Part of the issue with any Defense Spending is the diffuse understanding the American people have. They don't understand it.

I'll go so far as to say many of the enlisted troops don't even understand it. They understand their paychecks and the impact on their families, but, they don't necessary understand the military and the branch where they work. And that is how the soldiers consider their lives; it is their means of work and way of life. What has to enter into budgeting is the quality of life of the soldier and her/his family. This is the only method of work where the job requirement involves deadly outcomes.

MISTAKES ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. Mistakes are a real measure of adverse outcomes.

Our soldiers regardless of the branch of the military should understand their work and be afforded every effort to protect their lives.

Survivability of any defensive battle insures the victory of the outcome. "Last man standing" is a failed defense effort and calls in into question what exactly the country is willing to call a victory.

Title II (This section is about research and development. My understanding of development includes testing and evaluation. If the Secretary and/or the US House wants to list testing and evaluation separately it means there is a different definition I am not familiar with. It may be legitimate, but, there should be definitions included with the bill.)

I DO NOT FIND DEFINTIONS ANYWHERE.
I might need new eyeglasses and it is the time of year for a vision check up, but, I doubt it is my eyeglasses. There needs to be an added section with definitions. Without that section there is deception of the public.

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

201. Authorization of appropriations

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the use of the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation as follows:

(1) For the Army, $6,924,959,000.
(2) For the Navy, $17,885,916,000.
(3) For the Air Force, $26,473,669,000.
(4) For Defense-wide activities, $18,329,861,000.
(5) For the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, $170,558,000.

The total is $69,754,963,000. Stated as sixty nine billion, seven hundred fifty-four million and nine hundred sixty-three thousand dollars US.

202. Repeal of requirement for initial operating capability of a conventional long-range standoff weapon before retirement of the conventionally Armed AGM–86 Missile

Section 217(a)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 706) (click here) is amended—

Sec. 217. Long-range standoff weapon requirement; prohibition on availability of funds for noncompetitive procedures for offensive anti-surface warfare weapon contracts of the Navy

(1) by striking subparagraph (A);

(a) LONG-RANGE STANDOFF WEAPON.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a follow-on air-launched cruise missile to the AGM– 86 that—
(A) achieves initial operating capability for conventional missions prior to the retirement of the conventionally armed AGM–86;

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking and;

(B) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86; and

(3) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (A); and

(A) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86;

(4) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, the following new subparagraph (B):

(B) is capable of being modified to carry a conventional warhead; and

New Paragraph:

(a) LONG-RANGE STANDOFF WEAPON.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a follow-on air-launched cruise missile to the AGM– 86 that—
(A) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86;
(B) is capable of being modified to carry a conventional warhead; and

(C) is capable of internal carriage and employment for both conventional and nuclear missions on the next- generation long-range strike bomber.

Continued in next entry.

As per usual the USA House cannot pass a bill the President can sign.

H.R. 1735: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (click here)

I strongly suggest the USA House break down the National Defense Authorization Act into parts that the President will sign.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 is a comprehensive defense spending bill. At almost 1,000 pages long it will direct funding for procurement, research, and operation of defense technology, establish military policy, and address other matters pertaining to national defense. It has been passed by the House with 19 amendments, and is currently being reviewed by the Senate with 333 amendments proposed.

Unfortunately GovTrack does not have the staff to summarize the contents of the whole bill and all proposed amendments. We have instead included summaries of recent amendments agreed to and rejected on June 4.

I Procurement

101 Army (This section deals with the costs of only the Army)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Army as follows:

(1)For aircraft, $5,689,357,000.

(2)For missiles, $1,419,957,000.

(3)For weapons and tracked combat vehicles, $1,887,073,000.

(4)For ammunition, $1,233,378,000.

(5)For other procurement, $5,899,028,000.

That is a total of  $16,128,799,000. It reads sixteen billion, one hundred twenty eight million and seven hundred ninety-nine thousand dollars US. The US Army's budget is the branch of government that occupies foreign land.

102. (This section deals with only the cost of the Navy and Marine Crops

Navy and Marine Corps)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Navy and Marine Corps as follows:

(1)For aircraft, $16,126,405,000.

