The Defense Science Board (DSB) has posted a new report.
The report on "Mission Impact of Foreign Influence on DoD Software can be found at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/2007-09-Mission_Impact_of_Foreign_Inf
luence_on_DoD_Software.pdf.
According to the memorandum of endorsement by Dr. Schneider, this report "was established to complement the 2005 DSB study on High Performance Microchip Supply which focused on the implications of semiconductor fabrication in foreign countries. The task force found that the DoD faces similar consequences from the possible exploitation of software, increasingly developed outside of the United States, it its systems."
The 2005 report can be found at
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/2005-02-HPMS_Report_Final.pdf
If you have trouble with the link wrapping go to http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports.htm and you can retrieve both from there.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
WASHOE COUNTY SUPPORTS COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS URBAN BEAR INCIDENTS
Reno, Nevada. October 23, 2007. At their October 23 Board meeting, Commissioners authorized Washoe County staff to devote resources and staff time to the Sierra Front Bear Working Group plan. The Sierra Front Bear Working Group consists of multiple state and local agencies with a common goal to address the increasing problem of human-bear contacts and activity in Washoe County.
Due to the dramatic increases in bear complaints in 2007, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners directed staff to reconvene the Sierra Front Bear Working Group. Washoe County’s contribution to the group’s plan is to dedicate $5,000 to a community-wide education and awareness program and, as funds become available, contribute a minimum of $50,000 for the installation of wildlife proof trash enclosures at Davis Creek Park. This effective community plan will be implemented by the participating multiple agencies with varying responsibilities. These include education, public safety, ordinance enforcement, natural resource management, community planning, legislation and funding.
Over the next year, the Sierra Front Bear Working Group will prepare a Community Bear Management Plan and implement an initial education and awareness campaign. The group includes representatives from Washoe County Animal Control, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Community Relations, Community Development and Health Department, Washoe County Manager’s Office, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Douglas County Code Enforcement, Incline Village General Improvement District and Waste Management.
Citizens are reminded to call 911 for any encounter with a bear that threatens human life. All other bear-related calls should be made to the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife at (775) 688-1331.
Reno, Nevada. October 23, 2007. At their October 23 Board meeting, Commissioners authorized Washoe County staff to devote resources and staff time to the Sierra Front Bear Working Group plan. The Sierra Front Bear Working Group consists of multiple state and local agencies with a common goal to address the increasing problem of human-bear contacts and activity in Washoe County.
Due to the dramatic increases in bear complaints in 2007, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners directed staff to reconvene the Sierra Front Bear Working Group. Washoe County’s contribution to the group’s plan is to dedicate $5,000 to a community-wide education and awareness program and, as funds become available, contribute a minimum of $50,000 for the installation of wildlife proof trash enclosures at Davis Creek Park. This effective community plan will be implemented by the participating multiple agencies with varying responsibilities. These include education, public safety, ordinance enforcement, natural resource management, community planning, legislation and funding.
Over the next year, the Sierra Front Bear Working Group will prepare a Community Bear Management Plan and implement an initial education and awareness campaign. The group includes representatives from Washoe County Animal Control, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Community Relations, Community Development and Health Department, Washoe County Manager’s Office, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Douglas County Code Enforcement, Incline Village General Improvement District and Waste Management.
Citizens are reminded to call 911 for any encounter with a bear that threatens human life. All other bear-related calls should be made to the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife at (775) 688-1331.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Cabinet members blogging
Leavitt's blog: http://secretarysblog.hhs.gov/my--weblog/
Chertoff's blog:
http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership/2007--10--01--archive.html
Leavitt's blog: http://secretarysblog.hhs.gov/my--weblog/
Chertoff's blog:
http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership/2007--10--01--archive.html
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
New Maritime Strategy
The Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard have released a new cooperative Maritime Strategy. The report entitled "A Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century Seapower" was released at the International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College today.
The report can be found at
http://www.navy.mil/maritime/MaritimeStrategy.pdf or from main site http://www.navy.mil/maritime/.
A video of the conference can be found at http://www.navy.mil/media/video/live/newport-webcast.asx
The Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard have released a new cooperative Maritime Strategy. The report entitled "A Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century Seapower" was released at the International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College today.
