Free Republic

Thoughts? That's the same issue with a professional force in the US. We only go when the civilians say to go. That's the political side of things. If Ottowa didn't think they had a need, they wouldn't activate this unit. Specific operations would be decided on a case-by-case basis, as it is in the US. I retired in '92 and during my career, sometimes units were sent places, sometimes not, sometimes regular units were sent, sometimes only spooky units that few heard about. Depends on the civilian side both here and Canada.

Years ago I did a little with 2 Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. They were VERY good and I'm glad to see that they're officially bringing back some of that capability. From what I understand, the PPCLI got a number of their missions when they were disbanded and the PPCLI, likewise, is a very good unit. Me? Retired Army senior NCO.

"He was so traumatized
by the Japanese internment situation that he has consistently refused to "profile" the likely type of Arab/
Middle Eastern terrorist and has instead chosen to strip-
search ALL - including the proverbial grandmother in a
wheelchair."

I generally agree about Minetta, but I recall the kindly grandmother with a cane coming through our checkpoint in Milwaukee. When the cane went through the x-ray, it turned out to be a sword cane with about a 20 inch blade. There's an article about it on the Journal-Sentinel website somewhere. I worked for the TSA from October 2002 to March 2003 and we couldn't presume that the kindly grandmother wasn't carrying something through a checkpoint for someone else while under duress.

I did find that continuing to find a high number of weapons at our checkpoints frustrating enough to find something else to do.

I couldn't say it officially, but it stands to reason that a screening force that had a majority of veterans and former law enforcement (at least in Milwaukee) would look closely at Abdul coming through. Mileage might vary at other airports.

I worked for the TSA in Milwaukee from October 2002 to March 2003. I recall people getting passes from airlines to escort others to gates (kids, invalids, etc.). They couldn't get them at the checkpoint, though.

It appears that the school administration felt the t-shirts violated the 2nd paragraph (below). I worked 6 years in a high school in Wisconsin and fully agree.

found at: http://www.germantown.k12.wi.us/Policy400/443.2.pdf

STUDENT DRESS CODE

Responsibility for the personal appearance of students enrolled in the District shall normally rest with the
parents and the students themselves. The presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming
which, by nature of the color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute in dicates or im plies
membership or affiliation with such a group which is contrary to the school environment, educational
objectives, and/or creates an atmosphere where unlawful acts or violations of school regulations may occur,
is prohibited on school premises during school activities and on school buses.

When a student's appearance disrupts the educational process or causes a health or safety problem, the student
may be referred to the building principal for possible disciplinary action.


The school board also addresses intimidation.

found at: http://www.germantown.k12.wi.us/Policy400/443.6.pdf

Intimidation - Behavior or repeated acts which cause fear or physical or psychological
discomfort including but not limited to: physical conduct, verbal and/or
nonverbal threats, or gestures.

The Germantown School District is committed to an educational environment that is free of harassment,
hazing and intimidation . It is therefore the policy of the Germantown School District to:

1. Prohibit and discourage any individual from harassing, hazing and/or intimidating any
other individual associated with the Germantown School District;
2. Provide an educational environment free from such acts defined as harassment, hazing,
and/or intimidation;
3. Address any instances of harassment, hazing, and/or intimidation;
4. Provide on-going educational awareness of the problem of harassment, hazing and/or
intimidation; and
5. Provide on-going procedures for filing and pursuing claims of harassment, hazing and/or
intimidation.

The Germantown School District will take necessary and appropriate action to eliminate harassment, hazing,
and/or intimidation which may include suspension and/or consideration of expulsion of students.

Great pics!

Thanks much.

found at: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3771/is_200010/ai_n8924365

Nahal Toosi graduated this year with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in journalism and political science. Her e-mail address is nyahao.com

Copyright MASTHEAD National Conference of Editorial Writers Fall 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

NAHAL TOOSI: Embedded with the First Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Attached to the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, whose primary mission is storage and supply of bulk fuel and water. Bulk Fuel Company B, made up of units from Green Bay and Wilmington, Del., is part of the battalion. And here's an archive of her articles from Iraq. Negative headlines for being with a winning force: found at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/iraq2003/iraq-archive.asp#TOOSI NAHAL TOOSI'S REPORTS FROM IRAQ • Iraqi children taught war's worst lesson (4/22/03) • Amid ruins, hope for academic revival (4/19/03) • Baghdad police try to reclaim city (4/15/03) • For Iraqi children, a bewildering time (4/14/03) • Frustrated Iraqis want order restored (4/12/03) • Soldiers bring Iraqis relief (4/10/03) • Wary soldiers hope for better days (4/9/03) • Families in need of food, water (4/8/03) • Soldiers wary of Iraqi civilians (4/4/03) • Marines get intimate glimpse of enemy (4/2/03) • A complicated journey north (3/30/03) • Rumor mill keeps Marines entertained (3/29/03) • Officials recover bodies of 2 Marines who drowned in canal (3/26/03) • 'Right out of a science fiction movie' (3/25/03) • Wonderment, wait, worries for Marines (3/22/03) • Waiting for orders, ducking missiles (3/20/03) • Taking cover from mock attack proves exhausting (3/17/03) • In the shadow of war, reaching for light (3/14/03) • Reading, writing and waiting for war (3/14/03) • At Kuwait University, students warily await what comes next (3/9/03) • These Americans still feel safe in Kuwait (3/7/03) • Volunteers prepare for Iraqi refugees (3/7/03) • Kuwaitis see war on the horizon (3/4/03)

Nichols is absolutely right.

Interesting that the Journal-Sentinel selected these examples of illegal aliens. And finished the article with a jab at Sensenbrenner (what else is new).

They could have used the illegal aliens mentioned in their article from 28 March 2005, but that wouldn't have fit their agenda very well (all these nice illegal aliens...):

found at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/mar05/313502.asp

SNIP

Twenty fugitive illegal immigrants have been arrested in Wisconsin following an 11-day operation that targeted those in violation of deportation orders, including some with criminal convictions, federal officials said Monday.

SNIP

Six of those arrested had been convicted of felonies ranging from drug dealing and bank fraud to battery and robbery. Four others have criminal histories ranging from assault to criminal damage to property. The others did not have criminal records but ignored deportation orders. Most were arrested at their homes, although one person was originally ordered deported in Miami, Montenegro said.

SNIP

They seem to do some "over the top" things.

found at: http://zimobserver.com/newsdetail.asp?article_id=544

US Green Card Game Show Furor
by STAFF EDITORS (8/16/2004)

Immigrant rights groups demanded the cancellation of a reality show that offers winners immigration counsel, alleging the show takes advantage of those desperate for a green card and a life in the United States. The show features immigrants who compete in contests that have included gulping down live tequila worms, fending off vicious attack dogs and jumping between two speeding 18-wheeler trucks.

The groups say Liberman Broadcasting's "Gana la Verde" or "Win the Green," shown on Spanish-language stations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston and Dallas, gives a false impression of how the immigration process works and ridicules those seeking legal status in the United States. They said it also makes contestants who are illegal immigrants potential targets for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"It gives the erroneous message that through tricks one can get a green card, and it puts people in danger of being deported," said Angela Sanbrano, executive director of the Central American Resource Center.

The groups also claimed the show does the "homework" for immigration authorities by providing details about immigrants who may be here illegally.

Representatives of the immigrant advocacy groups said they want to meet with Liberman Broadcasting officials to discuss more realistic portrayals of the immigration system. If the production company doesn't agree to meet with them or pull the show, they will consider a boycott of the program's advertisers, as well as legal action for alleged false advertising and unlawful legal advice, said Victor Nieblas, of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Lenard Liberman, co-owner of the Burbank-based company, said he would be happy to meet with the groups but is not planning to pull the show.

"We're just trying to help people out here. I don't know what all the controversy's about," he said. "If we gave away breast implants or plastic surgery, no one could care. But try to help Maria go from a nanny to a nurse, and everyone raises an outcry."

Winners earn a year's worth of legal guidance toward a green card for legal residency. The show doesn't actually guarantee winners a U.S. residency card, but the introduction describes the six contestants battling for their final goal of the green card amid ominous images of barbed wire along the border and U.S. patrol helicopters.

Liberman said the contestants are all adults, and that with recent immigration raids, they face the risk of deportation by going to the supermarket.

The show, which has aired more than 20 episodes, is ranked No. 2 among 18- to 49-year-old Hispanic viewers, Liberman said.

"There are already two people who are on their way to getting green cards. There's one person who's four to six months away. We don't have one participant complaint," he said. "If this makes money, it's only going to become more popular."

Those against the program acknowledged that their efforts may simply boost the ratings, as did the controversy surrounding films such as "The Passion" and "Fahrenheit 9-11."

"We have to trust the community not to support this," Sanbrano said.

The Libermans own 95% of the company. It appears that the California Teachers' Retirement Board owns the rest.