(2)For weapons, including missiles and torpedoes, $3,154,154,000.

(3)For ammunition procurement, Navy and Marine Corps, $723,741,000.

(4)For shipbuilding and conversion, $16,597,457,000.

(5)For other procurement, $6,614,715,000.

The Marine Corps does the heavy lifting. They go in first and may be accompanied by Naval and/or Air Force support. When the Marines complete their work, the USA Army follows.

(6)For procurement, Marine Corps, $1,131,418,000.

That is a total of $44,347,890,000. That reads forty-four billion, three hundred forty-seven million, eight hundred and ninety thousand dollars US.

103. Air Force (The section deals with only the cost of the Air Force.)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Air Force as follows:

(1) For aircraft, $15,657,769,000.

(2) For missiles, $2,987,045,000.

(3) For space procurement, $2,584,061,000.

(4) For ammunition, $1,758,843,000.

(5) For other procurement, $18,272,438,000.

This is a total of  $41,260.145.000. It reads forty-one billion, two hundred sixty million and one hundred forty-five thousand dollars US.

104. (This section could easily be called miscellaneous)

Defense-wide activities

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for Defense-wide procurement in the amount of $5,130,853,000.

That reads five billion, one hundred thirty million and eight hundred fifty-three thousand dollars US.

The overall total is $106,867,687,000. That reads one hundred billion, eight hundred sixty-seven million and six hundred eighty-seven dollars US. The costs are rounded to the hundred thousands.

This is the website where the public can begin to understand the US Military Defense Procurement Process.

The Director of Defense Pricing (click here) reports to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)) but is supported by the Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy office.

Vision Acquisition excellence through leadership with integrity.

Mission Enable the Components to effectively deliver goods and services that meet the needs of the warfighter, while ensuring a business deal that is in the best interests of the tax payer by overseeing and implementing the OSD Better Buying Power Initiatives, formulating and overseeing complex, DOD-wide pricing policies and strategies supporting the procurement of major defense system programs, major automated information systems and service acquisitions for the Department.

If one recalls the Procurement Process has come under scrutiny for it's inefficiency since President Obama took office.

105. Multiyear procurement authority for Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missiles 

Most of this is self explanatory and can be viewed on public sites. It says the section of the law where multi-year procurement can be found and then states what it is that will REQUIRE multi-year procurement.

(a) Authority for multiyear procurement

Subject to section 2306b of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2016 program year, for the procurement of Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missiles.

(b) Authority for advance procurement

The Secretary may enter into one or more contracts for advance procurement associated with the SM–3 Block IB missiles for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a).

(c) Condition for out-Year contract payments

A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose for such later fiscal year.

106. Availability of Air Force procurement funds for certain commercial-off-the-shelf parts for intercontinental ballistic missile fuzes(click here)

(a) Availability of procurement funds

Notwithstanding section 1502(a) of title 31, United States Code, of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 103 for Missile Procurement, Air Force, $13,700,000 shall be available for the procurement of covered parts pursuant to contracts entered into under section 1645 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. YYY).

(b) Covered parts defined

In this section, the term covered parts has the meaning given that term in section 1645(c) of such Act.

SM-3® is a defensive weapon (click here) used by the U.S. Navy to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. This "hit-to-kill" missile interceptor uses an exoatmospheric "kill vehicle," to collide with targets in space, a capability that's been likened to hitting a bullet with a bullet. The massive collision of the kill vehicle hitting its target obliterates the threat completely; explosives are not necessary. The resulting impact is the equivalent of a 10-ton truck traveling at 600 mph.

Continued in next entry.

The cable stations have focused on the Mother of Sean Smith as a sympathetic face to defame the former Secretary. Laws that protect privacy only recognize the immediate next of kin in relation to information.

This is nothing but political character assassination.

END OF DISCUSSION,

The report from the Benghazi Commission spells out everything including the fact that all the possible protections were in place and the policies of the time didn't provide for a contingency to the State Department. It is already decided.

Mr. Smith's mother has no legitimate claim to the former Secretary's time.

