Will America Even Be Able to Afford Dunce Caps for Political Class?By Joe Gandelman | July 26th, 2011 | 46 Comments
Independent’s Eye by Joe Gandelman
The debt ceiling limit crisis has revealed one fact: the current political class of leaders who are largely from the Baby Boomer and post-Baby Boomer generations could never be confused with “The Greatest Generation.” The Most Partisan Generations? Perhaps.
More:http://blog.cagle.com/2011/07/will-america-even-be-able-to-afford-dunce-caps-for-political-class/
Friday, July 29, 2011
SEIU wants help from YOU
Dear friend,
Last night Republicans in the House of Representatives failed to pass a plan to raise our country's debt ceiling in exchange for as much as $1.8 trillion in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts.
The bill asked NOTHING of millionaires and corporations, everything of the most vulnerable among us, and it's a good thing it failed.
With Tuesday's deadline looming, it looks like anything that has a chance of passing will have to start in the Senate.
Thousands of SEIU members and allies helped stop a horrible bill because of the calls we made to our representatives in the House, but now the Senate needs to hear from you as they begin deliberations certain to last all weekend.
You should make an emergency call to your Senator RIGHT NOW and tell them to stand up for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid:
1-877-736-7831
As you can tell, there is very little margin for error. Protecting the benefits so many people depend on could hinge on a single vote, so every call matters.
Make yours now.
In solidarity,
Mary Kay Henry
President, SEIU
P.S. After you've made the call, please report what your Senator said at this link:
http://action.seiu.org/debt-ceiling-calls
Last night Republicans in the House of Representatives failed to pass a plan to raise our country's debt ceiling in exchange for as much as $1.8 trillion in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts.
The bill asked NOTHING of millionaires and corporations, everything of the most vulnerable among us, and it's a good thing it failed.
With Tuesday's deadline looming, it looks like anything that has a chance of passing will have to start in the Senate.
Thousands of SEIU members and allies helped stop a horrible bill because of the calls we made to our representatives in the House, but now the Senate needs to hear from you as they begin deliberations certain to last all weekend.
You should make an emergency call to your Senator RIGHT NOW and tell them to stand up for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid:
1-877-736-7831
As you can tell, there is very little margin for error. Protecting the benefits so many people depend on could hinge on a single vote, so every call matters.
Make yours now.
In solidarity,
Mary Kay Henry
President, SEIU
P.S. After you've made the call, please report what your Senator said at this link:
http://action.seiu.org/debt-ceiling-calls
What's going on with Indian students?
1.July 29, 2011
Federal Agents Raid Virginia Institution That Draws Many Students From India
Karen Kasmauski for The ChronicleThe University of Northern Virginia is located in a series of office buildings in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Nearly all of its students are in the United States on visas.
By Tom Bartlett, Karin Fischer, and Josh Keller
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security raided the University of Northern Virginia on Thursday morning, hauling away computers and boxes of paperwork and notifying the suburban Washington institution that it may lose its ability to accept foreign students.
More: http://chronicle.com/article/Agents-Raid-Virginia/128433/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
2. Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 1:10:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: ISTAnetwork : International Student Advising Forum : Does playing US DV lottery constitutes intent to migrate? - New post on NAFSA Discussion Forums
Tope Bada just posted at ISTAnetwork : International Student Advising Forum : Does playing US DV lottery constitutes intent to migrate?.
I have counseled 2 graduate students for admission and they went for visa adjudication at the US consular post in Abuja recently. The interviewing consular officer "214(b)ed" the students because according to him, they have "played" the DV 2012 Lottery and hence shown an intent to migrate. The first student's F-1 visa was denied because the Consular Officer asked her if she has applied for an immigrant visa previously but she replied in the negative but stated that her cousin had submitted registration for the DV Lottery 2012 for her last year. The consular officer then left his desk and went inside to consult. He came back later to inform the student that she qualifies for the F-1 visa but he cannot issue it to her because she "played" visa lottery.
In the case of the second student, he was issued the F-1 visa and after he has left the premises of the post, he was re-called by the embassy security and subsequently denied the F-1 visa by the Consular Officer because according to the consular staff; "he has in his record that someone played visa lottery for the student sometimes ago".
I am aware that the DV 2012 results are still pending and usually if an applicant wins and does not follow up by sending the Immigrant Forms to KCC to proceed, there is no intent to migrate. In this case, the students supposedly have only played the lottery while the result is pending and neither of them ever filed an immigrant application. Even, if the result comes out that they have won, they might still decided not to proceed if its not convenient.
I will like to know if there is any legislation that supports this consular officer's decision that playing the US DV lottery is an intent to migrate and will subsist as an answer to the question on the DS 160 form that states if a visa applicant has ever filed an immigrant petition?
