Govt says Prostate Cancer Screening test more harmful than the Cancer….

The New York Times  05/22/12  Tra Parker-Pope

“Panel Issue Final Guidance Against Prostate Screening”

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/new-data-on-harms-of-prostate-cancer-testing/

In a controversial finding that will affect at least 44 million American men, a government task force published its final recommendations against regular prostate cancer screening, concluding that the harms of the simple blood test far outweigh any potential benefit.

The recommendations, from the United States Preventive Services Task Force, offer the most detailed breakdown to date of the potential risks and benefits of the prostate specific antigen blood test, commonly known as the P.S.A. test. Most important, the task force found that, at best, one man in every 1,000 given the P.S.A. test may avoid death as a result of the screening, while another man for every 3,000 tested will die prematurely as a result of complications from prostate cancer treatment and dozens more will be seriously harmed.

Last fall, the task force shocked the men’s health community when it issued a draft recommendation against routine use of the P.S.A. test. The recommendations apply only to the routine screening of healthy men and do not affect men who seek medical advice about cancer symptoms. Currently, many men in their 40s, 50s and older receive annual P.S.A. screenings in hopes of detecting prostate cancer before symptoms appear. A high P.S.A. score, or a rising score over time, typically leads to a potentially painful biopsy in which a dozen or so tissue samples are taken to determine if cancer has begun to grow in a man’s prostate.

Common Sense Review

Many would like to blame this on Obamacare, unfortunately this review board was created in 1984. However, how does a group of 16 people are given the power and authority to dictate care given to US citizens.  Just like Obamacare’s review board, the insurance companies take the opinions of this board in deciding to which procedure is cover and to what extent is the procedure covered. 

If a prostate screening helps detect prostate cancer for, at least, one person than it is worth the procedure.  How does the govt entity decide whether is helpful to the masses?  In my eyes, anything that detects cancer so that early treatment can begin to encourage a higher success rate is worth the support of a screening test.  

Which brings the question, what is the purpose of publishing the opinions that prostate screening more harmful than prostate cancer? 

Shortage of meds is in the hands of FDA… until they get paid by Pharm Companies…

The Wall Street Journal  05/19-20/12 Thomas M.Burton

“Lawmakers To Vote On FDA Clout”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303879604577412511803108548.html

The Senate could vote as soon as next week on whether to give the Food and Drug Administration broader regulatory authority, including new powers to prevent prescription-drug shortages, inspect overseas drug facilities and more closely track medical devices for safety flaws.

Brand-name drug companies are expected to pay about $4 billion in user fees over the five-year law, an increase of about 6% from the current law. Medical-device companies would pay about $600 million over the same period, which is about double the current rate

Under the proposed legislation, the generic drug industry would, for the first time, pitch in about $1.5 billion in user fees to pay for faster product reviews. Also new are proposed user fees for companies making "biosimilar" drugs, or knock-offs that could mimic complex drugs such as erythropoietin for anemia, Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis and Herceptin for cancer.

Both the House and Senate bills would give the agency power to block products' entry into the U.S. if the FDA were refused admission to fully inspect facilities, and put the burden on companies to ensure the integrity of their supply chains. Also, the FDA would get the authority to fix a huge disparity: that U.S. plants are inspected about every two years, and ones overseas every nine years. The legislation would give the FDA broad discretion to focus on the most risky products, anywhere in the world.

The FDA has struggled to avert shortages of prescription drugs such as injectable drugs for cancer. The agency often doesn't know of production shutdowns that can lead to shortages until too late. The Senate and House bills would require manufacturers to notify the agency early on if they believe a shortage is about to happen.

Common Sense Review

So what I understand here is the pharmaceutical companies pay the gov’t for faster review of current products and the FDA says it is trying to prevent drugs shortages.

Sounds about right.. The simplified view is the govt is the pimp that gets paid and controls getting the product on the street.  

It is continually frustrating that the price and accessibility of drugs are dictated to the people when the govt in its infinite wisdom get tax dollars on the front and paid by drug companies on the back. 

When are the people going to wake up… the accessibility to drugs are not the pharm companies but the govt.   Our health in left in the hands of the govt official who will not allow a drug hit the market until they are paid… So when is our govt supposed to be for the people…

Detroit Citizens left to survive Crime infested complex amidst killings…

The Detroit Press  05/07/12 George Hunter

“Crime fears rattle fed-up resident”

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120507/METRO01/205070331

Detroit— In an apartment complex named for a man who stood for peace and freedom, residents say rampant violence has made them prisoners in their own homes.