The former Secretary has no legitimate capacity to address anyone else with confidential information than the next of kin.

The cable stations are practicing defamation of character. It is obvious. And at every turn. It is hate.

The "Goldilocks" candidate for Speaker of the US House.

John Boehner should have been so lucky to hold the US House hostage to good behavior. 

Paul Ryan needs to keep his chairmanship. He is already too compromised to become Speaker. The ONLY way forward is for the new Speaker to surrender completely to "The Freedom Caucus" and demand all other Republicans to do the same. 

Of course, the Democrats and the President have to be agreeable as well. It would be preferable for them to get on their knees to clearly illustrate their subversion to the new American reality. 

The new House Speaker has to dissolve the Hastert (click here) Rule and carry out Regular Order. 

John Boehner's gavel was most impressive in it's size, however, he never realized it's sincere power in that weighty wood. The question remains, "Will the House Speaker ever learn the power of "Sargent at Arms?" There is nothing like the historic meaning of language.

October 20, 2015
By Linda Valdez

Harry Reid (click here) just gave Paul Ryan an unwelcome endorsement for speaker.
The Democratic leader offered his surprise backing for Ryan (R-Wis.) to assume the House speakership, saying he hopes Ryan runs and wins the job because he's a "Paul Ryan fan."
"He appears to me to be one of the people over there that would be reasonable. I mean look at some of the other people," Reid said. "I don't agree with him on much of what he does. I think what he's done with Medicare and Medicaid, what he's wanted to do I disagree with. But generally speaking we've been able to work with him."
Indeed, Ryan's work with Reid lieutenant Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on a two-year budget deal in 2013 remains a bipartisan highlight for a Congress otherwise beset by gridlock. But did Reid hurt Ryan by praising him?
The Nevada Democrat shrugged when asked if he was giving Ryan a kiss of death as the Wisconsin lawmaker weighs a speakers bid amid ever-growing criticism from the right for his policy positions. (Later Tuesday, Ryan said he would serve as speaker if the caucus unites behind him.)
"I just speak the truth," Reid said. "If it helps him fine, if it doesn't that's too bad."

The United Nations needs to work with Russia to bring the refugees home in tme.

Assad never smiles. Not like that.

Russia will stabilize Syria. I have no doubt about that. That is Foreign Minister Lavrov in background to the right. I can't really say who is over President Putin's shoulder, but, probably Prime Minister Medvedev. This was a very big meeting for Moscow.

I am sure President Putin and his administration has a sincere understanding of the need for leadership in Syria that has the loyalty of all ethnic nations in Syria. No one wants the old Syria back. Syria's leadership needs to be inclusive. 

October 21, 2015
By Andrew Osborn 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (click here) flew to Moscow on Tuesday evening to personally thank Russia's Vladimir Putin for his military support, in a surprise visit that underlined how Russia has become a major player in the Middle East.
It was Assad's first foreign trip since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, and came three weeks after Russia launched a campaign of air strikes against Islamist militants in Syria that has also bolstered Assad's forces.
The Kremlin kept the visit quiet until Wednesday morning, broadcasting a meeting between the two men in the Kremlin and releasing a transcript of an exchange they had. It did not say whether the Syrian leader was still in Moscow or had returned home.
Putin said he hoped progress on the military front would be followed by moves towards a political solution in Syria, bolstering Western hopes Moscow will use its increased influence on Damascus to cajole Assad into talking to his opponents....

The Arab Coalition which includes the USA came to an agreement with Russia for the instability in Syria.

20 October 2015

Russia and the US (click here) have signed an agreement regulating the operations of the two countries' air forces in Syria. The deal is aimed at preventing incidents and providing for the smooth operation of the two nations' aircraft, and for mutual aid in critical situations.

The agreement, whose full name is "The Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between the Defense Ministries of Russia and the United States on preventing incidents and providing for aviation flights during operations in Syria" is hailed as a 'positive step', the Russian Defense Ministry said in a press release.

The document "has important practical value. It regulates the actions of manned and unmanned aircraft in the airspace above Syria. The Memorandum contains a set of rules and limitations aimed at preventing incidents between the air forces of Russia and the US," the Defense Ministry says....