I don't suppose they'll be divesting in protest any time soon.

found at: http://www.calstrs.com/About%20CalSTRS/Teachers%20Retirement%20Board/AGENDAS/bod0401pdf/ic0413.pdf

TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT BOARD
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: Alternative Investments ITEM NUMBER: 13
Activity Status Report
ATTACHMENT(S): 4
ACTION: DATE OF MEETING: April 4, 2001

SNIP

C-I # 11 Attachment 3
Investment Committee - Item 13
April 4, 2001
Alternative Investments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN
UNDER DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
Alta Communications VIII
Liberman Broadcasting Inc.
Action: Commitment of $5 million in a co-investment in Liberman
Broadcasting Inc. (LBI) subject to the successful negotiation
of legal terms and conditions. The investment will take the
form of equity like securities.
Background: Alta Communications VIII, one of the CalSTRS General
Partners, has raised $30 million to invest in Liberman
Broadcasting Inc., which is a Hispanic radio and television
broadcasting company headquartered in Burbank, California.
Lenard Liberman and Jose Liberman are the co-founders of
the company and the primary investors. When completed, the
new financing group will own 6.8% of LBI. The new funds
will provide for expansion of the Spanish speaking
broadcasting company into the Houston, Texas market.
The CalSTRS investment of $5 million and the additional
indirect investment of $1.4 million through Alta
Communications VIII will represent 1.45% of LBI.
Investors: Alta Communications, CalSTRS, Abbott Capital, Fleet Bank,
GE Capital, and Union Bank.
2
Investment Thesis: LBI is a Hispanic radio and broadcasting company formed in
1987 and headquartered in Burbank, California. LBI
successfully runs a television station and five radio stations in
the greater Los Angeles area that operate on a Spanishspeaking
format. LBI is expanding into the Houston market
and is acquiring a television station and five radio stations and
will convert them to a Spanish-speaking format. LBI has
demonstrated a successful strategy with a proven track record
that has resulted in impressive historical revenue and cash
flow growth. LBI’s strategy has been to take advantage of the
attractive Hispanic demographic and advertising growth,
which is growing more than four times the rate of total
advertising. LBI is expected to continue this success in the
Houston market.
Policy Compliance: This investment complies with the Alternative Investment
Policies, which were approved in April 1999. Positive written
recommendations by the Independent Fiduciary (Houlihan
Lokey) and Staff have been documented. The
recommendations resulted after investment analysis and due
diligence were conducted in a manner as previously reviewed
and approved by the Investment Committee.
Recommendation: Staff recommends that CalSTRS commit up to $5 million to
Liberman Broadcasting. CalSTRS’ commitment is subject to
the successful negotiation of legal terms and conditions.

The owners:

found at:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/122/122306.html

Liberman Broadcasting, Inc. Company Profile


If you prefer el radio to emit español, then turn to the Libermans. Liberman Broadcasting owns and operates 16 Spanish-language radio stations and four Spanish-language television stations in California and Texas. The company also owns television production facilities in Dallas, Houston, and Burbank, California. Father-and-son team Jose and Lenard Liberman founded Liberman Broadcasting in 1987 and own more than 95% of the company.

Contact Information
Address: 1845 W. Empire Ave.
Burbank, CA 91504
Phone: 818-563-5722
Fax: 818-567-1062


Financial Highlights
Fiscal Year End: December
Revenue (2003): 84.00 M
Revenue Growth (1 yr): 18.40%
Employees (2003): 419
Employee Growth (1 yr): 0.00%


Key People
• President and Director: Jose Liberman
• CFO: Steven Cramer
• Corporate VP Sales: Andrew Mars

Krca Tv Channel 62, (818) 563-5722, 1813 N Victory Pl, Burbank, CA 91504

The brown areas were once green, lush farms.

I looked at that "Diversity Bookbags" link and found "multicultural crayons" mentioned a few times. Crayola actually makes them. Guess I've been out of kindergarten too long.

found at: http://www.ssww.com/store/product/sku=SC470/

Crayons come in 8 different skin tones, so children can draw and blend colors to match every complex ion. Help develop self-esteem and ethnic pride. Non-toxic. Standard Size. Box of 8. (Crayon Stdrd Multicultural Bx/8)

"But a medical expert testified that it takes at least two weeks to test positive, an indication Dyer had the disease prior to Aug. 9."


found at: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050427/NEWS01/50427014/1002

April 27, 2005
Sex with fellow soldier consensual, not rape, Army officer testifies

By Samira Jafari
The Associated Press

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — An Army officer accused of raping a soldier in her Camp Shelby, Miss., barracks room testified today that a night of dancing, flirting and kissing led to consensual sex, not rape.

First Lt. Mike Hall told a military judge at his court-martial that 1st Lt. Jennifer Dyer invited him into her room and that, during two short episodes of intercourse, he stopped both times when she said "No."