The Martin Luther King Apartments on Lafayette near Chene, less than a mile from downtown, is a sprawling 481-unit compound that's been taken over by drug dealers and other criminals, residents say.

"We're the forgotten people of Detroit," said Sharonda Hawkins, 48, whose husband, Brandon Johnson, was gunned down in August, a few doors down from her apartment. Faded bloodstains, which Hawkins said won't wash away, still mar the doorway where the murder took place.

Detroit Police Deputy Chief Benjamin Lee said police are aware of the crime problem at the apartment complex, and are "doing some things" to address it, although he declined to be specific about tactics. An official with Independent Management Services, the Fenton-based company that owns the apartments, declined to comment.

Hawkins, who has attended recent meetings of the Board of Police Commissioners to complain, said residents are skeptical of promises from police.

"Like many Detroiters, Ms. Hawkins is fed up, and has become active in trying to seek a solution," White said. "That's what needs to happen; occupying a neighborhood with officers isn't going to solve the problem. Residents and police working together is the solution."

Lee said police recently arrested suspects they believed were responsible for several break-ins in the complex, only to find residents reluctant to cooperate.

"The problem is, nobody wanted to press charges," he said. "It's frustrating."

"Nobody wants to say anything because they're afraid of what these (criminals) will do to them," she said. "It's worse now than it ever was. It was bad when I moved in, but now, it's just terrible."

Common Senses Review

When I write about Detroit I talk about the corruption of the city officials but this is unacceptable.  People, American People don’t deserve to live in fear of death due to the lack of security for their safety due to where they live. 

This woman’s husband was killed in front of their apartment and 9 months later she is still fighting with the police to secure the complex.  This is what happens to good people in a town with no leadership.  What about the elderly? Being poor doesn’t mean you have to live in crime filled neighborhood. 

Would you accept living in these conditions?  

The Criminal entity of Detroit plagues city hall…

The Detroit News  05/10/12  Robert Snell & Christine MacDonald

“SEC says Kilpatrick took favors for pension deals”

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120510/METRO01/205100409

Detroit— Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his fraternity brother were part of a scheme to strong-arm a city pension fund businessman for $125,000 worth of private jet flights, Prince concert tickets, steakhouse dinners, golf trips and VIP hotel rooms in Las Vegas, according to a lawsuit filed by federal regulators Wednesday.

In return, Kilpatrick and indicted city Treasurer Jeff Beasley approved deals pitched by Detroit businessman Chauncey Mayfield, whose firm reaped millions in fees, according to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The lawsuit is the latest controversy involving the Detroit Police and Fire pension funds and Kilpatrick and comes seven days after Mayfield's firm was fired over its handling of a $3.1 million pension deal.

"What they've done in the past is finally catching up with them," Detroit Police and Fire Pension fund Trustee Mark Diaz said. "Hopefully now, we can get a couple of indictments. This is great news."

The lawsuit also alleges how Detroit-based MayfieldGentry Realty Advisors LLC bought its way into managing part of a $300 million real-estate portfolio.

Kilpatrick and Beasley received the trips and perks while Mayfield was recommending the city's pension funds invest approximately $117 million in a real estate investment trust, according to the complaint.

"It is a disappointing day when pension fund trustees such as ex-Mayor Kilpatrick and others corrupt the investment process by selling out hardworking police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees for the price of a few vacations and paltry extras like concert tickets and rounds of golf,"said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC's enforcement division.

The civil complaint alleges Kilpatrick and the others violated the Securities Exchange Act.

Common Sense Review

I continually amazes me that the citizens of Detroit are not outraged by the blatant corruption that ultimately they will have to pay for in one form or another.  Whether in higher taxes or the lack of city services, the citizen will pay for the lack of leadership that has plagued Detroit for decades.

 

What will it take to stop the criminal enterprise of the Motor city and I am not even talking about the drugs, prostitution or terrorist entity…

Grand Rapids Staffer Reimburse for Meals & Training…. Taxpayers pay to have staffer take Math classes….I would cry if it wasn’t too funny!

Grand Rapids City Commission Minutes  05/15/12  pages 101-103

http://grcity.us/city-clerk/CityCommission/051512epsec.pdf

Grand Rapids City Official Reimbursement Report for Lunches and Training

Lunches

Planning Dept.

·         Planning Board ate lunches in the amount of $90.69 on March 7,2012

So the board gets together before the planning meetings and has lunch on the tax payers… We pay $1,080/yr so they can have lunch….

Executive Dept.

·          Mayor Heartwell ate lunch in the amount of $64.33.. In a meeting.

Maybe the Mayor needs to rethink were he holds his meetings…

Training (This is great!)

Designing, Dev., & Enterprise

·          Environment Protect Dept.

o   Basic Math I & II (2 classes) @ $200/each (9 staffers)

o   Math I Course @ $100/each  (2 staffers)

Let me help our Environment Protect Dept.  You spent $2, 000 for Basic Math & Math classes for your staff.  I’m not one to judge but shouldn’t that be a part of the hiring process.

“Mr. Smith can you do math?”  And if they say no, don’t hire them…Is it me?

City of Grand Rapids Reimburse Questionable Expenses in April…. Clearly they don’t have to watch their pennies…

Grand Rapids City Commission Minutes  05/15/12  pages 98-100

http://grcity.us/city-clerk/CityCommission/051512epsec.pdf

In reviewing Grand Rapids City Commission minutes, I came across the April 2012 reimbursement report and found something’s questionable:

In – State Travel

Community Services

·          Neighborhood Improvement (1 staffer)   $413.55

o   (3 day) Plumbing Inspectors Conference in Mt. Pleasant

Being from Mt.Pleasant, the 2 hour trip is travelable, so why would they need to pay for hotel or why don’t they share a room.  There is a Motel 6 in Mt. Pleasant were I can see $150 for 2 nights…

Design, Dev., & Enterprise

·          Water Systems (4 staffers)   $  725.00

o   (1 day) Midwest Supply Chain Mgmt Conference in Grand Rapids

Ok, This one makes no sense.  Four staffer need to be reimbursed for a conference in Grand Rapids where they work.  What additional expense did they incur?

Fiscal Services

·         Purchasing  (2 staffers)  $354.00

o   (2 day) Reverse Trade Fair in Detroit

What the heck is a “Reverse Trade Fair”? 

Borrowed Pension funds bought houses given to Drug Dealer… Only in Detroit

The Detroit News  05/03/12  Robert Snell

“Drug Link cited in pension loan:  Fund borrower bought houses, gave some to allege dealer”

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120503/METRO01/205030402/

A businessman who borrowed $10 million from a Detroit pension fund to buy foreclosed homes had transferred some of the properties to an alleged international heroin dealer's company, The Detroit News has learned.

Agents found property records indicating a company headed by Detroit businessman Abner McWhorter had transferred two dozen houses to a firm headed by Macomb County resident Carlos Powell, who was indicted in January and accused of heading a large-scale drug ring.

The link is the latest fallout from a failed deal that led to McWhorter's suicide, an international manhunt and a search for $5 million in missing pension fund money.

The search warrant describes a connection between one of the largest drug busts in Metro Detroit history and a failed pension fund deal involving McWhorter and his company, Paramount Land Holdings.

The size, scope and profits of Powell's alleged drug ring would rank him among the most prolific drug dealers in recent Metro Detroit history, according to federal investigators.

During the drug probe, federal agents have raided multiple locations in Michigan and Florida and seized more than $21 million in cash, 66 pounds of heroin, 26 pounds of cocaine, 1,000 pounds of marijuana and a fleet of exotic vehicles.

During a November 2010 raid of Powell's home in Washington Township, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents found copies of property records transferring approximately 26 Detroit houses to an Eastpointe company, Grand Towers Inc., according to the search warrant.

The property records were quitclaim deeds transferring Paramount's title to the homes to Grand Towers, according to the federal search warrant application.

The quitclaim deeds found by drug agents were never recorded with the Wayne County Register of Deeds. The deeds were dated Jan. 11, 2008.

Common Sense Review

When the people of Detroit are stand up against a corrupt local govt.  The union workers pension is loaned to a land holder who buys property then transfers two dozen of them to a known drug dealer.  What?!?!

What kinds of investment research did the pension controllers do?  The properties were supposed to be a part of a foreclosure program, but they sit blight.  