The Syrian people are still seeing the attacks as a civil war with President Assad. President Assad has to relate to all the people of Syria, not simply the Alawites. 

20 October 2016
By AFP

Tens of thousands (click here) have fled new regime offensives in Syria, according to the UN, as the total number of casualties from Russian airstrikes so far was reported to have reached 370, many of them civilians.
With the Russian bombing campaign now in its fourth week, Moscow and Washington announced on Tuesday that they had agreed to measures to ensure air safety over Syria, where a US-led coalition is also carrying out strikes.
The exodus was focused south of second city Aleppo, one of five areas where loyalist forces have launched offensives since Russia began its air war on 30 September.
“Around 35,000 people are reported to have been displaced from ... the south-western outskirts of Aleppo city, following government offensives,” said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.... 

The peculiar aspect of the Syrian Civil War is the number of players in the country. Some are long standing and are Shia and some are newly empowered in Daesh. The Syrian people are caught in the middle of this war and they see any attack as one which the Assad forces are carrying out against them. The people on the ground do not understand what they are caught up in. They only understand the violence and the dead. They are far better off leaving and they do. 

If this damn civil war ever ends, the children are going to need a great deal of assurances, peace and an understanding they are important through education and the promise of a future. The Syrian children don't understand the future. Children live for the future and these children are completely void of their understanding of themselves. They are more vulnerable to becoming child soldiers than any other children in the Middle East. 

I am not surprised Hillary Clinton improved her favorable numbers.

The Benghazi Committee is an arm of the GOP.

For many of the same reasons people in the USA are looking for new leadership is also Canada'a change in leadership.

The need for change is felt in Canada as well as the USA. This change in Canada began in May of this year with the win of Rachel Notley (click here) in Alberta. From that moment forward Canada found it necessary to throw the bums out.

TAXES

...Trudeau (click here) has pledged to hike taxes for Canada's top 1% of earners and cut taxes for the middle class, although he has been vague on how he defines middle class. According to Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, those who earn over $200,000 will see their taxes go up by about 4% under his plan....

The people of Syria need relief from war.

UN spokeswoman (click here) puts estimate at around 35,000 people as US and Russia announce ‘memorandum of understanding’ to ensure air safety.

20 October 2015

Tens of thousands (click here) have fled new regime offensives in Syria, according to the UN, as the total number of casualties from Russian airstrikes so far was reported to have reached 370, many of them civilians.
With the Russian bombing campaign now in its fourth week, Moscow and Washington announced on Tuesday that they had agreed to measures to ensure air safety over Syria, where a US-led coalition is also carrying out strikes.
The exodus was focused south of second city Aleppo, one of five areas where loyalist forces have launched offensives since Russia began its air war on 30 September.
“Around 35,000 people are reported to have been displaced from ... the south-western outskirts of Aleppo city, following government offensives,” said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs....

As major powers in the world move together against Daesh as a common enemy one thing has to be realized about President Assad.

One of the reasons President Assad was facing civil war is because of the unequal ethnic distribution through Syria. There was oppression, but, it can be said Syria was oppressed as well. Syria lacked a strong conventional military and fell into the use of chemical weapons for lack of the ability to do otherwise. That can't happen anymore. Chlorine is not a good defense of any government. 

President Assad ruled the coastal area of Syria where the Alwites lived. I can understand that and I can understand how Assad has a mission for Hezbollah as well, but, that has to end. Syria has to be stabilized. The Syrian people need to come home. 

AND 

There needs to be infrastructure projects that build dams and provide irrigation to farmlands. 

But, President Assad has to come to terms of the incredible diversity of people that call Syria home. Oppression is not an answer. Setting up the Shia Crescent for chronic battles in order for the Shia to survive is completely wrong.

This is a premature discussion, but, Russia knows in order to have a strong stable government there has to be satisfactory lives for all those that live in Syria. Once there is stability in Syria, Russia and the UN have to engage in discussions that will bring about an inclusive government for Syria. If that doesn't happen Syria will repeat it's mistake and no one wants that.

It matters who is in the White House.

