#Priorities

LOVE BUZZ

Anita DeFrancesco, M.A.

Sept.26, 2014

It’s Important to have Priorities

 

Seems like I am just learning how to really prioritize the important things in my life. As much as we think we prioritize we really don’t. 

Just what does it mean to prioritize and how do we get there with the entire list of things going on in our lives on a daily basis? Feeling productive is a wonderful feeling and sometimes we do things just to be busy rather than effective. A good way to start is learning and knowing exactly what is important. 

Is making money important or is eating a balanced meal more important. I would have to say the best place to start with prioritizing is first to take charge of your health. This is one area that I prioritize more than anything by going to the gym, eating the right foods, balancing out sleep and work and finding time to enjoy life intimately and recreationally.  If we have a balanced homeostasis then we wouldn’t feel so overburdened, rushed and confused. Also being clear emotionally is key to creating balance and clarity.

Prioritizing means you’re determined to get things done that are most important. Some people tend to do all the little things first and save the big most important thing for last. What generally happens is that all the little chores eat your energy away, so a big part of prioritizing is conserving yourenergy. Even though we need to get the little things done at some point to clear the list it is important to be honest with yourself and learn to tackle those big projects first. Key: know what it is, break it down, and prioritize by urgency.

Begin by making a list of all the things your normally do in one day. Then add the projects that need your attention and all the little things to follow. Remember writing things down on paper is the key to getting things done so that you remove them from your mind and keep a clear focus of just what needs to be done. Mark with numbers the things that need your attention urgently. Have a chalk board in your home office with the list and red markers to indicate the most important things. Assign your tasks due dates. You will be more productive when you give yourself a time frame.

Focusing is a big part of the process and multitasking is as well. Make a schedule with days and times for exactly when this task needs to be finished.  

Schedule the top things to be done in the morning when you have the most energy. Remember to keep your body fueled with good food so you won’t burn out. Figure out when you are at your best focus. For some it’s the early morning or mid afternoon and then there are the night owls.

Being flexible is a big part of it because other interruptions and emergencies may get in the way. So always keep a clear slate and other days available for those unexpected things that get in the way. There also may be days you are just not feeling well, so keeping that in mind. Another key to prioritizing is discipline and willpower. The staying power of getting the job done in the time necessary.

Time is a big factor when it comes to getting things done. Many of us take advantage of time that it runs right by us. Start by honoring the time in the day that you are gifted with and let this be your guide for staying on top of things.Oh and remember to wear a watch instead of your cell phone being your guidance which can be distracting at times.

www.tantrawisdom.com

 

 

 

#MachineGun #Turret

TACTICAL TURRET

09/25/2014 03:58 PM CDT

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Miguel A. Menjivaguerra mans his machine gun from the turret of a tactical vehicle while observing his surroundings during a security patrol in Shorab in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Sept. 20, 2014. Menjivaguerra is a turret gunner assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.

#Pacom #Commander Discusses U.S. #China #Military Encounters

By Nick Simeone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 - A series of close encounters between U.S. military planes and ships and those from China has stopped after some "pretty direct dialogue" between both countries, the top U.S. military commander for the Asia-Pacific region said today.

"These are very serious things," Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference today, saying he was disappointed, but not surprised, that the encounters or intercepts as the military calls them occurred.

But Locklear said such incidents -- including one Aug. 19 in which a Chinese fighter jet flew within 30 feet of a U.S Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft that was conducting a routine mission in international airspace east of China's Hainan Island -- seem to have stopped following talks between the U.S. and Chinese militaries. There have been several other close encounters between military aircraft from both countries since March.

(Folow Nick Simeone on Twitter: @SimeoneDoDNews)

Direct dialogue

"We have a pretty direct dialogue about what we saw was unsafe and how they interpreted it as being unsafe and since the last one occurred, we haven't had any more," Locklear said.

In 2001, a Chinese fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy surveillance plane in international airspace near Hainan Island, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing the American plane to make an emergency landing, after which the aircraft and its 24-member crew were detained by Chinese authorities for days.

The United States has registered its strong concern with China about the Aug. 19 incident, which a Pentagon spokesman called dangerous, unprofessional and inconsistent with international law. In December, a Chinese warship came within 100 yards of the U.S. destroyer Cowpens by cutting across its path in the South China Sea, a maneuver that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called irresponsible.

Today, Locklear called such encounters "outliers," saying the majority of interactions between U.S. and Chinese ships or aircraft are done safely and professionally. "Does it mean we won't have another one? I hope we don't," he said. "[But] if we do, we will have a mechanism to address it." He described his discussions with his Chinese counterparts as being "frank and friendly."

Locklear attributed the increasing number of encounters between the U.S. and Chinese navies to the fact that Beijing now has a larger and more active fleet of warships. He described the overall security environment in the Asia-Pacific region as having been good for decades, despite frictions with China, which he said can be overcome through ongoing dialogue.

Statements on the #Departure of Attorney General #EricHolder

Statements on the Departure of Attorney General Eric Holder

STATEMENT FROM ETHEL KENNEDY REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Eric Holder has vigilantly defended an ideal Bobby strongly believed -- that the Justice Department must deliver justice for all Americans. Especially our most vulnerable, who live in the very communities where justice can be hardest to find.”

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STATEMENT FROM MYRLIE EVERS REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“There has been no greater ally in the fight for justice, civil rights, equal rights, and voting rights than Attorney General Holder.  As a fierce consequential defender of the right to vote, the Attorney General has worked tirelessly to ensure that every American has the right, the ability and the opportunity to cast their vote and let their voice be heard.

“Attorney General Holder never shied away from the issues that greatly affect us all.  From lobbying Congress to reduce prison sentences for non-violent drug offenders, to cracking down on abuse by police departments and to working to ease racial tension throughout the United States, the Attorney General was always there ready to correct injustices and offer common sense reforms to better our nation.

“I am honored to call the Attorney General a friend, and have had the distinct pleasure of working very closely with him throughout his tenure as AG and prior to his appointment. Just last year, when we celebrated the life of my husband Medgar, Attorney General Holder was the first to offer his assistance to honor Medgar and vowed to continue his pursuit for justice for all Americans, just as Medgar did.

“I wish AG Holder continued success, and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure that that this country stays on the path to greatness, righteousness and equality that we both have dedicated our lives to.”

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STATEMENT FROM MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“On behalf of the City of Chicago, I want to thank Attorney General Eric Holder for more than five and a half years of extraordinary service as our nation’s Attorney General. Whether it’s reducing gun violence on our streets or supporting restorative justice in our schools so more children can stay on track to graduate, the City of Chicago has had a strong partner in Attorney General Holder. He has been a great champion for keeping our streets safer, making our communities stronger, and making our criminal justice system fairer. We are a better nation because of Attorney General Holder’s outstanding service.”  

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STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CEO WADE HENDERSON REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Attorney General Holder has presided over one of the most forward-thinking and visionary Justice Departments in memory. Remembering only his historic confirmation as the first African-American attorney general would not do justice to his tenure over the past six years, which was one of the most successful in modern American history.

"Under his leadership, the Department of Justice has put forth groundbreaking reforms to our broken criminal justice system, championed the right to vote, defended the Affordable Care Act, protected homeowners from predatory lending, defended the federal government from state overreach on immigration laws, and backed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

"His tenure is even more remarkable considering that he was victim to an unprecedented witch hunt and abuse of power by House Republicans.  Their attempt to stain the office by issuing the only contempt citation against a sitting cabinet member in modern history only validated Attorney General Holder’s effectiveness and commitment to promoting the civil and human rights of all Americans.

"Attorney General Holder came to the job as the one of the most well-prepared nominees ever considered for the post, and he has surpassed even those high expectations. We commend his service to our nation and will work to confirm a successor that will continue Justice’s commitment to the advancement of civil and human rights.”

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STATEMENT FROM THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. today lauded the stellar leadership of departing Attorney General Eric Holder, who announced his resignation this morning. LDF also emphasized the need for continued vigilance in the protection of civil rights.

“When Attorney General Holder took the helm of the Department of Justice in 2009, he vowed to make the Civil Rights division the department's ‘crown jewel,’ and he has more than fulfilled that mission,” said Sherrilyn A. Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of NAACP LDF. “When the history of his tenure is written, Eric Holder will ultimately be recognized as one of the finest Attorneys General this country has ever known. In the field of civil rights there are few who could even claim to rival this Attorney General's dedication, strategic focus and commitment."

“General Holder's vision for the Civil Rights Division was one of restoration and transformation, from his leadership on voting rights, to legal services for the poor, to criminal justice reforms and, in recent weeks, to his forceful response to the tragic events in Ferguson,” Ifill added.

Ifill expressed particular support for the Attorney General’s forceful and courageous willingness to speak openly about the problem of mass incarceration in this country. “The ‘Smart on Crime’ initiatives he announced last year are a quintessential example of Attorney General Holder’s vision and boldness,” she said.

In 2013, Ifill noted, when the Supreme Court invalidated key portions of the Voting Rights Act in a devastating decision, Attorney General Holder immediately deployed the full litigation strength of the Justice Department in places like Texas and North Carolina to protect voters of color who had been made even more vulnerable to voting discrimination.  Most recently, his Justice Department attorneys stood side-by-side with LDF lawyers in a Texas courtroom to challenge that state’s discriminatory photo ID law.  A decision in that case, United States v. Texas, is expected in the next few weeks.

“It is hard to overstate the impact of General Holder’s tenure – but we are confident that his initiatives will endure, even under new leadership,” said Leslie Proll, Director of LDF’s Washington Office.  “At this critical time for America, we can’t afford to lose momentum on civil rights.  Certainly the next nominee will have big shoes to fill, but we trust and expect that his replacement will be up to the task.”

Attorney General Holder began his storied legal career as an intern at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund while at law school.  Earlier this year, he was the keynote speaker at LDF’s 60th anniversary celebration of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. View his remarks online here[external link].

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STATEMENT FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality, today praised the distinguished service of Eric Holder upon learning that he will be stepping down as U.S. Attorney General pending confirmation of his successor. HRC believes that the President should use this opportunity to appoint the nation’s first out LGBT cabinet member.

"Some Attorneys General wait for history, others make history happen. Attorney General Holder made history for the LGBT community,” said Chad Griffin, President of HRC. “He was our Robert F. Kennedy, lightening the burden of every American who faces legal discrimination and social oppression. We owe him a profound debt of gratitude for his legacy of advocacy and service."

Attorney General Holder has been a staunch advocate for civil rights for LGBT Americans throughout his career in public life. As U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia, he formed the first hate crimes task force, which has become a model for U.S. Attorneys throughout the country. He spearheaded the administration’s decision to not defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. Under his leadership, the FBI and Civil Rights Division began actively investigating and prosecuting hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity with the implementation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. 

His leadership is without comparison in the swift implementation of the Supreme Court’s Decision in Windsor v. United States. Attorney General Holder declared that the ruling meant that, “Americans in same-sex marriages are entitled to equal protection and equal treatment under the law.” From this historic statement, more than 1,000 federal rights and benefits of marriages have begun to flow to same-sex couples across the country.

HRC continues to advocate for the historic appointment of an openly LGBT cabinet member to the Obama administration.

"President Obama faces a historic opportunity in light of Attorney General Holder's departure,” said Chad Griffin, President of HRC. “The President has expressed a commitment to appointing a cabinet that reflects the full diversity of the American people, and there are many richly-qualified candidates available to serve as the first openly-LGBT cabinet secretary. It would be a natural extension of this administration's enduring commitment to equality to send a message of visibility and inclusion by nominating such a candidate to serve in this historic role."

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STATEMENT FROM U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“It has been a true honor to work with Eric Holder, and I know he will remain an ally in the fight for justice and equal opportunity for every student in America. Eric understands - at a very deep, personal level - the costs to families, communities and our country when students do not have equal access to educational opportunities. I am grateful for Eric’s partnership on so many issues, among them: addressing disparities in school discipline, enforcing civil rights laws in education, keeping schools and college campuses safe from violence, and ensuring value and service for students who borrow money for college. I am so grateful to Eric, Sharon and their family for their commitment to equality for all. I look forward to continuing this work with the next Attorney General.”

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STATEMENT FROM U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR THOMAS E. PEREZ REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Eric Holder is a man of extraordinary conscience and competence. It was a unique honor to serve with him at the Justice Department, and I am enormously grateful for his unwavering commitment to the cause of civil rights and to reinvigorating the Civil Rights Division in particular.

“I am confident that when objective historians write about America’s most critical moments, Eric Holder will go down as one of the preeminent attorneys general in our nation’s history – whether it’s his support of LGBT equality and his indispensable role in the president’s decision not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act; or his aggressiveness in ensuring the right to vote; or his commitment to sentencing reform; or his tough crackdown on hate crimes, financial fraud and racial profiling.

“The Justice Department is stronger for his quarter century of service there. The nation is stronger for his lifetime of work on behalf of justice and equal opportunity.”

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STATEMENT FROM SENATOR BILL NELSON REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“I have found Attorney General Holder to be an outstanding public servant with whom I’ve had the privilege to work with on a number of issues. Among them, he has led the fight to protect the right to vote for all citizens and that includes his recent letter warning Florida’s governor against any future efforts there to suppress the vote.  And he also has been very supportive of scientists’ efforts to unlock the secrets of potential abuse at a now-shuttered reform school in North Florida.  The president will miss his counsel.” 

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STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE JOHN CONYERS REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Attorney General Eric Holder has delivered the utmost distinguished service during his tenure in the Obama Administration.  As the first African American to serve as Attorney General, Mr. Holder has shown vigorous dedication to the American people and advancing civil rights for all. 

“As the fourth longest serving Attorney General in U.S. history, his devotion to the pursuit of justice is unparalleled and has comforted the nation during great times of turmoil. I appreciate that he will remain in his post until a successor is named.  I wish him well in all his future endeavors and thank him for his tireless efforts over the past six years and more.”

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STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“It is heartbreaking for me to see the Attorney General leave the administration, but it is understandable that, after six years of outstanding work on domestic and international legal issues, he would desire to return to private life,” Norton said.  “We in the District of Columbia are especially proud and grateful that it was his outstanding record as U.S. Attorney here that first brought Eric to the attention of President Clinton and, ultimately, to President Obama.  This morning, we discussed his exceptional work to avoid the harshness of federal mandatory minimum sentencing in selected cases, when the results would have been particularly unfair, by using the local courts.  This was possible because of the U.S. Attorney’s dual local and federal jurisdiction.  His work influenced the changes now underway with federal mandatory minimums that are reducing the sentences of thousands of low-level drug offenders.”

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STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Over the past six years, Attorney General Holder has worked to improve our nation’s broken justice system, enforce civil rights laws, ban racial profiling, rekindle trust between law enforcement and communities of color, restructure sentencing guidelines, and identify constructive alternatives to incarceration.  In the process, he has improved how our courts and law enforcement officers do their jobs.

“As the first-ever African American to serve in this position, Attorney General Holder has promoted equal protection under the law by building bridges across ideology, race, gender, and class.  His capacity to fight for the rights of every American has been boundless, and his plan to continue many of those battles beyond his tenure at the Department of Justice is a testament to his character.

“In his 26 years of public service, he has built a legacy of which he can be extremely proud, and I wish him the best as he moves on to new endeavors.”

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STATEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

"I am deeply saddened to learn today that the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, is stepping down.  His resignation is a great loss for any American seeking justice in our society.  He became the symbol of fairness, an embodiment of the best in the federal government. 

 He has been a persistent and consistent leader in the struggle for civil and human rights.  That legacy is in his bones.  It is written on his heart, and his intelligence and committed leadership will be hard to replace. 

 In my conversation with him today, I thanked the Attorney General for his years of service to this nation.  He and his family have been a blessing, and his leadership will be sorely missed."

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STATEMENT BY SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Attorney General Holder has been an extraordinary leader of the Department of Justice, and is to be congratulated for his service.  Under his leadership, the Department has had remarkable success in convicting terrorists and disrupting threats to national security, while upholding the Department’s mission of keeping our communities safe from crime and fighting fraud.  I particularly appreciate how Attorney General Holder has restored the Civil Rights Division to its historical mission.  His dedication to defending Americans’ voting rights, at a time when these constitutional rights are under attack, has been supremely important.  Attorney General Holder has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans with his thoughtful implementation of both the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.   His recent focus on the need for sentencing reform and programs to reduce recidivism have brought to the fore an important conversation we as a nation must have.  I thank Attorney General Holder for his service, and I wish him and his wife Sharon the very best in the future.”

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STATEMENT BY SENATOR BARBARA A. MIKULSKI REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“During his six years as Attorney General, Eric Holder Jr., supported our federal law enforcement agents in the fight against criminals and terrorists and was a strong advocate for civil rights and criminal justice reform.

“In the dark days of sequester and shutdown, Attorney General Holder worked closely with me in my role as CJS Chairwoman to keep DOJ and its people on the job and on the case.

“As one of the longest serving members of President Obama’s cabinet, he has served his nation and his President well.

"I thank him for his dedicated service to our country and wish him well in the future.”

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STATEMENT BY SENATOR BILL NELSON REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“During his six years as Attorney General, Eric Holder Jr., supported our federal law enforcement agents in the fight against criminals and terrorists and was a strong advocate for civil rights and criminal justice reform.

“In the dark days of sequester and shutdown, Attorney General Holder worked closely with me in my role as CJS Chairwoman to keep DOJ and its people on the job and on the case.

“As one of the longest serving members of President Obama’s cabinet, he has served his nation and his President well.

"I thank him for his dedicated service to our country and wish him well in the future.”

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TWEET BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“I deeply saddened to learn today that the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, is stepping down.”

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TWEET BY SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Thank you, Attorney General #Holder[external link], for restoring confidence & morale and bringing honor & dignity to@TheJusticeDept[external link] for the last 6 years.”

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TWEET BY SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“Will talk with Andrea Mitchell @mitchellreports[external link] @MSNBC[external link] in a few minutes, about Eric Holder.”

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TWEET BY SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“AG Holder was like ‘Horatius at the Bridge’ preventing or slowing down the regressive march to take away people’s hard-earned rights.”

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TWEET BY SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

“I appreciate AG Holder’s service to our country even though we had strong disagreements at times. I wish him well in future endeavors.”

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#Kenya: #Al-Shabaab – Closer to Home

One year after the Westgate attack, Al-Shabaab has become more entrenched and active in Kenya. Meanwhile, the country’s immediate post-Westgate unity has broken down in the face of increasing attacks, and the political elites, security services, and ethnic and faith communities are beset by mutual suspicion and recriminations.

In its latest briefing, Kenya: Al-Shabaab – Closer to Home, the International Crisis Group highlights Al-Shabaab’s growing presence and increasingly frequent attacks and the muddled response of Kenya’s government, security services and political elite. Anti-terrorism operations perceived to target entire communities have exacerbated feelings of marginalisation and persecution, particularly of the Muslim minority, and are feeding directly into Al-Shabaab’s messaging and recruitment.

The briefing’s major findings and recommendations are:

• The wider danger of Al-Shabaab’s tactics in Kenya lies in its ability to use existing religious and ethnic fault lines to deepen the country’s political and social divides.

• Kenyan political elites need to acknowledge the domestic terror threat and form a common action-plan together with the country’s senior Muslim leadership to counter extremist recruitment.

• The government should put into practice the recommendations of the 2008 Special Action (“Sharawe”) Committee set up to address the concerns of the Muslim minority: these include measures to end institutional discrimination against Muslims and their more proportional representation in senior public service appointments.

• The government and its security services need to identify and isolate the specific Al-Shabaab threat and not conflate the actions of extremists with specific communities – especially in the north east and the coast – whose past and present grievances make them suspect in the eyes of the state. It must reappraise its anti-terrorism practices and operations, which are perceived as collective punishment of Muslims and particular ethnic groups. It should also allow for transparent investigations and redress where operations have exceeded the law or breached constitutional rights.

“Kenya’s 4.3 million Muslims have been historically marginalised, especially in the north east and along the coast”, says Cedric Barnes, Horn of Africa Project Director. “If the government wants to cut grassroots support for Al-Shabaab, it has to address the widespread institutional and socio-economic discrimination felt by Kenyan Muslims”.

“The blame for growing radicalisation in Kenya lies less in the weaknesses of the country’s institutions than in the unwillingness of political leaders to put aside partisan divisions”, says EJ Hogendoorn, Deputy Africa Program Director. “Their playing politics with terrorism compounds an already volatile situation”.

Former Hamilton County, Tennessee, Deputy #Sheriff Indicted for #SexualAssault While on Duty

Former Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff Willie Greer, 33, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty on Jan. 5, 2014, the Justice Department announced. 

Greer was charged with a civil rights violation for sexually assaulting the victim, which violated her constitutional due process rights to bodily integrity, kidnapping, carrying a firearm during and in relation to the sexual assault and possessing a firearm in further of the crime. 

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000.  An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James Brooks of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Saeed Mody. 

 

#PoliceOfficer #Pleaded #Guilty

Police Officer in Fulton, New York, Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Man in His Custody

Joseph Arigo, 47, a sergeant with the Fulton Police Department in Fulton, New York, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for beating a handcuffed man inside the Fulton police station.      

According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Arigo was sitting at the sergeant’s desk on June 28, 2014, when a handcuffed man, G.B., was brought into the police station.  G.B. was yelling, but was not physically threatening any officers or himself.  Arigo pulled the video camera out of the wall to stop it from recording, walked into the room where G.B. was being held, shoved his head into the bench, and punched him in the head multiple times.  G.B. suffered cuts and bruising, lost consciousness, and required seven stitches. After the incident, Arigo lied to his supervisors as well as in two official reports in an attempt to conceal his actions.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 23, 2015, and Arigo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

This case was investigated by the Syracuse Resident Agency of the Albany Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

#Airstrikes Continue Against #ISIL Targets in Iraq

From a U.S. Central Command News Release

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2014 - U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq, using a mix of attack, bomber and fighter aircraft to conduct 11 airstrikes yesterday and today, U.S. Central Command officials reported.

One airstrike west of Irbil struck ISIL fighters and damaged an ISIL armed vehicle. Five airstrikes south of Kirkuk struck ISIL fighters; destroyed an ISIL tank, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL Humvee; and damaged two ISIL armed vehicles. Five airstrikes west of Baghdad destroyed an ISIL Humvee, four checkpoints, a fighting position, two guard towers and a command post.

The strikes were conducted as part of the president's comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL, officials said.

 

#DOJ Uncovers #MedicareFraud

Seven Defendants Indicted and Three Other Defendants Plead Guilty for Their Roles in $56 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

A New Orleans grand jury today indicted seven defendants for their roles in a $56 million Medicare fraud scheme that operated in New Orleans and surrounding communities.  Thirteen defendants have now been charged in this case, three of whom pleaded guilty to their conduct yesterday. 

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Mike Fields of the Dallas Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

Paige Okpalobi, 57, of Slidell, Louisiana; Joe Ann Murthil, 57, of New Orleans; Latausha Dannel, 34, of Laplace, Louisiana; Dr. Winston Murray, 62, of Hammond, Louisiana; Dr. Divini Luccioni, 53, of Kenner, Louisiana; Christopher White, 48, of Destrehan, Louisiana; and Beverly Breaux, 66, of New Orleans, were charged in connection with their roles in a home health care fraud scheme involving thousands of Medicare recipients.  Mark Morad, 51, of Slidell; Dr. Barbara Smith, 65, of Metairie, Louisiana; and Dr. Roy Berkowitz, 68, of Slidell, had been previously charged for their participation in the scheme, and today’s indictment added new charges against them.

The second superseding indictment comes one day after Dr. Alvin Darby, 58, of Slidell; Demetrius Temple, 54, of New Orleans; and Nicole Oliver, 44, of Napoleonville, Louisiana, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for their roles in the scheme.  Sentencing for each is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2015 before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The indictment alleges that the defendants operated a number of companies in and around New Orleans that purported to offer home health services and durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries.  The companies, Interlink Health Care Services Inc., Memorial Home Health Inc., Lakeland Health Care Services Inc., Lexmark Health Care LLC, Med Rite Pharmacy Inc. and Medical Specialists of New Orleans, billed Medicare claiming that they provided home health services and durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries, but the vast majority of these services and equipment were not medically necessary or not provided. 

The indictment further alleges that Morad and Okpalobi owned and directed operations at these companies.  Morad allegedly paid kickbacks to patient recruiters, including Temple and Oliver, to provide Medicare beneficiary numbers that were then used to bill Medicare.  To conceal these kickbacks, Morad allegedly laundered Medicare money through a separate company he owned. 

Court documents also allege that Okpalobi instructed doctors, including Smith, Berkowitz, Murray, Luccioni, and Darby, to falsely certify that beneficiaries were qualified for home health services, and to prescribe durable medical equipment that was not medically needed.  These false certifications and prescriptions were then used to bill Medicare for the unnecessary services and equipment. 

Murthil and Dannel were office managers who allegedly oversaw daily operations at the home health companies.  White allegedly performed accounting services for these companies, and helped conceal the scheme by fabricating false tax and employee records.  Breaux was a registered nurse who is alleged to have falsely certified that home health clients were homebound, and that she had provided home health care services when she had not.

From 2007 through 2014, the companies allegedly involved in the scheme submitted more than $56 million in claims to Medicare, the majority of which are allegedly fraudulent.  Medicare paid approximately $50.7 million on those claims.

The charges contained in this indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney William G. Kanellis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrice Harris Sullivan of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 2,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $6 billion.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

#Pentagon Briefing as #Kirby Briefs Reporters

AIRSTRIKE UPDATE

09/25/2014 02:03 PM CDT

Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon, Sept. 25, 2014. Kirby showed slides and videos highlighting U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria.

KIRBY BRIEFING

09/25/2014 01:52 PM CDT

Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon, Sept. 25, 2014. Kirby showed slides and videos highlighting U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria and answered questions from reporters.

PENTAGON BRIEFING

09/25/2014 01:45 PM CDT

Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon, Sept. 25, 2014. Kirby showed slides and videos highlighting U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria.

#Refineries in #Syria Weaken #ISIL

Coalition Aircraft Disable ISIL Refineries in Syria

By Claudette Roulo
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 - Ten fighter aircraft from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined six U.S. jets yesterday in attacks on oil refineries in eastern Syria controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Pentagon press secretary said today.

Initial assessments are that the strikes were successful in rendering all 12 of the targeted modular refineries inoperable, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said at a Pentagon news conference.

"These small-scale refineries provide fuel to run ISIL operations, money to finance their continued attacks throughout Iraq and Syria, and they are an economic asset to support future operations," the admiral said. "Producing between 300 and 500 barrels of refined petroleum per day, ISIL is estimated by some regional organizations to generate millions of dollars of revenue from these refineries."

The coalition aircraft were responsible for 80 percent of the explosive effect on the targets, Kirby noted.

"These precision-guided munitions, as you know, come in various sizes and forms and tonnage, and the coalition aircraft were flying with heavier tonnage, by and large -- heavier tonnage bombs than we were," he explained.

Strategic intent

The strikes were intended to disable the refineries, not destroy them, the admiral said. "We're trying to remove the means through which this organization sustains itself," he said.

"These refineries were in place before ISIL came along," he added. "And assuming that Syria gets to a point where it's better governed, you know, we'd like to preserve the flexibility for those refineries to still contribute to a stable economy in what we hope will be a stable country when the Assad regime is not in control anymore."

Until a time when the refineries can be used by a moderate opposition, he said, the airstrikes will stop the refineries from being used to produce petroleum or to serve as communications or berthing areas.

Troop deployment

About 500 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division headquarters element, based at Fort Riley, Kansas, will be deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in October, Kirby said. About 200 of those soldiers will deploy to Baghdad and Irbil as part of the increase of 475 U.S. service members that President Barack Obama announced Sept. 10, he said, and rest will be based in the Centcom area of responsibility, but not in Iraq.

The troops in Iraq will provide command and-control for the ongoing advise-and-assist mission for Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, the admiral said.

Five #Arab Nations Join Fight Against #ISIL

Joint Staff Director: Arab Nations Bring Professionalism to ISIL Fight

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 - Arab countries are bringing a great deal of professionalism and pride to their activities over Iraq and Syria, the director of the Joint Staff said here this week.

Speaking at an Air Force Association breakfast Sept. 23, Air Force Lt. Gen. David L. Goldfein said it is "very significant" that five Arab countries joined the coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. He noted that this wasn't the first time Arab nations came forward. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan helped in air operations over Libya. Goldfein previously served as commander of U.S. Central Command's Air Force component.

The Arab nations fit right in with operations against ISIL, he said. "I actually got to fly with each of the countries in the Gulf," the general said. "What I came away with is there may be no better example in how an investment in building partner capacity has paid off."

The Arab pilots were all graduates of the Gulf Air Warfare Center sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. The facility is similar to the U.S. Air Force's Red Flag facility in Nevada, he said. When he flew in the back seat of a Kuwaiti or Bahrani aircraft, Goldfein said, "I could have been in the backseat of one of our best weapons instructors" at Nellis Air Force Base. "I was watching the same quality of radar work, the same quality of communications, the same quality of integration," he added.

A force that has grown over time

This is a force that has grown over time, Goldfein said.

"And it has grown because we trained together at a level that has paid off," he said. "We often don't connect those dots. There was a time when it would have been very challenging to integrate them into any operation."

The general said each nation can have a great deal of pride in its participation. "From everything I've seen so far, this is a very successful event," he added.

Goldfein took exception to those who believe that there is a gap between what military leaders recommend and what civilian leaders do. "This is a really important 'civ-mil' moment this week," he said.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Forces Committee that if the conditions on the ground change, he may go to the president and "recommend to him that we accompany the Iraqi forces," Goldfein noted.

"That was played out over the course of the week as if there was a big rift," he said. "I would argue that that is exactly the way the process ought to work. That's the reason the president has senior military commanders and a military advisor -- to give military advice. And [civilian leaders] have every right not to take that advice, but they have to hear it. For him to state that if the conditions change I may come to the president and make this recommendation is exactly how the process should work."

#Columbia summit with #UnitedStates over #Security

DEFENSE DISCUSSIONS

09/25/2014 01:05 PM CDT

U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with Colombian Army Gen. Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan, chief of Colombia's Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, Sept. 25, 2014. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual importance.

#General #JuanPabloRodriguezBarragan From #Columbia visits #Pentagon

PENTAGON WELCOME

09/25/2014 12:52 PM CDT

U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, welcomes Army Gen. Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan, chief of Colombia's Joint Chiefs of Staff, to the Pentagon, Sept. 25, 2014.

#NCJW TO AWARD 10 #SCHOLARSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2014

LOS ANGELES, Calif.--Women Helping Women ~ Community Counseling & Support services (WHW), a program of National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA), is accepting applications for the fall 2014 cycle of its Scholarship Program. NCJW/LA scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000 and are awarded to nursing students, teachers, single parents, mid-life women, and film production students. Applications will be accepted until the deadline on November 1, 2014 and 10 scholarships will be awarded in December 2014.   The scholarships awarded include: Dodell Women's Empowerment Scholarship The Ellis Scholarship for Childcare The June Miller Nursing Education Scholarship Inger Lawrence-M.R. Bauer Foundation Nursing Studies Scholarship Samuel Schulman Memorial Scholarship The Sol Goldberg Childcare Subsidy The Sherman & Frances L. Teller Teachers Scholarship Stephen L. Teller & Richard Hotson TV and Cinema Scholarship The WHW scholarship program was created in 1987 to distribute funds to both women and men who have made a commitment to higher education as a means of overcoming obstacles in their lives and achieving a better future. Scholarships are awarded to residents of the greater Los Angeles area in two annual cycles according to strict guidelines and a comprehensive application process. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $342,000 in grants to deserving individuals without regard to their religious or ethnic background. Applications are evaluated based on each student's dedication to their chosen path and their financial need.   For more information about WHW's Scholarship Program or for a copy of the application form, please visit our website at www.ncjwla.org, or contact the Scholarship Coordinator at 323-852-8515.   ABOUT NCJW/LA The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. NCJW's Los Angeles Section has been at the forefront of social change since 1909 by providing the community with programs and services. Today, NCJW/LA serves more than 15,000 individuals each year by providing over 100,000 hours of programs and services with the support of 500 volunteers. NCJW/LA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID #95-1641433).

#NASA #NOAA Sees Tropical Storm #Kammuri Coming Together

When NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite passed over Tropical Storm Kammuri the VIIRS instrument aboard took a visible picture of the storm that showed bands of thunderstorms wrapped around its center. The storm appears to be coming together as circulation improves and bands of thunderstorms have been wrapping into the low-level center of circulation.

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over Tropical Storm Kammuri on Sept. 25 at 03:13 UTC (Sept. 24 at 11:13 p.m. EDT) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard captured a visible picture of the storm. The VIIRS instrument revealed strong thunderstorms around the center of circulation an in broken bands to the northwest and northeast of the center. Bands of thunderstorms were also forming south of the center and spiraling into the middle of the storm.

On Sept. 25 at 1500 UTC (11 a.m. EDT), Kammuri's maximum sustained winds were near 45 knots (83.3 mph/51.7 kph). It was centered near 20.8 north latitude and 146.5 east longitude, about 400 nautical miles southeast of Iwo To. Kammuri was moving to the north-northwest at 7 knots (8 mph/13 kph).

Kammuri is still forecast to intensify as it moves in a north-northwesterly direction through warm sea surface temperatures, toward the island of Iwo To. Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Kammuri to be typhoon strength as it passes east of the island of Iwo To on Sept. 27.

President #Obama Designates the Largest #Marine Reserve

09/25/2014 11:09 AM EDT

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded President Obama for his action to designate the largest marine reserve in the world to protect the pristine waters from commercial resource extraction including commercial fishing.

The proclamation expands the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, one of the most intact, ecologically sound marine environments in the world, to six times its current size, resulting in 370,000 square nautical miles (490,000 square miles) around these islands and atolls in the south-central Pacific Ocean. 


Top photo: Jim Maragos - USFWS
Bottom photo: Erik Oberg/Island Conservation

#Stratotanker Supports #Airstrikes at #AirForce

COCKPIT VIEW

09/25/2014 11:33 AM CDT

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gena Fedoruk and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Marcel Trott take off in a KC-135 Stratotanker from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support airstrikes in Syria, Sept. 23, 2014. Multiple KC-135 Stratotankers were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria.

#AirForce #F-15E Strike #Eagles

  

AFTER AIRSTRIKES

09/25/2014 11:57 AM CDT

A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over northern Iraq after conducting airstrikes against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets targets in Syria, Sept. 23, 2014.