When are the people of Detroit going to wake up?  Is there no oversight in Detroit?  Unfortunately this story is not shocking and yet it is shocking that it is not shocking for Detroit.  

Unaccompanied Minors Illegally cross our southern border… The US is not a large orphanage…

The Wall Street Journal  05/08/12  Nathan Koppel

“Child Immigration is Rising:  More Unaccompanied Minors cross Border Illegally:  Mexican Law is blamed”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303630404577390461260565008.html

Many more unaccompanied children are illegally crossing the southern U.S. border, a situation that some experts attribute to a new immigration law in Mexico allowing some kids who enter that country to remain there without visas for humanitarian reasons.

The influx across the U.S. border is causing a political outcry in the state, where the federal government has set up five temporary shelters to deal with the growing numbers of young immigrants.

From October to the end of April, the U.S. government has detained more than 6,500 unaccompanied minors who had crossed the border, nearly double the number detained in the comparable period the previous year, according to U.S. officials.

Most of them come from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, countries that are close to Mexico's southern border, and generally range in age from 14 to 17, though some are younger.

"By failing to take immediate action to return these minors to their country of origin and prevent others from coming, the federal government is perpetuating the problem," the governor wrote.

The White House referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security. A spokesman for the department declined to comment on the Mexican law or to discuss the reasons behind the increase in border crossings by Central American children.

Immigration experts say a Mexican law enacted last May, which lets some kids who enter that country remain there without visas for humanitarian reasons, allows more children safe passage to the U.S. border.

Ricardo Alday, a spokesman for the Mexican embassy in Washington, said in a statement that Mexico's new immigration law strengthens "the protection of non-accompanied minors in Mexico," and ensures that when children are deported, they are returned to their home countries safely. He said it is too early to tell whether the law had led to a decline in the number of children that Mexico sends back to their native countries. "Mexican authorities interview all non-accompanied minors and through established protocols, work with Consular officials from Central American nations in Mexico to ensure the minors return to their countries of origin safely," he added.

The federal Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the children were being well cared for at the temporary Texas shelters.

The kids have constant adult supervision and medical care, said Kenneth Wolfe, a spokesman for the Administration for Children and Families, as well as "three meals and two snacks daily." The agency said it allocated $33.5 million to cover additional costs associated with the surge in youth immigration.

Many of the children are quickly reunited with family members in the U.S. and remain with them while they fight against deportation—a difficult challenge, immigration experts said. Children not reunited with relatives are sent to permanent shelters. Authorities plan to operate the temporary Texas shelters through the end of the summer while permanent shelters expand to deal with the surge.

Common Sense Review

Someone please explain this to me… So due to Mexico’s kind heart law toward immigration and minors, we the US Taxpayers have to pay for the mass entrance into the US.   We are the land of opportunity, yet to the admittance come at a price which is the hard effort to come here legally.   What an idea! 

Our gov’t has lost that concept… that pride of patriotism.  The borders need to be protected and secured for us.  The blatant crossings cost Americans money and our citizens.  

All good things comes at a price, being an American has a large price tag.  

Dinosaurs are the reason for global warming….they must have been driving SUVs

The Wall Street Journal  05/08/12 Robert Lee Hotz

“Dinosaur Gas Emissions May Have Warmed Air”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303630404577390042359268690.html

Gassy dinosaurs may have spewed so much methane into the air that it could have helped warm the climate tens of millions of years ago, when temperatures were much higher than today, a team of U.K. scientists reported Monday.

The stomach gas released each year by a group of long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs, which included the world's largest known land animals, may have equaled the total amount of methane produced every year today from all natural, agricultural and industrial sources, the researchers said Monday in the journal Current Biology. Methane, a greenhouse gas, is 23 times as effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

The new scientific work highlights the importance of wildlife, livestock and other natural sources of greenhouse-gas emissions in shaping the global climate.

Cattle belching and gas account for about 20% of U.S. methane emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The sauropods, which roamed the planet for about 140 million years, included such creatures as the 100-ton Argentinosaurus, which was about 120 feet long, and Sauroposeidon, whose neck alone stretched 40 feet.

The researchers deployed a standard formula used to measure emissions from modern livestock based on their numbers and eating habits. They gauged the extinct creatures' prodigious appetites and gas-producing capacity based on theories of dinosaur biomechanics and lifestyles.

