CBS: Faisal Shahzad on Homeland Security List Since 1999

By GottaLaff

Looks like there may be plenty of blame to go around... unless, of course, you're a Republican:

Sources tell CBS News that would-be Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad appeared on a Department of Homeland Security travel lookout list - Traveler Enforcement Compliance System (TECS) - between 1999 and 2008 because he brought approximately $80,000 cash or cash instruments into the United States.

Maybe he was a Goldman Sachs exec?

UPDATE: Was there a Department of Homeland Security before BushCo?

Indiana company may have resource to help clean gulf oil spill

Anyone know Napolitano's phone number?

MISHAWAKA — Oil continues to ooze from a massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico. President Obama has pledged to use every resource to stop the leak and clean up the mess. One of those resources could come from this area.

Bioremediation Incorporated is a local company that uses natural bacteria to clean up harmful chemicals. The company has invented a microbe that consumes crude oil...and company officials say they are eager to help out in the Gulf.

Steve Kennedy is president of Bioremediation Incorporated which helps companies eliminate toxic waste. The company holds a super-secret bacteria formula that can consume crude oil.

“Us as humans, we consume steak and pizzas. Our microbes consume hydrocarbons, and crude oil is a hydrocarbon,” Kennedy says.

The oil is highly flammable and toxic before the application. Pour on the bacteria solution...and you can see immediate results. The bacteria is breaking down the toxic substances and turning it into carbon dioxide and water. Kennedy says, their product could easily be used in the gulf to get rid of the crude oil.

“Ours would be a simple way. It would be spraying it down and letting the microbes consume it off,” he says. “That is how it works.”

Contractors outnumber full-time workers at DHS; lawmakers 'astounded'

Hate agreeing with Holy Joe on anything, but this is totally wrong.

Washington (CNN) - The Department of Homeland Security has more contractors working for it than full-time employees, a situation two members of Congress said Tuesday was "unacceptable, untenable and unsustainable."

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and ranking Republican Susan Collins said they were "astounded" to learn there are more than 200,000 contractor employees at the department.

(snip)

In a letter sent Tuesday to the agency's Secretary Janet Napolitano, Lieberman and Collins said the figure "raises the question of whether DHS itself is in charge of its programs and policies, or whether it inappropriately has ceded core decisions to contractors."

Napolitano offers regular meetings with critical House Republicans

By GottaLaff

This is reminiscent of going back to an abusive lover for more:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is following President Barack Obama’s lead in reaching out to House Republicans.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, met privately with Napolitano Thursday morning and said he was encouraged by her promise during their discussion to meet with Republicans on the committee once a month.

Oh what the heck. Keep reaching out. It's never hurt us before, right, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.)?

Wrong. He called for Napolitano's resignation. He's not reciprocating to her reachy outiness in the least:

“At this time, I don’t see anything that makes me more confident about the safety of our country, our lives, and our property while Napolitano is in charge,” he said in an e-mailed response. “Furthermore, last week President Obama made a big show surrounding his meeting with Republicans and then spent the following week mischaracterizing the discussions. I will not gamble away our nation’s security with more of the administration’s PR stunts.”

This from the party of PR stunts. Kettle? Pot on line one.

King would not discuss calls for Napolitano’s resignation within his conference and instead said he was impressed by her offer to meet one-on-one and continue appearing privately before Republicans once a month.

Peter King as the voice of reason. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Pat-downs for all travelers from some nations, more random screenings

I hate to say it, but doesn't this just make sense? And what the hell took them so long?

WASHINGTON - All travelers flying into the U.S. from nations considered high risk will be patted down and have carry-on luggage searched under new security procedures starting Monday, the Transportation Security Administration said Sunday.

In addition, all international passengers will see enhanced random screening, which may include pat-downs, explosive detection testing (swabbing of luggage) or body scans, the TSA said.

At least seven countries are on the high risk list: Nigeria, Pakistan and Yemen due to extremist activities there, and Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria because they are listed as "state sponsors of terrorism" by the United States, NBC reported.

D.C. delegate calls for ban on guns near Obama

By GottaLaff

(via)

When you have the hostility and boiling-over tempers that we've witnessed at political events, extra precautions become necessary. There is no reason assault weapons should be allowed anywhere near the president, especially in this new atmosphere of violence:

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) called on the Homeland Security Department and the U.S. Secret Service on Wednesday to provide tighter restrictions on citizens carrying weapons, openly or concealed, while in the vicinity of President Barack Obama. [...]