The report can be found at
http://www.navy.mil/maritime/MaritimeStrategy.pdf or from main site http://www.navy.mil/maritime/.
A video of the conference can be found at http://www.navy.mil/media/video/live/newport-webcast.asx
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Veteran's Disability Benefits Commission has released their report "Honoring the Call to Duty: Veterans' Disability Benefits in the 21st Century." The report can be accessed from http://www.vetscommission.org/reports.asp
The PDF of the full report is available at http://www.vetscommission.org/pdf/eReport_prepub_9-27.pdf
The executive summary is available at
http://www.vetscommission.org/pdf/ExecutiveSummary_eV_9-27.pdf
Excerpt from the Exec Summary:
The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission was established by Public Law 108-136, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004.
Between May 2005 and October 2007, the Commission conducted an in-depth analysis of the benefits and services available to veterans, service members, their survivors, and their families to compensate and provide assistance for the effects of disabilities and deaths attributable to military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs expended $40.5 billion on the wide array of these benefits and services in fiscal year 2006. The Commission addressed the appropriateness and purpose of benefits, benefit levels and payment rates, and the processes and procedures used to determine eligibility. The Commission reviewed past studies on these subjects, the legislative history of the benefit programs, and related issues that have been debated repeatedly over many decades.
The Commission identified eight principles for guiding the development and delivery of future benefits for veterans and their families.
1. Benefits should recognize the often enormous sacrifices of military service as a continuing cost of war, and commend military service as the highest obligation of citizenship.
2. The goal of disability benefits should be rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life to the maximum extent possible and preservation of the veterans' dignity.
3. Benefits should be uniformly based on severity of service-connected disability without regard to the circumstances of the disability (wartime v. peacetime, combat v. training, or geographical
location.)
4. Benefits and services should be provided that collectively compensate for the consequence of service-connected disability on the average impairment of earnings capacity, the ability to engage in usual life activities, and quality of life.
5. Benefits and standards for determining benefits should be updated or adapted frequently based on changes in the economic and social impact of disability and impairment, advances in medical knowledge and technology, and the evolving nature of warfare and military service.
6. Benefits should include access to a full range of health care provided at no cost to service-disabled veterans. Priority for care must be based on service connection and degree of disability.
7. Funding and resources to adequately meet the needs of service-disabled veterans and their families must be fully provided while being aware of the burden on current and future generations.
8. Benefits to our nation's service-disabled veterans must be delivered in a consistent, fair, equitable, and timely manner.
The PDF of the full report is available at http://www.vetscommission.org/pdf/eReport_prepub_9-27.pdf
The executive summary is available at
http://www.vetscommission.org/pdf/ExecutiveSummary_eV_9-27.pdf
Excerpt from the Exec Summary:
The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission was established by Public Law 108-136, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004.
Between May 2005 and October 2007, the Commission conducted an in-depth analysis of the benefits and services available to veterans, service members, their survivors, and their families to compensate and provide assistance for the effects of disabilities and deaths attributable to military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs expended $40.5 billion on the wide array of these benefits and services in fiscal year 2006. The Commission addressed the appropriateness and purpose of benefits, benefit levels and payment rates, and the processes and procedures used to determine eligibility. The Commission reviewed past studies on these subjects, the legislative history of the benefit programs, and related issues that have been debated repeatedly over many decades.
The Commission identified eight principles for guiding the development and delivery of future benefits for veterans and their families.
1. Benefits should recognize the often enormous sacrifices of military service as a continuing cost of war, and commend military service as the highest obligation of citizenship.
2. The goal of disability benefits should be rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life to the maximum extent possible and preservation of the veterans' dignity.
3. Benefits should be uniformly based on severity of service-connected disability without regard to the circumstances of the disability (wartime v. peacetime, combat v. training, or geographical
location.)
4. Benefits and services should be provided that collectively compensate for the consequence of service-connected disability on the average impairment of earnings capacity, the ability to engage in usual life activities, and quality of life.
5. Benefits and standards for determining benefits should be updated or adapted frequently based on changes in the economic and social impact of disability and impairment, advances in medical knowledge and technology, and the evolving nature of warfare and military service.