This is the first time I have heard of such reasons being used as an excuse for visa denial by a Consular Officer. Advise and suggestions required! Thank you.
To view the entire thread, click or copy and paste this link:
http://www.nafsa.org/groups/forums.aspx?g=posts&t=27986
Federal Agents Raid Virginia Institution That Draws Many Students From India
Karen Kasmauski for The ChronicleThe University of Northern Virginia is located in a series of office buildings in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Nearly all of its students are in the United States on visas.
By Tom Bartlett, Karin Fischer, and Josh Keller
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security raided the University of Northern Virginia on Thursday morning, hauling away computers and boxes of paperwork and notifying the suburban Washington institution that it may lose its ability to accept foreign students.
More: http://chronicle.com/article/Agents-Raid-Virginia/128433/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
2. Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 1:10:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: ISTAnetwork : International Student Advising Forum : Does playing US DV lottery constitutes intent to migrate? - New post on NAFSA Discussion Forums
Tope Bada just posted at ISTAnetwork : International Student Advising Forum : Does playing US DV lottery constitutes intent to migrate?.
I have counseled 2 graduate students for admission and they went for visa adjudication at the US consular post in Abuja recently. The interviewing consular officer "214(b)ed" the students because according to him, they have "played" the DV 2012 Lottery and hence shown an intent to migrate. The first student's F-1 visa was denied because the Consular Officer asked her if she has applied for an immigrant visa previously but she replied in the negative but stated that her cousin had submitted registration for the DV Lottery 2012 for her last year. The consular officer then left his desk and went inside to consult. He came back later to inform the student that she qualifies for the F-1 visa but he cannot issue it to her because she "played" visa lottery.
In the case of the second student, he was issued the F-1 visa and after he has left the premises of the post, he was re-called by the embassy security and subsequently denied the F-1 visa by the Consular Officer because according to the consular staff; "he has in his record that someone played visa lottery for the student sometimes ago".
I am aware that the DV 2012 results are still pending and usually if an applicant wins and does not follow up by sending the Immigrant Forms to KCC to proceed, there is no intent to migrate. In this case, the students supposedly have only played the lottery while the result is pending and neither of them ever filed an immigrant application. Even, if the result comes out that they have won, they might still decided not to proceed if its not convenient.
I will like to know if there is any legislation that supports this consular officer's decision that playing the US DV lottery is an intent to migrate and will subsist as an answer to the question on the DS 160 form that states if a visa applicant has ever filed an immigrant petition?
This is the first time I have heard of such reasons being used as an excuse for visa denial by a Consular Officer. Advise and suggestions required! Thank you.
To view the entire thread, click or copy and paste this link:
http://www.nafsa.org/groups/forums.aspx?g=posts&t=27986
DHS July 29th Daily Bulletin
Message 1
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 10:27 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Statistics Update
You are subscribed to Immigration Statistics for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/immigration.shtm
Apprehensions by the U.S. Border Patrol: 2005-2010
This fact sheet provides information on recent trends in U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions and the gender, age, country of nationality, and geographic location of persons apprehended between 2005 and 2010.
Message 2
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 10:32 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Statistics -- Publications Update
You are subscribed to Immigration Statistics -- Publications for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Apprehensions by the U.S. Border Patrol: 2005 - 2010
This fact sheet provides information on recent trends in U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions and the gender, age, country of nationality, and geographic location of persons apprehended between 2005 and 2010.
To access the report, follow the link below:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois-apprehensions-fs-2005-2010.pdf
Message 3
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 12:40 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Update
You are subscribed to Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Ombudsman Updates
These updates share information on current areas of focus in the Ombudsman’s Office.
Recent topics include:
Federal Change of Address Procedures
H-2B Petition RFEs
Advance Parole Tips
Getting the Most Out of Your Call to the USCIS National Customer Service Center
Mailing Issues
More Ombudsman Updates »
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/cisomb.shtm
**********************************************************************************************
Herewith a virtual DHS "Gift Shop":
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 10:27 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Statistics Update
You are subscribed to Immigration Statistics for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/immigration.shtm
Apprehensions by the U.S. Border Patrol: 2005-2010
This fact sheet provides information on recent trends in U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions and the gender, age, country of nationality, and geographic location of persons apprehended between 2005 and 2010.
Message 2
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 10:32 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Statistics -- Publications Update
You are subscribed to Immigration Statistics -- Publications for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Apprehensions by the U.S. Border Patrol: 2005 - 2010
This fact sheet provides information on recent trends in U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions and the gender, age, country of nationality, and geographic location of persons apprehended between 2005 and 2010.
To access the report, follow the link below:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois-apprehensions-fs-2005-2010.pdf
Message 3
From: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Jul, Thu 28 2011 12:40 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Update
You are subscribed to Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Ombudsman Updates
These updates share information on current areas of focus in the Ombudsman’s Office.
Recent topics include:
Federal Change of Address Procedures
H-2B Petition RFEs
Advance Parole Tips
Getting the Most Out of Your Call to the USCIS National Customer Service Center
Mailing Issues
More Ombudsman Updates »
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/cisomb.shtm
**********************************************************************************************
Herewith a virtual DHS "Gift Shop":
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Journal of Homeland Security Education is now on line
Journal of Homeland Security Education is online!
Steve Recca - July 28, 2011 13:22
The Journal of Homeland Security Education (JHSE) has launched its website. Visit http://journalhse.com/index.html for more information on submission guidelines. The first issue is set for publication in January/February 2012.
Steve Recca - July 28, 2011 13:22
The Journal of Homeland Security Education (JHSE) has launched its website. Visit http://journalhse.com/index.html for more information on submission guidelines. The first issue is set for publication in January/February 2012.
The latest from Prof. Ely Karmon in Jerusalem
Dear friends and colleagues,
See attached my latest op-ed for the Spanish daily El Imparcial, "The Flotillas to Gaza - New Actors in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict."
For the Spanish readers, please see the link for the article "Flotillas con destino a Gaza: Los nuevos protagonistas del conflict,"
at http://www.elimparcial.es/mundo/flotillas-con-destino-a-gaza-los-nuevos-protagonistas-del-conflicto-88660.html
Best regards,
Ely Karmon
Ely Karmon, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scholar
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) and
The Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at
The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC)
Herzlyia, Israel
Tel.: 972-9-9527277
Cell.: 972-52-2653306
Fax.: 972-9-9513073, 972-9-7716653
E-mail: ekarmon@idc.ac.il
Web: http://www.ict.org.il/
See attached my latest op-ed for the Spanish daily El Imparcial, "The Flotillas to Gaza - New Actors in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict."
For the Spanish readers, please see the link for the article "Flotillas con destino a Gaza: Los nuevos protagonistas del conflict,"
at http://www.elimparcial.es/mundo/flotillas-con-destino-a-gaza-los-nuevos-protagonistas-del-conflicto-88660.html
Best regards,
Ely Karmon
Ely Karmon, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scholar
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) and
The Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at
The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC)
Herzlyia, Israel
Tel.: 972-9-9527277
Cell.: 972-52-2653306
Fax.: 972-9-9513073, 972-9-7716653
E-mail: ekarmon@idc.ac.il
Web: http://www.ict.org.il/
New releases from the Homeland Security Digital Library
HSDL Critical Releases in Homeland Security [July 2011]
Every two weeks, the Homeland Security Digital Library identifies a targeted collection of recently-released documents of particular interest or potential importance. [Login to the HSDL is necessary to open some documents.*]
Exploring Patterns of Behaviour in Violent Jihadist Terrorists: An Analysis of Six Significant Terrorist Conspiracies in the UK
RAND Europe
Haqqani Nexus and the Evolution of al-Qaida
United States Military Academy. Combating Terrorism Center
Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations: Progress Report 2011
United States. Dept. of Homeland Security
Recommendations for Enhancing Reactor Safety in the 21st Century: The Near-Term Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime: Addressing Converging Threats to National Security
United States. White House Office
The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) is the nation’s premier collection of homeland security policy and strategy related documents. It supports local, state and federal analysis and decision-making needs and assists academics of all disciplines in homeland defense and security related research. The HSDL provides quick access to thousands of important U.S. policy documents, presidential directives, and national strategy documents as well as specialized resources such as theses and research reports from various universities, organizations and local and state agencies.
*If you received this message and do not have an HSDL account, you may request one. Those with access are automatically subscribed to Critical Releases in Homeland Security.
Every two weeks, the Homeland Security Digital Library identifies a targeted collection of recently-released documents of particular interest or potential importance. [Login to the HSDL is necessary to open some documents.*]
Exploring Patterns of Behaviour in Violent Jihadist Terrorists: An Analysis of Six Significant Terrorist Conspiracies in the UK
RAND Europe
Haqqani Nexus and the Evolution of al-Qaida
United States Military Academy. Combating Terrorism Center
Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations: Progress Report 2011
United States. Dept. of Homeland Security
Recommendations for Enhancing Reactor Safety in the 21st Century: The Near-Term Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime: Addressing Converging Threats to National Security
United States. White House Office
The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) is the nation’s premier collection of homeland security policy and strategy related documents. It supports local, state and federal analysis and decision-making needs and assists academics of all disciplines in homeland defense and security related research. The HSDL provides quick access to thousands of important U.S. policy documents, presidential directives, and national strategy documents as well as specialized resources such as theses and research reports from various universities, organizations and local and state agencies.
*If you received this message and do not have an HSDL account, you may request one. Those with access are automatically subscribed to Critical Releases in Homeland Security.
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