Luke_Wilbur

I wonder why the UN would make such a statement? ********************************************* South Korea said Wednesday it has set up a task force to seek the release of a South Korean fishing vessel that was captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The 628 Dongwon was seized Tuesday afternoon by eight armed assailants, who approached in two speed boats firing guns, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. All 25 crew members being held captive were confirmed safe, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon told reporters. The captain and some of the crew members have been allowed to call company headquarters and their families in South Korea, he said. The crew includes eight South Koreans, nine Indonesians, five Vietnamese and three Chinese, according to the ministry. “We are still trying to figure out the identity of the kidnap group and they have yet to suggest conditions for negotiations,” Ban said. “We are devoting all possible efforts for (the crew’s) safe return.” South Korea has sent letters to the governments of Somalia and neighboring Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia asking for their cooperation in facilitating the crew’s release, Ban said. On Tuesday, two other South Korean fishing vessels in the area called for help, and nearby U.S. and Dutch naval ships tried to intervene, but gave up when the seized ship entered Somali territorial waters, the ministry said. Cmdr. Jeff Breslau, spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said when the South Korean vessel turned toward Somali waters, the U.S. and Dutch ships tried to intercept it and fired warning shots in its direction. Members of the South Korean crew were seen on the deck with guns pointed at them, so the effort was broken off, he added. The seized ship is now at a port in northeastern Somalia, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1667286.php

I downloaded Dogpile browser pluggin on Windows Internet Explorer. I wanted to see if it would save time doing my research. It now appears that when my browser cannot find a website address (404 error) the browser gets pointed to Frazoo. Here is an example. When I type dm4uwear.com this what I get: http://plugin.secureservicepack.com:7777/S....dmg4uwear.com/ I found a removal tool for the Adaware. Manual removal: Uninstaller available at http://plugin.secureservicepack.com/iepluginuninstall.exe The Uninstaller does not work. Registered through: GoDaddy.com (http://www.godaddy.com) Domain Name: SECURESERVICEPACK.COM Created on: 27-Jan-05 Expires on: 27-Jan-07 Last Updated on: 16-Nov-05 Administrative Contact: Private, Registration SECURESERVICEPACK.COM@domainsbyproxy.com Domains by Proxy, Inc. DomainsByProxy.com 15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 United States (480) 624-2599 I then looked up domainsbyprox.com If you need to speak to a live person, call: (480) 624-2599. We're here 24 hrs a day - every day! I contacted domainsbyprox.com. This is spinoff of Goddaddy.com. The technical support at godaddy.com told me that the owner of SecureServicePack.com does not wish to be contacted. But he gave me an email to contact them. customerservice@secureservicepack.com

I am currently looking for a nice tree for my small backyard that will have year-round appeal. I have been recommended the following: Cherry Tree, Lilac, Serviceberry, flowering crabapple, fringe tree, redbud, and Japanes maples. I live here in the District. I also have a puppy German Shepard that like to dig and devour everything. Any suggestions would be helpful.

This is the message I have got from the Google Community Bigdaddy switch over happened: Bigdaddy did have have a big ranking change on our web site. I will have to ask Mr. Cutts about this. For those of you who do not know Googles definition of canonicalization: Google is also currently requesting site mapping for large web sites. But once again this is not a panacea that will get your pages crawled. Google is now penalizing any web sites that sell static advertisement links to other web sites.

That is an event I would like to go. What is the price to attend? How do I get there?

Hey Human, Thanks for posting a really good web site. Check out my new Spring flower photos. I think you will like them. http://dcpages.com/gallery/view_album.php?...e-in-Washington I went looking for planting ideas. Luke

The Bush administration agreed to talk to Iranian officials about the future of Iraq after a nearly three-decade break in diplomatic ties between the two countries. These talks to could open a valuable channel of communication between the two governments. President Bush should look at this like President Nixon did when he traveled to Beijing, China in 1972. At the conclusion of his trip, the United States and the People's Republic of China Governments issued the Shanghai Communiqué, a statement of their foreign policy views. The statement enabled the U.S. and China to temporarily set aside the "crucial question obstructing the normalization of relations" - Taiwan - and to open trade and other contacts. President Bush and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hold the keys to the success or failure of this initiative. They can either help or hinder the future of Iraq. A favorable outcome would make both leaders look like winners to their people and brings soldiers back home to loved ones.

