“The President today signed an Executive Order (attached) establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities."
update: samson police chief called for troops from chipley paper: Jerome R. Corsi of World Net Daily reports that Samson Police Chief Gary Weeks asked for Army help from nearby Ft. Rucker after the massacre that left 12 people dead. WND confirmed troops from nearby Ft. Rucker provided limited assistance after a request from the police chief of Samson, Ala. The Associated Press earlier reported that the Army launched an inquiry into the use of soldiers from Fort Rucker in the town of Samson after the south Alabama shooting massacre. The Army confirmed today that 22 military police and an officer were sent to Samson after the mass slaying of 12 people last week. The town's tiny police force and county officers were stretched to the limit after the shootings. Some have questioned why Army troops were sent to Samson, suggesting the move was a possible violation of federal law. An Army spokesman says officials with the Army Training and Doctrine Command are trying to determine what happened. Among the questions is why the troops were sent to Samson and what they did while there.
missouri report on militias/terrorists draws criticism from ap: A new document meant to help Missouri law enforcement agencies identify militia members or domestic terrorists has drawn criticism for some of the warning signs mentioned. The Feb. 20 report called "The Modern Militia Movement" mentions such red flags as political bumper stickers for third-party candidates, such as U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, who ran for president last year; talk of conspiracy theories, such as the plan for a superhighway linking Canada to Mexico; and possession of subversive literature. "It seems like they want to stifle political thought," said Roger Webb, president of the University of Missouri campus Libertarians. "There are a lot of third parties out there, and none of them express any violence. In fact, if you join the Libertarian Party, one of the things you sign in your membership application is that you don't support violence as a means to any ends." But state law enforcement officials said the report is being misinterpreted.
nsa offering 'billions' for skype eavesdrop solution from the register: News of a possible viable business model for P2P VoIP network Skype emerged today, at the Counter Terror Expo in London. An industry source disclosed that America's supersecret National Security Agency (NSA) is offering "billions" to any firm which can offer reliable eavesdropping on Skype IM and voice traffic. The spybiz exec, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that Skype continues to be a major problem for government listening agencies, spooks and police. This was already thought to be the case, following requests from German authorities for special intercept/bugging powers to help them deal with Skype-loving malefactors. Britain's GCHQ has also stated that it has severe problems intercepting VoIP and internet communication in general.
...which was created with the help of the plum island biolab... from belleville news-democrat: Terry Sedlacek's mental condition was deteriorating as a result of Lyme disease, his attorney said Monday within hours of Sedlacek being charged with murdering a pastor. The attorney also issued an apology Monday on behalf of the suspect's family. "They’re very sorry for the pastor's congregation," said Edwardsville defense attorney Ron Slemer, who has been hired by Terry Sedlacek’s family to represent him. “They want to express this sympathy for everyone." Slemer said Sedlacek's family is "very sorry for the loss of Rev. Winters." The Rev. Fred Winters, the pastor of First Baptist Church Maryville, was shot to death Sunday morning during a worship service. Sedlacek has been charged with murdering him and stabbing two congregation members who subdued him. Slemer said Sedlacek has Lyme disease from getting bit by a tick several years ago, and that his physical and mental health have suffered as a result. "That's what it's all attributed to so far. You can see how he's deteriorated over the years. They've struggled with this," Slemer said. "I just know that it's caused his body to physically deteriorate and also his mental condition."
update: as i mentioned/predicted on ep114, in relation to the arrest of 2 atlanta teens, we're entering the primetime for mass shootings/copycats...
shooting spree leaves at least 10 dead in rural alabama from dpa: A gunman is believed to have killed at lease nine people in a shooting spree in southern Alabama before taking his own life, the Alabama Department of Public Safety said late Tuesday. The spree through a mostly rural area near the Florida state line including shootings in at least four locations, the state police statement said. The gunman, who was described as carrying a semiautomatic weapon, is believed to have acted alone. "This is a very complicated investigation that is unfolding, with multiple crime scenes and a number of agencies working together," the state police statement said.
army puts soldiers in samson in response to shootings from kurt nimmo: The U.S. Army dispatched soldiers to patrol the streets of Samson, Alabama, a small southern town where a rampaging gunman killed 10 people on Tuesday. This obvious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act prohibiting the federal uniformed services from exercising state and local law enforcement was completely ignored by the corporate media with the exception of Reuters and the London Telegraph.
update2: 17 dead after 17yr old's germany shooting spree from evening standard: A gunman aged 17 went on the rampage at a German high school today murdering 10 students and three women teachers. The killer took particular interest in one of the classrooms, room 10D. He went in and out of the room three times, asking the last time: “Are you all dead yet?” Timothy Kretschmer, who wore a black combat uniform and a gas mask, killed a total of 16 people before he was shot dead by police.
unfortunately, we'll probably have to cover these stories again as we are sure to find out about the involvement of pharmaceuticals, the feds & forewarnings... and we haven't even mentioned the shootings/drills in ireland
from kurt nimmo: The Armed Forces Press Service has initiated a propaganda campaign designed to convince the American people that deploying the 3rd Infantry Division in the United States in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act is a good thing. The propaganda piece appeared on the Hinesville, Georgia, Coastal Courier’s website on December 26. “The first active-duty unit dedicated to supporting U.S. civilian authorities in the event of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack recently wrapped up three days of intensive training its members hope they never have to apply in real life,” Donna Miles reports for the Armed Forces Press Service. “Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team got hands-on training in skills they would depend on to provide humanitarian support during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive incident, known here as a CBRNE.” In order to portray the military as humanitarian saviors, the Armed Forces Press Service included a photo of a soldier wielding the “jaws of life” during an exercise that included “buddie teams” recently returned from Iraq’s Anbar province removing mannequins from the rubble of a collapsed building.
dc's metro system can't handle incoming obamazoids from washington post: Even if only half of the projected 2 million to 4 million people show up for next month's presidential inauguration, the Washington region's roadways and transit systems will be too pressed to handle the crush, planners say. Officials are working out details of their transportation plan for the event, but the capacity of the area's transit and road infrastructure, combined with strict security, means residents and potential visitors need to have realistic expectations about how quickly they will be able to move around... People who live near the Arlington Cemetery Metro station, for example, and are planning to take the subway to the swearing-in ceremony might want to think about walking, because trains will be packed. On foot, the three-mile trek from the station to the Reflecting Pool at the Capitol should take about an hour.
inaugural 'last call' moved up from washington post: D.C. bars and nightclubs will be allowed to serve alcohol until 4 a.m., not 5 a.m., during inauguration week after the D.C. Council voted last night to modestly scale back the emergency legislation it approved two weeks ago. Under the revised rules, nightlife establishments will still be allowed to remain open for food service round-the-clock from Jan. 17 to 21. However, they will have to pay a registration fee for each evening they intend to stay open past the normal hours of 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Nightclubs will be required to pay $250 a night, and bars and restaurants will have to pay $100. The council initially extended the bar hours at the suggestion of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, whose members want to capitalize on the expected crowds for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. But the move drew criticism from community leaders, religious organizations and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah), who wrote a letter of protest to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Vincent C. Gray (D), the council chairman.
US military mobilizes troops for inauguration (editor's note: A sign of things to come? In years past the Secret Service and local law enforcement were responsible for protecting the president during the inauguration, now that duty has apparently shifted to the military and Northcom. It would seem Northcom is not enough, however - General Gene Renuart says an “integrated air defense system” including Canadians will “be up and robust and available.” Since when have Canadians been tasked with protecting the president during his swearing in? Canada and the U.S. signed an agreement that paved the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other’s borders during an emergency. I guess we are to consider the inauguration of Obama an emergency?)
from afp: The US military plans to mobilize thousands of troops to protect Washington against potential terrorist attack during the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama, a senior US military commander said Wednesday. They will fly combat air patrols and man air defenses, organize large scale medical support, and help local law enforcement provide security in the capital, said General Gene Renuart, head of the US Northern Command. "(It's) not because we see a specific threat, but because for an event this visible, this important and this historic, we ought to be prepared to respond if something does happen," he told reporters. Renuart said some 7,500 active duty troops and 4,000 national guard troops will take part in the operations in support of the inauguration of the 44th US president on January 20.
fbi informant: blagojevich was mob-connected bookie from raw replay: The local ABC affiliate in Chicago has learned that a Chicago attorney told the FBI that Rod Blagojevich was a bookie that made regular payments to the Chicago mob during the 1980’s. Robert Cooley says that he told the FBI about wrongdoing by Blagojevich years ago. “When I was working with government wearing wire, I reported, I observed Rod, the present governor, who was running a gambling operation out in the western suburbs. He was paying street tax to the mob out there,” said Cooley. A spokesman for Blagojevich said he could not comment on Cooley’s allegations. ABC 7 has more details here. This video is from WLS-TV/DT Chicago, broadcast Dec. 17, 2008.
indicted governor finds jesus from brasscheck tv: The Governor of Illinois recently got caught red handed trying to sell Barrack Obama's' recently vacated Senate seat. This whole "indicted politician finds Jesus" thing began back during Watergate. The crook who perfected this scam, Charles Colson, has made a profession of bringing Jesus to the powerful who are newly indicted.
greens worry obama will drop their cause from washington times: Environmentalists fear their top priority - a national climate-change policy - will be sidetracked in Congress by concerns over the slumping economy. President-elect Barack Obama has said the policy is a "matter of urgency" and furthered his commitment on Monday by naming the top members of his energy and environment team. He said the team would lead his drive toward renewable energy and away from oil and would coordinate the often interlocked domains of energy and climate policy. Yet the green lobby, filled with optimism after the election of a Democratic president and Congress, now sees the expanding meltdown of the economy as a major obstacle.
'new rules' for obama’s civilian national security force from world net daily: New rules published in the Federal Register would allow certain civilians to call American soldiers into action inside the U.S. to prevent environmental damage or respond to "special events" and "other domestic activities." The alarming warning is contained in proposed rules published last week for the Department of Defense's "Defense Support of Civil Authorities" plan.
cheney praises obama’s national security team from abc: “I must say, I think it’s a pretty good team,” Cheney said. “I’m not close to Barack Obama, obviously, nor do I identify with him politically. He’s a liberal. I’m a conservative... But I think the idea of keeping Gates at Defense is excellent. I think Jim Jones will be very, very effective as the national security adviser.”
bush preps crisis briefings to aid obama from nytimes: The White House has prepared more than a dozen contingency plans to help guide President-elect Barack Obama if an international crisis erupts in the opening days of his administration, part of an elaborate operation devised to smooth the first transition of power since Sept. 11, 2001.
The memorandums envision a variety of volatile possibilities, like a North Korean nuclear explosion, a cyberattack on American computer systems, a terrorist strike on United States facilities overseas or a fresh outbreak of instability in the Middle East, according to people briefed on them. Each then outlines options for Mr. Obama to consider.
The contingency planning goes beyond what other administrations have done, with President Bush and Mr. Obama vowing to work in tandem to ensure a more efficient transition in a time of war and terrorist threat. The commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks, noting problems during the handover from President Bill Clinton to Mr. Bush, called for a better process “since a catastrophic attack could occur with little or no notice,” as its report put it.
obama names more cfr & goldman ghouls to top economic posts from nytimes: Pledging to create “a 21st century regulatory framework” to protect against future financial crises, President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday nominated three veteran financial regulators to top economic positions in his administration. “We will crack down on this culture of greed and scheming that has led us to this day of reckoning,” Mr. Obama said in announcing the appointments at a news conference in Chicago. “We have been asleep at the switch.” Later in the day, transition aides said that Mr. Obama had settled on a labor secretary and trade representative and was likely to make those announcements on Friday at his final news conference before heading to Hawaii for a vacation. In the morning news conference, Mr. Obama named Mary L. Schapiro, 53, to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agency has come under sharp criticism for its failure to detect signs that major Wall Street banks were in trouble before the financial crisis, and more recently, for gaps in its oversight of the New York financier Bernard Madoff, who the authorities say has confessed to running a $50 billion Ponzi scheme. The Madoff scandal, Mr. Obama said, “reminds us yet again how badly reform is needed when it comes to regulations that govern our markets.” ... Mr. Obama also announced the selection of two former Clinton administration economic officials, Gary Gensler and Daniel K. Tarullo, to leading economic posts.
russia to test obama's mettle from asd: The incoming US administration is to be given an assessment of its decisiveness by Moscow over missile issues, says arms negotiator. "The Russians intend to test the mettle of the new administration and the new president," said US Acting Undersecretary of State John Rood on Wednesday, AFP reported. The official made the remarks commenting on the recent Russian stance on the US plans for installation of a European-based missile defense apparatus. "In some ways their position is less flexible than it was before and, I think that therefore leads to me the conclusion that they would like to determine the posture of the new administration," he added.
marines establish presence in san bernardino from kurt nimmo: Branson Hunter, writing for the Big Bear Observation Post blog, reports that the Marine Corps Air and Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) and the local California Highway Patrol will be working together over the holiday “in a joint effort to reduce accidents and drinking and driving” in San Bernardino County... the USMC will be present on public roads in order to setup a military presence during routine DUI check stops. “They will be working closely over the month to cut down of traffic accidents,” said Cox, “the Military Police will observe DUI check points and watch for their own guys. The intent is to have military presence out there.”
audio update: 'military presence' confirmed from kurt nimmo: On the Alex Jones Show today, Gary Daigneault, News Director at KCDZ-FM based in Joshua Tree, California, said the California Highway Patrol was less than forthcoming with their plan to team up with the military police, a direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act preventing the military from performing civilian law enforcement duties.
update: army ‘strategic shock’ report says troops may be needed to quell US civil unrest from steve & paul watson:A recent report produced by the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Institute warns that the United States may experience massive civil unrest in the wake of a series of crises which it has termed “strategic shock.” The report, titled Known Unknowns: Unconventional Strategic Shocks in Defense Strategy Development, also suggests that the military may have to be used to quell domestic disorder. “Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security,” the report, authored by [Ret.] Lt. Col. Nathan Freir, reads.
sold as 'non-lethal,' tasers killed 400 since 2001 from raw story: They are marketed as non-lethal weapons that allow police to capture suspects or criminals without causing any permanent harm. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and businessman Bernard Kerik made millions selling the idea to police departments across the country. But Tasers have killed more than 400 people since 2001, according to a new study commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Police departments across Canada began banning use of Tasers by their officers after the report found that Tasers deliver more power than the manufacturer says is possible. It is unknown if U.S. police departments will follow suit.
parents & law enforcement spar over tasers in schools from wbns: Two mothers have pulled their children out of the South-Western City School District after one of their son's was shocked with a Taser, but authorities defended the use of such weapons, saying they cut down on injuries to officers and citizens, 10TV's Andy Hirsch reported on Monday. The student was shocked during a fight in the cafeteria at Franklin Heights High School. A surveillance camera recorded the brawl, as well as the school's resource officer, deploying his Taser on one of the students. Margie Preston, whose son was shocked, said she was surprised to hear that the Franklin County sheriff's deputy who served as the school's resource officer carried the same weapons as officers who patrol the streets."I thought, 'Oh my God,' if you can't paddle them at school but you can do something like this," Preston said. "I think that's ridiculous." Authorities defended the carrying of such weapons in schools. "Just because it's a school, especially if it's a high school, it's really the same for us as if those two kids were fighting on the street," said Franklin County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Oyer.
amnesty int'l warns against 'potentially lethal' tasers from afp: Amnesty International warned Tuesday against a proliferation of Taser stun guns, saying they were responsible for dozens of deaths in the United States and should only be used in extreme cases. In a report entitled "'Less than lethal?' The use of stun weapons in US law enforcement," the London-based human rights group urged governments to either limit their deployment to life-threatening situations or to suspend their use. Industry claims that so-called "Conducted Energy Devices" are safe and non-lethal do not stand up to scrutiny, it said.
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hr5910: to designate no-fly zones in vicinity of certain nuke plants* 
from kurt nimmo: Obama has issued another executive order, this time establishing a so-called “Council of Governors.” The order, signed on January 11, further diminishes the sovereignty of the states and builds on a framework for possible martial law. The executive order was completely ignored by the corporate media..jpg "out w/the old & in w/ the old, the left/right charade goes on - on obama's election anniversary, repugs claim victory")
gop victories in 1st election test for obama* 
chicago police officers accused of forcing man to pose for photo during g20*
video: orwellian militarized police state in pittsburgh*
missouri state rep dixon opposes closing miac*
obama’s dictator status expands with firing of wagoner*
london mayor to flood capital with 2012 olympic army of 10k*
alex ansary: the emerging sunspot cycle 24 & a weakened magnetic field*
taliban chief vows 'amazing' attack on washington 'soon'*
is there any gold inside fort knox, the world's most secure vault?*
from the register: News of a possible viable business model for P2P VoIP network Skype emerged today, at the Counter Terror Expo in London. An industry source disclosed that America's supersecret National Security Agency (NSA) is offering "billions" to any firm which can offer reliable eavesdropping on Skype IM and voice traffic. The spybiz exec, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that Skype continues to be a major problem for government listening agencies, spooks and police. This was already thought to be the case, following requests from German authorities for special intercept/bugging powers to help them deal with Skype-loving malefactors. Britain's GCHQ has also stated that it has severe problems intercepting VoIP and internet communication in general.
