House Approves Concealed Firearm Permit Bill

Published November 16, 2011 Associated Press

• AP Jan. 26, 2011: Rep. Cliff Stearns presides over a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Stearns is chief co-sponsor of the concealed carry bill.

WASHINGTON – A state permit to carry a concealed firearm would be valid in almost every state in the country under legislation the House passed Wednesday.

The first pro-gun bill the House has taken up this year and the first since Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was severely injured in a gun attack in January, it had the National Rifle Association’s backing and passed by a comfortable margin. The vote was 272-154, with only seven Republicans voting against it and 43 Democrats supporting it.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has no parallel bill. But two years ago, GOP Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and David Vitter of Louisiana nearly succeeded in attaching a similar measure to a larger bill.

Under the House legislation, people with a concealed carry permit in one state could carry a concealed weapon in every other state that gives people the right to carry concealed weapons. While states have various standards for issuing such permits, currently only Illinois and the District of Columbia prohibit the concealed carrying of weapons.

"The Second Amendment is a fundamental right to bear arms that should not be constrained by state boundary lines," said GOP Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill’s chief co-sponsor, Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., said states should consider concealed carry permits no differently from driver’s licenses recognized by all states. He noted that many states already have reciprocity agreements with other states.

The legislation would "make it easier for law-abiding permit holders to know that they are simply in compliance with the law when they carry a firearm as they travel," he said.

Democratic opponents said the bill would constitute a "race to the bottom," with states that have strict requirements for issuing permits having to accept permits from states with far more lax standards. "It’s a situation where weaker state laws become the national law," said Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va. He noted that some states require training for permit holders, or deny permits to those under 21 or who sell drugs to minors, commit sex offenses or are involved in domestic violence.

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the measure would allow states with tough requirements, such as New York and California, "to allow in concealed carry gun-toting people from states, such as Florida, which repeatedly have given dangerous people licenses to carry."

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., wrote President Barack Obama last week urging him to issue a veto threat against the bill. Passing the bill "would jeopardize public safety and would be an insult to states like New Jersey and New York that purposefully have strong gun ownership laws," they wrote.

The administration has not yet taken an official position on the bill.

Democrats also chided Republicans for ignoring their dedication to states’ rights. "For the Republican House majority that supposedly believes in states’ rights, this bill is shocking," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

There hasn’t been much legislative action on firearms issues this year. A spending bill that the House is expected to vote on this week would bar the Justice Department from consolidating firearms sales records or maintaining information on people who have passed firearms background checks.

The chief sponsors of the concealed weapon measure, Stearns and Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., said their proposal would not create a federal licensing system but merely require states to honor one another’s carry permits.

People who are unable to get a permit in their home state would not be able to carry a concealed weapon in their home state by getting a permit in another state. A state’s ban on carrying concealed weapons in places such as bars, sporting events or state parks would apply to nonresidents as well as residents.

Thirty-five states have "shall issue" permit laws that usually require states to issue permits to those who meet legal requirements. Ten others have "may issue" or discretionary permit laws. Vermont, Arizona, Alaska and Wyoming do not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/16/house-to-vote-on-concealed-firearm-permit-bill/?test=latestnews

CHART OF THE DAY: The IRS Is More Popular Than Congress

Found this chart and thought it must be a joke, at first. Not that the various groups rated so low, but I just couldn’t believe that the IRS scored so well in comparison.

But, with all the ratings vetted to source and year polled, it definitely seemed to be based in facts. If nothing else, this offers a good side-by-side of various sh!tbags as to their public popularity compared to their sh!tbag counterparts.

GI JOE touted the phrase, "Now you know; and knowing is half the battle." So now that we know, how do we win the other half of the battle?

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO NOVEMBER 17, 2011, 9:33 AM

The public’s approval of Congress is at all-time lows, and Democrats — despite controlling half the legislative branch — enjoy reminding Republicans of that fact at every opportunity.

