Update from the Heartland
No.422
11.1.10 – 17.1.10
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
No.422
11.1.10 – 17.1.10
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
NOTE: I am in the process of transitioning from 25 years of using a PC to Apple Mac for both my desktop and portable (as Apple likes to call a laptop), which has consumed part of my capacity. While I am not creating many comments or opinions on various topics of the day, I urge anyone to raise topics as they strike you. Thank you for your tolerance and participation.
The follow-up news items:
-- A worthy, thoughtful assessment of the problem [419 & sub]:
“Airline Security: Gentle Solutions to a Vexing Problem”
by Fred Burton and Ben West
Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
NOTE: I am in the process of transitioning from 25 years of using a PC to Apple Mac for both my desktop and portable (as Apple likes to call a laptop), which has consumed part of my capacity. While I am not creating many comments or opinions on various topics of the day, I urge anyone to raise topics as they strike you. Thank you for your tolerance and participation.
The follow-up news items:
-- A worthy, thoughtful assessment of the problem [419 & sub]:
“Airline Security: Gentle Solutions to a Vexing Problem”
by Fred Burton and Ben West
Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
Published: January 13, 2010; 21:30 GMT
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100113_airline_security_gentle_solutions_vexing_problem
-- The health care reform legislative [396 & sub] process and especially the exemptions for Nebraska and now union members, along with all the secret backroom dealing going on gives me a mind-numbing headache and gut-twisting nausea. Sausage making is a disgusting business. I want to live long enough to see if all this crap will be worth it. Now, we can only hope.
-- Recriminations continue in the aftermath of the Fort Hood massacre [412 & sub] as the Press reported on a Pentagon assessment critical of Army officers who failed to respond properly to clear, religious radicalization indications in Hasan. I have not read the report. I suspect some criticism is appropriate, but I also think there are larger systemic problems, not least of which are Intelligence Community improvements
I do not have any meaningful comments regarding tragic events in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid the destruction wrought by the comparatively shallow, 7.0 magnitude earthquake Tuesday afternoon. I understand why POTUS decided to deploy elements of the 2nd Marine Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, and to give command to the deputy commander of South Command. I trust the lads will make a difference and get things under control. My objective for comment at this juncture comes in condemnation in the strongest terms the infantile, ignorant, sanctimonious drivel of Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh. Is this really what political and religious dogma and parochialism has come to?
Under the fallout of betrayal by Jordanian Doctor Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, once again, Strategic Forecasting offers us a sober, non-partisan assessment.
“The Khost Attack and the Intelligence War Challenge”
by George Friedman and Scott Stewart
Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100113_airline_security_gentle_solutions_vexing_problem
-- The health care reform legislative [396 & sub] process and especially the exemptions for Nebraska and now union members, along with all the secret backroom dealing going on gives me a mind-numbing headache and gut-twisting nausea. Sausage making is a disgusting business. I want to live long enough to see if all this crap will be worth it. Now, we can only hope.
-- Recriminations continue in the aftermath of the Fort Hood massacre [412 & sub] as the Press reported on a Pentagon assessment critical of Army officers who failed to respond properly to clear, religious radicalization indications in Hasan. I have not read the report. I suspect some criticism is appropriate, but I also think there are larger systemic problems, not least of which are Intelligence Community improvements
I do not have any meaningful comments regarding tragic events in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid the destruction wrought by the comparatively shallow, 7.0 magnitude earthquake Tuesday afternoon. I understand why POTUS decided to deploy elements of the 2nd Marine Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, and to give command to the deputy commander of South Command. I trust the lads will make a difference and get things under control. My objective for comment at this juncture comes in condemnation in the strongest terms the infantile, ignorant, sanctimonious drivel of Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh. Is this really what political and religious dogma and parochialism has come to?
Under the fallout of betrayal by Jordanian Doctor Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, once again, Strategic Forecasting offers us a sober, non-partisan assessment.
“The Khost Attack and the Intelligence War Challenge”
by George Friedman and Scott Stewart
Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
Published: January 11, 2010
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100111_khost_attack_and_intelligence_war_challenge
News from the economic front:
-- The U.S. trade deficit increased more than expected to US$36B in November, on higher oil prices. Exports grew 0.9% from a month earlier to US$138B -- the highest level in a year; however, imports rose 2.6% to US$174B. On the positive side, the deficit with the PRC decreased to US$20B, as exports to China rose to a record US$7.33B.
-- A proposed new "financial crisis responsibility fee" [tax] would force about 50 banks, insurance companies and large broker-dealers to collectively pay the federal government roughly US$90B over 10 years. Of the 50 companies, about 35 would be U.S. companies and 10 to 15 would be U.S. subsidiaries of foreign financial firms.
-- U.S. retail sales decreased unexpectedly by 0.3% in December, lower than economist’s expectations. However, November sales were adjusted upward to a 1.8% from the original estimate of a 1.3% gain.
-- New U.S. unemployment claims unexpectedly increased last week by 11,000. But a drop in the four-week moving average to its lowest level since August 2008 showed claims are still trending downward. Total claims lasting more than one week decreased. These are not exactly glowing statistics, but still rays of sunlight toward the end of the storm.
-- Major U.S. banks and securities firms appear to be headed toward paying their employees roughly US$145B in bonus compensation for 2009, despite the outrage of We, the People. These guys simple do not get it – their “Qu'ils mangent de la brioche” [Let them eat cake!] mentality deserves our disdain.
-- U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in December from November.
-- Inflation rose a modest 2.7% in 2009, with wages decreasing by 1.6%.