My 'sandbox' theory From my experience, I can only postulate that the sandbox rule is not focused on new sites. It applies to the age of the links and the IP address range associated with it. The problem I see with that strategy is that if web site owners decide to move to another hosting company Google will notice the new IP address and the associated domain name ranking will drop. If this is the case, what happens if a web site is moved to an IP address range that Google has previously associated as a spammer. My only hope is that Google's sandboxing algorithm is truly a probationary period and good web sites do not dissappear from public view. I have a web site that is experiencing this problem for the past few weeks, but at this point of time I do not want to believe there is any programed censorship. With great power comes great responsibility I do agree that Google, as a market leader providing a search service, should have a team of folks to review cases in which this occurs. Or at least create a tool to let web site owners know what the problem is. Look forward on what there is still to do I also agree that web site owners should focus on building a great site, not constantly worry about their search rankings. Focus on making people stick to your web site more than ever before. Advocacy and word of mouth will always be worth more than a generated report of where you stand in the pack.

Here is an enlightening piece written by Molly Ivins on the state of the Democratic Party: ***************************************** Mah fellow progressives, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party. I don’t know about you, but I have had it with the D.C. Democrats, had it with the DLC Democrats, had it with every calculating, equivocating, triangulating, straddling, hair-splitting son of a b---- up there, and that includes Hillary Rodham Clinton....I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight.... Every Democrat I talk to is appalled at the sheer gutlessness and spinelessness of the Democratic performance. The party is still cringing at the thought of being called, ooh-ooh, “unpatriotic” by a bunch of rightwingers. Take “unpatriotic” and shove it. How dare they do this to our country? “Unpatriotic”? These people have ruined the American military! Not to mention the economy, the middle class, and our reputation in the world. Everything they touch turns to dirt, including Medicare prescription drugs and hurricane relief. This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks a--.... What happens now is not up to the has-beens in Washington who run this party. It is up to us. So let’s get off our butts and start building a progressive movement that can block the nomination of Hillary Clinton or any other candidate who supposedly has “all the money sewed up.” I am tired of having the party nomination decided before the first primary vote is cast, tired of having the party beholden to the same old Establishment money. We can raise our own money on the Internet, and we know it. Howard Dean raised $42 million, largely on the web, with a late start when he was running for President, and that ain’t chicken feed. If we double it, it gives us the lock on the nomination. So let’s go find a good candidate early and organize the s--- out of our side. http://www.progressive.orgSPAM3142

Bill Parcells wasn't even at the press conference....LOL. The contract that Owens signed with the Cowboys provides him the opportunity to be one of the highest-paid wide receivers in NFL history over a three-year period, and the chance to earn more than he would have under his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN.com has learned. The three-year contract can be worth as much as $25 million if Owens plays through the deal and Dallas opts to pay him pricey roster bonuses in the springs of 2007 and 2008. Owens, who was released by the Eagles on Tuesday, will earn a bonus of $5 million for this season and a base salary of $5 million, for total compensation of $10 million. Although Owens is recognized as one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL today, he is also known for being a troublesome, high-maintenance player on and off the field. While he is generally dependable on the field, he has developed a reputation for causing controversies with teammates, coaches, opposing players, and fans. Even so, after banishment from the Eagles in 2005, many teammates came forward voicing support for Owens and campaigning in vain for his reinstatement with the Eagles. Cowboys Coach, Bill Parcells was nowhere to be seen at the press conference. Owner Jerry Jones stated that Parcells was too busy working on free agents to attend. Rumor has it that Parcells did not want Terrell on the team and will consider quitting before he has another heart attack. I am just waiting for Owens next commercial.

What is your opinion of http://www.gawker.com/stalker/

Freedom, While I agree that this issue is important, I do not agree with your portrayal of President Bush. I have not seen any type of racial or political profiling in NSA spying.

Dubai Ports World has ended the weeks-long impasse between Republican leaders and the opposition over its proposed takeover of P & O. It ceded control of five US port terminals in order to satisfy some congressmen who feared the deal would give it strategic control over its ports. In a press release DPW said it was willing to divest fully its acquired US port operations to a “United States entity” to preserve its friendly relations with the US government. The decision for full divestiture was made by the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