Representative King is stuck in rhetoric about the attacks of September 11, 2001. The attacks of September 11th have enjoyed toxic rhetoric for so long the politicians can't find their way out of it.

"The German Cell." That isn't the correct name. ????? The Hamburg Cell. It consisted of ten men, all were Arabs. All were involved in the September 11th attacks. The Hamburg Cell was known two full years before the attacks on Lower Manhattan.

Germany told the USA about the frequent trips by Atta to the USA. It was Atta that was in Lower Manhattan before the attacks taking information about GPS. There was a lot of information that the USA intelligence were aware of. Add Moussaoui to that common knowledge about The Hamburg Cell and what have ya got? A direct route to the September 11, 2001 attacks. There are FBI that states that as well. 

OBVIOUSLY, the Bush executive branch was oppressing any confrontation of the evidence for their own reasons. Cheney. He completely obstructed Senator Feinstein in her attempts to move the knowledge of the attacks into urgency.

It is all there. The rhetoric was used for a successful re-election and has been the bastion of the GOP ever since. It will take a long time to dissolve it.

If this really is going to be a dialogue to clear up the mess, there are members of the Bush White House that stated when there was a meeting regarding counter terrorism on September 12th, Bush and Rumsfeld wanted Saddam implicated. Rumsfeld's cabal didn't care about the attacks into lower Manhattan. And in a way the rhetoric has to be cleared up otherwise the USA will be at risk all over again. 

No one involved with the truth regarding September 11, 2001 are scared of the foot stampings, name calling or slanderous politics. Most everyone interested in the truth are great Americans. The truth can't be denied. This is NOT simply a strange cartoon paradigm. It is real and real people in power know the truth.

I strongly agree with US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in ending the ideology of arming Syrian rebels.

April 10, 2015
By Kathy Ehrich Dowd

In an outdoor affair (click here) that concluded as the sun was setting behind the mountains on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard wed cinematographer Abraham Williams Thursday in a Vedic ceremony that the bride deemed "literally just perfect."

"It was a deeply spiritual, traditional ceremony that held great meaning for Abraham and I," Gabbard, the only Hindu member of Congress, tells PEOPLE the morning after the wedding. "It brought all the important elements of our life together."

"It really was a Hawaiian-style Hindu wedding, from the palm trees to birds of paradise flowers, to the birds chirping in the background," she also says while en route to a yoga session with friends who had flown in for the wedding....

Rep. Gabbard is absolutely correct in that the attempt for a Free Syrian Army while admirable in ideology, is failed due to the inability of candidates for the army unable to pass vetting. 

Most major powers in the world have a common enemy and that is Daesh. Europe, Russia, China, Middle East allies of the USA and the USA through any domestic terrorism. Add to that list Australia who saw significant violence within it's own domestic terrorism due to Daesh. It is vital Daesh is defeated and stability in Syria is returned. 

North Africa is beginning to stabilize. The credit for that is the new democracy in Tunisia and a return of stability and strength in Egypt. Saudi Arabia is a strong country and the uprisings in Yemen were badly timed. If the Houthis wanted to combat human rights abuses by the then Yemen government, the United Nations is the place for that. 

Over throwing a government with extreme instability in Syria and Iraq due to out of control Ba'athists known as Daesh was a really bad idea. Iran has to remind it's crescent diaspora the United Nation's is the first venue of unrest before any arms are taken up against anyone. Without the recognition of the global community any uprisings are mostly viewed as terrorist rather than grievances of a population of Shia.

Iran has a profound responsibility with it's diaspora. The plight of the Shia in the crescent has to be recognized in search of human rights and viewed as a people and not terrorist organizations. If Iran cannot find a way to address the United Nations about it's diaspora, who will? It is important to bring them out of the shadows of violence to people with a right to exist and prosper. 

If I recall it was only a short time ago that Russia stated to Iran all the extremism needs to stop. Iran has a friend that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and together they can find a way to address the crescent. But, for now the major powers have their hands full and while the Shia Crescent needs recognition, without addressing Daesh first, there may be no Shia Crescent to recognize.

When do the other Republican candidates get equal time as a Bush?

I don't see Donald Trump, Marko Rubio, Chris Christi, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasick, Mike Huckabee or the others being given an Op-Ed in rebuttal of this opinion. Believe me they have plenty room to make a good point.

October 20, 2015

By JEB!

In the latest episode (click here) of the reality show that is Donald Trump’s campaign, he has blamed my brother for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation. That Trump echoes the attacks of Michael Moore and the fringe Left against my brother is yet another example of his dangerous views on national-security issues.

This is a man who has previously stated he would prefer Hillary Clinton had led negotiations on the nuclear agreement with Iran. He has expressed a willingness to allow Vladimir Putin to dominate the Middle East by aligning with Iran and propping up the ruthless Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad — an action that would only worsen the existing refugee crisis and endanger our national-security interests and those of Israel. And he has been ignorant and dismissive of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations, saying that we shouldn’t have gone into Afghanistan to hunt al-Qaeda and end the safe haven for terror provided by the Taliban, only to retreat from that stance this week....

Bush is an empty suit with a rubber stamp. OMG, he still hates "Fahrenheit 911."

It must be Bush Brother animosity. Anything else is the problem except their abuse of power. Come on Jebby, say you never abused power as Governor of Florida when your Secretary of State disentranced Southern Florida in the elections of 2000. 

Oh, wait. Jebby had NOTHING to do with it.

That is not what Fahrenheit 911 is about. 911 is about the downed Towers in Lower Manhattan and a war that was never fought while subverted into Iraq for "W"'s own ideology. Fahrenheit 911 didn't address the war into Afghanistan. So, it is just pure hate of people that see the world differently. That is a shame.

Entitlement must be a bitch.

Here is a question for you, JEB!, Where is material production of U-235 in the USA? And why is U-235 used instead of U-238?

The fact of the matter is, other than President Obama and Dr. Moritz, there are very few Presidents that understand the USA military programs. So, while Jebby has advisors approved by Daddy, his actual working knowledge of the USA military is rudimentary at best. He just has to put on a good show, just like "W."

A study that explores "The Village Dog."

This is a fun study. It is sort of similar to the DNA footprint of humans. Dogs have been partners in survival in human history since the extinction of dinosaurs.

As a side note, I once had a Doberman who was a dream of a pet. Gretal came from a wonderful kennel in Pennsylvania called Kimbertal Kennels. We chose them because of their strong breed heritage to it's original German origins. But, what is sincerely interesting and could be a class trip for local schools, is the rescue effort they conduct for wolves (click here).

But, the idea of 'The Village Dog" is a tribute to the relationship people have had with dogs. There is the idea there are climates that are more kind to specific breeds, but, dogs adapt, too. 

The real reason I find the study interesting is because in the past decade there has been exploration into hybrid vigor as families look for a great pet for their children. 

This great dog, to the right, is an Aussie Labradoodle. It is a hybrid cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Poodles are really smart and Labradors have great temperaments. The cross produces a dog with a happy heart. 

They have proven for at least ten years they are successful in preserving the best quality of the breed when two Labradoodles are parents.  

There is an interesting genetic side effect in litters of this new hybrid. Poodles have several sizes recognized by the American Kennel Society. Well, it works out that one litter of Labradoodles can have puppies that grow to be either small, medium or large. 

Now that was some time ago and I know the breeders of this dog want to standardize the breed to present it to the AKA for recognition. I don't think they have gotten close yet. But, they are great dogs and they are good family pets and one breeder can cater to families that want a small, medium or large dog.

"The Village Dog" takes a peak at the basis of dog breeds and how they adapted to their climate and food source. So, the question that comes to mind, is will this study prove to add more insight into hybrids that can be great pets, too?

Dogs (click here) were the first domesticated species, but the precise timing and location of domestication are hotly debated. Using genomic data from 5,392 dogs, including a global set of 549 village dogs, we find strong evidence that dogs were domesticated in Central Asia, perhaps near present-day Nepal and Mongolia. Dogs in nearby regions (e.g., East Asia, India, and Southwest Asia) contain high levels of genetic diversity due to their proximity to Central Asia and large population sizes. Indigenous dog populations in the Neotropics and South Pacific have been largely replaced by European dogs, whereas those in Africa show varying degrees of European vs. indigenous African ancestry.