6. Benefits should include access to a full range of health care provided at no cost to service-disabled veterans. Priority for care must be based on service connection and degree of disability.
7. Funding and resources to adequately meet the needs of service-disabled veterans and their families must be fully provided while being aware of the burden on current and future generations.
8. Benefits to our nation's service-disabled veterans must be delivered in a consistent, fair, equitable, and timely manner.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
A couple of new reports by Anthony Cordesman at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) might be of particular use with some interesting graphs and charts on various topics.
Pandora's Box: Iraqi Federalism, Separatism, "Hard" Partitioning and US Policy.
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071009_pandorasbox.pdf
This working draft report from Oct 9, 2007 looks at federalizing or partitioning Iraq. Useful graphs/charts include topics such as:
refugees and displaced persons, maps of threats and ethno-sectarian violence, Iraqi military and civilian casualties, public opinion, demographics, infrastructure and more.
Political, Military and Economic Dynamics in Iraq: A Graphic Overview.
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071005_iraqoverview.pdf
This revised October 2007 report shows, through the use of graphs and maps, topics such as: sectarian & ethnic divisions, oil fields, weekly attack trends by type, high profile and IED attacks, major threats and the state of Al Qaeda, insurgent concentrations, US aid status, crude oil production and more.
Pandora's Box: Iraqi Federalism, Separatism, "Hard" Partitioning and US Policy.
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071009_pandorasbox.pdf
This working draft report from Oct 9, 2007 looks at federalizing or partitioning Iraq. Useful graphs/charts include topics such as:
refugees and displaced persons, maps of threats and ethno-sectarian violence, Iraqi military and civilian casualties, public opinion, demographics, infrastructure and more.
Political, Military and Economic Dynamics in Iraq: A Graphic Overview.
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/071005_iraqoverview.pdf
This revised October 2007 report shows, through the use of graphs and maps, topics such as: sectarian & ethnic divisions, oil fields, weekly attack trends by type, high profile and IED attacks, major threats and the state of Al Qaeda, insurgent concentrations, US aid status, crude oil production and more.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
From ALA's Action Alert:
The Presidential Records Act Amendments bill
(H.R.1255)
is currently being prevented from a vote in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY). He has not stated his reasons for doing so. H.R.1255 removes restrictions placed by President Bush's 2001 Executive Order 13233 and enhances the Presidential Records Act, one of the nation's most important open-government laws.
On March 14, 2007, by a vote of 333-93, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1255.
More information is available at:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=10372136
*****************************************************
Further Background:
In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13233, which gave current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents broad authority to withhold Presidential records or delay their release indefinitely. The Presidential Records Act Amendments (H.R.1255) would nullify the Bush executive order and restore the principle that the records of our highest elected public official belong to the people. This bill passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 333-93 on March 14, 2007, but it is now held up in the Senate by a hold placed by Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky. ALA supports H.R.1255 and has issued an action alert seeking the release of Sen. Bunning's hold so the bill can move forward.
This National Action Alert Network (NAAN) release is intended to support that effort.
Action:
*****KENTUCKY RESIDENTS: Your participation is doubly critical. Your junior Senator, Jim Bunning, is responsible for the hold on the bill, and your senior Senator, Mitch McConnell, has a special responsibility as Minority Leader to help move the bill through the Senate. Please call Sen. Bunning's office and ask that he release his hold on the bill so it can be scheduled for a vote. His direct office number is 202-224-4343. Please ask Sen.
McConnell to urge Sen. Bunning to take these steps; his direct office number is 202-224-2541. Hearing from as many of *their* constituents as possible will be crucial. Talking points and a sample email/fax are below.
*****Other States: Please call, fax, or e-mail your Senators (do not use U.S.
mail). Their contact information is available from the U.S. Senate website:
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
Talking Points:
I'm calling to ask Senator _____________ to urge his/her colleague, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to have Sen. Bunning release the hold on H.R. 1255, Presidential Records Act Amendments bill, so it can be brought to the senate floor. HR 1255 will nullify Executive Order 13233, signed by President Bush in 2001. E.O. 13233 amended the Presidential Records Act of 1978, restricting the public's access to presidential records after a president leaves office. H.R. 1255 will do the following to restore the public's
access:
- Establish a Deadline for restriction of release. Under EO 13233,
records are released when both the current and former president approve the
release. If neither approves the release, the records stay hidden from
public view. H.R. 1255 will set a time period of 40 business days to
raise objection to the release of the records. If no objections are raised,
the records are presented to the public.
- Limit the power of former presidents to withhold records. EO 13233
allows the former president to withhold his/her records from public view
unless a court ordered them released, placing the burden of proof on the
public. HR 1255 will reverse this process: the former president will need
to get a court order to prevent the records from being released, placing the
burden of proof on the president.
- Limit Vice Presidential Power. Under EO 13233, the vice president
may claim executive privilege and withhold presidential records, an
unprecedented step. H.R. 1255 will restore the long standing
precedent that executive privilege resides with the president, and not the
vice president.
- Only the President has the power to make privilege claims. EO 13233
allowed for the former president to bequeath executive privilege to
assistants, relatives or descendants, thus allowing the designate to keep
the records hidden from the public indefinitely. HR 1255 will nullify this
claim and allow only the current president to restrict access to records.
Email/Fax:
To the Honorable Senator ___________
I am writing to express my support for the Presidential Records Act Amendments (H.R. 1255) and to ask you to urge your colleague, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to have Sen. Bunning release the hold on this important bill. I support this bill because it will nullify Executive Order 13233, signed by President Bush in 2001, and re-establish procedures to ensure the timely release of Presidential records.
The records of the highest elected public office in the country, the President of the United States, belong to the people and are official evidence of government activities. Presidential records, preserved and made accessible by the National Archives, document the decisions and operation of the executive branch and contribute to cultural and historical understanding and scholarship.
Access to these records is a basic element of citizenship in a government by the people. I urge you to add your influential voice to those who are calling for this principle to be restored to our Nation's laws.
Sincerely,
The Presidential Records Act Amendments bill
(H.R.1255
is currently being prevented from a vote in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY). He has not stated his reasons for doing so. H.R.1255 removes restrictions placed by President Bush's 2001 Executive Order 13233 and enhances the Presidential Records Act, one of the nation's most important open-government laws.
On March 14, 2007, by a vote of 333-93, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1255.
More information is available at:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=10372136
*****************************************************
Further Background:
In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13233, which gave current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents broad authority to withhold Presidential records or delay their release indefinitely. The Presidential Records Act Amendments (H.R.1255) would nullify the Bush executive order and restore the principle that the records of our highest elected public official belong to the people. This bill passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 333-93 on March 14, 2007, but it is now held up in the Senate by a hold placed by Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky. ALA supports H.R.1255 and has issued an action alert seeking the release of Sen. Bunning's hold so the bill can move forward.
This National Action Alert Network (NAAN) release is intended to support that effort.
Action:
*****KENTUCKY RESIDENTS: Your participation is doubly critical. Your junior Senator, Jim Bunning, is responsible for the hold on the bill, and your senior Senator, Mitch McConnell, has a special responsibility as Minority Leader to help move the bill through the Senate. Please call Sen. Bunning's office and ask that he release his hold on the bill so it can be scheduled for a vote. His direct office number is 202-224-4343. Please ask Sen.
McConnell to urge Sen. Bunning to take these steps; his direct office number is 202-224-2541. Hearing from as many of *their* constituents as possible will be crucial. Talking points and a sample email/fax are below.
*****Other States: Please call, fax, or e-mail your Senators (do not use U.S.
mail). Their contact information is available from the U.S. Senate website:
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
Talking Points:
I'm calling to ask Senator _____________ to urge his/her colleague, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to have Sen. Bunning release the hold on H.R. 1255, Presidential Records Act Amendments bill, so it can be brought to the senate floor. HR 1255 will nullify Executive Order 13233, signed by President Bush in 2001. E.O. 13233 amended the Presidential Records Act of 1978, restricting the public's access to presidential records after a president leaves office. H.R. 1255 will do the following to restore the public's
access:
- Establish a Deadline for restriction of release. Under EO 13233,
records are released when both the current and former president approve the
release. If neither approves the release, the records stay hidden from
public view. H.R. 1255 will set a time period of 40 business days to
raise objection to the release of the records. If no objections are raised,
the records are presented to the public.
- Limit the power of former presidents to withhold records. EO 13233
allows the former president to withhold his/her records from public view
unless a court ordered them released, placing the burden of proof on the
public. HR 1255 will reverse this process: the former president will need
to get a court order to prevent the records from being released, placing the
burden of proof on the president.
- Limit Vice Presidential Power. Under EO 13233, the vice president
may claim executive privilege and withhold presidential records, an
unprecedented step. H.R. 1255 will restore the long standing
precedent that executive privilege resides with the president, and not the
vice president.
- Only the President has the power to make privilege claims. EO 13233
allowed for the former president to bequeath executive privilege to
assistants, relatives or descendants, thus allowing the designate to keep
the records hidden from the public indefinitely. HR 1255 will nullify this
claim and allow only the current president to restrict access to records.
Email/Fax:
To the Honorable Senator ___________
I am writing to express my support for the Presidential Records Act Amendments (H.R. 1255) and to ask you to urge your colleague, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to have Sen. Bunning release the hold on this important bill. I support this bill because it will nullify Executive Order 13233, signed by President Bush in 2001, and re-establish procedures to ensure the timely release of Presidential records.
The records of the highest elected public office in the country, the President of the United States, belong to the people and are official evidence of government activities. Presidential records, preserved and made accessible by the National Archives, document the decisions and operation of the executive branch and contribute to cultural and historical understanding and scholarship.
Access to these records is a basic element of citizenship in a government by the people. I urge you to add your influential voice to those who are calling for this principle to be restored to our Nation's laws.
Sincerely,
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Congress and
Private Military Contractors
"Blackwater USA: Private Military Contractor Activity in Iraq and Afghanistan" House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing, October 2, 2007 [not much there yet but more will be added after the hearing]
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1509
"Additional Information about Blackwater USA." House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Memorandum from the Majority Staff -.
October 1, 2007
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071001121609.pdf
"Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater's Actions in Fallujah." House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Majority Staff report. Sept 2007
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20070927104643.pdf
"War Profiteering and Other Contractor Crimes Committed Overseas."
House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. June 19, 2007
http://judiciary.house.gov/oversight.aspx?ID=338
"Iraqi Reconstruction: Reliance on Private Military Contractors " House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing - Feb 7, 2007 [includes links to the video of the hearing, witness statements, and more]
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1165
Various letters to and from the Committee, the State Dept and Blackwater
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1497
CPA Memorandum 17 - Registration Requirements for Private Security Companies (PSC) with Annexes including Annex A-
Rules for the Use of Force by Contractors in Iraq and Annex B - Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies Operating Iraq
http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040626_CPAMEMO_17_Registratio
n_Requirements_for_Private_Security_Companies_with_Annexes.pdf
"Abuses in Private Security and Reconstruction Contracting in Iraq:
Ensuring Accountability, Protecting Whistleblowers." Senate Democratic Party Committee Hearing. September 21, 2007. [includes statements and links to the video of the hearing]
http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/dpc-hearing.cfm?A=40
Selected other sources:
"The Private Military Firms: Historical Evolution and Industry Analysis." NPS thesis. June 2007.
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/07Jun%5FAlabarda%5FMBA.pd
f
"Analysis of Security Contractors in Deployed Environments." NPS Thesis.
December 2006
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/06Dec%5FHerron%5FMBA.pdf
"A Critical Analysis of the Coordination, Command and Control of Contractors in Iraq." NPS Thesis. December 2006
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/06Dec%5FButkus%5FMBA.pdf
"Outsourcing Small Wars: Expanding the Role of Private Military Companies in U.S. Military Operations." NPS Thesis. September 2005.
