Via Slashdot, comes the news that data (and maybe tax) haven Sealand is for sale. The ‘nation’ has had some problems recently.
Sealand claims to be a country based on its fixation to the continental shelf in what were then but are not now international waters. Although this claim is not recognized by anyone that matters, the claim is somewhat less ludicrous than that of any other man-made micro-nation, e.g. that of the Dominion of Melchizedek.
Don’t fly United Airlines until they do something about this: United Airlines takes advantage of helpless elderly couple, extorting nearly $3000.
We all know that cornered politicians can be dangerous (and, in my experience in both Connecticut and Florida, cornered members of the Bush family are more dangerous still). Science fiction writer David Brin (author also of The Transparent Society) has been letting his imagination run loose, and he's come up with A Timely Warning To All New Democratic Members Of Congress. Calling Brin pessimistic doesn't begin to do it justice,
Let me say that I am less worried about the things that dour pundits normally dwell upon — e.g. political temptations like earmarking and lobbyist dinners — than by something far more profound and potentially devastating. Today's topic is a vital alert that I hope will percolate through channels to every officeholder and/or sincere civil servant, during an era of political transition.
Indeed, it may also be pertinent to some members of the Republican establishment. For we are about to discuss a danger and an opportunity that cross party lines. We’ll be dealing with traits like honor and pragmatism, cynicism and patriotism, cynical self-protection… and courage.
While negotiating the ethical and political minefield that is Washington, always remain wary of a particular worst-case scenario… one that can systematically undermine even the most well-meaning politicians.
That worst-case scenario is BLACKMAIL.
Brin has some sensible advice for avoiding the modern blackmailer. It starts with clean living, but it doesn't end there.
This sounds like a big deal:
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Blog: Contractual Error
The Washington Post reports that private contractors have played a role in alleged detainee abuses at Guantanamo, sometimes even directing Army personnel to perform such abuse. This information was obtained from a 2004 survey of FBI agents who visited the detention facilities and is the latest addition in a long series of reports on contractor misconduct.
If the allegations are true, the Dept. of Defense would be in violation of Subpart 7.503©(3) and (7) of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, which states that direction of federal employees and military forces is an “inherently governmental function” not to be performed by contractors.
These episodes of misconduct shed light on fundamental questions about the proper role of private contractors in service to the federal government.
…
Peter Singer highlights this debate for DefenseTech and argues that a new provision of the FY 2007 defense budget could force security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan to comply with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. However, security contractors outside of conflict areas, such as those at Guantanamo, would still remain outside the bounds of legal obligation.
There's more, and it's worth reading.
CENTCOM has traditionally been a ground soldier’s job. Why give it to an admiral? Especially as there are two ground wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) going on in its theater of responsibility.
Here’s one worrying theory —
Pen and Sword: Navy Admiral Goes to CENTCOM: Be Very Afraid. It seems highly unusual for a navy admiral to take charge of CENTCOM until you consider two interrelated things. First is that Bush needs a senior four-star in the CENTCOM job who hasn’t gone on record as opposing additional troops in Iraq. Second is that Fallon’s CENTCOM area of responsibility will include Iran.
A conflict with Iran would be a naval and air operation. Fallon is a naval flight officer. He flew combat missions in Vietnam, commanded an A-6 Intruder squadron, a carrier air wing and an aircraft carrier. As a three-star, he commanded Second Fleet and Strike Force Atlantic. He presently heads U.S. Pacific Command. His resume also includes duty in numerous joint and Navy staff billets, including Deputy Director for Operations with Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia.
If anybody knows how to run a maritime and air operation against Iran, it’s “Fox” Fallon.
Jotwell Blenderlaw