Comments and contributions from Update no.421:
From the Blog:
“I am going to suggest extreme caution before anyone advocates either ‘preventive detention’ or the use of federal troops in any civilian situation. The entire history of tyranny involves both of those.
“I have no clue how you reconcile ever-increasing power for the military and intelligence establishments with your positions on personal freedoms. That is a conflict.”
My reply to the Blog:
Spot on, my friend! Tyranny is indeed replete with common threads “preventive detention” and the king’s loyalty squads being just two. I feel the irreconcilable conflict you illuminate. I am constantly challenged to find a solution. The best I have arrived at so far is the need for a rather firm, if not solid, wall between intelligence and prosecution. The FISA court was a lame attempt and not worthy of refinement. Part of that wall is protecting the source & methods from the politicos and the prosecutors. For example, if NSA intercepted a communication from an American citizen to an al-Qaeda leader, the most that could or should be passed to law enforcement might be the identity of the American and a flag for law enforcement to pay attention to the individual. Law enforcement would have to develop their evidence and actions totally independent from the intelligence source clue. An intelligence source clue could / should not be used as justification for a warrant request. IMHO, far too many people have access to un-scrubbed classified material, and the fact that any intelligence material lands in the hands of the Press is downright unpatriotic and destructive. We are a long way from having a balanced, stable relationship between law enforcement and the intelligence community. So, you cannot reconcile my opinions on privacy with my opinions on intelligence; neither can I, and the struggle continues.
Another comment to the Blog:
“Hi from a snowy/cold/depressed U/K.
“We've no salt for our roads, no leadership from our exceptionally bland politicians, no cash in the bank and a national debt running into billions of £s.
“I expect we'll muddle through as the British people have traditionally done. I remember a Dutchman who worked in our stores at a base in Germany.
“One of his favourite statements was, ‘No wonder you won the war even in peace time you practice chaos.!’”
My response to the Blog:
I can relate to the Dutchman’s comment. Chaos is opportunity.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20100111_khost_attack_and_intelligence_war_challenge
News from the economic front:
-- The U.S. trade deficit increased more than expected to US$36B in November, on higher oil prices. Exports grew 0.9% from a month earlier to US$138B -- the highest level in a year; however, imports rose 2.6% to US$174B. On the positive side, the deficit with the PRC decreased to US$20B, as exports to China rose to a record US$7.33B.
-- A proposed new "financial crisis responsibility fee" [tax] would force about 50 banks, insurance companies and large broker-dealers to collectively pay the federal government roughly US$90B over 10 years. Of the 50 companies, about 35 would be U.S. companies and 10 to 15 would be U.S. subsidiaries of foreign financial firms.
-- U.S. retail sales decreased unexpectedly by 0.3% in December, lower than economist’s expectations. However, November sales were adjusted upward to a 1.8% from the original estimate of a 1.3% gain.
-- New U.S. unemployment claims unexpectedly increased last week by 11,000. But a drop in the four-week moving average to its lowest level since August 2008 showed claims are still trending downward. Total claims lasting more than one week decreased. These are not exactly glowing statistics, but still rays of sunlight toward the end of the storm.
-- Major U.S. banks and securities firms appear to be headed toward paying their employees roughly US$145B in bonus compensation for 2009, despite the outrage of We, the People. These guys simple do not get it – their “Qu'ils mangent de la brioche” [Let them eat cake!] mentality deserves our disdain.
-- U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in December from November.
-- Inflation rose a modest 2.7% in 2009, with wages decreasing by 1.6%.
Comments and contributions from Update no.421:
From the Blog:
“I am going to suggest extreme caution before anyone advocates either ‘preventive detention’ or the use of federal troops in any civilian situation. The entire history of tyranny involves both of those.
“I have no clue how you reconcile ever-increasing power for the military and intelligence establishments with your positions on personal freedoms. That is a conflict.”
My reply to the Blog:
Spot on, my friend! Tyranny is indeed replete with common threads “preventive detention” and the king’s loyalty squads being just two. I feel the irreconcilable conflict you illuminate. I am constantly challenged to find a solution. The best I have arrived at so far is the need for a rather firm, if not solid, wall between intelligence and prosecution. The FISA court was a lame attempt and not worthy of refinement. Part of that wall is protecting the source & methods from the politicos and the prosecutors. For example, if NSA intercepted a communication from an American citizen to an al-Qaeda leader, the most that could or should be passed to law enforcement might be the identity of the American and a flag for law enforcement to pay attention to the individual. Law enforcement would have to develop their evidence and actions totally independent from the intelligence source clue. An intelligence source clue could / should not be used as justification for a warrant request. IMHO, far too many people have access to un-scrubbed classified material, and the fact that any intelligence material lands in the hands of the Press is downright unpatriotic and destructive. We are a long way from having a balanced, stable relationship between law enforcement and the intelligence community. So, you cannot reconcile my opinions on privacy with my opinions on intelligence; neither can I, and the struggle continues.
Another comment to the Blog:
“Hi from a snowy/cold/depressed U/K.
“We've no salt for our roads, no leadership from our exceptionally bland politicians, no cash in the bank and a national debt running into billions of £s.
“I expect we'll muddle through as the British people have traditionally done. I remember a Dutchman who worked in our stores at a base in Germany.
“One of his favourite statements was, ‘No wonder you won the war even in peace time you practice chaos.!’”
My response to the Blog:
I can relate to the Dutchman’s comment. Chaos is opportunity.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
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