By facilitating international trade, U.S. seaports play a significant role in shaping the country's economic health. Over $2 trillion worth of cargo comes through U.S. ports each year and winds up on store shelves around the country. In 2005, American businesses imported roughly 11 million loaded cargo containers into the United States. The liner shipping industry transports on average about $1.5 billion worth of containerized goods through U.S. ports each day. In 2006, at projected trade growth rates, the industry will handle roughly 12 million U.S. import container loads. And these trade growth trends are expected to continue after 2006. But only a small percentage of the cargo that comes into the United States each year is physically inspected. Today, Homeland Security inspects roughly 5.5-6% of all inbound containers (over 500,000 containers/year), using either Xray or gamma ray technology (or both) or by physical devanning of the container. The issue is whether the U.S. government is doing enough to protect our seaports from a potential terrorist attack. Mr. Nagle said that while the federal Port Security Grant program has provided much-needed assistance to pay for seaport facility security, it still had several problems, including (1) an inadequate amount of Congressional appropriations; (2) limits on eligibility; (3) the port industry's concern about the Administration’s proposals to lump port security into the larger Transportation Infrastructure Protection program (TIP); and (4) the slow release of the federal funds. Limited port security funds have placed burdens on ports as security programs compete with general maintenance of facilities, channel dredging or port expansion projects, said Mr. Nagle. The biggest impact of these limited funds, however, is a delay in making security enhancements. Limited funds means slower progress. Seaport Security Funding Following 9/11, the federal government has implemented a multi-layered defense strategy to keep our ports safe and secure. New technologies have been deployed with additional technologies being developed and $630 million has been provided in grants to our largest ports, including $16.2 million to Baltimore; $32.7 million to Miami; $27.4 million to New Orleans, $43.7 million to New York/New Jersey; and $15.8 million to Philadelphia. In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security decided to limit port security funding eligibility to 66 seaports based in part on the volume of cargo they handle. The Administration also sought to eliminate the Port Security Grant program during the last two years by lumping port security into a Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program. Ports would have to compete for limited funds with domestic security grants such as intercity rail and bus security. Who Secures The Ports: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): CBP's mission is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States by eliminating potential threats before they arrive at our borders and ports. CBP uses intelligence and a risk-based strategy to screen information on 100% of cargo before it is loaded onto vessels destined for the United States. All cargo that is identified as high risk is inspected, either at the foreign port or upon arrival into the U.S. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard routinely inspects and assesses the security of U.S. ports in accordance with the Maritime Transportation and Security Act and the Ports and Waterways Security Act. Every regulated U.S. port facility is required to establish and implement a comprehensive security plan that outlines procedures for controlling access to the facility, verifying credentials of port workers, inspecting cargo for tampering, designating security responsibilities, training, and reporting of all breaches of security or suspicious activity, among other security measures. Working closely with local port authorities and law enforcement agencies, the Coast Guard regularly reviews, approves, assesses and inspects these plans and facilities to ensure compliance. Congress must take a closer look at whether the Coast Guard has the inspection manpower to handle seaport growth and ensure our safety without negatively impacting efficiency. Terminal Operator: Whether a person or a corporation, the terminal operator is responsible for operating its particular terminal within the port. The terminal operator is responsible for the area within the port that serves as a loading, unloading, or transfer point for the cargo. This includes storage and repair facilities and management offices. The cranes they use may be their own, or they may lease them from the port authority. Port Authority: An entity of a local, state or national government that owns, manages and maintains the physical infrastructure of a port (seaport, airport or bus terminal) to include wharf, docks, piers, transit sheds, loading equipment and warehouses. Ports often provide additional security for their facilities. The role of the Port Authority is to facilitate and expand the movement of cargo through the port, provide facilities and services that are competitive, safe and commercially viable. The Port manages marine navigation and safety issues within port boundaries and develops marine-related businesses on the lands that it owns or manages. A Layered Defense: Screening and Inspection: CBP screens 100% of all cargo before it arrives in the U.S.- using intelligence and cutting edge technologies. CBP inspects all high-risk cargo. CSI (Container Security Initiative): Enables CBP, in working with host government Customs Services, to examine high-risk maritime containerized cargo at foreign seaports, before they are loaded on board vessels destined for the United States. In addition to the current 42 foreign ports participating in CSI, many more ports are in the planning stages. By the end of 2006, the number is expected to grow to 50 ports, covering 90% of transpacific maritime containerized cargo shipped to the U.S. 24-Hour Rule: Under this requirement, manifest information must be provided 24 hours prior to the sea container being loaded onto the vessel in the foreign port. CBP may deny the loading of high-risk cargo while the vessel is still overseas. C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism): CBP created a public-private and international partnership with nearly 5,800 businesses (over 10,000 have applied) including most of the largest U.S. importers -- the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). C-TPAT, CBP and partner companies are working together to improve baseline security standards for supply chain and container security. (We review the security practices of not only the company shipping the goods, but also the companies that provided them with any services.) Use of Cutting-Edge Technology: CBP is currently utilizing large-scale X-ray and gamma ray machines and radiation detection devices to screen cargo. Presently, CBP operates over 680 radiation portal monitors at our nation's ports (including 181 radiation portal monitors at seaports), utilizes over 170 large scale non-intrusive inspection devices to examine cargo, and has issued 12,400 hand-held radiation detection devices. The President’s FY 2007 budget requests $157 million to secure next-generation detection equipment at our ports of entry. Also, over 600 canine detection teams, who are capable of identifying narcotics, bulk currency, human beings, explosives, agricultural pests, and chemical weapons are deployed at our ports of entry. U.S. Recommended Standards for Container Security Initiative (CSI) The Container Security Initiative consists of four core elements. These are: (1) establishing security criteria to identify high-risk containers; (2) pre-screening those containers identified as high-risk before they arrive at U.S. ports; (3) using technology to quickly pre-screen high-risk containers; and (4) developing and using smart and secure containers. In order to be eligible to participate in CSI, the Member State’s Customs Administration and the seaport must meet the following three requirements: The Customs Administration must be able to inspect cargo originating, transiting, exiting, or being transshipped through a country. Non-intrusive inspectional (NII) equipment (including gamma or X-ray imaging capabilities) and radiation detection equipment must be available and utilized for conducting such inspections. This equipment is necessary in order to meet the objective of quickly screening containers without disrupting the flow of legitimate trade. The seaport must have regular, direct, and substantial container traffic to ports in the United States. As part of agreeing to participate in CSI, a Member State's Customs Administration and the seaport must also: Commit to establishing a risk management system to identify potentially high-risk containers, and automating that system. This system should include a mechanism for validating threat assessments and targeting decisions and identifying best practices. Commit to sharing critical data, intelligence, and risk management information with the United States Customs Service in order to do collaborative targeting, and developing an automated mechanism for these exchanges. Conduct a thorough port assessment to ascertain vulnerable links in a port’s infrastructure and commit to resolving those vulnerabilities. Commit to maintaining integrity programs to prevent lapses in employee integrity and to identify and combat breaches in integrity. Complete Government Control of Seaports Government-owned and operated ports face many problems. Lacking exposure to full commercial competitive pressures, publicly owned and operated ports may have reduced incentive to operate efficiently and are often subject to political interference. These public ports can absorb scarce funds from local governments and drag down local economies. On the other hand, efficiently operated public ports, such as the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, are often targeted by cities that want to siphon off surplus funds.

