PittsburghThoughts

 Uncle Sam wants you!

We were away like a lot of Americans over the weekend. I shudder to say the Memorial Day weekend for the same reasons that Veteran's Day leaves me in an ambiguous frenzy. I'm unable to reconcile my disgust with our military intrusions and what's considered patriotic. 

I don't understand this proposition; a solder ends up dead and somehow I am safe. The only other major comparison I can make is the salvation of Christ; he ends up dead and somehow I am saved. I would like nothing better than to break our cycle of honoring our war dead by thinking all military service is honorable, it's simply not true.

Yes, in a reasonable world this could be discussed. But people are patriotic not by reason, or, Bush would have been thrown out on his ear long ago, they are patriotic by visceral reaction. Death's finality leaves little room for speculation.  

I also understand what it means to do a job and that's what those young and some not-so-young guys are doing. They are soldiers and if told to shot me, they would. I want to scream, "If you're not automatons why do you act like you are?" But I know better. I know veterans and I know a few soldier and they want nothing more than to NOT be at war. They are people and they come in every flavor.

A veteran recently asked me what I was doing over the Memorial Day weekend. I didn't have an answer. If I would have remembered that we had planned on visiting our daughter in New Jersey I could have gotten myself off the hook, but I didn't. I verbally fumbled around trying to hide something in my nature that I know causes hard feelings that boomerang right back at me.

I say honor the dead by honoring the living. Get those death benefits increased, stop playing on our fucking heartstrings and pay up.

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While in New Jersey we spent the day at the Jersey shore, afterwards, my daughter mentioned an old Coast Guard installation that we could visit. It's abandoned but kept as a memorial. We drove through and I saw old brick barrack after barrack. I thought about life in those barracks, I imagined the roads swarming with young fit guys running in formation and calling out their funny, raunchy chants like in the movies. "A Few Good Men" crossed my mind. I saw Jack Nicholson pointing at me, telling me I can't handle the truth. He's so right.   Gene  

This is for real, this is for real, this is for real, this is for real: National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive  I've highlighted some passages and added my meager comments in red.

National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20

Subject: National Continuity Policy

Purpose

(1) This directive establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.

Definitions

(2) In this directive:

(a) "Category" refers to the categories of executive departments and agencies listed in Annex A to this directive;

(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;  (Sounds OK so far, I guess.)

(c) "Continuity of Government," or "COG," means a coordinated effort within the Federal Government's executive branch to ensure that National Essential Functions continue to be performed during a Catastrophic Emergency;

(d) "Continuity of Operations," or "COOP," means an effort within individual executive departments and agencies to ensure that Primary Mission-Essential Functions continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies; ( I wonder who determines what is and isn't an emergency?)

(e) "Enduring Constitutional Government," or "ECG," means a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with respect to the legislative and judicial branches (Comity: 1. An atmosphere of social harmony. 2. See comity of nations (sense 2). 3. The principle by which the courts of one jurisdiction may accede or give effect to the laws or decisions of another. In other words, the executive is in charge no matter what and may deign to bring the other branches of government into the fold, IF, they agree with him.) and with proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers among the branches, to preserve the constitutional framework under which the Nation is governed and the capability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities and provide for orderly succession, appropriate transition of leadership, and interoperability and support of the National Essential Functions during a catastrophic emergency;

(f) "Executive Departments and Agencies" means the executive departments enumerated in 5 U.S.C. 101, independent establishments as defined by 5 U.S.C. 104(1), Government corporations as defined by 5 U.S.C. 103(1), and the United States Postal Service;

(g) "Government Functions" means the collective functions of the heads of executive departments and agencies as defined by statute, regulation, presidential direction, or other legal authority, and the functions of the legislative and judicial branches;

(h) "National Essential Functions," or "NEFs," means that subset of Government Functions that are necessary to lead and sustain the Nation during a catastrophic emergency and that, therefore, must be supported through COOP and COG capabilities; and

(i) "Primary Mission Essential Functions," or "PMEFs," means those Government Functions that must be performed in order to support or implement the performance of NEFs before, during, and in the aftermath of an emergency. (f., g., h, and i., sound like the whole enchilada, goverment-wise.)