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/05Sep%5FJorgensen.pdf
"Rebuilding Iraq: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Private Security Providers." GAO July 2005
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05737.pdf
"Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues" CRS report updated July 11, 2007
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32419.pdf
DCAF Backgrounder "Private Military Companies" April 2004
http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/portal/issueareas/security/security
_pdf/2006_DCAF.pdf
"The Private Military Industry and Iraq: What Have We Learned and Where to Next?" DCAF Policy Paper. Nov 2004
http://www.dcaf.ch/_docs/pp04_private-military.pdf
"Phasing Out Private Security Contractors in Iraq" USAWC Strategic Leadership Course paper. March 2006
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/ksil520.pdf
"Private Security Contractors on the Battlefield." USAWC Strategy Research Project. March 2006
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/ksil320.pdf
"Operational Implications of Private Military Companies in the Global War on Terror. Army Command and General Staff College, 2005
http://stinet.dtic.mil/dticrev/PDFs/ADA436294.pdf
"Public War, Private Fight? The United States and Private Military Companies" Global War on Terrorism Occasional Paper no. 12. Fort Leavenworth Combat Studies Institute. 2005
http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/download/csipubs/kidwell.pdf
Private Military Contractors
"Blackwater USA: Private Military Contractor Activity in Iraq and Afghanistan" House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing, October 2, 2007 [not much there yet but more will be added after the hearing]
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1509
"Additional Information about Blackwater USA." House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Memorandum from the Majority Staff -.
October 1, 2007
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071001121609.pdf
"Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater's Actions in Fallujah." House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Majority Staff report. Sept 2007
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20070927104643.pdf
"War Profiteering and Other Contractor Crimes Committed Overseas."
House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. June 19, 2007
http://judiciary.house.gov/oversight.aspx?ID=338
"Iraqi Reconstruction: Reliance on Private Military Contractors " House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing - Feb 7, 2007 [includes links to the video of the hearing, witness statements, and more]
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1165
Various letters to and from the Committee, the State Dept and Blackwater
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1497
CPA Memorandum 17 - Registration Requirements for Private Security Companies (PSC) with Annexes including Annex A-
Rules for the Use of Force by Contractors in Iraq and Annex B - Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies Operating Iraq
http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/20040626_CPAMEMO_17_Registratio
n_Requirements_for_Private_Security_Companies_with_Annexes.pdf
"Abuses in Private Security and Reconstruction Contracting in Iraq:
Ensuring Accountability, Protecting Whistleblowers." Senate Democratic Party Committee Hearing. September 21, 2007. [includes statements and links to the video of the hearing]
http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/dpc-hearing.cfm?A=40
Selected other sources:
"The Private Military Firms: Historical Evolution and Industry Analysis." NPS thesis. June 2007.
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/07Jun%5FAlabarda%5FMBA.pd
f
"Analysis of Security Contractors in Deployed Environments." NPS Thesis.
December 2006
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/06Dec%5FHerron%5FMBA.pdf
"A Critical Analysis of the Coordination, Command and Control of Contractors in Iraq." NPS Thesis. December 2006
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/06Dec%5FButkus%5FMBA.pdf
"Outsourcing Small Wars: Expanding the Role of Private Military Companies in U.S. Military Operations." NPS Thesis. September 2005.
http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/05Sep%5FJorgensen.pdf
"Rebuilding Iraq: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Private Security Providers." GAO July 2005
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05737.pdf
"Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues" CRS report updated July 11, 2007
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32419.pdf
DCAF Backgrounder "Private Military Companies" April 2004
http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/portal/issueareas/security/security
_pdf/2006_DCAF.pdf
"The Private Military Industry and Iraq: What Have We Learned and Where to Next?" DCAF Policy Paper. Nov 2004
http://www.dcaf.ch/_docs/pp04_private-military.pdf
"Phasing Out Private Security Contractors in Iraq" USAWC Strategic Leadership Course paper. March 2006
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/ksil520.pdf
"Private Security Contractors on the Battlefield." USAWC Strategy Research Project. March 2006
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/ksil320.pdf
"Operational Implications of Private Military Companies in the Global War on Terror. Army Command and General Staff College, 2005
http://stinet.dtic.mil/dticrev/PDFs/ADA436294.pdf
"Public War, Private Fight? The United States and Private Military Companies" Global War on Terrorism Occasional Paper no. 12. Fort Leavenworth Combat Studies Institute. 2005
http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/download/csipubs/kidwell.pdf
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed Wednesday, October 3 as ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day.
Take the Change a Light Pledge, learn what Washoe County is doing to conserve, preserve and restore resources and find out how you can too and save money in the process!
When: Wednesday, October 3
Where: Building A Lobby
When: 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lots of fun giveaways! Enjoy a complimentary dessert while you learn!
Who will be there?
Sierra Pacific Power, RTC, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Washoe County Cooperative Extension, Environmental Health Services, Regional Parks and Open Space, the Flood Project, Water Resources, Air Quality Management, the Quality of Life Task Force, Community Relations, Purchasing, Facility Management and YOU!!!
Take the Change a Light Pledge, learn what Washoe County is doing to conserve, preserve and restore resources and find out how you can too and save money in the process!
When: Wednesday, October 3
Where: Building A Lobby
When: 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lots of fun giveaways! Enjoy a complimentary dessert while you learn!
Who will be there?
Sierra Pacific Power, RTC, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Washoe County Cooperative Extension, Environmental Health Services, Regional Parks and Open Space, the Flood Project, Water Resources, Air Quality Management, the Quality of Life Task Force, Community Relations, Purchasing, Facility Management and YOU!!!
Introducing Gov Gab – Your U.S. Government Blog!
We are very pleased to announce that USA.gov and the team at the Office of Citizen Services at GSA have just launched a blog. Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> is a blog for all Americans to share all our government information. Check it out at http://www.govgab.gov <http://www.govgab.gov/> .
Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> is written by a team of five bloggers with different backgrounds and interests, all experts on government information via their jobs at USA.gov, Pueblo.gsa.gov, or 1 (800) FED-INFO. Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> offers a new post each weekday, and readers are encouraged to join the conversation by leaving comments or sending e-mails. The Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> team will key off the conversation going on in the blogosphere and use their own experiences and expertise as government information managers to blog about the services and great information from the U.S. government that are helpful to Americans in their everyday lives.
Check out our first posts <http://www.govgab.gov/> and read the "meet the bloggers <http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/page/bios> " section for a short, fun autobiography of each writer. With their varying backgrounds and stories, the bloggers have something for everyone. This personal element lets Gov Gab put a "face" on the federal government, and makes it easier for readers to ask questions, share experiences, and join the conversation.
Find out who’s talking, what’s being said, and offer your two cents on Gov Gab.gov—Your U.S. Government Blog <http://www.govgab.gov/> .
And, please, help us spread the word!
Thanks!
Bev Godwin <mailto:beverly.godwin@gsa.gov> Director, USA.gov and Web Best Practices Federal Citizen Information Center, Office of Citizen Services U.S. General Services Administration
For all your government information needs:
Click on USA.gov <http://www.usa.gov/>
or Call 1-800-FED-INFO
We are very pleased to announce that USA.gov and the team at the Office of Citizen Services at GSA have just launched a blog. Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> is a blog for all Americans to share all our government information. Check it out at http://www.govgab.gov <http://www.govgab.gov/> .
Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> is written by a team of five bloggers with different backgrounds and interests, all experts on government information via their jobs at USA.gov, Pueblo.gsa.gov, or 1 (800) FED-INFO. Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> offers a new post each weekday, and readers are encouraged to join the conversation by leaving comments or sending e-mails. The Gov Gab <http://www.govgab.gov/> team will key off the conversation going on in the blogosphere and use their own experiences and expertise as government information managers to blog about the services and great information from the U.S. government that are helpful to Americans in their everyday lives.
Check out our first posts <http://www.govgab.gov/> and read the "meet the bloggers <http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/page/bios> " section for a short, fun autobiography of each writer. With their varying backgrounds and stories, the bloggers have something for everyone. This personal element lets Gov Gab put a "face" on the federal government, and makes it easier for readers to ask questions, share experiences, and join the conversation.
Find out who’s talking, what’s being said, and offer your two cents on Gov Gab.gov—Your U.S. Government Blog <http://www.govgab.gov/> .
And, please, help us spread the word!
Thanks!
Bev Godwin <mailto:beverly.godwin@gsa.gov> Director, USA.gov and Web Best Practices Federal Citizen Information Center, Office of Citizen Services U.S. General Services Administration
For all your government information needs:
Click on USA.gov <http://www.usa.gov/>
or Call 1-800-FED-INFO
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