By their estimate, these dinosaurs generated 520 million tons of methane each year, the same as the total amount produced today from all sources. In comparison, cattle, goats, giraffes and other such grazers that rely on microbes to aid digestion today produce between 50 million and 100 million tons of methane each year. The remainder of today's output comes from natural and industrial sources.

Common Sense Review

Ladies and Gentlemen you can buy SUVs without worry.  Our glorious government has found the true reason for global warming (and it is not George W. Bush’s fault… for now).  Yet the massive gas output by the dinosaurs is not a stop the presses moment.  Even children who have eaten too much baked beans at the family gathering could tell you the bigger the animal the greater the gas is released. 

 

But thousands of years later, are the dino emissions responsible for today’s theories of global warming?  I doubt it. This flawed theory of climate change completely misses the main factors:    The Sun and (wait for it..) Oxygen…

As we learned in 4^th grade science, oxygen and carbine dioxide are dancing partners in our world.   So why don’t we ever hear about oxygen in the theory of climate change?  How can they blame the one matter that keeps us alive to be the one matter that will bring impending doom…

In this circle of life all matter effects life...I am so glad that The Wall Street Journal has taken the time to cover the research on the gas output of an extinct animal.  

Polls shows the People don’t support don’t support the reducing global warming …. Or realize it is a lie..

USA Today  05/08/12  Dan Vergano

“Poll:  Support slips for measures aimed at curbing global warming”

http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-05-08-climate-opinion-poll_ST_U.htm

From gas-mileage standards to tax breaks for windmills, public support for "green" energy measures to tackle global warming has dropped significantly in the past two years, particularly among Republicans, a new poll suggests.

Majorities still favor most such tax breaks or restrictions on industry, according to the Stanford University poll. It shows 65% support gas-mileage standards and 73% support tax breaks for wind and solar power. But just 43% support tax breaks for nuclear power and 18% support hiking taxes on home electricity.

Overall, support for various steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions has dropped an average of 10 percentage points since 2010, from 72% to 62%, lead researcher Jon Krosnick says. "Most Americans (62%) still support industry taking steps aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions," Krosnick says, "but they hate the idea of consumer taxes to do it." His group's nationwide polls compared responses from 1,001 people in 2010 to 1,428 people this year.

Public opinion experts, including Drexel University's Robert Brulle, point to declining news coverage of global warming for the falling support of steps to fight greenhouse gases

Common Sense Review

This article is based on the premise that Global Warming created by man does exist yet there is no scientific proof.  However the “Green “campaign has become an insignificant trend like the pet rock.  Interesting enough the article talks of how people want to industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions but support for the idea of global warming is falling.  So what is there a need to cut, if the theory is non-existent?

Yet the greatest line in the article is “declining news coverage of global warming for the falling support of steps to fight greenhouse gases”.  So unless the media sway the people in an emotional misinformed panic, the people will forget the truth or realize it is a lie. 

College support illegal immigrant students under Social Justice…. What about legal justice!

USA Today 05 /04/ 12 Mary Beth Marklein

“College look at immigrants: More institutions look at policies to handle qualified student candidates who happen to be here illegally”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-05-07/college-policies-undocumented-students/54819830/1

Social justice is central to the mission of Dominican University, a small private Catholic college in suburban Chicago. Serving poor immigrants is part of its history.

So as the school began to get more applications where Social Security numbers weren't provided, there was never a question of turning qualified undocumented students away, President Donna Carroll says. This year, the school pulled together $274,000 in financial aid for 17 undocumented students. Despite pushback from some donors and alumni, Carroll says her only regret is that she can't help more students.

Each year, about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools, says a report by the College Board. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities estimates that between 5% and 10% go on to college.

At Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where tuition alone will run about $43,000 next year, a student group this spring raised $10,000 to help an undocumented classmate pay tuition. It's also calling on its administration to offer scholarships, work-study options and advising for undocumented students.

At Haverford College, just outside Philadelphia, students recently passed a resolution asking the school to give undocumented students "fair, need-blind admissions consideration."

Raj Kannappan, 21, president of Cornell's College Republicans, says that if Cornell offers financial aid for undocumented students, "there's going to have to be a justification for why that aid can't go to students who are enrolled legally." But he doesn't expect much to happen in favor of undocumented students. "There's a lot of talk about it, but no one's really doing anything about it because a lot of people would not be in favor," he says.