Please be safe. Make sure the Christmas trip to "Star Wars" happens to the best outcomes of everyone. Talk to firemen.

Safety from fires in the face of smoke alarms no longer exist because of the poor quality of housing. Not the availability. But, the lack of regulation to insure a house won't kill it's occupants. Why buy a new home?

Substandard building codes. I am sure any builders organization explains away the need for quality standards SINCE everyone has a smoke alarm after all.

February 23, 2015

Tina Ware (click here) woke up early that morning to the sound of her smoke alarm.

She had no idea how fast the fire would grow. Sparked by a faulty plug in another room, flames spread quickly, filling the house with smoke. “It was so thick,” she says. “We were coughing — you couldn’t breathe.” It was clear she had to get the kids to safety. “It was panic. We didn’t know what to do,” she says. “We had to get out of there.” She and her family escaped into the chilly February air, only to watch their 15-year-old home in Church Hill, Tenn., go up in flames....

Local firemen and their unions when they have them can speak to citizens regarding what matters in having strong and effective building codes. There are cities and towns across the USA that still have a volunteer fire department. They have moral character to be respected.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) (click here) and our National Fire Academy (NFA) are working to advance the professional status and expand the knowledge and skills of fire and emergency services personnel. Our free training and education programs support fire departments and emergency services organizations in preparing for, preventing and responding to fires and other hazards....

Here is a good laugh for everyone. The petroleum industry wants President Obama to write an Executive Order to remove the ban on oil exports.

The Undocumented can't move forward under the President's Executive Orders, but, the petroleum industry should have the right to completely crash the oil market. Amazing.

They don't learn. I don't know if it's methane gas with the profound effect of diminished capacity or what the problem is, but, the petroleum industry expects Americans to be as stupid as they are.

July 7, 2015
By John Sicilano

Oil producers are pressing President Obama (click here) to use his executive authority to lift the 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports, which would not require the approval of Congress.
Barry Russell, president and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, sent a letter to the president on Tuesday asking him to adjust the export control measure and open up a new global market for U.S. crude oil.
"To continue growing as an energy superpower, America must have policies that reflect modern energy markets, rather than policies based on a market that existed in the 1970s," Russell said. "Current law provides authority to the administration to approve oil exports without requiring any action from Congress."...

This is an article from Christmas 2012. North Dakota was undergoing an increase in population with lower unemployment and immigration of average Americans into the state for employment. 

December 20, 2012
By Ben Casselman 

Unemployment in the U. S., at 7.7%, remains high. (click here) Unemployment in North Dakota, at 3.1%, is about as close to zero as a state ever gets. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that people are moving there in droves.

North Dakota’s population grew by 2.17% between July 2011 and July 2012, making it the fastest growing U. S. state, according to new Census Bureau data released today.

The rapid growth is a big turnaround for North Dakota, which was just the 37th-fastest growing state between 2000 and 2010. But by last year, its growth had picked up to make it the sixth fastest. This year, it wasn’t even close; no other state grew by even 2%....

It is true that couples will grow families when times are good.  But, in this case I am confident the population growth has slowed in North Dakota with the failure of the petroleum industry. There have been layoffs with the collapse of oil prices in the commodities market.

Now, considering by now the people are impoverished and winter is coming; what are they going to do when there aren't food stamps, heating subsidies and housing vouchers? What are those wonderful families who settled in North Dakota and went into debt with their new found fortunes with the complete trust in believing their future was set for a long time? What are they going to do? 

The blatant foolishness of the petroleum industry in the USA should be a best seller on a bookshelf. And what would make it a real phenomena is the inclusion of the equally foolish Republicans that pandered to their every breath and word.

I think I posted the deaths occurring in North Dakota on the oilfields. Young men with or without families are perfectly healthy when they report for work and after a few hours at work succumb to fumes and are found dead.

