Federalizing the National Guard Away From the Governors
December 4, 2008
Here’s an amazing thing happening right before our very eyes and you don’t hear anything about it. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Pentagon are obviously in the process of implementing the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007. The act changed federal law so that the Governor of a state is no longer the sole commander in chief of their state’s National Guard during emergencies within the state, a direct violation of Article I, Section 10 and Clause 3 of the Constitution. As original envisioned by the founders, who rightfully feared standing armies, active and reserve military organizations were to be limited in size and scope and complemented by citizen-soldiers. The the John Warner Defense Authorization Act has finally put to rest the idea that these citizen-soldiers will not be federalized. Here’s the article:
Gates announces plan to make National Guard a Homeland “Operational Force”
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered the Pentagon to conduct a “broad review” to determine if the military and the National Guard and Reserve can “adequately deal with domestic disasters,” including “a catastrophic attack on the country.”
Gates’ order falls on the heels of an earlier report released by the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves urging the Pentagon to “use the nation’s citizen soldiers to create an operational force that would be fully trained, equipped and ready to defend the nation.”
Gates and the Pentagon are obviously in the process of implementing the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007. The act changed federal law so that the Governor of a state is no longer the sole commander in chief of their state’s National Guard during emergencies within the state, a direct violation of Article I, Section 10 and Clause 3 of the Constitution. As original envisioned by the founders, who rightfully feared standing armies, active and reserve military organizations were to be limited in size and scope and complemented by citizen-soldiers. The the John Warner Defense Authorization Act has finally put to rest the idea that these citizen-soldiers will not be federalized.
It can be argued that the Warner bill is simply a culmination of earlier piecemeal violations, including the Militia Act of 1792, the Insurrection Act of 1807, and in particular the Militia Act of 1903, the latter allowing for the creation of the National Guard of the United States as the primary organized reserve force for the U.S. armed forces. Gates is simply announcing a fiat accompli – the merging of the Department of Defense and the National Guard into one cohesive force that will be deployed domestically in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act which substantially limited the powers of the federal government to use the military for law enforcement. In the past, maintaining order during domestic disasters was the responsibility of local and state law enforcement, although the National Guard was on occasion called in cases of civil unrest.
Gates plan for a review of the National Guard’s role is especially troublesome in the wake of the Pentagon’s announcement in September that the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team would be deployed domestically by Northcom beginning October 1.
“Beginning Oct. 1 for 12 months, the 1st BCT will be under the day-to-day control of U.S. Army North, the Army service component of Northern Command, as an on-call federal response force for natural or manmade emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks,” the Army Times reported on September 30. The battle-hardened brigade, straight out combat duty in Iraq, will engage in “specialty tasks” usually reserved for local law enforcement. In addition, the brigade will use “the first ever nonlethal package that the Army has fielded… designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them,” an especially chilling prospect in light of growing predictions of civil unrest as the economy worsens.
If the Pentagon plan is realized, the National Guard will receive training for “homeland defense and civil support missions, as opposed to the warfighting now consuming them.” The Associated Press admits Gates’ effort is designed to “integrate reservists into the modern day military and consider treating them on a more equal basis to the active duty troops.”
Arnold L. Punaro, former chairman of the commission, welcomed Gates’ recommendations and declared that improving the military’s role in homeland defense and enhancing the clout of the reserves “represent a historic break with the past.” It also represents a “historic break ” with the Constitution of the United States.
Gates and the Pentagon realize the United States does not face a serious external terrorist threat. Instead, it faces in the not too distant future a reaction on the part of the citizenry of the deconstruction of the economy and the social and political chaos that will undoubtedly follow. The National Guard, along with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team and other military troops, will use the “nonlethal package… designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals” mentioned by the Army Times.
And Harry Reid says your Armpits Smell
December 4, 2008
Harry Reid Says Capitol Visitors Smell
Politicians often get in trouble because of the actions of members of their staff. But, sometimes it pays for elected officials to listen to them. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is learning that lesson tonight after off the cuff remarks he made at the unveiling of the new Capitol Visitors Center.
The center, like most government projects, is late and over-budget. At a cost of $621 million, the center must certainly have some nice amenities. But for Reid, man of the people, defender of the forgotten, champion of the little guy, the best part about the new Capitol Visitors Center is the air conditioning. Why? Because it will keep the stinking masses away from him.
That’s no exaggeration. Reid said the following at the opening of the center this morning.
“My staff tells me not to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway,” said Reid in his remarks. In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it’s true.”
Ah, Harry Reid. If he didn’t exist, Republicans would have to invent him. Next time, Senator, listen to your staff.
Delete Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) from the list of admirers of the new Capitol Visitor Center.
DeMint issued a statement Tuesday criticizing the new facility for “omitting the history of faith.” DeMint noted that the new tourist spot ignored his request to include the phrase “In God We Trust” and the Pledge of Allegiance.
DeMint said the center, which opened Tuesday, also has displays that are “left-leaning and in some cases distort our true history.”