Here’s the latest example, from the office of Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and presented in amusing chart form:

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/chart-of-the-day-things-that-are-more-popular-than-congress.php

New Military Grade Exoskeleton Can Lift 200 lbs, March 12 Miles

So, I’m watching an episode of "Ancient Aliens" on the History Channel — thanks to my DVR, of course — and the episode is discussing superhuman powers and how we currently have many of these technologies in our modern times. Covered the Raytheon XOS 2 and mentioned Lockheed’s version, which this article uses as its primary theme in detailing the HULC.

While this story is dated just over a year ago, further research indicates this equipment was first used this past spring within the military and by actual soldiers. And if lifting 200lbs sounds like it’s not THAT much weight, consider this is as compared to what the average soldier can easily lift from the floor to overhead with a smooth motion and arms extended. Think CrossFit workout and kettlebell swings and that 200lb figure becomes impressive, indeed.

Cool stuff, and a definite measurable advantage to the warfighter. Would LOVE to have one on my next private security detail!

HOOAH!!!

Jason Mick (Blog) – October 26, 2010 10:41 AM

The HULC exoskeleton is almost unnoticeable at first and feels natural for the soldier, yet it massively enhances their physical capabilities. (Source: Lockheed Martin)

The suit allows soldiers to effortlessly carry more defensive or offensive tools, like bulletproof steel shields, heavier guns, or extra body armor. (Source: Lockheed Martin)

Soldiers can lift up to 200 pounds with the HULC. (Source: Lockheed Martin)

Bring on the mech wars

For those yearning for some good old fashioned mech wars, your hopes may be realized on a battlefront in the near future.

To complement combat airships, lasers, drones, and a variety of other exotic "future weapons", Lockheed Martin is looking to outfit soldiers with powerful exoskeletons that would greatly amplify their physical movements and turn them into resilient angels of death.

Dubbed the Human Universal Load Carrier, or HULC, Lockheed Martin has supplemented a $1.1M USD contract with much private investment to try to sell the military on the idea of combat exoskeletons.

Lockheed Martin recently shared details on the progress of the suit with Wired. The HULC in its current form weighs 82 lbs, but when the solider straps in, they feel virtually nothing. It could in theory support an impressive array of strap-on combat accessories such as missile launchers or a massive 94-pound black steel shield capable of stopping most munitions dead in their tracks (Lockheed Martin has only demonstrated non-weapon accessories like the shield, but said that it should be capable of being weaponized).

The agile outfit is fully "ruggedized" and waterproof. It can withstand billowing sand and dust, as is commonly present in the Middle East. Its lithium-ion battery pack can power a 20 km (12.5 mile) march on a single charge. The suit can travel at 7 miles per hour, faster than a brisk walk, and fast enough to keep up with a slow-traveling tank (tanks top out typically at around 40 mph, but frequently travel much slower when performing tactical or support maneuvers).

The suit allows the soldier to effortlessly lift 200 lb — far more than an average private sans suit could ever dream of. And the battery pack weighs only 18 lbs, is rechargeable via Humvee electrical connections, and holds charge for three to four days.

The suit is amazingly flexible allowing you to stand up from a prone or kneeling position rapidly, and without putting almost any weight on the soldier’s joints.

Going ahead Lockheed Martin wants to further seal off the unit’s hydraulic and electronic systems from the elements and from undesirable electric emissions, which could give away your location.

In the spring of 2011, the exoskeleton will enjoy its first tests by real soldiers in the U.S. military. And in 2012 Lockheed Martin will test the exosuits in Afghanistan. The feedback from those tests will probably determine whether the U.S. Armed Forces get serious about investing in the technology.

Lockheed’s long-time rival Raytheon is making a competitive model dubbed the XOS 2.

Regardless of which model triumphs, the U.S. Military would be wise to promote this technology. After all, soldiers are soft and organic, and thus vulnerable to improvised explosive devices and armor-piercing rounds. It’s hard to carry enough body armor to change that fact. An exoskeleton could not only provide greater protection against these threats, but it could prove a fearsome offensive weapon. The sight of a legion of heavily armored mech soldiers supported by tanks charging toward them would be enough to send most enemies running from the battlefield.

http://www.dailytech.com/New+Military+Grade+Exoskeleton+Can+Lift+200+lbs+March+12+Miles/article19989.htm

Karzai aims to set limits on American troops

By Nick Paton Walsh and Masoud Popalzai, CNN

November 16, 2011 — Updated 1127 GMT (1927 HKT)

Afghanistan prepares for U.S. exit

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: "We want our sovereignty," Hamid Karzai says
• The Afghan president calls for an end to nighttime raids and foreign prisons
• The loya jirga is considered key in harnessing Afghan consent
• Security is tight after the Taliban threaten to disrupt the event

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai sought to set limits on what American and NATO troops could — and could not — do in his country Wednesday in a lengthy speech to tribal elders.

"America is powerful, has more money, but we are lions here. Lions have the habit of not liking strangers getting into their house," Karzai said.

"We want our sovereignty from today. Our relations should be between two independent countries," he said in a speech that appears to have been designed to boost his nationalist credentials with a domestic audience.

He was also broadly critical of NATO, saying the intended departure of NATO troops in 2014 was "good for Afghans."

NATO plans to withdraw most combat troops by that date, but is currently negotiating what sort of long-term presence they might have here.

Karzai called the national assembly, or loya jirga, to sound out tribal elders on a long-term pact with the US military and harness their consent.

The conditions Karzai spelled out on a long-term foreign military presence were mostly formalizations of long-held Afghan complaints about the international presence here.

"I’d like to tell them they can’t arrest any Afghan on our soil and they can’t have prisons. We have a justice and security system and that is up to us," he said.

He said he thought a deal that enabled US forces to have bases in Afghanistan was beneficial but added they would not be able to attack Afghanistan’s neighbors from inside the country, conduct night raids, search houses, or arrest Afghans.

He also said that night raids by foreign troops must stop completely and that NATO troops should not be allowed to search people’s houses – complaints that have already prompted NATO to adjust its operations and incorporate greater Afghan assistance.

The speech was made before an audience who in part — like many Afghans — are skeptical of both his alliance with NATO and his leadership in general.

He was also keen to court Iran – and perhaps its supporters in the audience of elders – by saying: "We want to say that Iran is our brother. During the years of jihad, Iran has been one of the best countries for hospitality for Afghans. They are our brother."

He also voiced fears that Afghanistan could see the same instability and collapse witnessed after the Soviet withdrawal in the late 80s.

The loya jirga, or national assembly, is considered by many an important step towards any possible peace deal with elements of the insurgency.

Hundreds of community leaders have been invited from across the country, with the meeting a test of Karzai’s potency as a cohesive leader.

The turnout Wednesday was considerable.

Troops, security officials, and police lined the roads outside the loya jirga tent, near the Intercontinental Hotel on the capital’s outskirts.

The Taliban have long threatened to disrupt the event.

On Monday, security forces killed a suicide bomber near the meeting site. The attacker was wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase when he was stopped, said General Ayoub Salangi, chief of Kabul police.

On Sunday, a Taliban-affiliated website published what it claimed was a leaked document containing confidential government security plans for the meeting.

The leaked security plans included a detailed satellite map of the area and purported details of the security arrangements, but the Interior Ministry immediately dismissed them as fake.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/16/world/asia/afghanistan-meeting/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Where the nukes are: Map shows nuclear material spread across United States

By Zachary Roth | The Lookout – Fri, Nov 11, 2011

The Cold War ended more than two decades ago. But the United States still has more than 5,000 atomic warheads scattered around the country or on submarines around the world. And President Obama’s push for a nuclear-weapons-free world is moving at a frustrating, glacial pace .

More than likely, there’s highly radioactive nuclear material not too far from you right now. The hair-raising map above, compiled by Mother Jones magazine using data from the Defense Department and nuclear watchdog groups, lets you see just where those warheads are–while also showing civilian nuclear facilities, as well as the far-flung labs and factories that make up the American weapons complex. Our scattered system for making and storing weapons is needlessly expensive and dangerous , watchdog groups have said.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/where-nukes-map-shows-nuclear-material-spread-across-171536864.html

Air Force base mortuary workers dumped soldiers’ remains in landfill: report

This story is one of those that we read, at least I did, with a measured level of shock and disbelief. Even a green, minimum-wage employee would make more reasonable decisions than were levied by the high-ranking decision makers who were named in this investigation. Our fallen troops and their families deserve for this story to be rumor and inaccurate, if that were only a possibility now…

Investigation reveals gruesome details about handling of fallen soldiers’ remains at Dover Air Force Base

BY PHILIP CAULFIELD

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Thursday, 10 November 2011, 10:57 AM

Jose Luis Magana/AP

Army soldiers carrying remains of a soldier — Dover Air Force Base, DE 11.05.11

Officials at an Air Force base mortuary responsible for handling the remains of dead American soldiers dumped the ashes in a Virginia landfill without telling the relatives of the fallen heroes, according to a report.

Between 2003 and 2008, the Dover Air Force Base mortuary cremated soldiers’ body parts and handed the ashes over to military contractors, who unceremoniously ditched them in a landfill in Kings George County, Va., The Washington Post reported.

Officials told the newspaper the practice didn’t apply to entire bodies, only pieces of body parts that they couldn’t identify or parts that were retrieved from war zones after the fallen had been buried.

The soldiers loved ones had authorized the military to handle such parts, but couldn’t have known that the remains were being thrown away, the Post said.

The mortuary stopped the dumping in 2008 and has since been placing the ashes in urns and formally burying them at sea from aboard Navy ships.

The policy change was of little comfort to Gari-Lynn Smith, who told the Post she didn’t know part of her husband’s remains were thrown in the landfill after his 2006 death in Iraq until the Air Force alerted her in a letter last spring.

"My only peace of mind in losing my husband was that he was taken to Dover and that he was handled with dignity, love, respect and honor," she said. "That was completely shattered for me when I was told that he was thrown in the trash."

News of the landfill dumping came a day after federal investigators said they had uncovered widespread "gross mismanagement" at the mortuary, the largest in the nation and the main entry for fallen soldiers coming from battlefields overseas.

The grim findings included reports that workers had lost body parts and sawed off a soldier’s arm so his body would fit in a casket, the Post reported on Tuesday .

Air Force officials blamed the sloppy undertaking on the high number of dead bodies arriving from overseas and other factors that made it difficult to carry out proper burials.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, said the military heard about the problems in May 2010 after whistleblowers complained that shoddy management had turned the mortuary into a house of horrors.

Three of the mortuary’s supervisors, a colonel who was in charge and two civilians, were identified for turning a blind eye to the messy work.

However, they were not fired, Schwartz said, because they didn’t act deliberately.

But Office of Special Counsel, a federal watchdog group, disagreed, and accused the mortuary chiefs of trying to cover up the incidents by firing one of the whistleblowers, the Post reported.

"The Air Force basically tried to make the Air Force not look too bad," James G. Parsons Sr., an autopsy and embalming technician who complained about the mortuary’s conditions, told the Post earlier this week.

Congress and veterans groups urged the Pentagon and the military to crack down on those responsible.

"The VFW demands that the Departments of Defense and the Air Force get to the bottom of this," said Richard L. DeNoyer, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said in a statement.

“You only get one chance to return our fallen warriors to their families with all the dignity and respect they deserve from a grateful nation — and that mortuary affairs unit failed."

Defense Department spokesman George Little said Wednesday that the Pentagon had not ruled out "further accountability."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/air-force-base-mortuary-workers-dumped-soldiers-remains-landfill-report-article-1.975573?localLinksEnabled=false