Sargeant Marine Inc. Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Pay $16.6 Million to Resolve Charges Related to Foreign Bribery Schemes in Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/sargeant-marine-inc-pleads-guilty-and-agrees-pay-166-million-resolve-charges-related-foreign
$2 Million in Funds Earmarked for COVID-19 Went to Buy Army Greens Uniforms
A giant pot of money intended to provide for pandemic relief needs and equipment within the Defense Department has been used to fund, among other things, the Army's new retro service uniform. And Congress is none too happy about it.
A new Washington Post report illustrates how the military spent $1 billion designated for shoring up stocks of masks and other medical supplies under the Defense Production Act, using it for shipbuilding and aircraft parts, among other things. A $2 million contract award was made in mid-June to the Connecticut-based American Woolen Company to produce the fabric needed to make the much-celebrated Army Green Service Uniform, designed in homage to the "Pinks and Greens" uniforms of the World War II era.
"Using funds authorized and appropriated under the CARES Act, this DPA Title III investment will sustain the domestic production capability and capacity of poly/wool blend fabric for Army dress uniforms," the contract award reads.
"The sustainment of this production capability will ensure the U.S. Government gets dedicated long term industrial capacity to meet the needs of the nation. This investment will leverage American Woolen Company's manufacturing capabilities to commercialize the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) fabrics, enabling the government to diversify the supply chain and add a second source of innovation to the market."
Army officials acknowledged a query from Military.com on the award but said they would need more than 24 hours to respond.
The award notices have been released publicly, and DoD officials have been direct about their belief that supporting the defense industrial base is a crucial part of pandemic relief. DefenseOne reported in June about a $135 million bundle of contracts awarded with Defense Production Act funds intended to "help sustain defense-critical workforce capabilities in body armor, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding."
Ellen Lord, the Defense Department's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, defended the spending, telling the Post she was grateful for resources that protected key defense capabilities.
"We need to always remember that economic security and national security are very tightly interrelated and our industrial base is really the nexus of the two," she said in a statement to the paper.
But the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, D-Wash., issued a statement Tuesday condemning the DoD's apportionment of the funding.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/09/22/2-million-funds-earmarked-covid-19-went-buy-army-greens-uniforms.html
Space Force and NASA Sign Momentous Collaboration Agreement
The United States Space Force announced that an agreement committing it and NASA to “broad collaboration” had been signed by both the organizations’ chiefs at a virtual Mitchell Institute event on Tuesday.
These areas of broad collaboration, as mentioned in Tuesday morning’s USSF press release, include: “human spaceflight, U.S. space policy, space transportation, standards and best practices for safe operations in space, scientific research, and planetary defense.”
This extraordinary agreement between the two premiere U.S. aerospace organizations replaces another one signed 14 years ago by NASA and the U.S. Air Force Space Command. Under this previous accord, the two organizations committed themselves to sharing research and development information with each other, reducing the duplication of system development, and cooperating in the long-term planning of their respective game plans for space.
“Space Force looks forward to future collaboration, as NASA pushes farther into the universe for the benefit of all,” USSF Chief Of Space Operations Gen. John ‘Jay’ Raymond
This new collaboration, according to the press release, will advance NASA’s plans “for unprecedented lunar exploration under the Artemis program” while also “building on a longstanding partnership with the Department of Defense” that it has had since the late 1950s.
“NASA and the military share a long history dating back to the late 1950s; there is power in our partnership,” USSF Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond said. “A secure, stable, and accessible space domain underpins our nation’s security, prosperity and scientific achievement. Space Force looks forward to future collaboration, as NASA pushes farther into the universe for the benefit of all.”
“NASA’s partnerships are vital to ensuring America continues to lead the world in the peaceful uses of outer space,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said. “This agreement with the U.S. Space Force reaffirms and continues our rich legacy of collaboration with the Defense Department and provides a critical foundation to investigate areas of mutual interest for our distinct civil and defense roles in space.”
Additionally, this new agreement follows the creation of the USSF back in December 2019 and further defines the role that this new branch of the military will play in aerospace policy and endeavors.
Two of the key plans of the Artemis program are, before 2024, to place the first woman and the next man on the Moon while also setting up a sustainable presence there before 2030. All of this is part of the agency’s plan to use the Moon as a stepping stone to its ultimate goal: a manned mission to Mars.
https://saraacarter.com/space-force-and-nasa-sign-momentous-collaboration-agreement/
Senator Joe Manchin says no Supreme Court vote before election
Manchin says voting on the Supreme Court justice "will only deepen the political tribalism."