Policy

(3) It is the policy of the United States to maintain a comprehensive and effective continuity capability composed of Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government programs in order to ensure the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuing performance of National Essential Functions under all conditions. (Here's the wind-up!)

Implementation Actions (And the pitch!)

(4) Continuity requirements shall be incorporated into daily operations of all executive departments and agencies. As a result of the asymmetric threat environment, adequate warning of potential emergencies that could pose a significant risk to the homeland might not be available, and therefore all continuity planning shall be based on the assumption that no such warning will be received. (So the Government [the executive] can act with or without a threat!) Emphasis will be placed upon geographic dispersion of leadership, staff, and infrastructure in order to increase survivability and maintain uninterrupted Government Functions. Risk management principles shall be applied to ensure that appropriate operational readiness decisions are based on the probability of an attack or other incident and its consequences. (That about covers everything!)

(5) The following NEFs are the foundation for all continuity programs and capabilities and represent the overarching responsibilities of the Federal Government to lead and sustain the Nation during a crisis, and therefore sustaining the following NEFs shall be the primary focus of the Federal Government leadership during and in the aftermath of an emergency that adversely affects the performance of Government Functions:

(a) Ensuring the continued functioning of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government; (Hahahahha, yeah right!)

(b) Providing leadership visible to the Nation and the world (What? We're going to put on a show?) and maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people;

(c) Defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, (Starting to scare me!) and preventing or interdicting attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interests;

(d) Maintaining and fostering effective relationships with foreign nations;

(e) Protecting against threats to the homeland and bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes or attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interests;

(f) Providing rapid and effective response to and recovery from the domestic consequences of an attack or other incident;

(g) Protecting and stabilizing the Nation's economy and ensuring public confidence in its financial systems; and

(h) Providing for critical Federal Government services that address the national health, safety, and welfare needs of the United States. (I presume they mean "the people.")

(6) The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government. In order to advise and assist the President in that function, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHS/CT) is hereby designated as the National Continuity Coordinator. The National Continuity Coordinator, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for National (Bush or one of his cronies.)

Security Affairs (APNSA), without exercising directive authority, shall coordinate the development and implementation of continuity policy for executive departments and agencies. The Continuity Policy Coordination Committee (CPCC), chaired by a Senior Director from the Homeland Security Council staff, designated by the National Continuity Coordinator, shall be the main day-to-day forum for such policy coordination. (Bush and one of his cronies.)

(7) For continuity purposes, each executive department and agency is assigned to a category in accordance with the nature and characteristics of its national security roles and responsibilities in support of the Federal Government's ability to sustain the NEFs. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall serve as the President's lead agent for coordinating overall continuity operations and activities of executive departments and agencies, and in such role shall perform the responsibilities set forth for the Secretary in sections 10 and 16 of this directive. (Micheal Chertoff? Gasp!)

(8) The National Continuity Coordinator, in consultation with the heads of appropriate executive departments and agencies, will lead the development of a National Continuity Implementation Plan (Plan), which shall include prioritized goals and objectives, a concept of operations, performance metrics by which to measure continuity readiness, procedures for continuity and incident management activities, and clear direction to executive department and agency continuity coordinators, as well as guidance to promote interoperability of Federal Government continuity programs and procedures with State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate. (That about covers everybody.) The Plan shall be submitted to the President for approval not later than 90 days after the date of this directive. (And if the President doesn't like it?)

(9) Recognizing that each branch of the Federal Government is responsible for its own continuity programs, an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President (Crony, again.) shall ensure that the executive branch's COOP and COG policies in support of ECG efforts are appropriately coordinated with those of the legislative and judicial branches in order to ensure interoperability and allocate national assets efficiently to maintain a functioning Federal Government. (You'll do it or else!)

(10) Federal Government COOP, COG, and ECG plans and operations shall be appropriately integrated with the emergency plans and capabilities of State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to promote interoperability and to prevent redundancies and conflicting lines of authority. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate the integration of Federal continuity plans and operations with State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to provide for the delivery of essential services during an emergency. (Food? Water? Shelter? Like he did for Katrina? Or, Boots on the ground with guns?)

(11) Continuity requirements for the Executive Office of the President (EOP) and executive departments and agencies shall include the following:

(a) The continuation of the performance of PMEFs during any emergency must be for a period up to 30 days or until normal operations can be resumed, and the capability to be fully operational at alternate sites as soon as possible after the occurrence of an emergency, but not later than 12 hours after COOP activation;

(b) Succession orders and pre-planned devolution of authorities that ensure the emergency delegation of authority must be planned and documented in advance in accordance with applicable law;

(c) Vital resources, facilities, and records must be safeguarded, and official access to them must be provided;

(d) Provision must be made for the acquisition of the resources necessary for continuity operations on an emergency basis;

(e) Provision must be made for the availability and redundancy of critical communications capabilities at alternate sites in order to support connectivity between and among key government leadership, internal elements, other executive departments and agencies, critical partners, and the public;

(f) Provision must be made for reconstitution capabilities that allow for recovery from a catastrophic emergency and resumption of normal operations; and

(g) Provision must be made for the identification, training, and preparedness of personnel capable of relocating to alternate facilities to support the continuation of the performance of PMEFs. (God, this is bad!)

(12) In order to provide a coordinated response to escalating threat levels or actual emergencies, the Continuity of Government Readiness Conditions (COGCON) system establishes executive branch continuity program readiness levels, focusing on possible threats to the National Capital Region. (This reeks of paranoia, Cheney must have added this.) The President will determine and issue the COGCON Level. Executive departments and agencies shall comply with the requirements and assigned responsibilities under the COGCON program. During COOP activation, executive departments and agencies shall report their readiness status to the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary's designee.

(13) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall: (Count the money Bush spends.)

(a) Conduct an annual assessment of executive department and agency continuity funding requests and performance data that are submitted by executive departments and agencies as part of the annual budget request process, in order to monitor progress in the implementation of the Plan and the execution of continuity budgets;

(b) In coordination with the National Continuity Coordinator, issue annual continuity planning guidance for the development of continuity budget requests; and

(c) Ensure that heads of executive departments and agencies prioritize budget resources for continuity capabilities, consistent with this directive.

(14) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall: (Essentially, be a patsy.)

(a) Define and issue minimum requirements for continuity communications for executive departments and agencies, in consultation with the APHS/CT, the APNSA, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Chief of Staff to the President;

(b) Establish requirements for, and monitor the development, implementation, and maintenance of, a comprehensive communications architecture to integrate continuity components, in consultation with the APHS/CT, the APNSA, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Chief of Staff to the President; and

(c) Review quarterly and annual assessments of continuity communications capabilities, as prepared pursuant to section 16(d) of this directive or otherwise, and report the results and recommended remedial actions to the National Continuity Coordinator.

(15) An official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President shall: (Make sure they're doing what they're told.)

(a) Advise the President, the Chief of Staff to the President, the APHS/CT, and the APNSA on COGCON operational execution options; and

(b) Consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security in order to ensure synchronization and integration of continuity activities among the four categories of executive departments and agencies.

(16) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall: (Blah, blah, blah.)

(a) Coordinate the implementation, execution, and assessment of continuity operations and activities;

(b) Develop and promulgate Federal Continuity Directives in order to establish continuity planning requirements for executive departments and agencies;

(c) Conduct biennial assessments of individual department and agency continuity capabilities as prescribed by the Plan and report the results to the President through the APHS/CT;

(d) Conduct quarterly and annual assessments of continuity communications capabilities in consultation with an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President;

(e) Develop, lead, and conduct a Federal continuity training and exercise program, which shall be incorporated into the National Exercise Program developed pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8 of December 17, 2003 ("National Preparedness"), in consultation with an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President;

(f) Develop and promulgate continuity planning guidance to State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators;

(g) Make available continuity planning and exercise funding, in the form of grants as provided by law, to State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators; and

(h) As Executive Agent of the National Communications System, develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive continuity communications architecture.

(17) The Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the Attorney General (Hahahahha, this gets better and better.) and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall produce a biennial assessment of the foreign and domestic threats to the Nation's continuity of government.

(18) The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall provide secure, integrated, Continuity of Government communications to the President, the Vice President, and, at a minimum, Category I executive departments and agencies. (AND, rattle his sabre.)

