3.50

You might want to ask when was the late time you paid for a mail delivery vehicle fill up.

Notes:
– Fuel surcharges apply to value-added services and other charges associated with pickup, transport and delivery. For current fuel surcharges, where applicable, visit ups.com for package, ups-scs.com/surcharges for Air Freight and ltl.upsfreight.com for UPS Freight®.

uspsnosurprise.com (click here)

It is interesting how Americans are programmed to think about death.

Death by disease. We can do something to stop it. We are great.

Death by bombs. We were justified. We are great.

Death by drone. We were not justified because it could literally be me in my home. We are not great.

Death by storm. Act of god. We are innocent.

Death by the Climate Crisis. It doesn't exist. We are great at any cost.

What occurred with Moore, Oklahoma in reaction to the deaths in their TOWN, is more a mental health issue than if they literally fell apart and had to be put back together. 

The USA has a long way to go to actually confront what the country is great about and at and what it is not.

The USA killed a lot of people over the past decade, most in Iraq. Innocent people, estimate in the hundreds of thousands.

Do drones kill less civilians?

When it comes to the topic of Osama bin Laden, I wonder who received the $1 million reward from the FBI Most Wanted list. Not only that, but, do they rightfully receive interest on the reward because it took a decade for the USA to get the guy.

I never got the impression the President's Speech was a rebuttal of liberal journalists. It was the opposite, I thought. He stated there had to be an end to the perpetual war. ???????????? He is going to do everything in his power to remove people from Guantanamo. He moved the drone operation to the military where it would be a part of a military operation. It removes weaponized drones to where they belong. Was I hearing in a different language because all the opposition to his speech seems strangely removed from it's context.

In order to understand what President Obama stated, one has to first accept the USA had the right to retaliate against al Qaeda for the attacks of September 11, 2001. Was there to be no military engagement after we were attacked? Iraq is an atrocity. But, Afghanistan and the 'correct' war. We had a right to do that.

Now to say there are more Americans dead compared to those that perished because of drone attacks is questionable, but, limiting a comparison to 'civilian deaths in the USA' to 'civilian deaths in a war theater' can be a legitimate measure of the ? carefulness ? of the military sent to defend the USA and allies.

One has to first accept the fact President Obama took office following a President engaged in war for nearly a decade having refused the existence of the Geneva Conventions. President Obama has been mopping up the Bush/Cheney mess for over four years now. I am confident it was not easy. So to state there is actually a clear understanding of President Obama's policies regarding terrorists is hardly accurate, except, he did what Bush/Cheney could never do and that was kill Osama bin Laden. Bush/Cheney allowed bin Laden to exist and thrive and spread his prowess knowing the 'great USA' could never kill him. It served the Bush/Cheney Doctrine of fear and hate to allow bin Laden to exist. Give me a break, Pakistan isn't that big a place.

What good what have the culture of fear drummed up by the Bush White House done if bin Laden was dead within a month after the attacks happened? It is a foregone conclusion the first words out of Bush's mouth was, "This was Iraq, parroted by Rumsfeld and the rest of the cabal. 

For eight years the USA turned against decades of diplomacy to build a safer world and a safer country in order to kill the dictator that insulted "W"s daddy. Who was the real dictator? If anyone expects President Obama to unwind that corrupt reality overnight, I dare them to try. It was oddly interesting to watch him do it.

It must have been a more than interesting meeting for President Obama to finally know the USA knew where bin Laden's headquarters were. They were right there. Next to the Pakistan military college. How convenient.

Is this not what ALEC is all about?

The citizens of this country pay a good deal of money for parliamentarians to write correct legislation. There is the Inspector General's Office to keep those elected honest. There is the Congressional Budget Office to help with challenging math questions, so what is the problem in Washington?

Corruption AGAIN.

I don't care the party, it is time to cut the umbilical cord.

by Eamon Murphy 
March 24, 2013

A dispatch from the Dodd-Frank (click here) wars in our nation's capital: Big banks seeking to roll back financial reform have returned to lawmakers' good graces -- not just Republicans, who opposed the regulatory bill in the first place, but many Democrats, too....

ALEC (click here) is an organization where the nexus between Wall Street and State governments come together to rob the Middle Class of their dignity and impoverish good, decent, hard working people.

The hapless lawmakers don't care about the nexus, as a matter of fact those following the instructions of the Pre-Fab legislation receive political funding from those influencing the entire process. There ain't nothin' like it. The campaign donors pay for the candidates that then pass the legislation paid for by those that funded the candidates.

There is something different at the federal level? Yes or no. The legislators are on a committee they know nothing about so they accept the dictates of Wall Street Banks in order function and appear to be competent when they haven' t got a clue?

I have to admit, Senator Elizabeth Warren has a point, where are the collective prosecutions for conflict of interest. And don't stop there, ethics needs to come to bear with any member of the House or Senate that pledges allegiance to the Greenback rather than the American people. 

I sincerely don't believe the American people need any more 'hard lessons' about 'the real world of economics.' The real world where corrupt politicians are massaged by Big Money Banks, Big Oil or any other interest that seeks to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate. 

It screams investigation. It is just a matter as to whom will conduct it.

Given the fact Morgan lost billions in venture capital regardless of what Morgan calls it, there has to be real pause to think the same people are assisting USA legislators. Is anyone sure the legislators aren't writing legislation that will allow Morgan to conduct the same stupidity with the USA Treasury? Or better yet, personal advise on the side by the unelected bank-legislator to be sure the compliant Congressmen/women completely understand how important their correctness actually can be.

I'll put it this way.

The legitimacy of the American Press is sincerely in question when there is no reliable source of information. 

On Sunday Crowley stated there were three ongoing prosecutions and today Blitzer reports there is six. 

Amazing, AG Holder has been more ambitious in three days than I could have ever imagined.

Do I believe there are three ongoing investigation? Why should I?

There is no there there. AG Holder is not council to the President.

• The latest picture being used to portray a shady White House is when AG Holder appeared with President Obama at the Police Memorial.

• 
  

• Article by: Associated Press

Updated: May 15, 2013 - 11:50 AM

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama (click here) is honoring police officers killed in the line of duty, saying members of law enforcement never let down their guard and that the public they serve should "never let slide our gratitude."

Obama was speaking Wednesday at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony to remember those officers who died the previous year.

Among those Obama singled out was Bruce St. Laurent, a 20-year veteran of the Jupiter, Fla. police department killed last September when his motorcycle was struck during an Obama motorcade.

Obama said he is always mindful of the sacrifices made by police officers assigned to protect him and his family.

We already know FOX News doesn't care about the nation, so it is no surprise with Ed Henry leading the White House pack they would find a way to get away with compromising the national security of a nation. This is just as egregious as hacking the phone of a dead person.

May 24, 2013
By Alex Pareene

Attorney General Eric Holder (click here) personally signed off on the warrant naming Fox News journalist James Rosen a “possible co-conspirator” in violation of the Espionage Act, Michael Isikoff reported yesterday. Which is sort of awkward, because Barack Obama also yesterday told the country (the whole country) that he didn’t want to criminalize reporting, and that he was going to ask his Justice Department to make sure not to do that anymore....

The Press knows what has occurred with the DOJ is legal. What they are hoping to continue to do is raise suspicion to the administration and branding it an oppressive government.

...to make sure not to do that anymore....

For real? President Obama stated he was going to tell AG Holder not to do his job when it comes to journalists. That is like screaming, "Mommy, brother is doing it again."

By David Weigel
May 23, 2013

Journalists should not be at legal risk for doing their jobs. (click here) Our focus must be on those who break the law. That is why I have called on Congress to pass a media shield law to guard against government over-reach. I have raised these issues with the Attorney General, who shares my concern. So he has agreed to review existing Department of Justice guidelines governing investigations that involve reporters, and will convene a group of media organizations to hear their concerns as part of that review. And I have directed the Attorney General to report back to me by July 12th....

...Attorney General Eric Holder signed off on a controversial search warrant that identified Fox News reporter James Rosen as a “possible co-conspirator” in violations of the Espionage Act and authorized seizure of his private emails, a law enforcement official told NBC News on Thursday...

I don't believe the warrant is controversial when it is to protect the country. So, I think in order for journalists to be taken seriously, there needs to be a legal analysis of what is involved.

Can AG Holder sign off on this document? Yes.

Can the DOJ be suspicious of a journalist seeking and obtaining information in regard to national security / defense? Yes. 

Is it plausible a journalist could be in violation of the Espionage Act? Yes.

Does anyone believe FOX News would do something dangerous to the nation seeking leverage for Republicans? Yes.

Does anyone believe FOX News is capable of all the DOJ alleges? Yes.

Does anyone believe FOX News would seek to leverage public opinion in it's favor after it caused problems for the nation? You betcha.

So basically, when it comes to these issues, reporting the facts is good, but, there needs to be more objective JOURNALISM to prevent adverse opinions of the profession and the professionals. I would think I didn't have to write that.

Richard Nixon's downfall was due to investigative journalism facilitated by an informant with intimate information about him and his paranoid personality. It was not facilitated by national security information. Get for real.

I'd be more worried about President Obama if he stayed away from the Police Memorial. Understand why? If not? Then one doesn't understand what a healthy life and asserting one's authority means. I don't believe President Obama is the man with the problem. 

It would serve the Press better if they didn't go out of their way to victimize the authority of the USA and the people that legitimately use it in the way it was intended.

If Mr. Rozen is having a problem that is his own doing.