I have been of the generation raised by men who fought on the Korean Peninsula, used the GI bill to buy a home for his family and worked proudly as a union member. Those men believed in PROTECTIONS. They believed in the protections the government, primarily the federal government, could provide to them and in turn their families. 

This 'age of human exploitation' in the USA is disgusting. It is completely disgusting to me. We have families called "The Working Poor." What? This is America? It sure isn't mine. I think I rode the wave of good paying jobs with benefits provided by employers that provided a single parent family a real life in a democracy we loved.

The Millennials found it necessary to organize a movement called "Occupy Wall Street." An entire generation of Americans dropped in life without a safety net or a future while the economy was supported by their student loans and high hopes for their education.  

What happened to my country? Everywhere I look these days I find reasons to find fault with the USA. Victimization of citizens in their RIGHTS is a complete abhorrence to me. 

Prolonged and meaningless wars, for what? 

The political extremists in the USA holding on to the OLD COATTAILS of Wall  Street while allies go forward with the hopes of their people for a moral life including that of a heating planet. To have scientists scoffed at while historically violent weather destroys homes and lives is alien to me. My life dictates my country is moral and strives to 'set the leading edge' of what is moral and best in this world. 

I'm tired of the old Republican paradigm that says wars are good and high profits of companies at the cost of American health, well being and hopes is the best of all worlds.

And to think the petroleum industry with it's imploding market would actually want a USA President to insure their demise for short sightedness or what? Why would an industry slated for extinction actually see their own demise as manageable? 

There are no more morals in the USA. This is a prime example. 

NYC Police Commissioner Bratton is an innovator. He has stood by the laws while pointing to wrongful actions of police.

It is absolutely hideous to listen to Senate Republicans talking about public safety in committee hearings when it comes to sentencing guidelines while completely ignoring the fact they don't regulate guns. Wow.

I thought Senator Cornyn made a valuable contribution in noting prisoners released from Texas prisons do so with marketable skills. 

Sorry, I have a very difficult time taking seriously those that want to continue to imprison people because it is a less costly alternative to crime in society. Also, the people calling for continued imprisonment as a means to making the American street safer, have no priority to gun control. Call me crazy but I do believe the two go together. 

I realize the prisoner release is focused on non-violent offenders. I can't help but wonder what these former prisoners find interesting about the violent culture they now call home. Then there is the realization of the "Dead Black Man Culture" resulting in incarceration of police. I am fairly sure they are at confused by the juxtaposition of police and law in the year 2015.

What also comes to mind is the return of voting rights to those released. The current change in law does not change the reality these former prisoners will not have their voting rights returned to them necessarily.

October 16, 2015
By Mark Kennedy

New York (AP) — The New York City Police Department (click here) is turning to a new tool in its effort to teach its future officers about tolerance and understanding — drama.
The city's Police Academy has added the one-act play "Anne & Emmett" by Janet Langhart Cohen to its recruit training this fall. The play is an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank, who died in a Nazi concentration camp, and Emmett Till, who was killed by racists in Mississippi in 1955.
The play will be performed for some 1,100 recruits at their academy in Queens over two performances on Thursday, part of a push by the department to prepare future police officers to overcome community mistrust and their own bias.
"Sometimes you can't get it in a text book. Sometimes you can't get it in a lecture. But you can get it when human emotions are played live on the stage and that humanity can connect," Cohen said Friday.
"If the play can reach one man or woman with a badge and a gun, I'm happy. Their training can take them only so far. The body cams will only cover so much. At some point, I'm hoping their humanity will kick in and hopefully this play with revive that humanity."...

Sensitivity training is part of the issues facing police today, but, it is not a 100 percent fix. I think there is a great deal of concern for the prisoner releases. We are asking a lot of our police who serve and protect the public. They are fair demands of the police and their unions should be looking to education as a way of supporting there members as the country moves forward with better sentencing laws.

In the case of New York City, I would expect police and even fire personnel union leadership to be in touch with Commissioner Bratton to find ways to serve the best interest of their members and the public. Unlawful deaths of citizens of any race does not make for a public willing to consider their police as vital members of the community. The unions need to move into a less confrontation profile to one concerned for the community as well.