from belleville news-democrat: Terry Sedlacek's mental condition was deteriorating as a result of Lyme disease, his attorney said Monday within hours of Sedlacek being charged with murdering a pastor. The attorney also issued an apology Monday on behalf of the suspect's family. "They’re very sorry for the pastor's congregation," said Edwardsville defense attorney Ron Slemer, who has been hired by Terry Sedlacek’s family to represent him. “They want to express this sympathy for everyone." Slemer said Sedlacek's family is "very sorry for the loss of Rev. Winters." The Rev. Fred Winters, the pastor of First Baptist Church Maryville, was shot to death Sunday morning during a worship service. Sedlacek has been charged with murdering him and stabbing two congregation members who subdued him. Slemer said Sedlacek has Lyme disease from getting bit by a tick several years ago, and that his physical and mental health have suffered as a result. "That's what it's all attributed to so far. You can see how he's deteriorated over the years. They've struggled with this," Slemer said. "I just know that it's caused his body to physically deteriorate and also his mental condition."
from kurt nimmo: The U.S. Army dispatched soldiers to patrol the streets of Samson, Alabama, a small southern town where a rampaging gunman killed 10 people on Tuesday. This obvious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act prohibiting the federal uniformed services from exercising state and local law enforcement was completely ignored by the corporate media with the exception of Reuters and the London Telegraph.
from evening standard: A gunman aged 17 went on the rampage at a German high school today murdering 10 students and three women teachers. The killer took particular interest in one of the classrooms, room 10D. He went in and out of the room three times, asking the last time: “Are you all dead yet?” Timothy Kretschmer, who wore a black combat uniform and a gas mask, killed a total of 16 people before he was shot dead by police.
from kurt nimmo: The Armed Forces Press Service has initiated a propaganda campaign designed to convince the American people that deploying the 3rd Infantry Division in the United States in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act is a good thing. The propaganda piece appeared on the Hinesville, Georgia, Coastal Courier’s website on December 26. “The first active-duty unit dedicated to supporting U.S. civilian authorities in the event of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack recently wrapped up three days of intensive training its members hope they never have to apply in real life,” Donna Miles reports for the Armed Forces Press Service. “Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team got hands-on training in skills they would depend on to provide humanitarian support during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive incident, known here as a CBRNE.” In order to portray the military as humanitarian saviors, the Armed Forces Press Service included a photo of a soldier wielding the “jaws of life” during an exercise that included “buddie teams” recently returned from Iraq’s Anbar province removing mannequins from the rubble of a collapsed building.
from washington post: Even if only half of the projected 2 million to 4 million people show up for next month's presidential inauguration, the Washington region's roadways and transit systems will be too pressed to handle the crush, planners say. Officials are working out details of their transportation plan for the event, but the capacity of the area's transit and road infrastructure, combined with strict security, means residents and potential visitors need to have realistic expectations about how quickly they will be able to move around... People who live near the Arlington Cemetery Metro station, for example, and are planning to take the subway to the swearing-in ceremony might want to think about walking, because trains will be packed. On foot, the three-mile trek from the station to the Reflecting Pool at the Capitol should take about an hour.
from nytimes: The White House has prepared more than a dozen contingency plans to help guide President-elect Barack Obama if an international crisis erupts in the opening days of his administration, part of an elaborate operation devised to smooth the first transition of power since Sept. 11, 2001.
from kurt nimmo: It seems the Democrats are determined to reimpose the Fairness Doctrine. Earlier this week, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said she would work on bringing back the federal regulation. “I’ll work on bringing it back. I still believe in it,” Eshoo told the Daily Post in Palo Alto. Eshoo said she would recommend the doctrine be applied not only to radio and TV broadcasts, but also to cable and satellite services. “It should and will affect everyone,” she promised. “The so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ would restrict free speech on the public airwaves, stifling dissent at a time when an open national dialogue about our country’s future is essential,” House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) said in response. “The American people do not believe the federal government should be in the business of dictating or restricting the content of political speech. I’m troubled by Rep. Eshoo’s comments, and my hope is that President-elect Obama will speak out against efforts by members of his party to use their majority power to limit free speech and dissent.”
from steve & paul watson: A recent report produced by the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Institute warns that the United States may experience massive civil unrest in the wake of a series of crises which it has termed “strategic shock.” The report, titled Known Unknowns: Unconventional Strategic Shocks in Defense Strategy Development, also suggests that the military may have to be used to quell domestic disorder. “Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security,” the report, authored by [Ret.] Lt. Col. Nathan Freir, reads.