Minihan's World

The Stupid Awards - US Health & Human Services

Arlington VA  16 February 2012

It has been a while since I have seen anything base enough to earn one of my stupid awards.  This time, it is the Department of Health & Human Services, and its Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who I had previously thought a reasonable politician.   However, the recent annoouncement, greeted warmly by religious leaders, that contraceptive and other types of care, including abortion counselling, etc, would be mandated for religious organizations that provided health care tipped the hat to this award.

 

While I am fervently a pro-life person, this is not my principal reason for the award.  Secretary Sebelius is simply doing her boss Obama's bidding to implement as much of Obamacare as is possible before the Supreme Court rules.  Please remember that this is the law written by the insurance companies for the insurance companies and includes such 'benefits ' for the American public as forced insurance, fines for not having commercial insurance, higher costs for drugs, reduced medicare and medicaid benefits, and a wealth of other things that only Obama and the insurance companies have decided to include in their best interests.  Even the then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi indicated that no one had read the bill before it was passed.

Now we have Sebelius stirring up virtually every religious group, who are resisting on freedom of religion grounds, and will eventually vote in drovesd to oust Obama.  That is not smart politics.  As a former governor she should know better, but then a good number of Obama appointees follow his socialistic pronoucements in lock step.  She is an immense disappointment-- A LOSER like her collegues.

In the News......

May 3, 2010

DHS extends its stupidity to the farmlands

Franklin VT is a sleepy little town of mostly farmers--with one road biscting it that DHS and its Custom's and Border Protection Service decided needs to have a bigger and better inspection station to take care of what has been estimated at 2.5 cars per hour on a good day.  So, they intend one way or the other to take acreage from the Rainville VT Dairy Farm for that purpose.  In doing so, Secretary Napolitano, responding to VT Senator Leahy, apparently could not care less on its effect.

Brian Rainville, the farmer, has been quoted as saying " The arrogance of it is breathtaking.  Why are we being asked to make that kind of sacrifice when they can't demonstrate a public need?"

Secretary Napolitano's answer--"This is one of those things where we are trying to work with the owners to get down the footprint.. in terms of what CBP has determined it needs to actually do the kind of port improvement there--There's a certain amount, unless you do it, you might as well not do it at all."  Senator Leahy says nothing needs to be done. 

Napolitano's comment appears to be spurious at best, since, at the same time, the Rianville's received a letter from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  That letter said, in part: "CPB, in coordination with USACE, is writing to inform you that it will be necessary to move forward with condemnation to acquire the necessary property interests.  We anticipate filing a condemnation action within the next 60 days through the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont."  Now that is sincerre negotiations if I have ever heard them.

The Government offers $39K for the land they will take--about a third of its value as a hay-producing property for the dairy farm.  The effect will probably be to force the farm into bankruptcy--thus allowing the Government, if it chooses, to take all the land they originally demanded from the Rainville's.

Napolitano claims she will order a public hearing.  In this administration, the hearing could easily be in DC.

Still more on the Arizona Immigration Law. 

We previosly reported on Mexican President Calderon's opposition to the new law.  It is interesting that this guy is so loud, considering that Mexico's own immigration law is much harsher with illegal immigration being a felony and subjecting illegal immigramtds to jail terms up to 10 years.  Their law, The General Law on Population (Reglamento de la ley General de Poblacion) was enacted in 2000 and has remarkably similar mandates for local police officers as is contained in the Arizona Law.

Seems like this is one issue that will not go away.  Secretary Napolitano, as expected, pointed out that she had previously vetoed versions of the law, and that its enactment would 'distract DHS from its priorities in activities", due, I gues, to the possibility that DHS just might have to take custody of the illegals from the state.  But then, isn't that their job anyhow?

And in Israel.....

Hillary Clinton, our energetic Secretary of State is up in arms over the possibility that Iran might bring up Nuclear Israel at the upcoming Nuclear Disarmament Conference at the UN this month.  Israel and the US have carefully prevented that issue from being addressed for years and they don't want Iran and Egypt to be brining it up now. That might force Israel, a signer of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty to formally admit its nuclear status--something neither the US or Israel wants.  Israel, of course, is perfectly willing to give up nuclear weapons if (1) they get treaties of peace from everyone in the region, and (2) Iran and other arab states are denied them. Otherwise, they keep the bombs they don't admit to having in the first place.  Those other countries, of course, do not have the sweet, secret deal Israel has with the US.

Stupid Award - The Riot Squad in Tucson

April 16, 2010

Bringing out the tanks just in case an illegal alien is found is overkill

The most recent debacle by the various Gestapo units of DHS is to bring out nearly 800 full armed, armor protected Feds to try to capture a few illegals in Tucson.  This latest incident of overkill completely stopped the main arteries of the city while the DHS goon squads did their work.