Dyer, 26, who was a National Guard soldier from New Jersey at the time, testified earlier that Hall forced her to have sex twice early on Aug. 9, 2004, at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Hall, 35, of Nashville, Tenn., told the military court today the sex was consensual.

The defense contends Dyer made up the rape story to get out of the Army and to avoid being deployed to Iraq. Dyer claims that Hall, once in her room, grabbed her hair, tore off her clothes and forced her to have sex while she was too afraid to call out for help in the barracks.

Along with the most serious charge of rape, Hall is charged with adultery and knowingly transmitting a sexual disease without informing the partner.

Hall, whose wife has sat outside the courtroom daily and held hands with him before proceedings, was cross-examined by prosecutors concerning the adultery charge. "My marriage matters," he said.

Hall said he has known since 1997 that he has genital herpes but a doctor told him that he had "no chance of being contagious if I was not symptomatic" or experiencing an outbreak at the time of sex.

Dyer, who got married after the alleged rape and is now eight months pregnant, tested positive for genital herpes on Aug. 13, 2004. But a medical expert testified that it takes at least two weeks to test positive, an indication Dyer had the disease prior to Aug. 9

In his testimony, Hall said he met Dyer briefly on the afternoon of Aug. 8 and later offered her a ride to the officers club. He says she flirted with him by leaning close in conversation, touching his arm and revealing a tattoo on her lower back by pulling down the waist of her pants.

He said they slow-danced and she tried to teach how to say "take me home, take me to bed" in Arabic.

Hall said they did leave the club separately without Dyer saying goodbye to him. But he said they ran into each other outside their barracks, Dyer approached him and they started kissing. When they both realized it was risky to kiss outside the barracks, Dyer offered that they go to her room, where they began having intercourse, he said.

"We were having sex and it was not long at all before she said, 'No.' I immediately rolled off," Hall testified. "As any guy would, I made sure she meant 'No,"' Hall said, without elaborating.

He said he then wanted to leave because "I didn't want to feel like I was raping her." But he said when he tried to leave, Dyer approached him at the doorway, they started kissing and began to have sex again. They had just begun, he said, when Dyer again said "No. I can't do this."

He said he left and went to sleep in his nearby room until military police woke him up a few hours later.

Dyer, called back to the witness stand Wednesday, denied showing the tattoo to Hall at the club and trying to teach him any Arabic. She said she does not speak Arabic.

Dyer testified earlier she went public with the story, on CBS' 60 Minutes, after Army investigators doubted her claim and she was put in a hotel room without access to a phone for two days.

Dyer admitted Monday that she refused to return to Camp Shelby at the end of August, after being given two weeks convalescent leave, and missed her unit's deployment to Iraq in November.

Dyer renewed her resignation request in December 2004 and was granted an honorable discharge in January, backdated to Aug. 31, 2004, to eliminate the time when she was AWOL. The 60 Minutes interview was broadcast in February.

Dyer eventually returned to work in her law enforcement job at the Salem County Sheriff's Department in New Jersey.

Looks like the rape charge was to cover-up the STD she got (and didn't want to tell her fiancee about) after all.

ACQUITTED!!!!!

found at: http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/state/11505154.htm

Army officer acquitted of raping soldier in her barracks room

SAMIRA JAFARI

Associated Press


FORT RUCKER, Ala. - An Army officer was acquitted by a military judge Wednesday of raping a soldier in her barracks room, a claim the defense said she concocted to keep from being sent to Iraq.

First Lt. Mike Hall, 35, of Nashville, Tenn., was also acquitted on an adultery charge but convicted of having sex without informing his partner that he had genital herpes.

Hall had testified in his court-martial that a night of dancing, flirting and kissing with 1st Lt. Jennifer Dyer, 26, last August led to consensual sex, not rape as she alleged.

He said Dyer invited him into her room at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and that, during two short episodes of intercourse, he stopped both times when she said "No."

The military judge, Col. Richard Gordon, was to hold a sentencing hearing on the sex transmission charge later Wednesday.

In closing statements, defense attorney Victor Hall said Dyer, a National Guard soldier from New Jersey at the time, was desperate to avoid deployment to Iraq and contrived the rape claim as a last resort.

"Michael Hall became a target of her action," he said.

The prosecutor, Capt. Richard Dodson, said the evidence against Hall showed he "has no respect for Army values."

Dyer went public with her story on CBS' "60 Minutes," complaining that Army investigators doubted her claim and put her in a hotel room without access to a phone for two days. After being given two weeks' convalescent leave by the Army, Dyer refused to return to Camp Shelby, and was not there when her unit was sent to Iraq.

Dyer has since been honorably discharged and returned to her law enforcement job with a sheriff's department in New Jersey.