That seems like a ridiculous statement, but its not without substance. Obama just signed into law the Financial Reform Bill. This bill was touted as being a showcase for government transparency. EXCEPT for one little known provision. (Lordy these people who pass these bills DO NOT read them!!), which exempts the SEC from disclosing any information to the public through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIC).
The Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) was recently investigated because a number of its employees spent a lot of time watching pornography during their work hours (citizens are paying for their perverse needs) and using government computers to access porn.
The effect of this new Financial Regulatory Reform bill means that the public would never know or could not even investigate or ask questions of the SEC under the FOIC. So how could the public ever know about any abuses (like watching porno) conducted by this regulatory body.
Here’s what we know about this provision: Since the SEC is a regulatory body, (the provision covers almost every action by the agency (I guess that includes employees watching pornography – italics my emphasis)), the law exempts the SEC from disclosing records or information derived from “surveillance, risk assessments, or other regulatory and oversight activities.” Congress and federal agencies can request information, but the public is forbidden to request information through the FOIC.
Because of FOIC investigation, it was discovered:
Through a request from Fox that the SEC had investigated Madoff and R. Allen Stanford, but the SEC failed to follow through on prosecution to save investors.
Through FOIA Fox got records showing that the Fed knew AIG execs would get their bonuses under the bailout legislation proposed by Congress.
SEC whistleblower Gary Aguirre forced the SEC to release documents through FOIA requests that showed he was correct in accusing the agency of interfering in an investigation of Pequot Asset Management, and allowed him to get a settlement for wrongful determination.
Now that Obama has signed the Financial Regulation “Reform” bill into law … the public has NO right to (how about checks and balances) investigate any perceived abuses of a federal regulatory agency … THIS IS A BLATANT ABUSE OF FEDERAL POWER!!!
This was more than delicious. I just got this email from the DSCC: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Their headline states “We Couldn’t Make This Stuff Up,” which is a DSCC claim that Republicans are making outrageous statements. So to abate my intense curiosity I checked out these terrible Republican comments … and to my glee I found that I agreed with a lot of them. NOTE: Even Republicans can made dumb statements.
From what I gather the Democrats believe in BIG GOVERNMENT … Democrats are living in LaLa Land, they cannot see that the policies of the Obama administration are left-wing Socialist. This left-wing Congress has already passed legislation that takes over and owns portions of many corporations (the free market); driving us into unimaginable debt that our children and grandchildren will have to deal with; destroying our freedoms; and the latest effort … 1/3 of Congress is now wanting to institute the healthcare Public Option.
The quote from the DSCC sites states: ” Republicans all across America are saying things so shocking that we could hardly believe it. But it’s true. We couldn’t make this stuff up…” YOU DECIDE IF YOU AGREE WITH THE DEMS.!
Living in the rainforests of Siberut off the coast of Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia is a small society of indigenous people, the Mentawai. Keeping the world as they know it is the goal of the Mentawai Cultural Ecotourism Association (MCEA). The tribal elders are teaching the young Mentawai how to better understand, respect and appreciate their own culture, which has been under attack for years and is in danger of disappearing.
By learning about their ancient cultures the Metawai become better tourist guides, being able to provide tourists with a understanding of this indigenous culture. The Native Planet organization is helping to empower their society by developing a global and cultural tourism strategy to implement sustainable economic alternatives; make the world aware of the Mentawai culture; secure international support; and in addition develop a managed tourism plan.
Native Planet has introduced some unique volunteer opportunities by offering volunteer bicycling adventures to raise funds. Through ride4areason.org they offer exciting bicycling adventures. The Native Planet Classic, is held in the breathtaking North Cascades available for both cyclists and non-cyclists. The pledges raised during this bicycling adventure provides more than 75% of the funding for on-site malaria control and other projects in Indonesia. Bicycling tours are also available in France, all benefiting Native Planet and indigenous peoples. Read more »
Obama made a recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick, to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He says, “I’m a romantic about the National Health Service [in Britain]. I love it.” He said the decision is not whether or not we will ration care, the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.
Occasionally Voluntology receives requests for help from small organizations that are located in remote villages in distressed areas. Some of these communities had been devastated by roving bands of terrorists, by disease or other conditions that have decimated the community.
By the virtue of a single individual or a small group of people, with a lot of energy and heart, who are working hard to return their communities to some sort of normalcy. Rebuilding homes, restoring some commercialism, creating medical facilities, and building resources to educate their children.
Each situation is specific to that community, so there are no absolute rules one can be guided by. I will share a few of those situations:
A medical organization in India was in the process of developing a brochure. They sent a working copy to Voluntology for information. I found that their knowledge of the English language, spelling and grammar was lacking. I reviewed their brochure, took the time to rewrite it, corrected their spelling and grammar. My changes were all accepted and they had a better written brochure.
A small village in Uganda desperately needs volunteers to teach their children in secondary school. Read more »
Watch Jonathan Emord, a well-known Constitutional Attorney speak on Obamacare. Mr. Emord is well known for having defeated the FDA in 7 cases that violated free speech.
In these two very important videos, Mr. Emord warns of the dangers of Obamacare and its effects, which if not stopped, will result in the dismantling of our constitutional republic and turn the United States into a bureaucratic oligarchy. (Definition: Oligarchy – A small group of people having control of a country).
We are seeing this happen right before our eyes. We are being governed more and more by rules and regulations enforced on the American people by established bureaucratic agencies.
One of the main tenets of the Communist Manifesto is for “Social Justice.” An egalitarian concept that justifies the practice of socialism, and only a centralized government can bring equality to everyone.
To be equal, therefore, requires the abolition of privacy and property rights. This is in direct contrast to capitalism, which respects the rights of individuals, their property, and a minimum of government intervention in their lives.
“Americans take pride in self-government, providing for their own well being in a free society … promoters of government-run health care would make them passive subjects, dependent on handouts and far more concerned about security than liberty.”
“There are two incomparable understandings of America:
•One is based on the principles of progressivism, and would place more aspects of our lives under unelected “experts.”
•The other sees America as a society of free individuals under a Constitution that severely limits what the federal government can rightfully do.”
“This is a debate about ideology – should we abandon our free market economic model for a full-fledged European-style social welfare state.”
Paul Ryan in a speech at Hillsdale College
“Reprinted by permission from Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College”
Mark Lloyd, FCC Diversity Chief
“Corporate liberty has overwhelmed citizen equality” … and “Government is the “only” institution that can manage the communications of the public.”
Cass Sunstein, Regulation Czar
In Sunstein’s book “Nudge” he states “…best choice architecture for organ donations is mandated choice,” the argument that government owns the rights of body parts of dead people or those in hopeless conditions, and can remove their organs without anyone’s permission.
Ezekiel Emanuel, Health Care Policy Advisor
Develop a public forum to determine which health services should be considered basic and be socially guaranteed. Conversely, determining which citizens are NOT BASIC and health services should NOT be guaranteed.
John P. Holdren, Science Czar
Believes we need to control population growth, and made the outrageous statement that would require a sterilant be added to drinking water or staple foods for the purpose of involuntary fertility control.
Living in the rainforests of Siberut off the coast of Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia is a small society of indigenous people, the Mentawai. Keeping the world as they know it is the goal of the Mentawai Cultural Ecotourism Association (MCEA). The tribal elders are teaching the young Mentawai how to better understand, respect and appreciate their own culture, which has been under attack for years and is in danger of disappearing.
better tourist guides, being able to provide tourists with a understanding of this indigenous culture. The 