Monday, June 7, 2010

wikileaks arrest

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Poulsen and Zetter on the arrest of Specialist Bradley Manning: "Federal officials have arrested an Army intelligence analyst who boasted of giving classified U.S. combat video and hundreds of thousands of classified State Department records to whistleblower site Wikileaks, Wired.com has learned."




http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37554779/ns/technology_and_science-security/

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/06/leak/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikileaks#U.S._Intelligence_report_on_Wikileaks

http://www.wikileaks.org/


camera as gun: drop the shooter

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This is a bit beyond the ordinary scope of this blog, but since we've seen increasing militarization of domestic policing forces in the last  10 years... 



"In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer.
Even if the encounter involves you and may be necessary to your defense, and even if the recording is on a public street where no expectation of privacy exists."

Full article by Wendy McElroy at link,


[pic via intelhub]


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A whole bunch of coverage on this:


Thursday, June 3, 2010

military presence re: gulf oil spill, bp

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Bill Nelson wants military rolling into Gulf to manage oil spill.  M. Bachman has said similar things.  Saw Nelson on Hardball clip where he dodged question about specific examples of military aid and kept repeating "command and control" ability.

Meantime CJCS Mullen indicates that BP has the technical expertise to do this better than the military.

Thad Allen, meantime, is 'head down, elbows up' making sure the Federal response is on the ball.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

mandate tensions

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The disparity of opinion (within folks, nevermind between folks) abt what role military should have in the BP disaster is amazing.

We hear "right" reps calling for commandeering of private craft??


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

fast company: joint venture

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Mullen in FC on economy & security.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/145/joint-venture.html

"..."Our financial health is directly related to our national security," Mullen says. "The biggest driver globally right now is the economy -- and I'd argue it always has been. I'm not an economist and I'm not a finance guy, but I need to understand the global trends that work those engines. Where are these guys putting their money? If they're betting on certain outcomes -- whether good or bad -- why?""

Mike Mullen

[img: Fast Company]

fast company: military industrial complex

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http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/145/the-military-industrial-complex.html


military industrial complex armed forces corporate world

"

Jan. 17, 1961

President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers his farewell address, warning against "the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex."

... 
"

2010

The national defense budget reaches an all-time high at an estimated $712 billion. In the first three-and-a-half months of the year, the Department of Defense awards more than $25 billion in contracts.

jcs link roundup

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Useful links re: JCS matters









coast guard: papp & respect

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Release of this ALCOAST message from Admiral Papp focuses on "respecting our shipmates":

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/05/respecting-our-shipmates/
Sounds sincere to me..
And how does this play with the "don't ask, don't tell" changes that the Obama admin and Gates are working through?
Seems like a move to overlap with Obama intentions could also be being set up with this..

"SUBJ: SHIPMATES 3: RESPECT OUR SHIPMATES – COMMAND CLIMATE
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 260000Z MAY 10/ALCOAST 000/10
1. Shipmates, as we set the watch, we also set the tone and expectation for how we will stand our watch together. As I indicated to you in ref a, respecting our shipmates is one of my four guiding principles. Over the course of my career, I have learned that we must respect one another before we can successfully work together as a team. Missions are accomplished by people. By letting our people know they will be treated fairly and appreciated, that their leaders care about them personally and professionally, we will put ourselves on course to create great command climates and work environments.
2. Great command climates enable our people to thrive. They also result in operational excellence, efficiency, morale and retention, including recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. It's no coincidence that commands with positive attitudes, pride and enthusiasm are invariably the top performers. The cohesion behind top performing units does not happen by chance. It's a product of mutual respect, communication and attention to the many small, but dynamic interactions of shipmates.
3. My duty as commandant is to provide you with my direction on maintaining positive command climates. In addition to my philosophy contained in this message, I have posted my policy statements on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment, equal opportunity, and diversity. They are available at www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership. These policy statements set forth in further detail my expectation for how we will respect our shipmates. Link to them. Read them. Post them. Live them.
4. I want to make very clear that I will not tolerate any behavior inconsistent with these expectations: nor should you. I value every member of the coast guard family. Each of us is entitled to work in a respectful and professional environment. After all, respecting your shipmates is not only one of my core principles, its part of the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
5. Each commanding office and officer in charge shall read this message at the next quarters or appropriate muster and shall post these policy statements in prominent locations aboard their command to ensure that my expectations are clear.
7. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED."