If you go through life without making any enemies you're doing something wrong. If you go through life making a lot of enemies you're doing something worse.
For a long time, the US contented itself with one enemy, the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the CIA conducted covert operations such as rigging elections for dictators and assassinating their opponents. But those thus tyrannized had neither the inclination nor the resources to retaliate against the US.
Then, operating under the illusion that the mujahideen in Afghanistan were "freedom fighters," as Ronald Reagan called them, we armed and supported them to the tune of billions of dollars. After driving the Soviets out, though, they were feeling their oats and looked around for a new target.
Watching us stand by as Israel poured salt in the wounds of Palestine and as, during the Gulf War, we stationed our troops in their holy land, Saudi Arabia, they found one what. Armed with our shoulder-mounted Stinger, among other weapons, the mujahideen turned around and bit the hand that fed them.
In other words, both by arming them and alienating them, we constructed enemies out of whole cloth. Who says the US doesn't make anything anymore?
Then we retaliated for 9/11 against a sitting (Saddam Hussein) instead of a moving target (bin Laden). Our lack of discrimination sent the message that all of the Middle East was fair game. Voila –- instant enemies: all you can fight.
To the right, making enemies is a problem only if you're a wimpy liberal. To most Americans, it just comes with the territory when you're in the right. To our corporate-friendly administration, it justifies billions for defense.
In fact, our overwrought foreign policy almost seems like a make-work scheme for defense industries. If indeed it is a New Deal for defense, then the Department of Homeland Security is the largest WPA project ever.
Presumably, the term "homeland" was chosen to make us feel safe. But to those with even a glancing knowledge of the past, it's a sick joke. Its uses the terminology of our two most formidable foes from last century: the Nazis, who called Germany the fatherland, and Russia -- the motherland.
Besides, a homeland is a region from whose loins sprung the ethnic group inhabiting it. The US, a melting pot, is the exact opposite. "Is that guy an Arab?" we wonder as we pass someone on the street. "Or a Hispanic?"
Even sicker is how little bang for the buck we're getting from the Department of Homeland Security for $30 billion this year. In his recent Mother Jones series on the DHS, veteran journalist James Ridgeway writes that "safeguards against domestic terrorist attacks. . . despite a few marginal improvements, remain terrifyingly lax."
Even the Government Accountability Office recently criticized it for failing to improve its ability to respond to emergencies. To add insult to injury, each year it routinely flunks its audits. But that's probably of no concern to the administation, which was never on board with the creation of the DHS and, most likely, would be just as happy to see it implode.
Meanwhile, Ridgeway explains, for those Congess members, whether Democratic or Republican, who are inclined to lend the DHS a helping hand, "expanding federal regulation, increasing federal spending, hiring unionized federal workers, and facing down industries with powerful lobbies" is "politically risky" in today's climate.
Besides its aversion to federal agencies (except the Defense Department), neither is the administration's heart in defending our soil. It, of course, subscribes to the get-'em-over-thar theory (if it's geopolitically convenient, that is -- vide bin Laden).
Russ Wellen is the nuclear deproliferation editor for OpEdNews. He's also on the staffs of Freezerbox and Scholars & Rogues.
"It's hard to tell people not to smoke when you have a cigarette dangling from your mouth." -- Mohamed El Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
is cuz the corporate-military-industrial-intelligence-insurance-banking complex benefits from wars and increased public expenditures on war and a domestic security state. Not only have they cultivated enemies, they have created them.
Complete 9/11 Timeline
by
Better World Order (4 articles, 295 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 748 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 9:54:59 PM
The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. – J. Edgar Hoover
It is well that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning. -- Henry Ford
Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. – Theodore Roosevelt
by
Angry Peasant (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 25 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 7:04:03 AM
Of course Homeland Security Works. Why should Bush do another 911? To prove he is a failure? He's a CON- and Murderer! I really have begun to believe Alqaeda and binLadin are the real patriots in this whole fiasco. They are being shot at and killed for something they didn't do. They are defending America from Facist Republican CIA. binLadin is more of an American than Bush. He should run for President.
Freedom from War, Is Freedom.
Soldiers like to claim they are fighting for our freedom. What they can't give me is freedom from War! Something wrong with this! I believe 911 was committed by Bush CIA. More people die for our country who do not believe in war, and they are given nothing, yet they give the medal of honor to a dead soldier who is part of the Military Industrial Complex that has murdered thousands of innocent people, women and children? The news networks are as insane as the government who believes War protects our freedoms. If you can not give me the FREEDOM FROM WAR, you are fighting against freedom, not for it.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 7:59:35 PM
Homeland Security Federal Hospital Insurance Fraud Laundring
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The OIG is an independent entity within -[ white collar criminals ]- the Department of Justice, that reports to both the Attorney General and Congress on issues that affect the Department's personnel or operations. . Section 1001 of the USA Patriot Act, signed into law by the President on October 26, 2001, directs the [ OIG ] Inspector General to review information and receive [ criminal ] complaints alleging abuses [ CRIMES T18CFR1518Crime ] of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties by Department of Justice employees.
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CITE- 18 USC Sec. 1518 01/02/01-EXPCITE- TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART I - CRIMES CHAPTER 73 - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE-HEAD- Sec. 1518. Obstruction of criminal investigations of health care offenses -STATUTE . Violation of Crime Victims Rights - Under federal law [42 U.S.C.10606(b)] and also 42 USC 1983. Civil action for deprivation of rights and The U.S. Constitution: Fourteenth Amendment. . Subj: RE: abuse of civil rights by justice employees Date: 12/13/2002 8:54:30 AM Eastern Standard Time From: Inspector.General@usdoj.gov (General, Inspector) To: Kstbylite1@aol.com ('Kstbylite1@aol.com') . Dear Ms. Kimball: . The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge receipt of your Internet submission dated October 31, 2002. The matters that you raised have been reviewed by the staff of the Investigations Division, Office of the Inspector General. . The primary investigative responsibilities of this office are: . · Allegations of criminal, as well as non-criminal, misconduct committed by U.S. Department of Justice Employees and Contractors; and · Waste and abuse by high ranking Department officials, or that affects major programs and operations. . This Office does not have jurisdiction in the matter [ Federal HMO Hospital Insurance Fraud ] you described. . Section 1001 of the USA Patriot Act, signed into law by President Bush on October 26, 2001 . OPM FEHBP - TITLE 5 [CITE: 5CFR185.104] PROGRAM FRAUD Sec. 185.104 Investigation. (d) Nothing in this section modifies any Responsibility of an Investigating Official ( OIG, FBI ect ) to Report Violations of Criminal Law [ T42CFR417 Anti-dumping & Anti-Kickback Violation Against Retired 'Entitled' Federal Beneficiaries CITE: 5CFR890.105 ] to the U.S.Attorney General. . Therefore, your complaint has been forwarded to: . Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General 1900 E Street NW Washington, D.C. 20415 . Office of Inspector General - Misprison of a felony - T42CFR417 Adverse Determination: Anti-dumping violation: DHHS OIG 'grievance service' Hospital Insurance Fraud Office of Personnel Management - CITE: 5CFR890.105 criminal denial of Covered Claims Joseph Frech investigator - illegal agreement with U.S. Attorney General & DHHS OIG Volentary Disclousure / Self-Audit / misprison of a felony - Program dtd: 9 may 2002 . " The matters discribed [ Anti-dumping and Anti-kickback Violations - Hospital Insurance Fraud resulting in Death of Retired FEHBP T42CFR417 adverse determination: denial of medically necessary services: T42CFR409.33 Hospital Extended Care Services ] in your letter are not within the jurisdiction of this office. The OIG had also received information regarding your case in September 2000. At that time we determined that the [ OPM FEHBP ] Health Benefits Contracts Division has sole jurisdiction over [ SELF-Audit ] your ( criminal ) complaint. The decision made by the contracts division is final and The OIG will NOT Investigate. " [ OIG Public Fraud T18CFR371Crime: OPM FEHBP Contracting Divisions assisting, allowing & concealing T5CFR890.105 felony federal health care offences against Retired FEHBP T18CFR286Crime ]. . I hope this answers any questions regarding this [ Criminal OIG Public Fraud T18CFR24CRIME ] matter. Sincerely, The Office of the Inspector General Department of Justice .
1998 -----U.S. Attorney General and Office of Inspector General - Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control [ T42CFR417 ] Account would be established as an expenditure [ HCFA State OFIS Medicaid kickback ] account within the Federal Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund. . There would be appropriated from the general fund of the U.S. Treasury to the Fraud and Abuse T42CFR417 Account for transfer to the FBI certain funds, subject to fiscal year limitations, for specified functions. These functions include prosecuting health care matters, investigations, audits of health care programs and operations, inspections and other evaluations, and provider and consumer education regarding compliance with fraud and abuse provisions. Specified amounts in the Account would also be available to carry out the Medicare Integrity Program. The Secretary and the Attorney General would be required to submit a joint annual report to Congress on the revenues and expenditures, and the justification for such disbursements from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control ( DHHS OIG T42CFR417 misprison of a felony ) Account. . Subject: FBI Response Date: 5/26/2004 10:26:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: tips11@fbi.gov Reply To: To: LawISAmootIssue@aol.com CC: BCC: Sent on: Sent from the Internet (Details) . Dear Ms. Kimball, THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMATED RESPONSE Thank you for your submission to the FBI Internet Tip Line. After a careful evaluation of your information, it is our determination that your complaint should be reported to your local law enforcement authorities or District Attorney's office. If you wish pursue legal matters against the hospital you should contact an attorney. . DHHS OIG 1998 VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE PROGRAM T18CFR371Crime: Public Fraud T42CFR417 illegal denial of Existing 'Federal HMO Hospital' Extended Care Services: illegal agreement: Intent to harm misprison of a felony . Attorney General - health care fraud division # 2002-04-0925 Mike Cox / Jennifer Granholm <~ Previous U.S. Attorney, Previous MI Attorney General T18CFR371Crime. Health Care Fraud Division # 99-05-1034 January 2000 Linda Damer Insurance Bureau [ OFIS ] #31302-001 March 2000 Cindy Mielock , Kristie Tabor T42CFR417 misprison of Felony Federal Hospital Insurance Fraud and abuse against the Citizens of Michigan Liscensing Division #68-99-3073-00 april 1999 Cynthia Samuel - victim still living Bureau of Health Systems #990759 april 1999 Mary Duncan - victim still living ACE Eastern District Ellen Christensen U.S. Attorney: Region V HCFA: refused to investigate 2001. Illegal Agreement T18CFR286Crime: Allowing and Concealing Felony Federal Hospital Insurance Fraud against American Citizens with Federal HMO Polices in Region V HCFA that results in death by illegal denial T42CFR417 of Hospital Extended Care T42CFR409.33 Benefits & Services. .
Sincerely, . All ENTITLED Federal Employee Health Beneficiaries & the General Public who are being criminally denied DHHS T42CFR417 Existing Federal HMO Health Insurance Coverage, illegally billed for HMO denied covered claims and forced into HCFA State HMO Mediciaid Programs for the POOR. Title18CFR1001Crime.
by
Kimball (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 118 comments)
on Monday, October 29, 2007 at 2:04:13 AM