Minimum humidity of around 30 percent is expected across portions of the fire weather forecast area this afternoon. These values are not quite red flag criteria....however with sustained 20 ft southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph...combined with very dry fine fuels...near critical fire weather conditions should be anticipated. Please advise the appropriate officials and fire crews in the region of the fire weather threat. The general public is advised to respect all state and local burning Laws. Additional fire weather information is available on our fire weather web Page at http://weather.Gov/Washington/

On March 3, 2006, Georgetown University announced that the Secret Service is investigating an attack on a server containing personally identifiable information, such as name, date of birth and Social Security numbers relating to more than 41,000 individuals who have had contact with the District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA). The intrusion came from outside the University from an individual who did not have permission to access the data. This site was created by the University's Office of Communications to respond to inquiries and provide other relevant information about the incident. If you are concerned that your information was exposed, you can call the 24 hour toll-free hotline, 1-866-740-2458 (the toll-free phone number will be activated at approximately 9 p.m. EST, March 3, 2006). Here is the Press Release: Georgetown University announced today that the Secret Service is investigating an attack on a server containing personally identifiable information, such as name, date of birth and Social Security numbers, relating to more than 41,000 individuals who may have received services from the District of Columbia Office on Aging. The intrusion came from outside the University from an individual who did not have permission to access the data. The computer server was managed by a Georgetown University researcher as part of a grant to manage information on the various services provided through the D.C. Office on Aging. The grant has been active since 1983 providing a service to help the D.C. Office on Aging track services. Last Friday, February 24, Georgetown University notified the D.C. Office on Aging of the computer intrusion. At that time, Georgetown reported that its internal investigation had confirmed that a computer server used to provide information to the D.C. Office on Aging had been compromised. As a result the university disconnected the computer server from the Georgetown University computer network. This intrusion was initially detected through a routine internal monitoring system administered by the Georgetown Information Security Office. On Tuesday, February 28, 2006 the United States Secret Service took custody of the computer server for forensic testing. At this time Georgetown has no evidence that personal data have been misused. However, Georgetown is making every reasonable effort to notify all individuals whose personal information may have been exposed on the affected server. In the meantime, and as a precaution, Georgetown University and the D.C. Office on Aging suggest that individuals who have received services through DCOA programs should consider placing a fraud alert on their credit reporting accounts, which can be done free of charge. Georgetown has established a toll free phone number 1-866-740-2458 (the toll-free phone number will be activated at approximately 9 p.m. EST this evening, March 3, 2006) and a website ( http://identity.georgetown.edu ) to provide additional information and answer specific questions. Georgetown University is fully cooperating with District of Columbia and federal officials on this matter and regrets this criminal attack on this server.