How Stupid!

While I believe in a reasonable policy on illegal immigration, and finding ways to stop the illegals, this is decidely NOT IT.  What will happen one of these days is that the illegals WILL fight back and not try to melt into the communities as they presently do, and there will be bloodshed on the streets.  Much of that possibility is due, in my view, to the heavy-handed approach that former Governor of Arizona Napolitano practiced while she was Governor.

Seems to me that the firepower used in Tucson would have been better used along the border (Dah!) where you prevent them from coming in to begin with.  Of course, that would probably mean these goons would not then have anyone (other than the illegals) see all the fancy equipment and guns they insist on scaring the populace with as they did in Tucson.

Editorial: Democrats prove they care about politics more than people

March 21,2010

The incredibly stupid majority vote to screw the public simply because they can in health care

Barbara Pelosi and Stenie Hoyer have now proven they are the comsumate pair of stupid, uncaring  politicians in the effort to screw the American Public, as Obama apparently wants them screwed, with regard to health care.

The House voted this evening with 224 Democrats, most of whom had not even read the healthcare legislation, voting to approve it simply because Obama told them to--a typical political reaction.  Otherwise, no more rides on the presidentail plane apparently.  The net result is that the insurance companies--who have carefully read the bill--will undoubtedly be offering 'changes' to their policies to increase overall premiums to account for the millions that will get insurance under the bill--insurance they are forced to take under the proposed law.

At least 34 states plan to take the Government over the law, once signed, but Obama--more concerned with getting something he can call an achievement, apparently does not care.  That's the state of the Democratic Party and hopefuilly the people will remember it in November as they pay the higher prmiums.

We are sliding into socialism with this untutored and uncaring President.

In Search of Homeland Security

March 1 2010

DHS now has more contractors than employees

The number of contractors has grown well out of proportion at DHS over the last few years--and now it appears that the contractors rule the roost in our newsest--and usually most incompetant--Federal Agency.  Ed O'Keefe wrote about the matter on Februrary 25th for the Washington Post, and  said, "The Department of Homeland Security said this week that it employs more private contractors than federal employees, an admission that officials blamed on the department's quick establishment seven years ago and the federal government's burdensome hiring process. "

"DHS officials informed Senate staffers this month that it employs roughly 200,000 contractors and about 188,000 federal employees. The figure does not include uniformed members of the Coast Guard, which is one of the department's 22 agencies. "

"That raises a question of whether it's the most efficient use of taxpayer money, but also the question of who's making critical decisions at the department," Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Wednesday during a hearing of the homeland security committee on the department's annual budget requests. "Is it private contractors, or is it full-time federal employees?" He called the figures "shocking and unacceptable." 

Secretary Napolitano disputed the numbers during an oversight hearing chaired by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), saying, "I think the number illustrates a problem, or an issue we have to work on. The department was stood up quickly, and in order to accomplish the many missions that it has, contracting was a mechanism to be used."

Paul Light, a Brookings Institution scholar on the federal government, disputed the DHS estimates, and said the number of contractors is likely to be much higher.   Who should one believe?  Read the entire story here.

DHS Identity Program is Prone to Failure

Information Week is reporting the the touted E-Verify Program used to identify illegal workers is erroneous more than half the time, says its February 26th issue (Electronic).  Government system employers can use to check a potential hire's eligibility to work in the U.S. accurately flags unauthorized workers less than half the time, according to a research report.

"A report from Westat found that the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system inaccurately identifies workers unauthorized for employment in the U.S. as authorized 54 percent of the time. "

"E-Verify is an online system that compares employee status with more than 444 million records in the Social Security Administration database and more than 60 million records in DHS immigration databases."

"Only 6.2 percent of all E-Verify queries related to unauthorized workers, however, and the system is matching up legal workers with the proper status with 99 percent accuracy, according to the report. "

That is a wide margin of error that can  be disasterous.  Read the whole story here. 

In Arizona, all employers are required to use the program, but, as the Arizona Republic reports in today's electronic edition, they can also be held liable for hiring someone verified by the program, but later found to be an unauthorized hire using fraudulent identity papers.

More later about this and other major malfunctions at DHS.

Netanyahu authorized Mossad-led killing in Dubai

February 25, 2010

Met in January to authorize killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai City in Early January

Ha'aretz is reporting in today's editions that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the killing of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in early January at Mossad HQ.  If true, this is the first direct confirmation of Mossad involvement in what has not become an international tempest in a teapot--particularly over the use of forged passports. 

Meanwhile, the EU is still speaking out, saying that events are unfolding that may hurt Israel in its relationships with the EU and its members over time.  The passport issue is yet another incudent that is causing friction since the invasion of Gaza.  read that story here.

In other news, the Jerusalem Post is reporting on Australian problems with Israel earlier concerning another passport-related effort in which the Australian Government warned the Israeli ambassdor not to have the Mossad involved in falsifying Australian passports.  Quoting the Australian--an Aussie media outlet, the story comes out that the Australians were warned by the Palestinian Representative in Australia that Mossad was active. 

"The Australian quoted Ali Kazak as saying that he had warned the Howard government of the problem back in 2004, and that he had been "vindicated by confirmation that cloned Australian passports" had been used in the assassination of Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.

"I told you but you didn't act on the warning," he was quoted as saying. "And you've put Australian lives at risk."

He added that he was sure that Mossad agents had killed the Hamas operative. "Yesterday the Israeli members of parliament were praising the head of Mossad for what he did - for assassinating the Hamas leader in Dubai," Kazak said.

Read the whole story here.

This is turning into a real mess.  Israel is already trying to reduce the impact by feeding stories that intelligence work continues as usual despite the actions in Dubai. yet, the US is particularly silent this time, since it normally rushes to Israel's defense.  perhaps they are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

More twists and turns on Dubai killing

February 23 2010

Four more suspects identified with forged passports

UAE Foreign Minister asks other nations to condemn Israel

al Jazeera is reporting in iths electronic (English) edition today the identification of four more suspects in the killing of  Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, who was found dead in a luxury hotel in Dubai on January 20.  This time the passports were from Britain and Ireland.  Both countries have made it clear, as has the European Community (EU) that they believe Mossad, the Israeli version of Murder Inc. was involved.

BBC, in its edition today indicated, " At least 15 people using European passports have been identified as suspects in the case.

The British Foreign Office has confirmed it has received information from the UAE about another two suspects carrying British passports, bringing the total number of British passports used to eight.

The Irish Foreign Ministry has said it too has been informed about two more suspects who used Irish passports with genuine numbers but fake names and photographs.

A total of five Irish identities were used.

Dubai authorities had already released the identities of 11 people who travelled under the false passports. French and German identities, as well as British and Irish ones, were used.

The UK government denies it had any prior knowledge of the fake British passports being used, although shadow foreign secretary William Hague said it was "entirely possible" the government had been alerted. "

Some Israeli ndews outlets had brief notes on the incident as well.

Ha'aretz, in Tuesday editions, said, "The Mabhouh case has knocked the bottom out of the argument that Israel will be safer if the worst of the freed terrorists are exiled to Damascus as part of a deal for Shalit. The huge effort put into assassinating Mabhouh in Dubai and the diplomatic and security risks - surely calculated ones - taken by whoever did it are indications of the man's standing in the world of terrorism. Exile, it transpires, can be an ideal hothouse for breeding arch-terrorists."   It is possible that Mossad killed the one man that could have forced the release of the young soldier, Shalit, taken during the Israeli invasion of Gaza months ago.  The irony of that possibility is too huge to ponder right now.

The Israeli government, by the way, has refused to either admit or deny its involvement, saying they maintain an 'obtuse' policy in that regard.  Some would call it needed, others would call it insulting; just as some will justify the murder while others will call it assassination.

The Jerusalem Post had a longer article than most and discussed primarily how the EU at its monthly meeting condemned the use of the forged passports, but refrained from condemning Israel.  Israeli foreign minister Libermen attended the brussles meetings, and discussed the issues privately with several fellow FM's.

 British Foreign Secretary Miliband was more direct than others, as the J-Post reprted, “It’s vital that relations between states are conducted on a basis that is clear and transparent,” Miliband said. “It’s also important to say that Israel – in some ways above all countries – has the most to gain from a Middle East that is based on the rule of law and that’s why I think that it’s right to take these issues to the highest level in Israel.”  Others were not so kind or direct.

This story still has a while to run before the public, hopefully, forgets it and gets on with other matters.  However, the length of its existence is squarely on the shoulders of the Israeli Government.  They could end it anytime with the truth if they are involved.  Don't hold your breath waiting.

 

Yet another "Stupid" Award to make

February 18, 2010

Lower Merion School District (PA) wins this week's Stupid Award for rigging laptops given to students

Here is a case of real stupidity.  Administrators in Lower Merion School District rigged laptop computers given to students to access the webcam feature anywhere. One student, now suing the school was disciplined, and is now suing the district, for "inappropriate conduct at home".

As reported in Boing Boing, the blog, the story is "the laptops issued to high-school students in the well-heeled Philly suburb have webcams that can be covertly activated by the schools' administrators, who have used this facility to spy on students and even their families. The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence. The suit is a class action, brought on behalf of all students issued with these machines.

If true, these allegations are about as creepy as they come. I don't know about you, but I often have the laptop in the room while I'm getting dressed, having private discussions with my family, and so on. The idea that a school district would not only spy on its students' clickstreams and emails (bad enough), but also use these machines as AV bugs is purely horrifying."

While we don't like to do it, we award our STUPID AWARD to Lower Merion School District for one of the dumbest actions we have seen.  They probably used stimulus money to purchase the laptops.  Wouldn't that we a hoot.

 

Stupidity of the Week - The White House (2nd Award)

December 4, 2009

White House Stonewalls investigation into Gatecrashers -- and calls it transparency

In another display of significant naivete, the White House is refusing to let the Social Secretary Desiree Rogers testify on the how and why of the incident.  The White House has refused, citing the right of staff to have private conversations and provide advice without congressional oversight.  Instead, the Secret Service took the blame for the incident.

This stupid award is for "Continuing an otherwise absurd situation well beyond its realistic life by evasion, escape from reality, and practical stupidity."

Congratualtions to our second award winner - The White House.

 

 

 

This week's Stupid Award - The White House

Stupid is Stupid Wherever it Occurs

When we started the Stupid Awards a few weeks ago, it was never anticipated that there would be an  award every week.  Then along came some of the stupidest things we have seen in quite a while.

This week seems to be no different.

The White House has been having a disagreement with Fox News over coverage of the President and the other idiots he has chosen to surround himself with in this administration.  Many have characterisitcs not seen since the Three Stooges retired.  Lately, they have been having this feud with FOX and it culminated the past week over an interview arranged with the Pay Czar for the banking industry.  The White house wanted the media to interview Mr. Czar, but specifically excluded Fox News.  The rest of the media, to their commendation, refused to participate without the reps from Fox.  Instant Stalemate, and Instant Stupidity from yet another Democrat Administration.

So, this week the Stupid Award goes to the White House for its idiotic (and STUPID) argument with the media, especially FOX.  Learn to live with each other boys and girls--we still have six plus years to go (we think.)

 White House Communications Office

This is REALLY Stupid!

October 20

Justice Department Civil Rights Division wins the latest Stupid Award

During the past year, the town of Kinston, NC decided that it would like to change its election format from partisan to non-partisan.  Should be a no-brainer, right?  No so.  Kinston NC is subject to the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 which means that the Justice Department must approve all electoral changes.  So, the town requested approval from the US DOJ on that issue.

Back came a letter from Loretta King, Director of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ denying their request.  According to the letter, elections must remain partisan because the change's effect "will be strictly racial."

According to an article in the Washington Times Today, Ms., King also wrote: "Removing the partisan cue in municipal elections will, in all liklihood, eliminate the single factor that allows black candidates to be elected to office."

Further, Ms King indicated that voters in Kinston vote more along racial than party lines and without the potential for voting a straight Democratic ticket, "The limited remaining support from white voters for a black Democratic candidate will diminish even more."

There you have it.  Voting Democrat supports civil rights.  The people in the town, both black and white, disagree, but they don't know about their town as well as some idiot political appointee in Washington.

SO...

This latest Stupid award goes to Loretta King, Acting Chief, Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice for extreme stupidity in the face of practical and reasonable opportunities.

Perhaps clearer heads will eventually previal--especially if the Attorney general fires this person and re-orients the Civil Rights Division toward more useful pursuits.

Terrorism at its Best - Somali Style

(October 8th)

Picture the scene here.  off the Somali Coast, the French Command vessel La Somme lies quiet.  Then, the sound of approaching skills and the fire of AK-47s breaks the night air.  Fire is quickly returned, and the French ship launches its own vessels who capture five Somali pirates.  The pirates thought the ship was a freighter--what a surprise!.

These guys earn their own Stupid Award for what has to be the most laughable episode in piracy in History.

BIG Losers

The Stupid Awards

(October 7th) UPDATED  We are pleased to announce our periodic Stupid Awards--given to people and organizations that have shown by their actions that they deserve to be publicly humiliated--for being just plain stupid. 

The Stupid Awards

The first award goes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for its award grant to ACORN--the agency that everybody loves to hate.  After a long history of embezzlement by officers, mispending of funds, cheating on voter registrations, and generally defauding the Government, DHS's FEMA decided on September 22nd to use Fire Prevention Grant Funds (That could have gone to legitimate fire prevention organizations) allocated to Louisiana to ACORN--denying the funding to several small fire departments who had legitimate grant applications pending.

During the day, FEMA accounced that the grant would not be awarded after--actually they froze it having already awarded it--and that ACORN would never receive the money.  it is still unclear if the award will be formally revoked.

The real problem here is how ACORN got the grant award in the first place.  Their staff are not fire prevention experts in any form.  A number of local fire departments had proposals in the pile and these are professionals in this area.  Yet, FEMA chose to deny their applications to award the leargest one in the state to ACORN.  You figure out the logic here.

Congratulations to FEMA for showing that stupidity in  management can still lead to the Horn of Plenty.

WHo will be next?