18. January 2010 by admin.

San Diego’s Kaplan College named its newest criminal justice training lab after fallen Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas who was brutally murdered by illegal immigrants jumping the U.S. border  fence on July 23, 2009.

In true compassionate fashion, Kaplan College honored Agent Rosas along with a group of 75 family members, friends, law enforcement officers and Border Patrol Agents in attendance. The new lab includes a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) system where law enforcement officers can practice the variety of lethal threat situations officers may face in the real world.

“Our campus is honored to commemorate Agent Robert Rosas’ service and sacrifice. We feel very privileged to have our Criminal Justice Training Lab bear his name,” said Kevin Prehn, Kaplan College president.

Amy Thompson-Smith, the Criminal Justice Program director said, “Kaplan College is sincerely honored to dedicate the lab to the memory and sacrifice of Agent Rosas.” She expressed her pleasure that the lab will have a hand in improving and honing the training of future law enforcement personnel.

“This sends a message of respect and gratitude to those that serve our country with honor everyday,” Agent Rosas’ sister Arlene Brambilia said.

“Kaplan College’s decision to dedicate this lab in Robert’s name is a blessing and honor to all of us,” said Rosalie Rosas, Agent Rosas’ wife. “When our children are a little older, I will bring them here to share the honor you left in our hearts.”

John Kolacinski, the Regional VP of Operations at Kaplan, thanked Ms. Rosas and presented to her a combined $10,000 scholarship for her two children should they attend Kaplan College in the future.

After the ceremony the group proceeded into the lab where the college unveiled the plaque of dedication, which included a portrait of Agent Robert Rosas and was inscribed with the words, “In honor of your ultimate sacrifice and dedication to your family and country.”

While the ceremony was a testament to the dedication Border Patrol agents in the San Diego region, the dedication was bittersweet. Keep reading

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17. January 2010 by admin.

California seems to suffer from a perpetual budgetary crisis that always ends the same way, more taxes and reduced programs. The world’s eighth largest economy is mired with bloated government programs, a failing public school system and massive business regulations. Put simply – a mess.

Now that politicians are preparing for the silly season, front runner for the Republican Party is Meg Whitman. However, lifelong conservative GOP member Larry Naritelli hopes to change her front runner status and he will do it with the support of the tea party patriots and the 40 percent of undecided voters within the state.

“I believe in a constitutionally limited government, fiscal responsibility and free market capitalism,” says the down to earth candidate. While many politicians owe their steps into public service because of a long-held family tradition, Naritelli takes his chance in politics because his favorite expression is “God bless America.”

Looking at the past year of “new politics” in which President Obama alluded to the fact he would be the most transparent, bipartisan and lobby-free president the U.S. has seen. Yet, his administration has done just the opposite by taking care of business behind closed doors filled with lobbyist and excluding the Republican Party at all costs

“It’s no surprise, if you listen to Democratic leaders they say one thing and do another,” quips Naritelli. Keep reading

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15. January 2010 by admin.

This week Mexico gained a few dubious titles, most violent city in the world (Ciudad Juarez), highest single-day murder rate (69) and drug cartel capitol of world; that being said, Mexico’s neighbor to the north, California has started its march toward legalizing marijuana and collecting taxes in order to close the states’ chronic budget shortfalls.

In a narrow vote along party lines California Democrat Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D- San Francisco), who sponsored the bill, successfully did what no other city or state has been able to do and that is legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. If the legislation is able to make it through both California legislative bodies, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has indicated he will sign such a bill.

“This is a significant vote because it legitimizes the quest for debate, legitimizes the quest for discussion,” Ammiano explained. “This is far from over. Not only did we get it out of (the) public safety (committee), but members are now willing to say, yes, this is worthy of discussion.”

The overly liberal delegation from San Francisco was instrumental in pushing the legalization of marijuana as a way to earn extra money for the budget shortfalls that plague California. Keep reading

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13. January 2010 by admin.

It is being reported that the same chemicals used by the Christmas Day terror attack have been discovered at the port in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Local reports from the Morehead Police and Fire Departments acknowledge there were nine containers found and that they were punctured open. It remains unclear as to why the PETN containers were opened, but local authorities believe it may have been an accident.

PETN or pentaerythritol trinitrate is a relatively stable liquid and is detonated by using heat or a shockwave, experts believe the Christmas Day bombing attempt used PETN chemicals which were combined with nitroglycerin.

The suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, ducked security in Amsterdam by carrying the explosives on his person, possibly sewn into his clothing and waiting until the last 10 minutes of the flight to ignite the chemicals. He has now been charged by the FBI and is awaiting his day in court. Keep reading

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8. January 2010 by admin.

Each year in the United States the immigration department holds a lottery where 50,000 immigrants who seek to reside in America can win the golden ticket and gain legal entry into the country. The popular program is only available for those countries that do not send a large number of immigrants to the U.S.

In an effort to remove any possible security risks, Congressmen Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) have asked Chairman of the Judiciary committee, John Conyers (D-MI) urging the committee to consider eliminating the annual visa lottery. (Note: state sponsors of terrorism are not excluded from the lottery.)

The Congressmen pointed out countries that are eligible for the visa lottery include; Iran, Sudan, Cuba as well as 13 of the 14 nations the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) crack down on airport security, including Nigeria home country of the Christmas Day terrorist incident.

“The visa lottery program poses a national security threat. Under the program, each successful applicant is chosen at random and given the status of permanent resident based on pure luck,” Rep. Goodlatte explained. “Usually, immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who have an existing connection with a family member lawfully residing in the United States or with a U.S. employer. These types of relationships help to ensure that immigrants entering the country have a stake in our nation’s continued success, and have needed skills to contribute to our nation’s economy. However, under the visa lottery program, visas are awarded to immigrants at random without meeting such criteria.”

Congressman Smith continued to say the visa lottery is a dangerous game with our national security. “America already has the most generous immigration policy in the world, admitting over one million legal immigrants each year. But under the current lottery system, up to 50,000 randomly selected alien applicants win visas each year, many from countries with a significant terrorist presence.”  Keep reading

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7. January 2010 by admin.

The Obama Administration lost the only Republican governor who supported the Democrat health care reform bill; California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger-R announced at his annual State of the State message he would no longer support the President’s bill to landmark health care reform.

In a stunning reversal, Schwarzenegger slammed the backroom meetings and sweetheart deals as a deal breaker for the constituents of California.

“Congress is about ready to put billions of dollars of responsibilities on Californians with the health care bill. While I enthusiastically supported health care reform; it is not reform to push more costs onto the states that are already struggling while other states are getting sweetheart deals,” he said.

“Health care reform, which started as noble and needed legislation, has become a trough of bribes, deals and loopholes,” the California governor said. “You’ve heard of the bridge to nowhere. This is health care to nowhere.”

Governor Schwarzenegger explained to excited Sacramento legislators the congressional delegation should vote against this health care bill because it would be a disaster for California. He went on to explain that if these representatives are bent on supporting health care it was their duty to go back to Washington D.C. and fight for the same deals the Cornhusker State received. Keep reading

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6. January 2010 by admin.

As the cycle of violence continues unabated in Mexico and increasing U.S. terror attacks are being thwarted it remains more important than ever to secure our borders. A recent trip across the San Ysidro border found many border “walk across” entrants were allowed into the U.S. by showing identification, but agents were not entering their documents into the computer system.

“One of the Department of Homeland Security’s primary missions is to maintain and regularly update the systems that help red-flag applicants for admission with possible terrorist ties, as well as wanted persons and known smugglers. However, even the best state-of-the-art name-check system is only as good as the diligence of law enforcement officers using it,” says Julia Davis former CBP agent at San Ysidro border crossing.

“Thoroughly scanning and verifying the identity documents of every applicant for admission to the United States is of the utmost importance to the national security. The DHS has no more important responsibility than the protection of all Americans and preventing the entry of any elements posing a potential threat. Powerful information technology puts the data at the fingertips of CBP officers in the field in real time. While the systems of checks are not infallible and need continued improvement, they should be diligently utilized by the officers at our ports of entry to combat the threats we face as a nation,” Davis concluded.

To be fair another agent stated sometimes there are circumstances when the computer system “goes down” and it is up to the Customs and Border Patrol agent to use their judgment when letting citizens or Legal Permanent Residence (LPR) card users into the country.

“In many cases if the subject is questionable they should be sent to secondary where another agent can ask questions and determine the admissibility of said individuals,” he said. Keep reading

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5. January 2010 by admin.

According to the letter sent by C-SPAN to Congressional leaders, the network requested a more serious effort by members inside backroom meetings regarding health care so they can televise the last minute shenanigans for the American people.

“The C-SPAN networks will commit the necessary resources to covering all of these sessions ‘Live’ and in their entirety. We will also, as we willingly do each day, provide C-SPAN’s multi-camera coverage to any interested member of the Capitol Hill broadcast pool,” the letter read.

Those in the media, Congress as well as President Obama himself have talked about the importance of transparency during the process of health care debate. Stepping up on their intentions to remind the White House of their promises, C-SPAN said, “Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of ever single American.”

Well over a year ago on the campaign trail, Obama told every reporter and camera who would listen that his administration would be completely transparent. Keep reading

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4. January 2010 by admin.

In light of the seriousness of the successful, unsuccessful Christmas day terror attack aboard a U.S. airliner, President Obama promised to hold officials across the board accountable.

“It is my job to ensure that our intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security systems and the people working in them are working effectively and held accountable. I intend to fulfill that responsibility and insist on accountability at every level.”

Sounds like some heads are going to roll- maybe.

Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor, John Brennan spoke on the Fox Sunday show regarding the confidence the President has with his top three intelligence advisors. For now Janet Napolitano, DHS Secretary, Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence and Leon Panetta, CIA Director are on the good list according to Brennan.

In light of the heat Napolitano faced this week by saying the “system worked,” Brennan said he is honored to work with someone of her caliber. That being said it looks like the blame will fall to some low-level employee furthering the systemic failures that continue to exist within DHS. This is comparable to the infamous House of Death case where a low-level ICE handler, Raul Bencomo, was fired essentially for lack of candor, though his statements were good enough to use in the case. However once his use was finished so was his career and he was scalped for being at the bottom of the totem pole. Keep reading

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