“It is clear that if the Secret Service can temporarily clear all aircraft from air space when the president is in the vicinity, the agency has the authority to clear guns on the ground that are even closer to the President,” Norton said.

But the Secret Service says that Obama was never in danger when a group of about a dozen protesters brandished their firearms outside the Phoenix convention center earlier this week where he was speaking.

Apparently, the Gun Guys were outside of the "outer-most perimeter of security". That's nice. Gosh, I feel so much better now. How's about you, the rest of the un-armed crowd?

But the Brady Campaign, a gun control group, said that these increasing instances of brandishing firearms in public could lead to escalated scenarios in the future that put the president at risk because it stretches law enforcement thin.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather our streets not resemble those of the Old West. Casual access to lethal weapons in a public setting where the gun-toters are part of an angry crowd isn't my idea of insuring domestic tranquility.

And yes, I believe in the Second Amendment. I also believe in safety first.

Mark Sanford's Affair Might Have Jeopardized Top-Secret Clearance

By GottaLaff

Illustration by Ed Wexler for USN&WR

The Rushpublics are willing to give this guy a pass, but they jumped all over Bill Clinton for his under-the-desk, er, undertakings:

[He also jeopardizes] his Department of Homeland Security clearance and raises new questions about his candor on the steamy affair. [...] Well, as a chief of state and head of the South Carolina National Guard, Sanford has a top-secret security status that lets him in on classified information such as possible terrorist threats and emergency tips. But with that need to know come intelligence community rules of conduct, a key one being that relationships with foreigners must be revealed. The reason: Those in the know can leave themselves open to blackmail from rival intelligence services about a compromising dalliance.

Now isn't that similar to what we heard about Clinton's not-so-youthful indiscretions? That our national security was at stake...?

Bill Clinton did not care that he had exposed the presidency to blackmail by a foreign power by engaging in at least seventeen phone sex calls with Monica Lewinsky on her unsecured line.

Kate O'Beirne in 1998:

After a sexual encounter in March 1997, the President told Monica he suspected that an unnamed foreign embassy was tapping his phones. [...] National security is threatened, and the President proposed a plan that wouldn't fool a nearsighted, hearing-impaired frat mother?

Back to Argentina Marky:

"Agency policy requires our officers to document their relationships with foreign nationals," a CIA official tells Whispers. [...] Bart Bechtel, a former CIA clandestine officer, adds, "CIA officers are required to report such relationships. Failure to do so can easily be grounds for termination and loss of clearances. In some cases, even when reported, an officer may lose clearances and be terminated." [...] Homeland Security canceled former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's after he was arrested on corruption charges.

Who knows? Had Sanford revealed a penchant for cigars, the threat level might have shot up to orange.

Homeland Security said to kill spy satellite plan

By GottaLaff

Good:

The Bush administration plan to use satellites for domestic surveillance is reportedly axed after state and local officials say they have higher priorities.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has decided to kill a controversial Bush administration program to use U.S. spy satellites to collect domestic intelligence for counter-terrorism, law enforcement and security, a senior Homeland Security official said Monday evening.

The National Applications Office program was established in 2007 to provide up-to-the-minute electronic intelligence to local and state law enforcement. But it has been delayed due to concerns by privacy and civil liberties advocates -- and by some lawmakers -- that it would intrude on Americans' lives.

The senior Homeland Security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the program is classified, said Napolitano had decided to nix it after consulting with state and local law enforcement officials and learning that they had far more pressing priorities than using satellites to collect information and eavesdrop on people.

How about, she decided to nix it after realizing it was an invasion of privacy?

Phil Mudd Out at DHS; Knew about torture program

By GottaLaff

Good. Phil Mudd, the administration’s nominee for undersecretary of Homeland Security for intelligence:

“Today I am announcing that I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration to be the Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis. I know that this position will require the full cooperation with Congress and I believe that if I continue to move forward I will become a distraction to the President and his vital agenda. I would like to thank the President for the honor of being considered and I extend my good wishes to the exceptional men and women of the Intel and Analysis office; these professionals work hard every day to analyze and share information with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies critical to the security of the United States.”

The statement doesn’t contain an explicit reference to the allegation that Mudd had some (unspecified) knowledge about the former CIA enhanced interrogation program, but The Associated Press reported yesterday that’s the basis for the congressional antipathy to his nomination. White House spokesman Nick Shapiro adds:

“The President believes that Phil Mudd would have been an excellent Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis but understands his personal decision and the choice he has made. It is with sadness and regret that the President accepted Phil’s withdrawal from consideration as Phil once again demonstrated his duty to country above all things.”

Note the “personal decision” construction.

Under the circumstances, it's a wise "personal decision".

This is who killed Dr. George Tiller

By GottaLaff

To all those who scoffed and belittled the DHS report about right wing extremists, here's a little something about the alleged killer (51-year-old Scott Roeder of Merriam, Kansas):

Via diarist FreeStateDem, Militia Watchdog previously reported of Roeder:

July 7, [1997], Kansas: Scott Roeder is sentenced to sixteen months in state prison for parole violations following a 1996 conviction for having bomb components in his car trunk. Roeder, a sovereign citizen and tax protester, violated his parole by not filing tax returns or providing his social security number to his employer.

He was also an active member of Operation Rescue; in 2007 a "Scott Roeder" posted this on the Operation Rescue website (which has been down throughout the day, probably more as a result of increased traffic than any sense of collective shame):

[May 19th, 2007 at 4:34 pm] Bless everyone for attending and praying in May to bring justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp. Sometime soon, would it be feasible to organize as many people as possible to attend Tillers church (inside, not just outside) to have much more of a presence and possibly ask questions of the Pastor, Deacons, Elders and members while there? Doesn’t seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller.

The Lawrence Journal-World and News relays that Kansas City station KMBC reported a post-it note with a phone number for Operation Rescue in his car at the time of his arrest.

So a bombmaker, tax protester, member of the "sovereignty" movement, anti-abortion zealot and Operation Rescue member: the arrested suspect manages to fit every stereotype of right-wing militia teabagger.

Just your average guy who "values life" above all else, so much so that he (allegedly) felt compelled to take one.

Once he's convicted, finding a place to imprison him will be a real challenge, since our super-max facilities apparently aren't secure enough to hold, you know, terrorists.

DHS: Fox Is Wrong — Author Of Right-Wing Extremism Report Has Not Been Fired

By GottaLaff

Looks like somebody on Faux/Fixed News/Noise was full of ... hot air. Imagine that! And John Sidney McCain joined right in? Really? No way! Who'da thunk it? Fox? J Sid? Lying? The very idea! Where's my fainting couch? Why, I oughta....

The author of the report has been attacked as someone who isn't from "real America" and whose "sexual orientation...is in question." Many conservatives have called for Napolitano's resignation.

Today, Kilmeade claimed that Napolitano had "fired" the person responsible for the right-wing extremism report. McCain added that he was "glad" about the move:

KILMEADE: Outrage continues to build this week over Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the former governor of Arizona, her remarks towards U.S. veterans. Now, the DHS has fired the head of Homeland Security's agency -- that is involved in that decision. Many are wondering if Napolitano next. [...]

MCCAIN: I was glad to see that Secretary Napolitano removed the person who was responsible for this report. She has apologized.

Won't their big fat faces be red now that we know the truth:

Kilmeade and McCain are wrong. The section of DHS that produced the report was the Extremism and Radicalization Branch in the Homeland Environment and Threat Analysis Division. That division is overseen by the Under Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Currently, Roger Mackin -- a Bush appointee -- is serving in that role.

ThinkProgress spoke with DHS spokesperson Amy Kudwa who confirmed that neither Mackin -- nor anyone else at the agency -- has been fired over the report.

More fun facts here. Tsk. What will MegMac think about Daddy Dearest's Faux (Fox) pas?

my Dad is the most amazing person I've ever met and he is the coolest father. I'm lucky were so close!

Fox and Friends- John McCain on Secretary Napolitano

Two problems- First off, why the hell did they fire the person who wrote up the report? What kind of wussy DHS doesn't stand up for itself and make the g-d'd point that what was written in the report was true and written by the Bush DHS??

Secondly, what kind of question is- "How messed up has Homeland Security been since they took office?" /bangs head

VIDEO: Dad-gum it, this is why God invented C-SPAN!

By GottaLaff

"Wait a minute! Good lord!"



Gol-durn that dad-gum Napolitano! Fire her socialist Arizonan ass afore the whole dad-gum country goes gayabortionlibrul!

Ouch: Homeland Security Dropping Newspaper Subs: Can Get News Online

Via Greg's wonderful site(if you're not reading it, you should) we see President Obama's cost cutting measures in action-

WASHINGTON The Homeland Security Department is dropping some newspaper and magazine subscriptions to save money.

The agency has told its employees to cancel subscriptions to general interest newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post and to magazines such as Newsweek and Time by April 27.

Future subscriptions will have to be authorized in advance. The department says employees will still have access to news because most publications can be found online on an in-house Web site.

Limited subscriptions to those that aren't online will be kept in a public area and shared, cutting mail screening and delivery costs.

McCain: DHS report 'insulting'

Could someone wake up Grampapa and let him know that this fauxrage is sooo last week. They've moved on.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is calling on the Obama administration to apologize to veterans over a recently released Department of Homeland Security report warning that “right-wing extremists” will attempt to “radicalize returning veterans.”

“The last people on earth we need to worry about are our veterans,” McCain said during an interview Monday night with Fox News’s Greta Van Susteren. “It’s insulting.”

“Timothy McVeigh didn't learn to make that huge bomb while he was in the military. He learned it afterwards,” McCain added. “So to point out one veteran who committed an act of atrocity I think is outrageous.”

Michael Savage sues Napolitano for right-wing extremism report

By GottaLaff

Look at that! Michael Savage is using lawyers. To sue someone. Aren't those two things that Rushpublics rail against, lawsuits and lawyers? Oh that's right, I forgot. It's only okay if you're a Rushpublic:

Last week, hate radio host Michael Savage, in conjunction with the Thomas More Law Center, filed a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. They claim DHS has violated the plaintiffs’ First and Fifth Amendment rights by “attempting to chill their free speech, expressive association, and equal protection rights.” GWU Law Professor Orin Kerr responds:

Isn’t the lawsuit frivolous? As I read it, the lawsuit is claiming that the issuance of a government report criticizing certain groups violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. But the Constitution doesn’t provide a constitutional right to have the government not say things that might be considered criticism. Perhaps the plaintiffs want the Constitution to be radically reinterpreted by activist judges to invent some brand-new constitutional rights?

Zing!

VIDEO: Pat Robertson urges his callers to crash Homeland Security hotline

By GottaLaff



I saw this video yesterday, but forgot to post it. My bad. In case you missed it...

Pat's all a-froth over the DHS report that we've referenced here before. He's taking it a little too far, requesting, make that insisting, that callers jam the DHS phone lines. How's that for keeping America safe?

His attack on the DHS yesterday, alongside his coanchor Terry Meeuwsen, featured an unending stream of flatly false information and mischaracterizations. Plus, of course, the requisite gay-bashing and liberal bashing, all wrapped up in a neat little ball [...]

And if you jam up their lines, good for you!

While I could think of a few organizations whose lines it might be a good idea to jam, Homeland Security would not be one of them.

Hell, if Janet Napolitano and Obama were half the tyrants Pat Robertson makes them out to be, wouldn't they be charging him with an act of terrorism?

And by all means, don't miss the part where he spouts this little nugget of brotherly love:

Robertson: It -- it shows somebody down in the bowels of that organization is either a convinced left-winger or somebody whose sexual orientation is somewhat in question.

But it's that kind of thing, somebody who doesn't think that we should have abortion on demand, is labeled a terrorist! It's outrageous!

I once wrote about a million jokes for a big project I was hired to do for The Family Channel. Pat Robertson was my boss.

He refused to let me use the words "toilet paper".

Michael Steele Steele Claims Government Is Monitoring Anti-Abortion Rallies

Totally clueless. Via Think Progress. Very slow news day kids, so prepare to be bored. But, it is a really nice day here!

GOP member calls for inquiry into DHS report

By GottaLaff

The latest Tea Tantrum (background post here):

A key House Republican Thursday called for a hearing to investigate a Department of Homeland Security report that highlights security risks posed by extremist groups and disgruntled veterans.

Rep. Peter King (N.Y.), the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, has asked for a hearing into the matter, one day after the committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said he was “dumbfounded” by how the agency could release such a report. [...]

King said the report could have a tumultuous effect on the veteran and military community.

Fox Guest Ralph Peters- DHS report on right-wing extremists is 'racist' attack on white Christians

I watched Fox for a bit this morning, and other than this absolutely batshit crazy talk, some other guy went on and got teary eyed because he claimed the report "made his father, a veteran of WWII, who put his life on the line for his country, is labeled a terrorist!" Guys, I'm getting worried, there is no tether to reality here at all.