1. The White House agrees to include $20 million in the FY 2007 budget to improve and expand the Navy Yard Metro stop. 2. Private developers agree to pay for road improvements in the area. 3. Residents will not be taxed to pay for the ballpark. 4. Major League Baseball (MLB) agrees to contribute an extra $20 million to ballpark development. 5. The District has capped its exposure on construction costs by agreeing with Clark/Hunt/Smoot, the joint venture firm selected to build the stadium, on a $320 million Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract. 6. MLB agrees to help create a new youth baseball academy with a $3.5 million contribution. 7. MLB agrees to increase the number of free tickets given to DC young people from 8,000 to 10,000 per year. 8. MLB agrees to hold a meeting in the District of all team owners before the summer of 2008. 9. MLB agrees that players will make a minimum of 50 youth, educational or charitable appearances a year in the District. 10. MLB agrees to allow the District to sell rights to air rights over stadium-related program elements, to the extent they exist – about one million square feet – and to allow the city to retain 100 percent of the development profit to offset land acquisition costs. 11. MLB agrees that the District may retain two-thirds of the revenue from non-event parking – those revenues would continue for 30 years. 12. MLB agrees to pay annual team rent in a lump sum in advance of each season to help the District achieve an investment-grade bond rating. 13. MLB agrees to put up a letter of credit for a one-year rent reserve, helping to ensure investment-grade rating and to waive “set-off rights” against its annual rent and to bear associated costs. 14. MLB agrees that if the stadium is completed late, the Nationals will continue to pay 50 percent rent while at RFK for the 2008 season. 15. MLB agrees that the Nationals organization will make the District its principal place of business. 16. Clark Construction agrees that 50 percent of construction work will go to LSDBE subcontractors. 17. Clark Construction agrees to hire and train District residents as apprentices.

I spoke in depth with Fr. Kelley of St. Martin's Catholic Church about the proposed apartment building in Ward 5 of the District. This would be primarily workforce housing designed to look like the surrounding row houses. He also stated that the church is committed to including the neighborhood in the tenant selection process. Everyone living in the building must be employed or a retiree with a pension. Tenants median income must be at least $30,000 per year have good credit, and have strong housing references. The units will rent from $869 and $1039 a month. Father Kelley also asked me to mention that there will be a prayer, procession, and community meeting for affordable housing on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 1:30 pm. All are welcome to meet at St. Martins Catholic Church on North Capitol and T Street NW, Washington DC 20002. For more information please call 202.232-1144

Cliff, You may be interested in a release that was sent to me: *************************************************** Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a lawsuit on February 22, 2006 against the Department of Defense to force the release of a video that allegedly shows United Flight 77 striking the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Judicial Watch seeks the information in part to help put to rest conspiracy theories that a government drone or missile hit the Pentagon rather than the hijacked United airplane. Judicial Watch originally filed a Freedom of Information Act request on December 15, 2004, seeking all records pertaining to camera recordings from the Sheraton National Hotel, the Nexcomm/Citgo gas station, Pentagon security cameras and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Department of Defense admitted in a January 26, 2005 letter that it possessed a videotape responsive to Judicial Watch’s request. However, the Pentagon advised that the video is exempt from release because it is, “part of an ongoing investigation involving Zacarias Moussaoui.” Judicial Watch argues in its lawsuit that “there is no legal basis” for the DOD’s refusal to release the videotape. First, while the Freedom of Information Act does allow an exemption for ongoing law enforcement investigations, the Defense Department does not have law enforcement authority over Moussaoui. That belongs to the Department of Justice or the FBI. Second, the investigation of Moussaoui is complete. He pleaded guilty in April 2005 to conspiring with al-Qaida to fly planes into U.S. buildings. Jury selection in Moussaoui’s death penalty trial is nearly finished, and opening arguments are scheduled for March 6. “There is no legal or rational basis for the Department of Defense to withhold this video,” said JW President Tom Fitton. “There may be nothing of importance on this tape, but our experience has been that whenever the government takes extraordinary measures to keep the lid on documents, it is worth investigating.”

That is horrible. What is the solution? How can government work without taxes?

Here is a blast from the past

This the type of topic we should be disussing on this board. This is relevant to the District Ward 5 Community. I am going contact Father Kelly to comment about these statements.

You are quite right. That is why I closed his account and now am validating new members instead of having the process automated. This will require more work, but it is the only way I can keep the boards clean from people like that.

That was my fault. I banned his ip and email, but not his user name. That has been resolved.

I agree and the user has been banned.