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on Tuesday opposed the Senate voting on a Supreme Court nomination before the Nov. 3 presidential election – ending speculation about whether the Democrat lawmaker representing a conservative-leaning state would vote with Republicans.
“For the sake of the integrity of our courts and legal system, I do not believe the U.S. Senate should vote on a U.S. Supreme Court nominee before the November 3rd election," Manchin said in a statement.
President Trump plans to announce Saturday his nominee to fill the high court seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday from complications from cancer.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the GOP-controlled chamber will hold a vote on a Trump nominee. Republicans hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats and appear to have enough votes without help from Manchin or other Senate Democrats to confirm a nominee to the court.
Manchin has voted with the Trump agenda more than any other Democratic senator, according to factcheck.org. Trump won more than 68% of the West Virginia vote in 2016.
"Pursuing an overtly partisan approach to confirming a Supreme Court justice will only deepen the political tribalism we are witnessing across this country," Manchin also said. "I implore every senator, regardless of party, to honor their responsibility to act in a manner that brings this country together rather than feed a cycle of endless political division.”
https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/senator-joe-manchin-says-no-supreme-court-vote-election
Ambassador Ala: Partner countries in the war on Syria moved to the economic terrorism phase
Geneva, SANA-Syria warned of the repercussions of expanding and extending unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US and the European Union in light of measures taken to confront the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, stressing that these measures form a new phase of economic terrorism.
Permanent representative of Syria to the United Nations in Geneva, Hussam Eddin Ala, in a statement at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council on Tuesday, criticized the unprecedented US expansion through resorting to unilateral, coercive measures and the increasing number of states targeted by them.
Ala, stressed that the European Union decision to extend the unilateral, coercive measures on Syria for an additional year during the corona crisis and the United States’ step, in the same period, to issue the so-called “Caesar Act “, moved the partner states in the war on Syria to a new stage of economic terrorism which aims to hinder the Syrian government’s efforts of reconstruction, stability and providing the conditions for the return of the displaced Syrians inside and abroad.
Upon an initiative by Syria, several UN member countries called on the Human Rights Council to exert pressure on the states that resort to imposing unilateral, coercive measures and oblige them respond to international appeals and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to lift these illegal measures in order to enable the targeted countries face coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Ala, in a statement, by the names of a group of states, including Russia, China, Iran and others, warned against the negative impacts of the coercive measures, financial and economic sanctions and their violation of the basic rights of citizens of the targeted countries in light of COVID 19 pandemic.
The statement affirmed that the restrictions imposed on securing humanitarian needs and basic materials, like medical equipment and food, contradict international law and conventions relevant to human rights.
Ambassador Ala described US and European allegations about the existence of “humanitarian exceptions” regarding the sanctions as nothing but mere pretext to cover up the immoral measures that target the livelihood conditions of the Syrians and affect the work of humanitarian organizations and agencies operating inside Syria.
The ambassador called on the Human Rights’ Council to hold countries involved in imposing unilateral coercive measures the moral and legal responsibility resulting from their impacts.
http://sana.sy/en/?p=203922
CDC Issues Holiday Guidelines: Thanksgiving Dinner Is Out, But Trick-Or-Treating Is Okay
After its credibility took a major beating following its latest confusing shift in its guidance, the CDC has released guidelines for the holiday season that many Americans will likely find a little too cumbersome to manage.
The guidelines urge Americans to limit dinners to immediate family only; celebrations with larger groups of relatives - if they must be held - should be held outside. For most of the country east of the Mississippi, that might be difficult in the bitter December cold.
The agency also cautioned that virtual gatherings are 'risk free'.
Anybody hosting a celebratory gathering should take local restrictions into account.
One of the more bizarre recommendations is for families that absolutely must host Thanksgiving or Christmas (or Hannukah etc) dinners: they should have participants bring their own food, to minimize the sharing of communal food.
Large celebrations for Dia de los Muertos should be avoided, as well as parade.
Black Friday sales might not be a great strategy for retailers who are struggling to make it through the pandemic. Instead, the CDC recommends alternatives such as virtual Halloween costume contests, or holding a small dinner for household members - as well as shopping online.