Common Sense Review

I don’t have a problem with the school raising fund to pay tuition for these kids to go to college.  The problem lies in not just they are here illegally but even after the school realizes they are illegal immigrants they don’t help them to get their citizenship.

Social Justice is not kindness given by the church, yet it is a flawed premise that in life everything is equal and fair and it is not. Even though the history of the Catholic Church has given sanctuary to those accused of a crime doesn’t justify the sudo action being taken today. How can you build the support of the community when you don’t consider the values of the law that protects the community but in still encourage by the lack of action to continue the illegal acts.  

Being an American is a privilege and we all have to work for the privilege.  It is time we show that being an American is such a privilege that people would be willing to work to become an American.

Outrage over Evasive Asian Tiger shrimp lack creative solutions… I say make more cocktail sauce…

USA Today 05/08/12 Rick Jervis

“Asian Tiger shrimp spread in US: Ecosystems at risk as population of invaders grow”

http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-05-08-asian-shrimp_ST_U.htm

Though tasty with lemon and garlic butter, Asian tiger shrimp are spreading through the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Seaboard and menacing those areas' ecosystems.

The crustaceans can measure up to 13 inches long and weigh nearly a pound, with dark and white stripes circling their bodies. They can be very disruptive to the Gulf's ecosystem, says James Morris, a marine ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research in Beaufort, N.C.

Scientists are trying to figure out where the invasive shrimp came from. Theories include that they spawned from a batch that escaped a lab two decades ago or that they immigrated here in the ballast water of ocean-crossing ships.

Like most other shrimp, the jumbo prawns are cannibalistic, Morris says, and because of their size, they can gobble up many of their smaller Gulf cousins and their larvae.

Commons Sense Review

I get such a chuckle out of those who freak when a species of not a regular to the area and how that species are going to kill the ecosystem.  What most people forget is that is the evolution of the earth.  Migration of creature is in constant movement.  So when a new species enters an area instead of mass panic how about thinking out side of the box to solve the problem.

This article talks about the Asian tiger shrimp invading the ecosystem and what I think.  Please pass the cocktail sauce!

The DNR and DEQ could make it special licensing or open season on Asian Tiger shrimp.  Another creative way to address the evasive creature is putting out notices to seafood restaurants to create meal specials that focus on the creature being hunted. 

I good example of this is the Asian Carp dilemma.  There is several ways to address to the reduction of the species.  Finding out what restaurants would like the fish for delicacy specials.  If it is not a delectable fish, ultimately fish can be used for fertilizer for crops. 

In our world of sudden outrage for a situation, it would be a great change to see creative solutions. 

The New Warm Fuzzy Lobbyist who care about you… Yeah, Right!

The New York Times  05/04/12  Eric Lichtblau

“Tired of ‘Tainted’ Image Lobbyist Try Makeover”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/us/politics/tired-of-tainted-image-lobbyists-try-makeover.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Howard Marlowe was speaking a few weeks ago to a government relations class at the University of California, Berkeley, about his work as a federal lobbyist when several students voiced their deep mistrust of his profession and their misgivings about ever considering it themselves.

As president of a Washington lobbying association, Mr. Marlowe had no real answer. Once a Washington insider becomes identified by the scarlet letter of lobbyist, he acknowledged afterward, “you’re a leper” if you ever want to run for office or work for the government.

“We’re tainted,” he said.

Remaking the image of an industry as battered as that of Washington lobbying might seem like a fool’s quest for even the most battle-tested public relations person. And it may be difficult to dredge up much sympathy for an industry that earned $3.3 billion last year for helping oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street firms and others get access to Washington’s elite.

The lobbying shop of Holland & Knight, for instance, announced this month that it is doing pro bono work for a decidedly more sympathetic client: a group of slave descendants who are lobbying for the return of more than 2,600 acres of land in Harris Neck, Ga., that they say the government seized improperly from their families during World War II.

President Obama, who has frequently attacked lobbyists and the culture of influence peddling he says they promote, has already imposed a number of ethics measures restricting the role that lobbyists can play within his administration.

Common Sense Review

So it is interesting that Lobbyist need Pubic Relation agents to change their image. 

As always it is not the words that are said but the words that are not said.  The author notes “$3.3 billion last year for helping oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street firms and others get access to Washington elite”.    Wow, could this be more one sided.  What about solar power companies, health care agencies, environmental groups, etc.  Anyone who has an interest in Federal Legislation has an interest to being heard on capitol hill.

The issue of making Lobbyist group a more warm fuzzy image for the group is based on  pro bono work, ethics training, and disclosure is an a cloak of falsehood.  Pro bono work just means the lobbying group will use their insider knowledge to push the client’s agenda but to create the “teddy bear” image…. There will be no fees…

In the realm of ethics training just means the people will use honest and non-persuasive tactics to get their client’s agenda to be heard by legislators.  What?!?!? Lobbyist already uses honest and non-persuasive tactics.  It is like sales.  Salesmen are not supposed to lie yet they may manipulate the truth or facts, yet the assumption is that this grey area is not a lie.. but is it?  Another point about ethics is the foundation of ethics is based on a person’s belief system.  So if you feel grafting to legislators so they take notice of your issue is ok in your belief system.  Then ethics training will not change that person’s attitude toward how to successfully accomplish their client’s agenda.

I think this goes back to the old adage “If it looks like a duck, and quack likes a duck, it might be a DUCK”  Don’t be fooled.  Lobbyists are the tool for Pres. Obama and legislators as well as groups who think they need to dictate their beliefs on to you. 

Senators lie about the knowledge of torture techniques and outcomes, which tortures the US citizens…

The New York Times  05/01/12  Scott Shane

“Role of Torture Revisited in Bin Laden Narrative:  2 Senate Democrats Reject a Defense”

Joining in the latest round of an old dispute, the Democratic senators who lead the intelligence and armed services committees took issue on Monday with claims from Bush administration officials that the Central Intelligence Agency’s coercive interrogation methods produced information that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden a year ago.

The statement from Senators Dianne Feinstein of California, chairwoman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, called the notion that the so-called enhanced interrogation methods helped the C.I.A. find Bin Laden by identifying his courier “misguided and misinformed.”

“Instead, the C.I.A. learned of the existence of the courier, his true name and location through means unrelated to the C.I.A. detention and interrogation program,” the statement said, without elaborating. The senators said their conclusions were based on a three-year study of the agency’s interrogation program by the intelligence committee staff that is nearing completion but remains secret.

The statement took issue with claims about the value of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation methods from the former attorney general, Michael B. Mukasey; the former C.I.A. director, Michael V. Hayden; and the former director of the agency’s clandestine service, Jose A. Rodriguez Jr. Mr. Rodriguez revived the long-running controversy with his defense of coercive interrogations in a new memoir, “Hard Measures,” and an appearance Sunday night on the CBS News program “60 Minutes.”

The statement rebutted various claims that critical information about Bin Laden’s courier came from Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the planner of the Sept. 11 attacks, who was subjected to waterboarding 183 times. Nor did such information come from another Qaeda figure, Abu Faraj al-Libi, who received some harsh treatment, though he was not waterboarded, the statement said.

Common Sense Review

Once again the Dems clearly don’t show support for the people who keep them safe.  You would have to have your head in the sand, not to believe the US uses techniques to get information on potential attacks.  We need to stand with our people who do what we ourselves couldn’t do to keep the US safe from attack. 

Now let’s be realistic.  You’re telling me that Senators on the Armed Services Committee didn’t know that waterboarding, sleep deprivation, psychological manipulation was being use on combatants.  This is an out in out lie.  Everything is in a report.  From the technique use to the outcomes, a report is written and sent to DC.

 

Don’t let these outraged liars, fool you… They know what is going on, and so should you

Illegal Immigrants get thousand in Income tax refunds, legally!

WTHR TV 13  04/26/12  Bob Segall

“Tax loophole Costs billions”

http://www.wthr.com/story/17798210/tax-loophole-costs-billions

Inside his central Indiana office, a longtime tax consultant sits at his desk, shaking his head in disbelief.

"There is not a doubt in my mind there's huge fraud taking place here," he said, slowly flipping through the pages of a tax return.

The tax preparer does not want you to know his name for fear of reprisal, but he does want you to know about a nationwide problem with a huge price tag.

"We're talking about a multi-billion dollar fraud scheme here that's taking place and no one is talking about it," he said.

