Earmarks and the Coast Guard

EARMARKS MUST BE ELIMINATED!


The term "Earmark" is most comonly used to refer to a provision (line-item) in legislation that directs funds to be spent on specific projects. Members of Congress insert earmarks into bills in order to direct specified amounts of money be given or spent on particular organizations or projects in their home states or districts. This differs from the appropriation of budget money to a particular government agency where the agency head can exercise discretion as to where and how the funds are spent. If the funds aren’t earmarked by members of congress, the agencies are free to spend money on projects they believe are most appropriate to meet their organizational goals and objectives.



Earmarks can more accurately be described as giving away the taxpayers hard earned money by secretly attaching line-items into non-related congressional bills for specific projects or specific recipients in order to get re-elected.



Many of the beneficiaries of these earmarked funds are state or local public agencies, but just as often, the money goes to private entities where the beneficiaries are political supporters of the legislators pushing the earmarks. Earmarks are the principal means by which Members of Congress “bring home the pork” and publishing their earmarks during an election year is a common tactic used to help incumbent members of congress get reelected.



It is not so much that any single earmark is the problem, but rather it’s the entire process. There is no real transparency or accountability in the current system. Members of congress try to re-direct billions of dollars of funding to specific projects within their district without subjecting these projects to debate by their colleagues, or to scrutiny and oversight by the public. The earmarking process invites backroom deals and sometimes unethical, or even corrupt behavior. It has become part of a “pay-to-play” culture where lobbyists, contractors and well-connected individuals give campaign contributions to legislators in return for receiving federal funding via earmarks for their special projects.



While the vital interests of the nation are being ignored by members of both houses of congress regardless of party affiliation, many legislators concentrate their efforts on diverting appropriated agency money to low-priority and sometimes outrageous special interest projects that will generate local publicity and additional campaign contributions.



While the country suffers from an invasion of illegal aliens and cannot seem to find the funds for increased border security, congress earmarks $3.4 million to research the Formosan Subterranean Termite and $10 million to La Raza, a pro-illegal alien amnesty organization. While the country goes deeper and deeper into debt and the dollar seems to lose its value every day, congress earmarks $450,000 for the International Peace Garden in Dunseith, North Dakota and $13.5 million for the International Fund for Ireland, which includes funding for the World Toilet Summit. While the nation’s education system is failing the American people, congress earmarks $2 million for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York and another $200,000 for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, Nev.



The House of Representatives has recently taken an important first step in reducing earmarks by passing House Rules changes requiring that earmarked spending projects and their congressional sponsors be publicized on the internet at least 48 hours before they are considered for a vote on the floor. Under the new rules, Members of Congress will be required to justify the public need for the specific earmarked expenditures and certify that they won't benefit financially from them. This is a good step forward, but more must be done.



The best way to reduce the number of earmarks is to pass legislation that requires that all bills and legislation be single issue or purposed. An individual bill should address one specific issue and only that issue. Any amendments must directly address that specific issue. No pork, no side issues, and especially no riders. All bills must be published and the discussions open to public scrutiny.



Limiting legislation to a single purpose will make bills more concise, and will substantially reduce the number of expensive special interest giveaways that are routinely inserted into so called "must pass" legislation without any debate. If members of congress want to fund specific projects back in their home states, let them introduce bills for these projects and let these bills be openly debated and voted on.



By:

JOHN W. WALLACE

Candidate for Congress

New York’s 20th Congressional District

www.FreedomCandidate.com

This is great. I'm actually laughing so hard I'm crying... ;) Well, I don't think anyone could claim that we don't at least have fun from time to time here at UCGB...


In a world that seems to be getting harder to understand by the day, I find it refreshing that humor can still prevail. BZ!



Now, back to the subject at hand; what about the cool boat? MM

I had to take my turn here to speak to the Shine guy. He’s right; the world is out to get him. I spoke with Naval Intelligence last night; they confirm that it has long been part of their collective goal to wipe out all traces of Mr. Shine’s service in the Naval Reserve. On condition of anonymity two secret agents spoke with me. Agent #1 said that this all began in 1957 when the government first realized that aliens were hiding inside the hulls of steam ships around the world. The aliens have a high tolerance for heat and in fact they thrive in it. Agent #2 chimed in with his disguise of a big rubber nose and black glasses that Mr. Shine was ever so close to discovering this fact. Seven aliens lived and thrived for years in the boiler of Mr. Shine’s ship before two became ill from exposure to divalproex and carbamazepine. There exposure source is unknown, but caused a severe reaction in the plants boilers, leading to Mr. Shines involvement somehow. Agent #1 stated that Mr. Shine had to be stopped at all cost “if were to keep the shivers me timber” program secret.


It’s also true, according to sources inside the United States Congress that Title 10 was never actually passed into law nor was it actually signed by the President. Turns out that the President had already been taken over by aliens from project Shiver me Timbers, and thus he was not really the President and had no authority to sign the updated version of Title 10 in 1996. The President at the time was however authorized to have sex with an intern in a small office off the Oval Office.



Naval Intelligence being very – intelligent, needed to pawn parts of this master plan off on some unwitting accomplice so they called in the Coast Guard since they (Coast Guard) are not actually military, but undercover secret agents of ICE, which is a military organization, but not authorized to carry real guns. They do have laser eyes though.



Anyway, did I tell you that the FBI and the Merchant Marine Academy share the same training academy, oh that’s another story? So like I said the Coast Guard, or was it ICE, or whatever, Oh crap it wasn’t ICE at all that’s the hard cold clear stuff in my tea. What I meant to say is that the Men in Black came to my office yesterday to ask about my involvement in this “Shine” thing. One of the guys, who looked a lot like Will Smith told me to shut up and explain why I was shining light on Shine. The other guy who looked like small pug dog then began to lick me while cuffing me. I actually liked that part, but that’s another story too.



Anyway, I’m still being held captive in a small dark room in the basement of an alien complex in the outskirts of DC. I can smell chicken, tacos and pizza all at the same time. I have to be drugged because who in their right mind would put all three of the restaurants in the same franchise? I’ll write more later, my blackberry seems to recharge itself every time the talking dog guy licks me.

Testing. 3, 4, 5.

Testing. 2, 3, 4.

Testing. 1, 2, 3.

[Found the ARTICLE and boy "is it a doozy..."... [NOT... really]..


[First rule of INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM... that the "author" broke {Amanda Trace as posted by the spawn or Andrew Jackson].. did not even CALL or CONTACT the target of her own RANT...]



[Or even read anything else that she - obviously a devoted Christian [Crusader] - was to write about...]



[But here it is with some more comments to follow.... ]



[GREAT sophomoric investigation by the Staff and Officers of the USCG... again... and again...]



[Obviously as SUSPECTED Amanda Trace is an EMPLOYEE with the USCG... and is on a "mission from god"... this could even be her "stage name"...?]



"Thursday, February 21, 2008

Farewell and Following Seas Mr. Shine"



"Coast Guard conspiracy theorist Eric Shine’s website appears to be down, under “new construction,” or possibly overtaken by aliens from the new branch of the Military over at ICE..."



[actually the site is back up - had to give Amanda something to jabber about - go to www.martiallaw911.com and review the 2 transcripts there].



"Earlier today we asked on CGblog.org or rather made a statement...



[or rather? Like in Dan Rather - Amanda Trace's long lost cousin?]



"...following one of Mr. Shines many full frontal attacks.."



[upon its frontal lobe]



"... on the Coast Guard..."



[not actually - but since many of the posts that spoek of my LOVE for the CG were taken down - well....?]



"...with regards to his Naval Officer status. We can’t find his name in the Naval Register...?



[Oh my God!?!?!? Federal records that are not accurate or...?].



"That doesn’t mean its not there.."



[of course not MISSY]



"..., just not visible with a human eye..."



[ha ha ha... ho, ho, ho..especially if you are a CG cyclops or running some kind of stupid amateurish psy ops].