Kids - along with many adults - will be happy to learn that Halloween trick or treating can continue almost as normal, since most of the activity takes place outside, and kids can wear masks with their costumes, Bloomberg reports.
The National Confectioners Association, a trade group that represents candy-makers, said in a statement that the new CDC guidance “reinforces that Halloween is happening and provides inspiration for creative and safe approaches to celebrating the holiday."
The organization also provided a statement from Stephen Ostroff, a former CDC and Food and Drug Administration official who has been working with the industry group “to help Americans take the guesswork out of Halloween."
"Halloween is traditionally an outdoor holiday and the one time of the year when kids want to wear a mask,” Ostroff said. “This is fully consistent with the CDC safety guidelines, and with the appropriate physical distancing, trick-or-treating can safely happen.”
Let's hope the agency doesn't retract and reverse the Halloween-related guidance tomorrow, like it did with its latest update to its guidelines.
As the holiday guidelines are released, it's clear that saving face has become a top priority for the CDC and FDA. The Washington Post reported Tuesday afternoon that the FDA is planning to announce tough new restrictions for emergency vaccine approval as Bill Gates and an army of critics slam the CDC and FDA.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/cdc-issues-holiday-guidelines-thanksgiving-dinner-out-trick-or-treating-okay
https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1308148915410264068
he usually bakes during late night shift I'll ask around later if we don't hear from him beforehand
Obamagate the Movie Is Being Censored by Twitter — China-Like Censorship in US During an Election — Where Is the GOP?
Twitter has now wiped out Obamagate the movie from their search function.
It’s been wiped entirely from Twitter’s search button!
This is complete electioneering by the social media giant.
And it is something you would expect in China or Cuba!
Movie producers Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer posted video today on the censorship of their latest project.
The Unreported Story Society has brought you hits like FBI Lovebirds, The Gosnell Movie, Fracknation and more.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/09/obamagate-movie-censored-twitter-china-like-censorship-us-gop/
as are my images proving such
Matt Gaetz Calls On Florida AG To Investigate Mike Bloomberg 'For Potentially Engaging In Bribery And Vote Buying"
Update (1815ET): Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has called on the state's Attorney General to investigate Bloomberg for "Potentially Engaging In Bribery And Vote Buying."
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg - who has committed at least $100 million in Florida towards electing Joe Biden, has raised another $16 million to pay the court fines and fees of nearly 32,000 Black and Hispanic felons so that they can vote in the November election.
The money will go towards a program organized by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. By state law, former prisoners who are already registered to vote in Florida are barred from participating in the election if they have outstanding legal debts to the state, according to the Washington Post.
Bloomberg has raised money from both individuals and foundations, according to his advisers. The billionaire views the donations as a more cost-effective way of adding Democratic voters in Florida than investing money to persuade non-felons to change their vote, according to a memo.
"We have identified a significant vote share that requires a nominal investment," it reads. "The data shows that in Florida, Black voters are a unique universe unlike any other voting bloc, where the Democratic support rate tends to be 90%-95%."
The memo also notes that Biden is currently polling worse among Cuban American voters than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, while other Hispanic groups are in favor of Biden by a margin of 3 to 1.
Florida voters passed a statewide constitutional amendment in 2018 that gave former felons, except those convicted of murder or felony sexual offenses, the opportunity to vote in upcoming elections. The Republican-controlled legislature subsequently passed, and the Republican governor signed, a law that conditioned their return to the voting rolls on the payment of all fees, fines and restitution that were part of their sentence.
The Republican effort is expected to limit the political benefit to Democrats of the constitutional change, which passed by ballot initiative with 65 percent support. A study by the University of Florida found that nearly 775,000 former felons still owed money related to their convictions and would be barred from the voting booth by the law. The vast majority are too poor to pay their outstanding debts, according to evidence presented in court documents challenging the law. -Washington Post
Beyond Bloomberg, several philanthropic groups have poured money into paying off debts owed by felons - including a nonprofit founded by LeBron James. Bloomberg's effort, meanwhile, is "narrowly focused only on Black and Hispanic voters" whose debts are less than $1,500.
"Mike wanted to get this done for two reasons," a Bloomberg adviser told the Post. "One, because it’s the right thing to do for the democracy. And two, because it immediately activates tens of thousands of voters who are predisposed to vote for Joe Biden."
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/mike-bloomberg-raises-16-million-so-florida-felons-can-vote-november