The scheme involves illegal immigrants -- illegal immigrants who are filing tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service says everyone who is employed in the United States – even those who are working here illegally – must report income and pay taxes. Of course, undocumented workers are not supposed to have a social security number. So for them to pay taxes, the IRS created what's called an ITIN, an individual taxpayer identification number. A 9-digit ITIN number issued by the IRS provides both resident and nonresident aliens with a unique identification number that allows them to file tax returns.

The loophole is called the Additional Child Tax Credit. It's a fully-refundable credit of up to $1000 per child, and it's meant to help working families who have children living at home. 

But 13 Investigates has found many undocumented workers are claiming the tax credit for kids who live in Mexico – lots of kids in Mexico.

"We've seen sometimes 10 or 12 dependents, most times nieces and nephews, on these tax forms," the whistleblower told Eyewitness News. "The more you put on there, the more you get back."

"Here's a return right here: we've got a $10,3000 refund for nine nieces and nephews," he said, pointing to the words "niece" and "nephew" listed on the tax forms nine separate times.

One of the workers, who was interviewed at his home in southern Indiana, admitted his address was used this year to file tax returns by four other undocumented workers who don't even live there. Those four workers claimed 20 children live inside the one residence and, as a result, the IRS sent the illegal immigrants tax refunds totaling $29,608.

He later explained none of the 20 children have ever visited the United States – let alone lived here.

"The magnitude of the problem has grown exponentially," said Russell George, the United States Department of Treasury's Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

And he says the IRS has known about the problem for years.

"Keep in mind, we're talking $4 billion per year," he said. "It's very troubling."

What does the IRS have to say about all this?

The agency sent WTHR a statement, defending its policy of paying tax credits to illegal immigrants.

"The law has been clear for over a decade that eligibility for these credits does not depend on work authorization status or the type of taxpayer identification number used. Any suggestion that the IRS shouldn't be paying out these credits under current law to ITIN holders is simply incorrect. The IRS administers the law impartially and applies it as it is written," the statement said.

The IRS tells WTHR it can do nothing to change the current system unless it gets permission from Congress. In other words, according to the IRS, closing the loophole would require lawmakers to pass a new law specifically excluding illegal immigrants from claiming additional child tax credits.

Common Sense Review

This is the most ridiculous thing I have read… Wait no, Obama is still President…

This country is in debt trillions of dollars and they let tax dollars flow to non-citizens.  How does this make sense?  The fact that so many people are aware of it is beyond comprehension.

This year we had to pay out to local, state and fed for not paying enough….We have paid enough!

Allegan Co. authorities don’t understand “Freedom of Speech”

The Grand Rapids Pres 05/01/12  John Agar

“Agema Joins lawsuit against Allegan”

State Rep. David Agema has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Allegan, its police chief and others for shutting down a January speech by an alleged former terrorist at Allegan High School.

Kamal Saleem, who characterizes himself as a former terrorist who has changed his ways, spoke at an event organized by Allegan County Commissioner Bill Sage.

Allegan Police Chief Rick Hoyer reportedly shut down the event after he learned Muslim extremists put a $25 million bounty on Saleem, and determined it posed a danger to those at the even

Agema is sponsor of a House bill banning the use of foreign laws, including Sharia law, by courts and administrative bodies when those laws conflict with rights protected by the state and U.S. constitutions. Another plaintiff, Elizabeth Griffin, is president of ACT! For America, a group concerned about national security, terrorism and the threat of radical Islam.

Two days before the event, representatives of CAIR and People for the American Way sent a letter to high school principal Jim Mallard and “voiced strong disfavor for Kamal Saleem, offering defamatory remarks as to his authenticity as a speaker and dissenting to the viewpoint of his free speech,” the lawsuit said.

About an hour before the event was to start, police reported that an unknown woman told them that Saleem had a $25 million bounty on his head, the lawsuit said. Police allegedly asked Sage, the organizer, if the speech was to be religious or political, and were told both, the lawsuit said.

Common Sense Review

I always find it interesting when the govt or agent of the govt, must shut down an event for the safety of the people.  Well those who went to see Saleem speak, most likely know how he is under threats.  Yet they want to attend to hear him speak.  Once again, the people have the right (and yet the responsibility) to do what they wish and see whom they want.

How does two political groups have more power than the citizens as a whole.  CAIR and People for the American Way do no hold more authority than the American citizen.  This was a fool mistake by the Allegan authorities.

The founding father understood the threat of death for the “Freedom of Speech” , why would that mentality change.