Here’s DeMint’s full statement:
“The Capitol Visitor Center is designed to tell the history and purpose of our nation’s Capitol, but it fails to appropriately honor our religious heritage that has been critical to America’s success. While the Architect of the Capitol has pledged to include some references to faith, more needs to be done. You cannot accurately tell the history of America or its Capitol by ignoring the religious heritage of our Founders and the generations since who relied on their faith for strength and guidance. The millions of visitors that will visit the CVC each year should get a true portrayal of the motivations and inspirations of those who have served in Congress since its establishment.
“The current CVC displays are left-leaning and in some cases distort our true history. Exhibits portray the federal government as the fulfillment of human ambition and the answer to all of society’s problems. This is a clear departure from acknowledging that Americans’ rights ‘are endowed by their Creator’ and stem from ‘a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.’ Instead, the CVC’s most prominent display proclaims faith not in God, but in government. Visitors will enter reading a large engraving that states, ‘We have built no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the Constitution.’ This is an intentional misrepresentation of our nation’s real history, and an offensive refusal to honor America’s God-given blessings. As George Washington stated clearly in his first inaugural address:
‘…[I]t would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.’
“The fundamental principles of the freedom we enjoy in this country stem from our Founding Fathers’ beliefs in a higher power, beliefs put forth in the Declaration of Independence and manifest throughout our Constitution,” said Senator DeMint. “If we cease to acknowledge this fact, we may cease to enjoy some of the freedoms we take for granted. We must not censor historical references to God for the sake of political correctness. And we must truthfully represent the limited form of government the Constitution lays out so that our ‘government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.’ So help us God.”
-J. Taylor Rushing
OK, now just a few of the comments posted on the Hill, from the anti-God people. Most backed up Sen. DeMint, but the idiots always express themselves. Can you just imagine how the angels are crying in heaven? I’ll post the link at the end so you can see some of the great ones who actually are learned people who answered these clowns:
1. Leave it to neanderthal Demint to strike a blow against sanity. I guess he’s railing at the fact there are no references to the “flat earth” and that we don’t honor our history of slavery. Complete idiot. It’s sad that even in this great visitors’ center, someone like Demint has to create some straw dog like “left leaning.” Unbelievable.
2. This is exactly what’s wrong with today’s GOP and the reason it’s hard for people like myself, who want limited government, to get excited about the party. Worry about your superstitions at home, on your own time. Stop bringing that garbage to work. There are all kinds of problems facing our country and this clown takes the time to issue a statement regarding his disdain for secularism. If you want religion in government, move to Iran….jacka**. (MY CHANGE – NO CUSSING!)
3. I don’t understand DeMint’s comments about faith. While I am not against posting religious comments at the center, he does not tell the real truth. (Lady Has No Clue)
If you knew history you would know that Thomas Jefferson and most of the founding fathers wanted to keep religion out of the Constitution and the laws they made about this country. Thomas Jefferson was an atheist or agnostic. Check it out.
4. This statement is exactly why the Republican party lost so badly in the 2008 election. The current Republican party is infested with a Christian version of the Taliban seeking to force their religous beliefs onto the rest of the country. For a party that prides itself on being “conservative” and seeks to apoint Federal Judges who adhere to a STRICT interpretation of the Constitution, they always seem to ignore SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. Sen. DeMint should keep his faith where it belongs, in his Church on Sunday and in his private life.
http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/12/02/demint-capitol-visitor-center-fails-to-honor-faith/
Unsafe Melamine Levels in Baby Formula-Posioning Your Babies
December 4, 2008
This is an unbelevable story here…to think the FDA would do this to babies…Melamine is a posion ….Melamine normal levels are .15 ppm (parts per million), but some of the tests showed 247 ppm which is 16x higher than can be explained by the equipment. So just two months ago the FDA said melamine is poison and not safe, but now since these tests they declare it so be safe even at these extremely high levels. So now the FDA declares 1 ppm to be a safe level of melamine when on their website earlier they said there wasn’t any safe level of melamine and they’ve NEVER done any tests. Now the FDA believes it can declare contaminants to be safe at a level it just invents on the spot, without conducting any science whatsoever.
Two months ago, U.S. regulators said they were unable to set a safety threshold for the chemical. But on Friday, just days after the Associated Press reported that the FDA found traces of melamine in infant formula made by one major U.S. manufacturer, the FDA set a safety threshold of 1 part per million in baby formula. (You can read about that here.)
The standard is the same as the one public health officials have set in Canada and China, but is 20 times higher than the most stringent level in Taiwan, the AP reports. The amount of melamine deemed safe in the U.S. is about 10,000 times lower than the amounts blamed for sickening children in China, which were as much as 2,500 parts per million, the AP reported.
The FDA found chemicals in the following U.S.-made formulas:
- Mead Johnson’s Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron found melamine at levels of 0.137 and 0.14 parts per million.
- Three tests of Nestle’s Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron detected an average of 0.247 parts per million of cyanuric acid.