(19) Heads of executive departments and agencies shall execute their respective department or agency COOP plans in response to a localized emergency and shall: (Figure out the best way to divide up the reconstruction contracts.)

(a) Appoint a senior accountable official, at the Assistant Secretary level, as the Continuity Coordinator for the department or agency;

(b) Identify and submit to the National Continuity Coordinator the list of PMEFs for the department or agency and develop continuity plans in support of the NEFs and the continuation of essential functions under all conditions;

(c) Plan, program, and budget for continuity capabilities consistent with this directive;

(d) Plan, conduct, and support annual tests and training, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, in order to evaluate program readiness and ensure adequacy and viability of continuity plans and communications systems; and

(e) Support other continuity requirements, as assigned by category, in accordance with the nature and characteristics of its national security roles and responsibilities (ZZZZZzzzzzzz)

General Provisions

(20) This directive shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with, and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the Constitution concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its powers, and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. 19), with consultation of the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved. Heads of executive departments and agencies shall ensure that appropriate support is available to the Vice President and others involved as necessary to be prepared at all times to implement those provisions.

(21) This directive: (CYA)

(a) Shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and the authorities of agencies, or heads of agencies, vested by law, and subject to the availability of appropriations;

(b) Shall not be construed to impair or otherwise affect (i) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, and legislative proposals, or (ii) the authority of the Secretary of Defense over the Department of Defense, including the chain of command for military forces from the President, to the Secretary of Defense, to the commander of military forces, or military command and control procedures; and

(c) Is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

22) Revocation. Presidential Decision Directive 67 of October 21, 1998 ("Enduring Constitutional Government and Continuity of Government Operations"), including all Annexes thereto, is hereby revoked. (Out with he old, in with the new.)

(23) Annex A and the classified Continuity Annexes, attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this directive.

(24) Security. This directive and the information contained herein shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure, provided that, except for Annex A, the Annexes attached to this directive are classified and shall be accorded appropriate handling, consistent with applicable Executive Orders. (We don't get to see the secret parts.) 

GEORGE W. BUSH

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YouTube - Godfather IV

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Last night it sickened me to watch Chris Matthews address Ken Blackwell as if he were some kind of pundit or spokesperson. http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=095565A5-6061-4C5F-...

What the fuck is wrong with our media. Chris Matthews pretends to play hardball....I challenge anyone to watch him interview Tom Delay and call it hardball. It's sycophantic and cloying But, to treat Ken Blackwell as a respected guest is a slap in the face. Here's some Ken Blackwell history: The Free Press -- Independent News Media - Bob Fitrakis

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On the other hand, I loved his report on Bill Richarson. I'm becoming a HUGE Bill Richardson fan! MSNBC Video

Two unlikely heros,

Although, I've had my share of brain busting problems with Christopher Hitchens and his insistence that Saddam DID try to buy yellow cake uranium in Niger based on the premise, "What other reason would they be in Niger for?" I have to say I admire his courage and, in fact, his zealousness in confronting the wholesale distribution of faux Christianity by such charlatans such as the recently deceased Falwell.

I'm not sure I share Hitchen's degree of vitriol against the fundamentalists, or maybe it's my lack of courage, but I certainly see why he feels the way he does, especially in light of the simplemindedness of the positions expressed by the republicans seeking the party's nomination in the most recent "debate." 

The only person that made sense, *Ron Paul YouTube - RON PAUL AND RUDY GIULIANI MIX-IT-UP & IGNITE THE STAGE! may be excluded, for his reasonableness, from future debates! The rebulican audience can be heard responding in Pavlovian unanimity to the word "torture," and Mitt Romney's deplorable, "double Guantanamo." YouTube - Double Guantanamo

It's Christopher Hitchen's position, and an indisputable one I believe, that Falwell and a few others have fomented this mentality with their persuasion and money. AlterNet: Blogs: Video: Christopher Hitchens rips Jerry Falwell to shreds [VIDEO].

When responding to mass delusion, as in the case of Ron Paul and Christopher Hitchens, they must be encouraged to be perceived as delusional by the demagogues or the mindless belief system that they promote begins to unravel and nothing is as delicate as a demagogues belief system.  Gene

*Least we forget, from, But Who Was Right -- Rudy or Ron? - Yahoo! News: