Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Postal Service Inspector General report sees trouble ahead for 2016 political mailings

USPS Inspector General report sees trouble ahead for 2016 political mailings

Snippet of Article: "... some mailers are so upset with how slow the mail has become that they are questioning the value of political mail. The inspector general noted that its surveys have found issues with the flow of mail as a result of plant consolidations, and that those problems are raising issues with the people who would be using the mail in the fall elections..."

Source: www.linns.com

Mail plant consolidations, political mail,

Friday, March 18, 2016

FBI: Calif. college stabbing suspect had Islamic State propaganda

FBI: Calif. college stabbing suspect had Islamic State propaganda

Snippet of Article: "...A California college student who stabbed a classmate and attacked three more people last fall acted on his own but may have collected information on terrorists via social media, the FBI office in Sacramento, Calif., said Thursday. Faisal Mohammad..."

Source: www.usatoday.com

Thursday, March 17, 2016

CDC director: Opiate painkillers physicians prescribe 'are just as addictive as heroin'

Opioids are bad medicine for chronic pain, say new federal guidelines

Snippet of Article: "...The appeal accompanied the release of new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that strongly discourage doctors from prescribing opiates — such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin — for back problems, migraines, arthritis and other chronic conditions, a routine practice over the last decade and a half..."

Source: www.latimes.com

Opiate painkillers, CDC,

More Reading:

  • CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016 | MMWR
  • Wednesday, March 9, 2016

    Huff to USPS: ‘Stop this Reckless Consolidation’

    Huff to USPS: ‘Stop this Reckless Consolidation’

    Snippet of Article: "... Huffman called USPS’ consolidation plan “reckless,” saying the proposed legislation would add a much-needed level of oversight and make sure future consolidation plans “are based on data and the unique priorities of our local communities. Specifically, according to a release from Huffman’s office, the Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016 would..."

    Source: www.northcoastjournal.com

    Stop Postal Closures Act

    Wednesday, March 2, 2016

    F.B.I. Error Locked San Bernardino Attacker’s iPhone

    F.B.I. Error Locked San Bernardino Attacker’s iPhone

    Snippet of Article: "...F.B.I. personnel apparently believed that by resetting the iCloud password, they could get access to information stored on the iPhone. Instead, the change had the opposite effect — locking them out and eliminating other means of getting in. The iPhone used by Syed Rizwan Farook..."

    Source: www.nytimes.com

    FBI, Syed Rizwan Farook, iPhone,

    Friday, February 26, 2016

    2017 Federal Employee Pay Raise Update: 5.3% Catch-up?

    Federal Employees to Receive 5.3% Catch-up Under House Bill

    Snippet of Article: "...Rep. Connolly's bill, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, would provide employees with a 3.9% across-the-board increase plus a 1.4% locality adjustment. President Obama has proposed a combined 1.6% raise for federal employees next year..."

    Source: www.prnewswire.com

    Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act

    Sunday, February 21, 2016

    Koch brothers to spend some $900 million to cut Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, and environmental programs through campaign donations/money says Sanders

    Charles Koch agrees ...

    Snippet of Article: "...'The Koch brothers – second-wealthiest family and extreme right-wing family – they also have one vote, but they are going to spend some $900 million in this campaign to try to elect candidates who will cut Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, and environmental programs,' Sanders said to students at George Mason University in November..."

    Source: www.csmonitor.com

    Koch brothers, Charles Koch, Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, environmental programs,

    Saturday, February 13, 2016

    Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79

    Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79

    Snippet of Article: "...One of history's most vehement proponents of the originalist interpretation of the Constitution, Scalia believed the Constitution should be interpreted as it was when it was written, according to the intent of those who wrote and ratified it. Original Intent is a school of constitutional thought held by political and legal conservatives. Scalia spoke out against "judicial activism" when judges take the values of contemporary society into consideration..."

    Source: www.waff.com

    originalist interpretation of the Constitution, Antonin Scalia (Supreme Court Justice),

    Sunday, February 7, 2016

    Bernie Sanders gains after suspicions about the results were immediately apparent at 14 precincts

    Clinton’s margin of victory in Iowa narrows after state Democratic party revises results

    Snippet of Article: "...Rania Batrice, a spokeswoman for Sanders’s Iowa campaign, said the 14 precincts included only those in which suspicions about the results were immediately apparent. “There are definitely other discrepancies that haven’t been addressed,” Batrice said..."

    Source: www.washingtonpost.com

    2016 Presidential race,

    Friday, February 5, 2016

    Secret Service agents: Hillary is a nightmare to work with

    Opinion

    Secret Service agents: Hillary is a nightmare to work with

    Snippet of Article: "...That exchange is one among many that active and retired Secret Service agents shared with Ronald Kessler, author of “The First Family Detail,” a compelling look at the intrepid personnel who shield America’s presidents and their families — and those whom they guard..."

    Source: nypost.com

    Secret Service,

    Thursday, February 4, 2016

    2017 Federal Pay Raise for Federal Employees

    Obama plans 1.6% pay raise for federal employees next year

    Snippet of Article: "... President Obama will include an average 1.6 percent pay raise for federal employees in his fiscal 2017 budget proposal. This year, the average raise is 1.3 percent, not including locality pay..."

    Source: www.sj-r.com

    2017 Federal Pay Raise

    Thursday, January 28, 2016

    Murder at Malheur: The Shot Heard Around the World

    Murder at Malheur: The Shot Heard Around the World

    Snippet of Article: "...We have seen this movie before. Federal officials abuse their authority and their heinous acts result in the deaths of people who did not deserve to die..."

    Source: www.thecommonsenseshow.com

    Ruby Ridge, Waco Massacre, Malheur (Oregon Patriot Standoff), Senseless Killing of Lavoy Finicum,

    Tuesday, January 26, 2016

    No shooting evidence found after sweep of Naval Medical Center San Diego

    No gunshots found after sweep of Naval Medical Center San Diego

    Snippet of Article: "...Authorities "have not located any casualties or evidence of a shooting having taken place," Navy Region Southwest spokesman Scott Sutherland told Navy Times. "They are conducting a secondary, more thorough floor-by-floor sweep now." Personnel remain sheltered in place, he said..."

    Source: www.navytimes.com

    shooting, Naval Medical Center (San Diego),

    Shooting at San Diego's Naval Medical Center

    Shooting reported at San Diego's Naval Medical Center

    Snippet of Article: "...reported hearing three gunshots in the basement of the center's Building 26, a combination gym and barracks building, at about 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET), Navy spokesman Kevin Dixon said. A spokesman for the center, Mike Alvarez, said the incident is being treated as an active shooter situation ..."

    Source: www.cnn.com

    shooting, Naval Medical Center (San Diego),

    Thursday, January 21, 2016

    2016 'Wage and Salary' Pay Schedules

    2016 'Wage and Salary' Pay Schedules

    Snippet of Article: "...Wage and Salary, GS Pay Tables, AF SPECIAL SCHEDULES , Latest NAF Wage Schedules, ..."

    Source: www.cpms.osd.mil

    Pay Schedules (2016),

    Wednesday, January 20, 2016

    America says 'Yes' to guns, while politicians refuse listen

    FBI official: 'Perfect storm' imperiling gun background checks

    Snippet of Article: "...In each of the last six months, the number of background checks has risen steadily, according to FBI records, ending with December's record with more than a half-million over the previous monthly high..."

    Source: www.cnbc.com

    Second Amendment, States Rights, Guns in America,

    Tuesday, January 19, 2016

    BERNIE SANDERS: Let me give you an idea of how corrupt this system is

    Bernie Sanders to Hillary: Goldman Sachs Gave You Over $600,000 In Speaking Fees In One Year

    Snippet of Article: "...The leader of Goldman Sachs is a billionaire who comes to Congress and tells us we should cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Secretary Clinton, and you're not the only one, I don't mean to just point the finger at you, you've received over $600,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs..."

    Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

    Congress, corruption, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Hillary Clinton,

    Saturday, January 9, 2016

    DEA wasted more more than $850,000 on freely available information

    DEA 'substantially wasted government funds' when they paid Amtrak worker more than $850,000 for passenger information they could have had for free

    Snippet of Article: "...The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General has ruled that the DEA 'substantially wasted government funds' by paying an Amtrak employee more than $850,000 for information that was available for free. An Amtrak secretary, who was not publicly identified except as a 'secretary to a train and engine crew,' was paid a total of $854,460..."

    Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

    Tuesday, January 5, 2016

    The Food and Drug Administration approved 45 drugs with never-before-sold ingredients in 2015

    First-Of-a-Kind Drug Approvals Continued Rise in 2015

    Snippet of Article: "...likely to fuel the ongoing debate over rising prescription drug prices. That issue has become a top concern for consumers, a subject of congressional scrutiny and even an issue on the presidential campaign trail..."

    Source: www.nytimes.com

    Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Prices,

    Monday, January 4, 2016

    A grim 2016 start for TSP 'C' Fund participants

    U.S. stocks plunge in first morning of 2016 trading

    Snippet of Article: "...The Dow dropped 343 points, or 2 percent, to 17,082 at 9:35 a.m. ET. The S&P 500 shed 1.8 percent, or 37 points to 2,006 and the Nasdaq fell 2.2 percent, or 111 points to 4,896..."

    Source: www.cbsnews.com

    TSP, C Fund,

    Sunday, January 3, 2016

    Armed militia, takes over federal building in Oregon in support of ranchers 'controlled burn' on leased land

    Armed militia, Bundy brothers take over federal building in rural Oregon

    Snippet of Article: "...An armed militia took over a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon late Saturday and vows to occupy the outpost for years to protest the federal government’s treatment of a pair of ranchers facing prison time... attempting to reduce the growth of invasive plant species and ward off potential wildfires. The pair was sentenced to five years in prison..."

    Source: www.washingtonpost.com

    Controlled or prescribed burning, militia, Second Amendment,

    Wednesday, December 30, 2015

    NASA under orders to build a deep-space habitat by 2018

    NASA under orders to build a deep-space habitat by 2018

    Snippet of Article: "...Congress has instructed NASA to step up the development of a “habitation module” that can take astronauts on deep space missions..."

    Source: www.extremetech.com

    NASA, deep-space habitat,

    It ought to be a crime when crowds riot in malls

    Article Title: It ought to be a crime when crowds riot in malls

    Snippet of Article: "...It ought to be a crime when large crowds riot in malls. It is as great a crime that riots can take place in a mall putting shoppers at risk of violence ...and not one person be arrested. That is as ridiculous as it is unacceptable...."

    Source: It Ought to Be...

    Crime, National Guard, Taxes,

    Thursday, December 24, 2015

    U.S. plans raids to deport illegals who surged across border

    Article Title: U.S. plans raids to deport families who surged across border

    Snippet of Article: "...The ICE operation would target only adults and children who have already been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge..."

    Source: www.washingtonpost.com

    Tuesday, December 22, 2015

    What is ALEC?

    Article Title: What is ALEC?

    Snippet of Article: "...It’s an anti-union, anti-worker organization that seeks to cut the pensions and health care benefits of public-sector workers and dismantle collective bargaining rights. In secretive meetings, representatives of corporations and state legislators vote as equals to endorse “model bills” that would diminish workers’ rights and benefit corporations, the group notes. “ALEC is a pay-to-play operation,” the organization says. “Corporations buy a seat and a vote on ‘task forces’ to advance their legislative wish lists.”..."

    Source: www.apwu.org American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC),

    Monday, December 21, 2015

    FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration Supposed to Go Online Today (Dec. 21)

    Article Title: FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration Begins Dec. 21

    Snippet of Article: "...December 21–The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry is expected to go live during the day on December 21. Please check the agency’s home page at www.faa.gov for updates..."

    Source: www.faa.gov Unmanned Aircraft Registration (FAA)

    Thursday, December 17, 2015

    Secret Service officer shot to death in Washington

    Article Title: Secret Service officer shot to death in Washington

    Snippet of Article: "...A Secret Service officer assigned to the White House was fatally shot in the Southwest section of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon..."

    Source: www.politico.com

    Wednesday, December 16, 2015

    Fed funds rate hike to be announced today

    Article Title: Fed rate decision: what to watch for

    Snippet of Article: "...The 10 officials setting US monetary policy are forecast to raise the range for the Fed funds rate — the interest banks charge each other overnight to lend reserves kept at the Fed — by a quarter percentage point from 0-0.25 per cent to 0.25-0.5 per cent..."

    Source: www.ft.com Fed funds rate hike

    Tuesday, December 15, 2015

    Who says Social Security is going broke? Illegals to be rewarded with Social Security

    Article Title: Memo: Illegals To Receive Social Security, Credit For Time Worked Illegally

    Snippet of Article: "...Therefore, illegal immigrants who have previously paid into the Social Security system — while using a fraudulent Social Security number, for instance — will be eligible for benefits derived from that system. Those benefits include retirement, disability and survivor payments..."

    Source: dailycaller.com executive amnesty (Obama), Illegal Alien Invasion, Social Security benefits,

    Monday, December 14, 2015

    If you own a drone, you must register it with the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry


    Article Title: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration

    UAS Registry
    Drone Registry
    Article: "...If you own a drone, you must register it with the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry. A federal law effective December 21, 2015 requires unmanned aircraft registration, and you are subject to civil and criminal penalties if you do not register.

    • Review the UAS Registration FAQs to learn more about the program.
    • Read the Aircraft Registration Records System of Records Notice (MS Word).
    • Read the Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Interim Final Rule (PDF).

    Register before January 20, 2016 and your $5 registration fee will be refunded!..."
    Source: www.faa.gov FAA's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registration, Drone Registry,

    Saturday, December 12, 2015

    FBI’s crime lab in Quantico, Va, examining smashed cellphones that may relate to San Bernardino shooters

    Article Title: Investigators focused on who San Bernardino shooters were talking to before massacre, officials say

    Snippet of Article: "...In addition, agents have recovered two smashed cellphones from a dumpster, and are examining those and other items from the couple’s Redlands home at the FBI’s crime lab in Quantico, Va..."