[Great and exhaustive fact checking too - as if AMANDA [no] TRACE took some time and sought out MANY of the documents on file - or on line - that are UP and can be found at www.martiallaw911.com on the right hand side under TRANSCRIPTS... with a PHOTO IMAGE of the cover w/ DHS/ CG/ DOT/ USA and me on them?]



[As again - like in the TRANSCRIPTS... that can also be found at.....]



[http://theedgeam.com/news/...

fullnews.php?id=175]



[But please do not go and read or you might LEARN something... or you might be very afraid of what your own "organization" is doing to the Constitution and rule of law...]



[Like where a "COAST GUARD" Officer tries to pass a NAVAL OFFICER some form of paperwork on an alleged "discharge" from the US Navy... ]



[But please do not believe your own eyes as I am sure it is much more "entertaining" to listen to Amanda bleet.......and something of which was contested and brought up in the transcripts.... But I guess the Coast Guard can find what it is "looking for" rather then what is actually there.... in plain sight]



[I like how I am labeled a "Conspiracy theorist" and the little TART has absolutely no respect for her Superiors in age, rank, accomplishments, intellect, grade, education, security clearances and more..... so I will repay in kind - of course only in jest - interesting to say the very least. but I guess this is the "NEW" CG or actually more of the same or much, much........... worse?]



[I wonder if "ACTION JACKSON" and "AMANDA" [NOT a TRACE - or CLUE] got something going on that might be considered IMPROPER....... fraternization... hhhhhmmmnnn?]



"Here at the Coast Guard Report we have had enough of Mr. Shine’s speculation..."



[of course because the TRUTH hurts]



"...that the Coast Guard is reinventing themselves as a new branch of the Military...."



[which they are and have been doing for too long now - and if the little tart would slow down and read some Congressional Testimony by Congressmen that was posted here - then taken down - her little world might just get rocked - God forbid as then she might have to handle some independent thoughts].



"His old homepage (pictured here [ go to www.martiallaw911.com] purports that he’s an expert on Merchant Marine history....



[I think a good round of "ARE YOU SMARTER THEN AMANDA OR A FIFTH GRADER" might be fun]



"...and National Security issues.."



[you can also call into the Radio Show I do on the Coast Guard every weekend from 1-3 pm PST on Saturdays at 800-239-9251 or go to GCNLIVE.com and track through there - or I do another show in Admiral Allen's neck of the woods every Friday for 15 minutes on the Radio in Phoenix/ Tuscon]



"I don’t hold myself out be an expert on much..."



[obviously and for a reason]



"..., and am certainly not an expert blogger...



[me neither]



"...… but I’m pretty handy at reading United States Code which was not drafted, written, or even signed by the Coast Guard..."



[or Congress as it was not taken from any operative Statute - and in fact if you do a close reading - is very specific when, where and how the CG goes under the UCMJ and Navy - but your reading comprehension skills - suck!! And your ability to read, understand and remember much more then what is in front of you - like the rest of Title 46, and others like 46 USCA 10302/ 46 USC 2114]. Nonetheless, what the good old [old is probably the most accurate word here as the CG was using 1915 code - then when confronted with one thing after another moves to Title 10 which has to be taken into context with all other code and laws incl. the UCMJ itself and more like Admiralty, general maritime law, Jones Act.. etc. etc...]



"Code says is that “armed forces” means Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and YES Coast Guard..."



[at times - just like the MERCHANT MARINE for people like me who serve on special duty coming out of KP in the MERCHANT MARINE as fulfillment of and toward our Naval Commission.......... and more - it would be redundant to say NAVY twice... but hey.. someone needs to go back and read the entire Title 10 and not out of context...].



"The Code goes on to say that “uniformed service” means “the armed forces.” Good Golly Mrs. Polly!....



[I like that - at least I know you are a southern - Christian wannabe tart who somehow thinks I must be Muslim or something?]



"Are you all sitting down … the term service secretary means “the Secretary of the Homeland Security"



[so I guess as I've been saying the Department of Homeland Security is a Defense Department - and Michael Chertoff is a new "Defense Secretary"?]



"...when the Coast Guard is not acting as a service of the Navy.”



[it moves into the NAVY because when it is NOT in the Navy it is a civil service law enforcement Agency - I know it may be cool to where more then one hat at at time in the south - but not between Branches of the Military and POLICE FORCES who have guns and uniforms]



"That would be today’s scenario..."



[which when you begin to track things backwards is not as simple or straightforward as little Molly Polly Simpleton would like to profess or dance around with....].



"O.K. seriously this time, are you all sitting down?"



[Okay.. like seriously dude... I'm sure you are - with the weight of your accent and education shining through in your own text]



"I mean I know you’re in front of a computer and all, but you could be at one of those new fangled internet coffee bars with the stand up tables..."



[sounds like an OBAMA-ism coming from a WAR MONGERING McCain-inite after an Amway convention trying to sell soap on a rope to fellow cadets - or at least "Action Jackson].



"Please sit down … the definition of Academy Cadet or Midshipmen is …. Drums are rolling..."



[so is her dribble]….



"Cadets at the Military Academy, Midshipmen at the Naval Academy, Cadets at the Air Force Academy and YES Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy..."



[and midshipman at the US Merchant Marine Academy at KP - which of course you ignore the context of any and all posts or even why the names are used as it is well beyond any mental gymnastics you might attempt - does your mom and dad know you are on this site - little girl?].



You can stand back up … but know this … the Merchant Marine Academy seemed to escape Title 10...



[as did the Coast Guard academy and personnel in all but unusual circumstances or what is called EXTRA-ORDINARY - but Kings Point did not escape Title 10 as KP is part of the NAVY in time of war - ie why we have Naval Commissions and Defense Investigative Services background checks - unlike the liars, cheats and thieves - ooops - Oh my - working in the Coast Guard - like you and a few others at least - sorry to all of those "more upright" souls].



"Oh and I almost forgot, YES cadets are subject to the UCMJ signed out by the President of the United States...."



[AND no they are NOT as cadets come under the HONOR CODE and HONOR BOARD and are not COMMISSIONED until after graduation and are more "civilian" then anything else - especially coming from the CG Academy].



"Can we put this to rest now, please… "



[No?!!!?]



"Now Mr. Shine will not have to worry about the mean old Coast Guard conscripting Cadets into military service to Courts-Martial them...."



[Like WESTER SMITH just because he happens to be black - and a CHANGE IN STATUS is not supposed to be carried out to personnel when charges are brought against them - until they are found guilty... Plus the SUPERINTENDENT of the CGA is not a law enforcement OFFICER and is not supposed to decide where this guy gets prosecuted - Congress is and does and has]....



"Anyway, I’m done with Mr. Shine’s postings, his comments, and his rants. "



[Thank Goooooooooood?!?]



"But one last word … "



[Damn]





"...when his website comes back up"



[its there at www.martiallaw911.com the glitch is fixed]



"..., and if he posts his court documents again, please take note that you won’t see him referred to as Lieutenant in any of the ones I have seen so far. Wonder why?"



[actually - read pages 1-20 or as posted on this BLOG where the CG tries to give me a NAVY DISCHARGE?]



[Is this really what represents the future... OH MY G--???]



[Looks like someone is buckin for a promotion and not even trying to do so in a more MCCAIN-inite manner.]



{I hope all LOBBYIST on K Street and the Christian Right are watching this girl because she is going to be dynamite when she get older and is all set for Pat Robertson's school of law and order...........]



PEACE



LoL

U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E...!?!


Not when the COAST GUARD goes after and attacks WHISTLE BLOWERS with a vengeance......



I REALLY like the looks of this boat and its just the right SIZE too....



Not too big....



Not too small....



Just the RIGHT size for a C-O-A-S-T guard vessel for fast interdiction, close-by search and rescue, spill investigation and response, and all sorts of other missions.....



Far more in-line with a LIFESAVING SERVICE........ Lighthouse service... REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE for foreign cargo and foreign vessel interdiction... and more...



And just what a CIVIL SERVICE should have... rather then a alleged and supposed BRANCH OF THE MILITARY.......



Congress is REALLY starting to figure out what is going on with the COAST GUARD......



I predict Admiral Allen will be GONE by the end of the year... if not within 90 days.... and a STRING of EARLY retirements are in the offing.......



Word on the STREET is that the COAST GUARD'S SYSTEM OF MILITARY TRIBUNALS or li'il Guantanamo as it is known on the STREETS... or better known as the ALJ System is be be DISMANTLED as well.... and turned over to the NTSB......



But you didn't hear it here....



Okay you did...



And for THOMAS "ANDREW" Jackson who believes that I do not exist and is to somehow REPORT me to the authorities for allegedly "impersonating" an Officer....



The following was posted in response to his earlier comments...



Look for the story from Amanda Trace that will be a "HARD-HITTING" expose of Naval Officers impersonating NAVAL OFFICERS....



Sounds more like something that the COAST GUARD is better at.....



tshine said...



[Lt. Eric Shine says - in brackets[].........]



[In response to.... what THOMAS JACKSON says.... and I cannot WAIT to see the ARTICLE from a woman who has NEVER spoken to me.... never visited me to see my KINGS POINT RING, or Kings Point Diploma and degree, or Engineering License with Original KINGS POINT issue, or original Naval Commission as an Ensign out of Kings Point, or subsequent Commissions as Lt. Jg., and Commission as Lt. and more.... Oh my uniforms?... Yeah still have those from KP and Navy stashed somewhere in my families "hope chest"...... Or letter regarding being up for PROMOTION to Lcdr. when the Coast Guard brought its bogus charges against me.... or anything else... There is of course... more... but that is a very "interesting" tack to take... albeit totally ridiculous....]



"Thomas Jackson said..."



" Mr. Shine, In a story to be published by Amanda Trace, she writes that your name does not appear in the Naval Register of commissioned officers (Active, Retired, Reserve, Inactive, ADSW, or TDRL). Why is that? You say on many blogs that you're a LT USNR, but yet your name is not published in the Register with the names of all other USNR officers?"



[No idea who AMANDA TRACE is but I would assume that she is bought and paid for by the COAST GUARD along the lines of ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS and others.... a paid schill who was writing propaganda pieces for DoD... or was trained as a Coast Guard "investigator" as this would make it clear why she cannot find anything... or carry on proper investigations... Like where she might even contact the focus of her story DIRECTLY before writing anything..... hhhhhhmmmmn? Sounds very fishy to me..........]



[Again.... Mr. Thomas "Andrew" Jackson.... I'm sure you are related to Andrew as he was one of the first President who Impeachment proceedings were brought against.... I think that YOU and AMANDA should notify the "authorities" quickly and have them arrest and charge me for "impersonating a KINGS POINTER" and "NAVAL OFFICER" and and more... This is VERY serious.... I think the COAST GUARD has somehow "solved" another mystery that never existed.... norom... sorry I am dyslexic at times......]



[No idea why the records of the NAVY are not accurate, or how you checked them... or why you checked... as rather then FOCUSING on any information that is represented or presented... like the CASE NUMBERS... or TRANSCRIPTS.... and so much more... you are still trying to see if I really even "exist".....? I guess the "PICTURE" of me in my uniform you would like to somehow put forth is a holographic representation.? ]



[Amazing.... I "assume" you are who and what you represent... without question as I can let your words and testimony speak more for you then anything else... I guess you believe that somehow all of this knowledge and information and more was just absorbed by me from touching my computer screen... Problem is I know more about the COAST GUARD then you do... and that disturbs you... So rather then take a serious look at any of the "information" you would rather play the old pretend the person is not who he says he is - in hopes of "discrediting" him somehow...?]



[This is too funny.... cannot wait for the article... there is a couple more coming out on what is going on with me... as well... If you want the Gulf Coast Mariner's Association now known as the National Mariner's Association has a ton of documents and reports and more that are posted, stored [you can probably request copies] and many have been sent to certain Inspector General's Offices and other places to get the word out]



Friday, February 22, 2008 12:42:00 AM EST