Anyway here’s the article……………….
90 Percent of U.S. Infant Formula May Be Contaminated with Melamine; FDA Abruptly Declares Chemical Safe for Babies
(NaturalNews) Up to 90 percent of the infant formula sold in the United States may be contaminated with trace amounts of melamine, the toxic chemical linked to kidney damage, according to recent tests. The FDA’s test results, which the agency hid from the public and only released after the Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Act request, showed that Nestle, Mead Johnson and Enfamil infant formula products were all contaminated with melamine.
The AP is also reporting that Abbott Laboratories conducted its own in-house tests that detected trace levels of melamine in its formula products. Together, these infant formula manufacturers make about 90 percent of the infant formula sold in the United States.
Prior to these test results being made public, the FDA had published a document on its website that explained there was no safe level of melamine contamination in infant formula. Specifically, the FDA stated, “FDA is currently unable to establish any level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula that does not raise public health concerns.”
Once tests found melamine in U.S.-made formula products, however, the FDA changed its story. As of today, the FDA has now officially declared melamine to be safe in infant formula as long as the contamination level is less than one part per million (1 ppm).
Astonishingly: The FDA has no new science to justify its abrupt decision declaring melamine to be safe!
Protecting Big Business instead of American babies
Rather than being based on science, the FDA’s decision appears to be based entirely on creating cover for U.S. infant formula manufacturers whose products were found to be contaminated with melamine. The “acceptable” level of contamination (1 ppm) is conveniently just above the levels found in U.S. infant formula products, thus placing U.S. infant formula in the “safe” contamination level category.
And yet the FDA has conducted no safety testing whatsoever to determine whether 1ppm of melamine is safe for infants to consume. There is no science involved in this decision whatsoever. Rather than this decision being based on science, the FDA is once again resorting to politically-motivated decisions that seek to protect the profits of Big Business rather than the safety of infants and children.
Recall that the FDA also recently declared Bisphenol-A to be safe for infants to consume, even while countries like Canada banned the chemical from baby bottles. The FDA, it seems has never met a corporate-sponsored chemical it didn’t like.
Where did the melamine come from?
Laughingly, the FDA claims the 1ppm of melamine in U.S. infant formula must have come from the manufacturing machines or food packaging equipment. And yet the AP is reporting that the expected level of melamine contamination from manufacturing equipment is only 15 ppb (parts per billion).
But the FDA’s own tests on Mead Johnson infant formula reveal it to contain 245 ppb, or 1600% more than what would be expected to exists due to melamine contamination from manufacturing equipment.
There are two really important questions that any intelligent consumer should be asking about all this:
Question #1) If the manufacturing and packaging equipment is contaminated with melamine, does this mean that ALL food products containing milk protein are similarly contaminated? The same companies that make infant formula also make Slim Fast, Ensure and Boost — all are milk protein-based meal replacement products containing many of the same ingredients as infant formula. Are they contaminated with melamine, too?
Question #2) If manufacturing and packaging machinery should only result in melamine contamination levels of 15 ppb, and yet 245 ppb were found in the infant formula, then where did all the extra melamine come from? The FDA has no explanation for this and seems to hope people will forget to ask.
Secret tests and public lies
There’s no doubt that these infant formula manufacturers are pursuing the very same contamination theories I’m describing here. They’re probably scrambling to test their milk protein sources, trying to figure out where all the extra melamine is coming from.
As usual, they’ll try to keep the test results secret, preventing this from exploding into a much larger public health issue. The FDA, for its part, will continue to conduct any actual science in secret, preventing the public from knowing the tests results unless it is sued by organizations like the AP.
That’s assuming the FDA conducts any science at all, because now the FDA believes it can declare contaminants to be safe at a level it just invents on the spot, without conducting any science whatsoever. The FDA is playing “Wheel of Fortune” with public safety (http://www.naturalnews.com/023681.html), and it’s relying on guessing games – rather than actual science – to declare safety levels of chemicals it doesn’t even understand.
The upshot of all this is really quite simple: People who feed their babies manufactured, mainstream infant formula products are fools! If there was ever a reason to breastfeed your baby, this is it. And if you’re looking for truly safe infant formula products, go with natural brands such as Genesis Organics Goat Milk Formula (www.GenesisOrganics.com) or other “natural” brands that don’t use cheap cow’s milk proteins.
After all, it’s quite clear at this point that the FDA doesn’t care about your baby’s health. You’re the only one who can protect your baby from melamine. The FDA flat out refuses to do so. In fact, it’s doing the opposite by declaring melamine to be safe!
So stop buying conventional infant formula products and start feeding your baby what it was meant to consume: Human breast milk from a healthy, well-nourished mom who eats lots of omega-3 oils and superfoods.
That’s the best infant formula in the world. And by the way, human babies shouldn’t be drinking bovine milk in the first place. The whole infant formula industry was a scam long before melamine came along. Now it’s a contaminated scam.
This is a long article, you can read it all at Natural news.com