    Source: www.latimes.com

    Thursday, December 10, 2015

    The US Government Wants IBM to Build Quantum Computers for It

    Article Title: The US Government Wants IBM to Build Quantum Computers for It

    Snippet of Article: "...quantum computers — which rely on the strange properties of atom-sized logic gates—could have exponentially more power than even today’s most advanced supercomputers. These machines could be used to develop new drugs, crack codes, or potentially even create true artificial intelligence..."

    Source: www.nextgov.com

    Tuesday, December 8, 2015

    Warning: No more free ride on forced Obama Care this year

    Article Title: No Obamacare Break This Year, Government Warns

    Snippet of Article: "... People who don't have health insurance yet for next year need to hurry up and get it or risk a fine, the federal government warns. And the fine's going up this year. Although the Health and Human Services Department offered a special extension last year to sign up, because many people may not yet have fully understood the requirements, there will be no such break this coming year ..."

    Source: www.nbcnews.com Obama Care

    Thursday, December 3, 2015

    How do I print my 1099R from Services Online?

    Article Title: How do I print my 1099R from Services Online?

    Snippet of Article: "...After logging in to SOL (https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/) 1) Select Request a Duplicate Form 1099-R. 2) You can elect to have a duplicate mailed to you or you can view/print the form. 3) At the Request for Duplicate Form 1099-R window, select View or Print (bottom of the window) 4) Select the year for which you want a 1099R and 5) Select view pdf. The 1099-R will open in a new window, as a pdf. If you want to print the 1099R, select File from the new window, scroll down and select Print. You can print current year and two previous years 1099R at Services Online. Note: If you don’t have a claim number and password for Services OnLine, you can email retire@opm.gov or call Retirement Information office at 1-888-767-6738 for a duplicate copy of your 1099R. You will need your CSA or CSF number (or Social Security Number) and date of birth. Make sure your mailing address is correct!..."

    Source: www.opm.gov 1099R

    Sunday, November 15, 2015

    CSRS: When Am I Eligible to Retire?

    Article Title: CSRS: When Am I Eligible to Retire?

    Snippet of Article: "...There are five categories of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Eligibility is based on your age and the number of years of creditable service and any other special requirements. In addition, you must have served in a position subject to CSRS coverage for one of the last two years before your retirement. If you meet one of the following sets of requirements, you may be eligible for an immediate retirement benefit. An immediate annuity is one that begins within 30 days after your separation..."

    Source: www.opm.gov

    FERS: When Am I Eligible to Retire?

    Article Title: FERS: When Am I Eligible to Retire?

    Snippet of Article: "...Eligibility is determined by your age and number of years of creditable service. In some cases, you must have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) to receive retirement benefits. Use the following chart to figure your Minimum Retirement Age..."

    Source: www.opm.gov

    Saturday, November 7, 2015

    DEA chief calls medical marijuana a joke

    Article Title: DEA chief: Medicinal marijuana is a 'joke'

    Snippet of Article: "...Chuck Rosenberg, chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said that smoking marijuana should not be considered medical treatment on Wednesday, calling the notion a "joke." ..."

    Source: www.cnbc.com medical marijuana,

    Thursday, October 29, 2015

    Digitizing the Federal Register

    Article Title: Digitizing the Federal Register

    Snippet of Article: "...We’re excited to announce that we will be digitizing the remaining Federal Register collection from 1936 to 1994 in the coming months! In partnership with the Government Publishing Office (GPO), the collection will be processed by decade, beginning with 1990-1994. The digital collection will be released in stages as each decade is digitized. This will allow for a gradual release of the collection’s 1,778,521 pages of content. The digital output will be..."

    Source: Federal Register www.federalregister.gov

    Wednesday, October 21, 2015

    Here’s How OPM Is Telling Hacked Feds Their Data Was Stolen

    Article Title: Here’s How OPM Is Telling Hacked Feds Their Data Was Stolen

    Snippet of Article: "..."If you applied for a position or submitted a background investigation form, the information in our records may include your name, Social Security number, address, date and place of birth, residency, educational, and employment history. personal foreign travel history, information about immediate family as well as business and personal acquaintances, and other information used to conduct and adjudicate your background investigation. If your information was listed on a background investigation form by a spouse, or co-habitant, the information in our records may include your name, Social Security number, address, date and place of birth, and in some cases, your citizenship information." The message to people whose biometrics were stolen is more specific: "Since you applied for a position or submitted a background investigation form... Our records also indicate your fingerprints were likely compromised during the cyber intrusion."..."

    Source: www.nextgov.com

    Thursday, October 15, 2015

    Occupational Outlook Handbook


    Article Title: Occupational Outlook Handbook

    Occupational Outlook Handbook
    Snippet of Article: "...This is a guide to career information about hundreds of occupations..."
    Source: www.bls.gov